Looking for things to do in Bozeman with kids? This family-friendly city offers no shortage of fun activities for children, both indoors and outdoors.
We know how challenging it can be to keep the little ones entertained, so we've compiled a list of some of our favorite local spots, from playgrounds to trampoline parks. Whether you're visiting in the winter or summer, we've got plenty of ideas!
Planning a trip to Bozeman? Download our Travel Guide for tips on where to stay, how to get around, and events to attend while you’re in town!
Families Love These Things To Do in Bozeman With Kids
1. Random Acts of Silliness Shows + Events
This community-led organization creates whimsical experiences around Bozeman through art installations and fun events for kiddos. From Fairy Villages at local parks, enchanting storytime, to puppet theater productions, the creativity is astounding. Check their calendar for upcoming free events for the whole family.
2. The Bozeman Public Library
A local favorite, the Bozeman Public Library (located in Downtown Bozeman) has an entire room dedicated to kids. They'll love looking through the vast selection of books for all age groups, building blocks, and computers.
There are also plenty of events for children (almost every day of the week!) including:
- Big Kid STEAM: Rotating projects that teach elementary students about science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics through play.
- Toddler & Preschool Storytime: Kids sing, rhyme, read, and dance during this exciting storytime program!
- Read With a Dog: Kids get the chance to read with a therapy dog.
- Tween Art Studio: Elementary and middle schoolers create works of art using materials like chalk pastels or watercolors.
- Family Kitchen Lab: Families learn to make a different recipe each week.
3. Story Mill Community Park
You'll find this 60-acre public park on the way to Bridger Canyon, on Bozeman's northeast side. It features fishing access on the river, restored wetlands, and a wildlife preserve with miles of paths. Families also love the adventure playground, picnic pavilions, amphitheater, climbing rock, and learning gardens. Don't leave your furry friends at home – there's even an enclosed dog park!
4. JumpTime Bozeman
Trampoline parks are excellent outlets to expend excess energy, and JumpTime has plenty of options for all ages – even adults will have a blast. This makes it one of our favorite things to do in Bozeman with kids!
Test your fitness skills with the Ninja Warrior Course, try your hand at Extreme Dodgeball, or challenge an opponent to Slam Dunk Basketball. Jump off the Storm Castle Tower, or engage in a friendly sparring match on the Battle Beam. There’s even a Toddler Zone for the tiny tykes!
JumpTime is located in Four Corners, just outside of Bozeman to the west.
5. Museum of the Rockies
A Smithsonian affiliate, the Museum of the Rockies will keep kids (and parents) entertained for hours. Located in south Bozeman, this museum has something for everyone. People of all ages will love the massive collection of dinosaur fossils (especially the giant T-rex skeleton!), seeing a show at the Taylor Planetarium, and learning about Montana's early history. Youngsters will enjoy hands-on activities in the "Explore Yellowstone" exhibit, and in the summer, you can visit the Living History Farm to experience an old Montana homestead.
Make sure you check out their education programs too – there's plenty of activities for early learners, young kids, teens, and families! Their calendar also lists fun and exciting things to do in Bozeman with kids.
Rotating exhibits bring a variety of science, history, and art from around the world. Be sure to stop in the gift shop; it’s full of educational toys and games that the kiddos love!
6. Glen Lake Rotary Park
Otherwise known as Bozeman Beach, this lake is just two miles north of Downtown Bozeman and an excellent place to spend a summer day. Perfect for stand up paddle boards, canoes, kayaks, and float tubes, you can relax on the water while staying close to shore. You'll see plenty of people swimming too!
Glen Lake Rotary Park also has a climbing boulder, volleyball net, and covered pavilions. If you're feeling hungry afterwards, head to MAP Brewing. The brewery overlooks the lake, serves great food, and has a gorgeous patio to sit on in the summer!
7. Bowling
In case it’s been a while since you’ve gone, don’t forget how much fun bowling can be! The Bozeman Bowl, a full-scale bowling alley located in Bozeman's downtown area, has bumper lanes for those just learning, plus plenty of snacks and party tables.
The Strand Union Rec Center at Montana State University has a bowling alley, arcade and pool tables, and is open to the public!
Ponderosa Social Club is a great spot for mom and dad to enjoy happy hour while the kids bowl at their mini lanes.
8. Big Sky Arcadia
Big Sky Arcadia is Bozeman's only arcade, and is full of games and prizes. It's located in Gallatin Valley Mall, on the western side of Bozeman on the way to Four Corners. Reloadable cards are available to make gameplay easy!
9. The Great Rocky Mountain Toy Company
What kid doesn’t love a good toy store? The Great Rocky Mountain Toy Company, located on Main Street in downtown Bozeman, is full of unique toys and specialty items. It'll keep the kids entertained for hours!
10. Hyalite Reservoir
Visiting Hyalite Reservoir – just south of Bozeman – is one of the best things to do in Bozeman with kids, no matter the season! In the warmer months, it's got great trails for hiking, spots for fishing. People also love to swim, paddle board, or kayak on the reservoir. There are plenty of campsites in Hyalite too!
In the winter, you can still hike – Palisade Falls and Grotto Falls are great trails all year round – or go cross country skiing on the (many) groomed trails. People will ice skate during the early portion of the winter before too much snow has fallen (late November or early December typically work), but make sure it's safe to do so first.
11. Alpacas of Montana
Another fan favorite? Alpacas of Montana's farm tours, located on their property in southern Bozeman! During the tour, you and your family will get the chance to feed, walk, hold and learn about their alpacas and llamas. If you visit during May or June, you may even witness an alpaca birth!
After the tour, you can purchase cute gifts and clothing items from their onsite farm store.
12. Montana Grizzly Encounter
Yes, you can still see grizzlies without visiting Yellowstone (and you rarely see them there anyway!). At Montana Grizzly Encounter, just off of I-90 heading east, you'll be able to see rescued grizzly bears up close.
Staff members share each of the bear's stories and are available for questions. You can also attend a longer Keeper Talk, which lasts about 35 to 45 minutes.
13. Bridger Bowl & Crosscut Mountain Sports Center
Love outdoor activities? Head straight to Bridger Bowl Ski Area or Crosscut Mountain Sports Center! They're located right next to each other in Bridger Canyon east of Bozeman and easy to get to – they're just about a short 30 minute drive from town.
Bridger Bowl offers skiing and snowboarding lessons to kids (and adults) in the winter, and features miles of beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain. There's also a bunny hill area for new learners. No matter your level, there's a place for you! In the summer, you can go hiking or mountain biking there for free (you might even come across some huckleberries!).
If cross country skiing or biking is more your jam, check out Crosscut. In the winter, your pass gives you access to miles of groomed nordic skiing and fat biking trails. In the summer, it turns into a mountain biking mecca!
14. Bozeman Hot Springs
If you're looking for something unique to do with the kiddos, Bozeman Hot Springs just might be your answer! You'll find the facility just outside of Bozeman, on Highway 191 heading south.
With 12 different pools of varying temperatures, there's plenty to explore. You can move between cold and hot pools, creating a fun environment for kids! They have both shallow and deeper pools, allowing you to choose the best depth for your little ones.
Once it gets dark, their colorful lights turn on, creating a fun atmosphere. You can also catch live music on select evenings.
15. Spire Climbing + Fitness
Looking for a way to burn off your kid's excess energy? Take them to Spire Climbing + Fitness, just three miles southwest of downtown. Enroll them in a kid's program or snag a day pass – either way, they're sure to have a blast climbing up the tall walls.
Looking for more things to do with kids? Check out our events list or visit the "Family Fun" section on our blog.
If you enjoyed this blog, take a look at some of our other related articles:
- Ranking the 14 Best Hot Springs in Montana
- Top 10 Things To Do in Yellowstone
- Bozeman Breweries: Enjoying The Best Beer Around Town
- 3 Scenic Hikes in Yellowstone
- 4 Spots to Go Fly Fishing in Bozeman
- 5 Things to do in Hyalite Recreation Area For Every Activity Level
In our never-ending quest to keep up with all things new in Bozeman, we have been producing content for years and can't possibly update every blog when new businesses open or existing businesses close. Please reference the publish date and do your own due diligence when making plans.