Kids' Camp has served Lake Tahoe visitors since 1992. Open to kids age's 6-13 years, this is a great option for the kids to get out and have some fun around Lake Tahoe. With both Day and Evening Sessions Available, this safe, fun, and educational program will allow your child to enjoy the limitless opportunities that Lake Tahoe has to offer. Kids' Camp is in no way a baby sitting service, but a well-rounded program of exciting adventures and activities. Hiking, swimming, movies, bowling and trips to the arcade, are just some of the great activities that Kids' Camp does each and everyday, year-round. Kids' Camp offers children an opportunity to experience Lake Tahoe and leave with memories that are sure to last a lifetime!
1. All children love to go for a boat ride. The M.S. Dixie II and the Tahoe Queen both have regularly scheduled cruises to points of interest around the lake.
2. For outdoor family fun, cast your lines at the Tahoe Trout Farm, offering free admission, bait and tackle, no license, no limit and payment for catches only. Sawmill Pond is a fishing hole for children only, located on Lake Tahoe Boulevard at Sawmill Road.
3. The U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center, located on Highway 89 three miles north of South Lake Tahoe, offers a variety of activities, many perfect for children. Self-guided trails and a stream profile chamber are near the Center, and a program called "Woodsy Rangers" is presented each day for the children. The Visitors Center is open from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm during the summer months.
4. Tennis courts are located at Caesars Tahoe & Harveys and at the Intermediate School, located at Highway 50 and Lyons Avenue (hours 7 am to 10 pm. Doubles $1.75, singles $1.25. Juniors and Seniors $.75 per hour). Call ahead.
5. Peddle along Tahoe's many bike paths - a good outing for the whole family. If you left your own bikes behind, many local shops rent them, along with child seats, including Anderson's Bike Rental on Emerald Bay Road, Lakeview Sports on Highway 50 near Regan Beach, and Sierra Cycle Works, on Highway 50 near Safeway in South Lake Tahoe.
6. Squaw Valley's tram can whisk you and your little ones up to the 8200 feet High Camp, where you can gaze out over Lake Tahoe, even have lunch at the High Camp restaurants. On the South Shore, Heavenly's tram carries you on a mile-long excursion up to 8250 feet, where you can grab some munchies at the Top of the Tram. It's here you'll enjoy some of the most breathtaking views of majestic Lake Tahoe and the Sierras.
7. Children of all ages enjoy leaning over Fanny Bridge at the Tahoe City "Y" and spotting the giant trout that dart back and forth between the bridge and the dam. Take some bread or fish food.
8. Magic Carpet Miniature Golf, is located on Highway 50 (toward the "Y") 2455 Lake Tahoe Blvd. (530) 541-3787 , 47 holes in all, a 28-hole course and a 19-hole course, plus a good size arcade. Cost varies according to course and time played. 19 holes is $5.00, 28 holes is $7.50, 47 holes is $11.50 All ages. Hours are 11AM to 7PM Monday - Friday and 10AM to 9PM Weekends, weather permitting. Magic Carpet Golf is also located at Kings Beach and Carnelian Bay on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe.
9. Kids can whirl around Merry Go Rounds and other rides at the Lake Tahoe Amusement Park located next to Magic Carpet in South Lake Tahoe. Open from 11 am to 10 pm, $1.00 buys a ride on every attraction except the Giant Slide and Bumper Cars. The slide is $1.50 for 20 minutes. (530) 541-1300. 2401 Lake Tahoe Blvd., So. Lake Tahoe.
10. Imagine the huge grin on your child's face as he ambles down the trail on a gentle horse. Go for a hay ride, or in wintertime, take a sleigh ride.
Camp Richardson Stables is located on Highway 89, offering a beautiful trail ride, and an especially fun breakfast and steak dinner rides where a delicious meal awaits you on the shores of Fallen Leaf lake. Fun for the entire family. Cost of the trail ride is $16.00. The breakfast ride is $28.50, approximately 2.5 hours. The 3-hour dinner ride is $29.50. Children must be 6 years old to ride. Guided tours for children available. Parents need not be present, but must sign a consent form. Reservations required.
Zephyr Cove Stables, open from 9 am to 6 pm, is located on Highway 50 just past the M.S. Dixie II boat dock. Guided trails on U.S. Forest Service lands. $16.00 per hour, $30.00 for 2 hours. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and sunset rides also available. Children must be at least 7 years old.
11. Movie Theaters
12. The City of South Lake Tahoe's Parks and Recreation Department is a wellspring of inexpensive activities organized especially for children. Kids of all ages can enjoy an hour or two of afternoon fun, day trips or even exciting overnight trips. Younger children can spend an afternoon eating pizza and roller skating during the Park and Recreation Department's trips for pre-school age to 10-year-old children once a month. Young outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of the Youth Summer Day Hikes offered in the summer and fall. These informative all-day hikes are designed to introduce your child to practical outdoor skills while having fun. So. Lake Tahoe (530) 542-6055 or Douglas County (775) 586-7271.
13. Your kids can make a splash at the beach, scramble over fun playground structures or munch their lunch at scenic picnic areas. Public beaches on the South Shore are: Nevada Beach, El Dorado Beach, Regan Beach, Pope Beach, Kiva Beach and Baldwin Beach. There are paddleboat, jet ski and other water toy rentals available at area marinas including Camp Richardson Anchorage Marina, off Emerald Bay Road, Ski Run Marina, just off Highway 50 at the lake end of Ski Run Boulevard, Timber Cove Marina, behind the Timber Cove Lodge on Highway 50, and Zephyr Cove Marina, four miles past the casinos on the Nevada side.
14. If bowling is your game, the Tahoe Bowl is open from 2 to 11 pm, located on Fremont Avenue in South Lake Tahoe or Incline Bowl at Incline Village on the North Shore.
15. In the winter, kids can slide down the slopes at some of the snow play and snow park areas. Many local shops rent tubes, toboggans and sleds. Many local ski areas also have special classes for kids.
16. Tessie's Fun and Games and Tahoe Tessie's Lake Tahoe Monster Museum and Toy Shop. Located at Kings Beach, it features a video arcade, snack bar, toy store and free admission into the museum.
17. Winter Activities - In the winter, kids can sled on slopes in designated areas. Many shops sell or rent sleds, toboggans and tubes. All the local ski resorts have ski instruction for kids and many have day care facilities.