Grand Canyon South Rim with kids

The Grand Canyon is a paradise for seasoned hikers and adventurers. But for families with (young) children, there’s plenty to experience in Grand Canyon National Park as well. We visited the Grand Canyon with our children aged 2 and 4. Both we and the kids thoroughly enjoyed the impressive Grand Canyon!

There are various ways to explore the Grand Canyon, depending on the age and interests of the children. The Grand Canyon South Rim is the most accessible rim of the Grand Canyon. On this page, you’ll find 8 things to do in the Grand Canyon with kids!

Helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon with kids

During our road trip through Western America, we took a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon with our children, who were then 2 and 4 years old. They both found it amazing. Our 2-year-old son immediately wanted to go again.

A helicopter flight is suitable for children of all ages. Children aged 2 years and older must have their own ticket and will sit in their own seat. Children younger than 2 years old may sit on the lap of one of the parents.

Walk or bike along viewpoints on the South Rim

The Grand Canyon South Rim is very accessible for families. There are numerous viewpoints with the most beautiful views over the Grand Canyon. Often, there’s good parking available at the viewpoints, restroom facilities are present, and the walking paths are well-maintained.

The most popular viewpoint on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is Mather Point, close to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. This viewpoint offers a magnificent panoramic view of the canyon. There is a large parking area available, and from Mather Point, you can easily visit several other viewpoints, such as Yavapai Point (1.1 kilometers one way).

Mather Point is also one of the first viewpoints that visitors come across when entering the park. It is often busy, so it’s best to visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds.

Visit the IMAX Theatre

In the town of Tusayan at the southern entrance of the Grand Canyon, you’ll find the Grand Canyon IMAX Theater. In this large cinema, the 35-minute film “Grand Canyon: Rivers of Time” is shown.

The film takes you through the history of the Grand Canyon and the story of early civilizations that lived there. The film is suitable for all ages and is shown several times a day. The film is inspiring and informative, making it highly recommended to watch before driving into the Grand Canyon. Visit this website for current showtimes, and below you can see the trailer.

Become a Junior Ranger!

Junior Ranger Program: The Junior Ranger program is an interactive and educational initiative for children aged 4-14. It includes various activities and assignments that children can complete to earn a Junior Ranger badge. Junior Rangers help preserve and protect the National Park. Children learn about nature and history in a fun and educational way!

At various locations in Grand Canyon Village, the Junior Ranger activity book can be picked up, such as at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, Yavapai Geology Museum, Kolb Studio, or the Grand Canyon Conservancy. Upon completing the activities in the activity book, children receive an official Junior Ranger badge. Learn more about the Junior Ranger program on the National Park Service website.

Take on a challenging trail

For older children, it can be very exciting to take a real hike into the Grand Canyon. So, off the beaten paths at the South Rim and truly brave the rocks!

A popular hike is the Bright Angel Trail. For instance, you could walk to the “1.5-Mile Resthouse” point. 1.5 miles is equivalent to 2.4 kilometers. Remember that you have to walk back as well. This makes the hike a total length of about 4.8 kilometers. For older children with good physical condition, this is often doable!

Another fun and challenging hike with children is the South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge. The South Kaibab Trail offers fantastic views (you also pass the beautiful “Ooh Aah point”) of the Grand Canyon, but the path is narrow and rocky and can be challenging for some hikers. However, the hike to Cedar Ridge, which is about 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip, is a good option for families with older children. The path is well-maintained, and there are toilets and shaded spots to rest at Cedar Ridge.

Ensure you’re well-prepared for your hike, especially with children. For example, bring plenty of water, apply sunscreen generously, and avoid the hottest part of the day. The temperature in the Grand Canyon can soar in the summer months.

Ride in an open Hummer

Sit back in a large Hummer and drive by various viewpoints along the Grand Canyon South Rim! A fun tour to see a lot of the Grand Canyon in a short time. The enthusiastic guidance from the guide makes the tour extra fun and interesting. This tour is obviously very suitable for children. There’s a lot to see, you get out now and then, and the big open Hummer is really cool.

The Hummer tour starts from Buck Wild Hummer Tours in Tusayan. From there, you drive through the South Entrance into Grand Canyon National Park. This tour can also be booked with a sunset option (the “Sunset” tour), when the colors of the Grand Canyon are at their most beautiful. And if you’re with a large family or travel group? Then consider the “The Signature Private” tour, where you have the Hummer and Guide all to yourself.

You can view and book the Hummer tours here.

Visit the Yavapai Geology Museum

A 20-minute walk from the Grand Canyon Visitor Center is the Yavapai Geology Museum. The museum is dedicated to the geology of the Grand Canyon and offers visitors the chance to learn more about the history and formation of the Canyon. The museum features various exhibition spaces with interactive displays, models, and videos. Fun and informative for kids!

The museum is located on a hilltop and offers a stunning view of the Grand Canyon. Visitors can look through the museum’s windows and enjoy the breathtaking view of the canyon. The walk to the museum (Rim Trail) is very suitable for children and even strollers/buggies due to the well-maintained paths.

Admission to the museum is free. Check the current opening hours on the National Park Service website.

Grand Canyon Railway

The Grand Canyon Railway is a historic train journey that starts in the town of Williams and ends at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The fully restored train offers visitors an authentic and nostalgic experience while enjoying the beautiful landscape of Arizona.

The Grand Canyon Railway was originally built in 1901 and was the main way to access the Grand Canyon. Today, it is a tourist attraction that attracts thousands of visitors annually. The train features both first-class and coach-class seating, with comfortable chairs and large windows for enjoying the view. Live entertainment is provided during the train ride, such as cowboy shows and musicians playing traditional folk songs.

Upon arrival at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, visitors have a few hours to explore. The Grand Canyon Railway offers a unique and nostalgic way to explore the Grand Canyon and enjoy the stunning landscape of Arizona. And how cool is it to undertake this activity with kids! Tickets for this fun tour can be booked at www.thetrain.com.