25 FUN THINGS TO DO IN REDDING WITH KIDS

Looking for things to do with kids in Redding, CA? We’ve got you covered.

Kids love the sun and fresh air, and Redding is a full-scale theme park for those who love the outdoors. If the sun is shining too fiercely or it’s raining on your parade, there’s also plenty to do indoors.

Just a few hours north of San Francisco, there are incredible rivers, waterfalls, mountains, and forests with hiking, fishing, and biking for all ages.

Whether you’re visiting Northern California as a destination or you’re just passing through, we’ve compiled a list of family-friendly activities that are sure to please tiny travelers.

25 Fun Things To Do With Kids in Redding, CA

1) Tour Turtle Bay

Let the fun begin at the Turtle Bay Exploration Park. Visit the air-conditioned Turtle Bay Museum, where art, science, and nature collide. Be sure to feed the lorikeets at the Parrot Playhouse!

2) Stroll the Sundial

While you’re in the area, you can’t miss the iconic Sundial Bridge. The 700-foot-long bridge is a spectacular piece of art suspended over the Sacramento River in Redding is a real working sundial. The tip of the shadow moves at around one foot per minute.

3) Treat the tastebuds

When it’s time to cool off, why not tuck into some locally-made ice cream at Taste and See? Choose from Blueberry Goat Cheesecake, Bourbon Brown Butter Pecan, Nutella Bonfire S’mores, and many others at one of two locations, 1419 Market Street or 930 Hilltop Drive.

4) Get bouncy

Rare Air is Redding’s only indoor trampoline park. It’s for kids of all ages, and grown-up kids seem to have fun too! Try rock climbing, dodgeball, the slam dunk court, or bounce til you drop.

5) Take a garden walk

After you cross the bridge, you can stroll through the McConnell Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at Turtle Bay. Kids love roaming the wide open spaces, and you’ll enjoy the ample shade among more than 200 acres of native and non-native trees and plants.

6) Sledding in the snow

A day of sledding at Eskimo Hill is one of the best things to do with the family in the Northern California winter. Located near the majestic Mt. Shasta, you’ll spend hours flying down the hill, then rest in front of a fire pit with s’mores and friends.

 

7) Get wet and wild

Want more water with a torrent of slides thrown in for good measure? Then Waterworks Park is the cool place to be in Redding, California. Battle the Cyclone or the Avalanche, ride the Flumes or chill in the Lazy Lagoon.

8) Play it cool

When the heat is on, head to the water spray park at Enterprise Park’s Fantasy Fountain. The kids will get absolutely soaked among the multiple water features while a water volcano is always ready to rumble. And it’s free!

9) Find unlimited fun

There’s something for everyone just three miles north of Redding in beautiful Shasta Lake at the Oasis Fun Center. Whether you prefer mini golf, go-karts, laser tag, bumper boats, laser maze, or the amazing 3D ride simulator, your kids won’t want to leave.

10) Discover local history

Take a trip to Shasta Dam and learn about its fascinating history. The visitor center will set you up on a self-guided walking tour where you’ll discover how it was once the second-biggest dam in the land.

11) Wise up

There’s always more to learn at Shasta Public Library in Redding. Immerse yourself and your kids in the wonderful world of books and take advantage of the library’s reading times, activity programs and creative resources. There’s bound to be something fun happening at Shasta Library.

12) Party on

Visit The Park and grab some food at Redding’s food truck hub. There’s always something new and tempting to eat with plenty of drinks, music, and good vibes for the whole family. Just confirm The Park hours before you go, as they vary from season to season.

13) Skate with mates

If you’ve got teens who love skateboarding, Caldwell Skatepark is the answer to your prayers. Recently refurbished with a $1.3M upgrade, the park reopened in April 2022 and has Redding’s skaters buzzing.

14) Bring out the bikes

Do the kids prefer biking to skating? Take them to Caldwell Junior Bike Park featuring a pump track paved with a surface stronger than asphalt and a skill trail with numerous obstacles. There’s something for kids of all ages, from the daredevils to the three-wheelers. And don’t forget those helmets!

15) Take a bike trail

For families who love to ride together, check out the Downtown to Diestelhorst trail. Enjoy the safety of this new-to-Redding bike path that combines the benefits of downtown with the beauty of the Sacramento River.

16) Rock their world

No matter your skill level, Shasta Rock Club has a route for you. Enjoy a unique rock climbing experience in a welcoming community atmosphere. Whether you’re a novice or an expert climber, Shasta Rock Club offers all the gear and support you could possibly need for the whole family.

17) Lap up a lake day

Take a dip and more at Whiskeytown Lake. The crystal clear waters are a sight to behold. They are also ideal for boating, kayaking, tubing, or just about any other water activity you can think of. Whiskeytown is the perfect spot for a picnic if you’d prefer to stay dry. You can even explore California’s gold rush history.

18) Try disc golf

If you like throwing a frisbee and don’t mind a hit of golf, then disc golf at Enterprise Park is for you. The sport takes frisbee throwing to new levels by adding in targets and keeping score. Be advised; this is much harder than it looks, and some folks take it seriously!

19) Strike it lucky

If you love to go bowling, Country Bowl is right up your alley. Whether you’re looking for a party venue, a sports bar, or just a couple of lanes to share with the kids, an afternoon here will ensure you don’t go spare.

20) Get serious about swimming

Take the plunge and go for a splash at the Aquatic Center. Whether it’s swimming lessons, water safety, pool parties, or just cooling off after a hot day, there’s fun to be had for all who take a dip at Caldwell Park.

21) Experience an underground adventure

The Lake Shasta Caverns are water-formed caverns estimated to be about 200 million years old. This awe-inspiring attraction is sure to fascinate the kids as well as moms and dads. The tour lasts about two hours and includes a short boat ride, with approximately half that time spent exploring the stalactites and stalagmites.

22) Swing and drive

Take out the one wood at Aqua Golf. For the frustrated hacker who too often finds water, this is the solution. With aqua golf, you can’t miss! Drive until your heart’s content, sending those golf balls to their watery graves beneath the Sacramento River. It’s heaps of fun for everyone.

23) Walk to a waterfall

Hike to beautiful Whiskeytown Falls! After being hidden for decades, the falls were rediscovered in 2004 by a park employee. Now, this 220-foot-tall display is accessible for all to enjoy. A stairway running up the left-hand side of the falls gives visitors a unique perspective of its tremendous power and beauty.

24) Scoot the Sac

One of the best ways to follow the beauty of the Sacramento River is with a bird scooter. They’re so easy to ride and inexpensive to rent. A QR code gets you started, and then off you go—you’ll be flying like a bird in no time.

25) Wonderful wandering

If you crave miles of trails, open spaces, wildlife, and flora, take a scenic walk and enjoy the natural landscape at Lema Ranch. Keep an eye out for egrets, woodpeckers, blackbirds, and even otters and muskrats in winter.

And That’s Not All!

Of course, this is just the beginning of the kid-friendly things to do in Redding, CA. If you feel like taking a drive for the day, Lassen Volcanic National Park is an endless wonderland of beautiful sites to explore for the whole family. Discover more things to do in Redding, CA with kids at visitredding.com!