Parents, we get it. When you’re on summer vacation, sometimes you just need an easy, low-stress activity to keep the kids engaged so you can have a second to sit back, take a breath, and try to keep your sanity after hearing the Bluey theme song for the twenty-fifth time in a row.
Don’t worry—we’re here to help! If you’re vacationing in Big Sky with kids, we’ve curated a list of easy, kid-approved activities that don’t require a lot of hassle. Just pick one, go, and let the kids have some fun in the sun. That way you can kick back with that latest novel from BookTok you’ve been dying to read.
7 Easy-Win Activities to Enjoy During Your Big Sky Summer with Kids
1. Hike Ousel Falls Trail
In this case, it isn’t bad to tell the kids to “take a hike.” This is one of the best trails in the Big Sky area, perfect for you and the kiddos! This short and scenic hike (about 1.6 miles round-trip) winds through the forest alongside the Gallatin River and ends at a picture-perfect waterfall that feels straight out of a storybook. The path is well-maintained (even asphalt-paved in sections), making it stroller-friendly and easy for kids. You’ll cross a few fun bridges on the way and find benches to rest or have a quick snack.
At the finale, Ousel Falls cascades roughly 30 feet over the rocks into a pool below, with little picnic spots where you can pause and enjoy the mist. It’s perfect for a morning stroll or a post-nap energy burner to let the kiddos explore nature without too much effort.
2. Let the Fun Fly at Adventure Mountain
If you’re not feeling up for tackling an actual mountain (we get it—mosquitoes are no joke in the summer), how about an indoor mountain? No, we’re not pulling your leg.
Big Sky Resort’s Mountain Village Plaza is home to Adventure Mountain, a kid paradise packed with mini-adventures. Here, you can let the kids loose on a whole slew of activities: there’s a bungee trampoline for high jumps and flips, a 25-foot rock climbing wall, a giant swing that hoists you 30 feet in the air, and even a pint-sized mini-golf course. Little prospectors will also love panning for treasures at the gemstone mining station and racing marbles down the marble run.
Parents can purchase a bundle of tokens or an all-day pass, then kick back while the kiddos run wild. It’s a one-stop, hassle-free way to burn off energy (and maybe even sneak in a village coffee break for yourself).
3. Soar through the Skies on a Zipline
Superman’s not the only superhero who deserves to fly. As a hardworking parent, you’ve more than earned your right to let loose too: so why not while zipping through the forest on a zipline?
Big Sky is home to the longest ziplines in the Yellowstone region, and there are options for all thrill levels. The Nature Zipline tour is ideal for first-time zipliners and younger kids, and if you have older or more daring kids, the Adventure Zipline tour ups the ante with four faster lines. It’s an experience your kids will be talking about long after vacation ends, and you get a chance to live out your superhero dreams too (cape not included).
4. Try Out a Unique Summer Camp
Sometimes kids want to do their own thing on vacation…and sometimes parents could use a break. We’ve got a way for you to check off both goals without breaking into a nervous sweat: a Big Sky summer camp.
These aren’t your typical “making-friendship-bracelets-and-smores” summer camps. Big Sky offers several high-hype, highly fun summer programs and day camps for children of all ages so they can truly experience the best Montana has to offer:
- For your little cowboys and cowgirls (ages 4–7), the nearby 320 Guest Ranch runs a “Wanna Be A Wrangler” program that introduces kiddos to ranch life (think obstacle courses on stick horses, learning to brush a pony, and a short led ride) as well as a “Wanna Be An Angler” program where pint-sized fishermen learn the basics of casting and reel in pretend fish.
- Over at Lone Mountain Ranch, the Lone Mountain Rangers camp (ages 3–14) gets kids out on the trails and into nature, with outdoor activities designed to build confidence and spark curiosity about the great outdoors.
- If you’ve got an aspiring mountain biker in the family, Big Sky Resort hosts multi-day youth mountain bike camps, even a four-day Mini Rider camp for 5- and 6-year-olds to teach skills and shred the trails in a safe, fun environment.
These camps are kid-approved for fun and parent-approved for wearing them out (and maybe learning something new) under the watch of experienced instructors. Check out the specific ranch or resort websites for schedules and registration, and give your child an unforgettable day of adventure while you enjoy some well-earned R&R.
5. Burn Off Wiggles at One of Big Sky’s Many Playgrounds
On vacation, not every day needs a big expedition. Sometimes the kids just need a good old-fashioned playground to climb, swing, and play while you soak up the sun, catch up on social media, or just have an adult conversation for the first time in, well, a while. Big Sky has you covered with some fantastic community parks built to keep the kiddos occupied while you kick back and work on your tan.
The new Big Sky Community Park playground is a must-visit: it’s a huge nature-inspired play space that’s ADA-accessible and divided into zones for different age groups This playground was designed with naturescape principles, so instead of metal and plastic you’ll find big timber towers with rope bridges and slides, climbing logs and boulders, and lots of wood elements that blend into the hillside. It’s the perfect mountain paradise for kids.
Another local favorite is Kircher Discovery Park, a quiet riverside spot that features a 500-square-foot tree fort as its centerpiece. This epic treehouse has multiple levels, slides, and a climbing wall, giving your junior adventurers plenty to explore in a beautiful forest setting.
Both parks have picnic areas and open space, so you can relax (maybe with a to-go cup of coffee from one of Big Sky’s local shops) while the kids run, climb, and let those wiggles out in the fresh mountain air.
6. See the Wildlife at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
No need for bear spray on this animal adventure! If your kids are animal lovers (or you didn’t spot a bear during your Yellowstone day trip), take a family excursion to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone. It’s an AZA-accredited wildlife park and education center where you can safely see live grizzly bears and gray wolves up close. Open 365 days a year, the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is an easy drive from Big Sky and provides a fun, educational adventure that’s perfect for an off-the-beaten-path outing with the kids…and you don’t have to worry about them petting the wildlife.
7. Gasp at the Great Views on a Chairlift Ride
Easy, a great view, and you get to sit down? Say less! One of the best and most memorable things to do in Big Sky is to hop on a scenic chairlift ride at Big Sky Resort. In summer, the resort runs its state-of-the-art chairlifts daily; you can get a scenic lift ticket and ride as much as you want all day. The ride itself is a thrill for kids, and the payoff at the top is incredible: sweeping views of Lone Mountain and the Spanish Peaks with zero hiking required. No running around here. You get to literally kick back and just enjoy the view.
Family Adventures Start at Two Pines Properties
When you’re on vacation, where you stay matters, especially if you have children. You need a space that feels like home-away-from-home, gives everyone the space they need, and lets you truly unwind while the kids have their fun.
Two Pines Properties offers Big Sky vacation rentals that are made for families of all sizes. Think full kitchens, extra space to spread out, decks for stargazing, and hot tubs for post-adventure soaking. Plus, we’re local, so we know all of the must-visit hidden gems around town that let you truly experience the Big Sky state.
Book Your Easy Big Sky Getaway
Why make your family vacation harder than it needs to be? You’ve done enough work! Browse our Two Pines vacation homes and book your stay today. Big Sky is calling, and we’re here to make it fun, easy, and unforgettable for every member of your family (yes, that includes you, too!).
