Thanks to Kat, who blogs at Endless Wonder, for writing this post.
There is so much to do in Banff National Park, and so many of the activities in Banff are perfect for families and kids!
Located in Alberta, Canada, home to the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Banff has amazing blue lakes, breathtaking mountains, and abundant nature for you and your family to explore.
These are the best things to do in Banff with kids and where to take your family exploring!
Family-Friendly Activities in Banff
Swimming
Taking your kids swimming in Banff is a great way to spend a summer day in the Canadian Rockies. Most lakes in Banff are super cold, but some are still bearable, and you can get used to the chilly water. Please know that a lifeguard does not monitor all lakes in Banff and the surrounding area, so you must swim at your own risk.
Best places to take your kids swimming in and around Banff:
- Cascade Ponds: Can be a little chilly but refreshing on a really hot day. There are bridges that older kids can jump off of (jump at your own risk), and beautiful spots to set up a picnic on the grass or at a picnic table.
- Johnson Lake: Bring an inner tube and float around the lake to cool off on a hot summer day. The small beach makes it the perfect place for families and kids to play and wade in the water as well. Picnic tables are limited, so make sure to bring your own chairs. The parking lot also fills up fast in the summer, so be sure to arrive early!
- Quarry Lake in Canmore: The best family-friendly swimming spot around Banff, Quarry Lake is perfect to spend a summer day in the mountains. There is a nice beach spot, picnic tables, and a ton of grassy area to set up for the day.
Day Hiking
Getting out in nature and hiking with your kids is one of the best things to do in Banff. With amazing views in every direction, you can’t go wrong picking a day hike. There are a lot of easy hikes near Banff, but some of the best ones for kids are:
- Johnston Canyon: One of the best day hikes for families in Banff is Johnston Canyon because it is flat, the trail is super easy to follow, and there are stunning waterfalls along the way. It is important to keep an eye on super young kids, but there are railings along the canyon for safety. This is one of the most popular hikes in Banff, so arrive extra early during peak season to avoid crowds.
- Johnson Lake Loop: The Johnson Lake trail is located at Johnson Lake and can be combined with a day of swimming as well. This is another great hiking option for families with small kids, as there are very few incline spots, but it still provides nice views of the lakes and mountains in the distance. Follow this trail around Johnson Lake, and watch for the wooden swing along the way!
- Fenland Trail: A relatively short, relatively flat hike perfect for families who want to hike out in nature but don’t want to worry about inclines and being out all day. The Fenland Trail is a loop that typically takes around 30 minutes to complete, which makes it perfect for young families to hike in Banff!
- Tunnel Mountain Trail: For families with older kids or who want a hike with a bit of a bigger incline, the Tunnel Mountain Trail is the perfect option. The trailhead is right near Banff Town, offering incredible city views.
Ride the Banff Gondola
The Banff Gondola is an amazing experience, taking you up Sulphur Mountain for incredible views and a special place for the kids to explore. While riding the gondola up the mountain, keep your eyes peeled for any wildlife below – some visitors have had great luck spotting bears from above!
At the top, there are multiple views to take in along the boardwalk, a restaurant, and an interpretive centre to learn more about the Rockies.
If you go during the first 2 hours of the day, kids ride free with each adult admission!
Site See/Viewpoints
If you’re visiting Banff with a vehicle, then a great thing to do with your kids in Banff is to drive to different viewpoints and go sightseeing. Viewpoints and roadside turnouts are not typically far from each other; just driving around and stopping wherever you feel like is a fun thing to do with your kids. This is also a free option, so if you’re visiting Banff on a budget this is the perfect thing to do!
If your kids aren’t up for getting in and out of the car all day, though, there are some great places to see right near downtown Banff.
Bow Falls is a nice walk to take your kids on from downtown Banff. The walk will take you to a rushing waterfall and a pretty view.
The Cascade of Times Gardens is also a nice place to spend time with your family, and it’s free to enter!
One other viewpoint right near downtown Banff are the Vermillion Lakes. With little docks and an amazing view of Mount Rundle, this is a great place to picnic or spend time between sights.
Canoeing
One of the most Canadian things you can do in Banff National Park is renting a canoe and paddling out on an alpine lake. Although this is a popular activity for families and visitors in Banff, it can also be quite expensive!
The two most famous lakes to canoe on are Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. For a cheaper alternative, check out the Banff Canoe Club.
Explore Downtown Banff
Spending time in Downtown Banff is another great thing to do in Banff with kids. Walk down Banff Avenue to explore the different shops, find cool knickknacks, and pick up some yummy treats!
Places you can’t miss with your kids in downtown Banff include:
- Cows Ice Cream: a popular and delicious ice cream shop with fun flavours for everyone.
- Beavertails: a Canadian favourite, a beavertail is puffed pastry with delicious flavours, like Oreo, Lucky Charms, and Skor.
- Banff Candy Store: an activity in itself; there are so many fun and unique candies here! My favourite thing to get is a bear paw – chocolate-covered caramel with nuts in the shape of a bear’s paw.
Rent Bikes & Bike Vermillion Lakes
Another fun thing to do with kids in Banff is renting bikes and exploring the surrounding area. A fun, easy, and family-friendly bike ride is cycling from the town of Banff to the Vermillion Lakes. This is great for families with older kids as there is a chance vehicles will be on this road as well.
Another great cycling option is to ride part of the Legacy Trail, which is a pedestrian/bike-only sidewalk that connects the town of Banff and the town of Canmore. This is an incredibly scenic and mostly flat bike ride, and I highly recommend it!
Lake Minnewanka Boat Cruise
Head down to Lake Minnewanka, the largest lake in Banff, and head out on a boat cruise! An amazing experience to share as a family, discover this amazing lake surrounded by mountains for a unique adventure in Banff.
Make sure to book your Lake Minnewanka Boat Cruise in advance because it does sell out in the peak summer months.
Camping
Camping with your kids can be such a fun experience, and there is no better place to camp than Banff National Park! All of Banff’s reservable campgrounds are well-maintained, and most have playgrounds for kids!
Banff camping reservations can be booked in advance through the Parks Canada reservations website. Keep an eye on opening dates for bookings, as they do fill up fast. Otherwise, you’ll need to watch for cancellations on your specific dates or try for a First Come, First Serve campsite on arrival.
Ice Skating
If you’re visiting Banff National Park with your kids in the winter, heading out on a frozen lake and wild ice skating is a great activity for your family. Always check the ice thickness and use your own discretion when skating on alpine lakes.
The ice at Lake Louise is maintained and monitored by the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, making it a wonderful place to take your kids ice skating. Popular places to wild ice skate include Two Jack Lake and Johnson Lake.
Visit Banff’s Popular Lakes
The Canadian Rockies are known for their lakes, and Banff is home to so many great ones! Visiting these electric blue lakes is on everyone’s Banff bucket list. Some of the best lakes to visit in Banff are Johnson Lake (mentioned above as a nice place to hike with kids), Two Jack Lake, Lake Minnewanka, Lake Louise, and of course, Moraine Lake.
Cave and Basin National Historic Site
A really important place in Banff, the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, is the reason that Banff is a national park today. A natural thermal spring here, with important Indigenous ties, needed to be protected – which made it the birthplace of Canadian National Parks!
You cannot swim in the thermal spring here but can instead explore and learn about its important history. If you’re interested in soaking in hot springs, head to the Banff Upper Hot Springs!
Take Your Kids to the Banff Upper Hot Springs
A nice place to relax after a day of exploring and hiking, the Banff Upper Hot Springs are among the many awesome things to do in Banff with kids. Soaking in the hot springs is very similar to being in a hot tub, but instead, you’re outside, surrounded by fresh mountain fresh and stunning scenery! Reservations for the hot springs cannot be booked in advance, and kids under 3 are free to visit!
Things to do in Banff With Kids Summary
Banff National Park is an amazing place to visit with your family. With so many things to do with your kids in Banff, including cycling, canoeing and hiking, your family will surely remember their incredible adventure in Banff!