Best Things to Do in Sun Valley, ID With Kids
Sun Valley splits hard by season. Summer means the River Run gondola to the Roundhouse, a Redfish Lake boat cruise in the Sawtooths, the outdoor Sun Valley Ice Show, and a Craters of the Moon day trip. Winter means skiing plus a horse-drawn sleigh dinner at Trail Creek Cabin — book both well ahead, they sell out.
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1Area photo: Wikimedia CommonsRiver Run Gondola to the Roundhouse (Summer)
An easy, stroller-friendly way to get real Sawtooth-range views without a hike. The gondola runs June through September, and the Roundhouse restaurant at the top has a deck built for the view, not just the food. Short hiking trails fan out from the top for families who want to stretch the visit.
Watch out: Afternoon thunderstorms build fast in July and August — check the forecast and ride in the morning. Temps at the top run 15–20°F cooler than the valley; bring a layer even in summer.
2Area photo: Wikimedia CommonsRedfish Lake Scenic Boat Cruise
About an hour south of Sun Valley in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Redfish Lake is the postcard shot of this part of Idaho — glacier-carved, turquoise, ringed by jagged peaks. Redfish Lake Lodge runs a narrated cruise across the lake, and there's a beach and lodge restaurant to make a full day of it.
Watch out: The lodge and marina get busy on summer weekends; book the cruise ahead rather than showing up. Water stays cold enough that swimming is a quick-dip activity, not an all-day one.
3Area photo: Wikimedia CommonsSun Valley Outdoor Ice Show (Summer)
A real tradition dating to the resort's 1930s heyday — legitimate Olympic and national-champion figure skaters perform outdoors at the Sun Valley rink most Tuesday and Saturday evenings in summer. It's a genuinely well-produced show, not a resort filler activity, and kids who've never seen competitive skating are usually riveted.
Watch out: General lawn viewing is free-ish (resort access), but the good sightlines are reserved rinkside tables that sell out — book those in advance if you want to actually see the show, not the backs of other guests' heads.
4Area photo: Wikimedia CommonsCraters of the Moon National Monument Day Trip
A genuinely strange landscape about 90 minutes east — black lava fields, cinder cones, and lava tube caves you can walk and crawl into with a flashlight. It's nothing like the mountain scenery around Sun Valley, which is exactly why kids remember it.
Watch out: No shade anywhere in the park — go early and bring more water than feels necessary. Some lava tubes require crawling on hands and knees; skip those with strollers or very young kids and stick to the walk-in caves.
5Area photo: Wikimedia CommonsTrail Creek Cabin Sleigh Ride Dinner (Winter)
A horse-drawn sleigh pulls you through snowy meadows to a 1937 log cabin for a set dinner menu by the fire. It's touristy in the best sense — a genuinely pretty, low-key evening that doesn't require ski legs, and it's been a Sun Valley tradition for generations.
Watch out: Fixed dinner menu with limited substitutions — check ahead for picky eaters or allergies. Dress warmer than you think; the sleigh ride itself is 15–20 minutes each way in open air.
Frequently asked
Is Sun Valley worth visiting in summer, or is it only good for skiing?
Summer is arguably the better family trip — the gondola, Redfish Lake, and the outdoor Ice Show all run June through September, lift tickets aren't needed, and hotel rates are lower than ski season.
How far is Redfish Lake from Sun Valley?
About an hour by car via Highway 75 over Galena Summit. It's a real day-trip commitment, not a quick stop, but it's the single most photographed spot in the region for a reason.
Is Craters of the Moon appropriate for young kids?
Better for ages 7 and up. The terrain is uneven lava rock, there's no shade, and the more interesting lava tube caves require crawling. Younger kids can still enjoy the visitor center and the short paved overlook trails.
Do we need reservations for the Sun Valley Ice Show?
Not required to watch, but rinkside table seating — the only seating with a real view — sells out on show nights. Reserve ahead if seeing the skaters clearly matters to your family.
Same destination, where to stay
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Activity days work best when your resort is the right launch pad. Our Sun Valley family-resort guide ranks the whole-family-experience winners.
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