Lake Tahoe is one of those magical destinations that truly has something for every age and stage. From adrenaline-pumping adventures to lazy beach days (with zero stress), it’s become one of our favorite places to escape as a family. Here are our top picks for the most memorable things to do in Lake Tahoe with kids—from kayaking and biking to surfing and scuba diving!

🌊 1. Clear Kayak Tour

We kicked off our trip on the water with a Clear Kayak Tour with Clearly Tahoe—and it was just as dreamy as it sounds. Gliding across the lake in see-through kayaks made it feel like we were floating above an underwater world.

We did the Scenic Shoreline Tour, which was just the right length for our family. The kids were mesmerized by being able to see straight down into the clear blue water, spotting fish and big boulders along the way. Our guide was incredibly friendly and shared fun facts about the area that even kept the kids engaged. It was peaceful, unique, and the perfect introduction to the magic of Tahoe.

🤿 2. Take the Plunge with Scuba Diving

Trying scuba diving in Lake Tahoe was hands down one of the most unforgettable experiences of our trip. We booked the Discover Scuba Diving course with Deep Abilss Dive Shop, and it was the perfect intro for first-timers. None of us had ever scuba dived before, so we were definitely a mix of nervous and excited.

Our instructor, Kyle, was truly incredible—so calm, encouraging, and clear with his instructions. He took the time to make sure we felt safe and confident every step of the way, from getting used to the gear to practicing underwater breathing in shallow water.

Once we were in the lake and descending, it felt like entering a whole new world. The visibility in Lake Tahoe is unreal—you can see so far down! We swam past submerged boulders and even spotted fish gliding through the water. The weightlessness and quiet made it feel like flying.

Our kids, who were a little unsure at first, ended up loving it and were so proud of themselves afterward. Kyle made the whole experience not just safe, but fun and empowering.

Deep Abilss also offers full certification courses like:

Open Water Diver (60 ft depth)
Advanced Open Water (130 ft depth)
Rescue Diver
Divemaster

And if you want to continue your education, they have specialty certifications like Drysuit, Altitude, Sidemount, and Deep Diver. Certified divers can join guided fun dives to wrecks and walls, explore the underwater state park at Emerald Bay by boat, or even join international dive trips.

🌲 3. Climb High at Treetop Adventure Park

After a couple of days in the water, we were ready to get active on land. So we headed to the Treetop Adventure Park. We visited the Vista location in Tahoe City, and it was an absolute hit with the whole family.

The courses are color-coded by difficulty, and there’s something for everyone—even our youngest could safely try a beginner course. The zip lines and rope challenges were exciting but not overwhelming, and the staff was super helpful and encouraging.

The Vista location offered beautiful views, but if you're staying elsewhere, they also have sites in Tahoe Granlibakken. It was a fantastic way to challenge ourselves, build confidence, and have a ton of laughs together.

🚲 4. Cruise the Pope-Baldwin Bike Path

One of the most unexpectedly fun parts of our trip was our biking day with Anderson’s Bicycle Rental. We rode 8 miles along the Pope-Baldwin Path, and it was the perfect family ride: flat, shaded, and filled with cool stops along the way. You can make it as long or short of a ride as you want.

We paused for ice cream, visited a small museum, and found a couple of beautiful hidden beaches. It was easy to ride at our own pace, and the kids loved the freedom of exploring on two wheels.

One tip: pack snacks, water, sunscreen, and swimsuits if you think you might want to swim. We didn’t bring towels and definitely wished we had once we saw the inviting water!

🤺 5. Enjoy the Easiest Beach Day with Lake Tahoe Floats

After so many active days, we were ready to relax—and Lake Tahoe Floats made it incredibly easy. This was hands-down the most relaxing beach day we’ve ever had.

They took care of everything: set up benches, chairs, towels, a table, a cooler, and the biggest, most fun floats for the kids. We didn’t have to lift a finger, and I loved their magnetized drink holders that actually kept everything from tipping.

They offer setups on the North, South, and West Shores, so you can pick the most convenient location. If you want a no-stress, fully set-up beach day, this is the way to go.

🏄️‍♂️ 6. Make a Splash with Lake Level Surf

For a core memory kind of day, we booked with Lake Level Surf and spent a morning on the lake with Captain Jim. This ended up being one of our family’s favorite moments of the trip.

Captain Jim was the best coach—encouraging, funny, and great with the kids. My husband wakeboarded while holding our toddler (amazing, right?), and our son got to ride belly-down on a surfboard while we all cheered him on.

We cruised through stunning Emerald Bay, jumped off the boat into clear, refreshing water, and just had the best time laughing and making memories. It was the perfect mix of adrenaline and relaxation, and the kind of day you talk about for years.

🏖️ 7. End with a Chill Day at Meeks Bay Resort

On our final day, we wanted something low-key, and Meeks Bay Resort was exactly what we needed. It’s just a short walk from the parking lot to the beach, which made it super easy with kids and all their gear.

The beach is peaceful, the water is shallow and clear, and there’s even a grill right on the sand with smoothies and lunch at reasonable prices. We lounged, played in the sand, and soaked up those last vacation moments without a care.

📍 Where to Stay

We stayed at a couple different Airbnbs during our trip, and they were perfect for families—lots of space, easy parking, and close to everything we wanted to do. One even had a stocked garage full of toys and gear and the other a zipline and private playground! Both were amazing with kids.

➡️ Click here to see our Airbnb recommendations and full reviews

More Ideas for Next Time

We packed a lot into our trip, but there’s still so much more we want to explore in Lake Tahoe. Here’s what’s on our list for our next family adventure:

Heavenly Mountain Coaster – A scenic alpine coaster that winds through the forest with lake views. It looks like a blast for kids (and grown-ups)!
Heavenly Gondola Ride – A relaxing ride with panoramic lake views and a fun stop at the observation deck mid-way up.
Sand Harbor Beach – Famous for its turquoise water and giant boulders. Great for swimming, kayaking, or just soaking in the beauty.
Emerald Bay State Park – Known for postcard-worthy views, plus opportunities for hiking, boating, and picnicking.
Kiva Beach – A quieter beach with calm water and mountain views. Free parking and a peaceful vibe make it ideal for families.
Rainbow Trail at Taylor Creek – An easy, stroller-friendly loop with a fun stream profile chamber and chances to spot fish, birds, and maybe even bears (from a safe distance!).
Eagle Rock Trail – A short, easy hike with a huge payoff! This 0.7-mile out-and-back trail near Homewood takes about 25 minutes to complete and ends with stunning panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding peaks. It’s a popular spot, so go early to snag a parking spot—but the view from the top is 100% worth it!
Tahoe Trout Farm – A catch-your-own fishing spot with no license required. Everything is provided, and it’s a guaranteed hit with kids.
Magic Carpet Mini Golf – Quirky and fun, with themed courses and lots of photo ops.
Bijou Community Park – Playground, skate park, disc golf, and more—all in one spot.
Tahoe Wildlife Center – Educational programs and open houses where kids can learn about local rescued wildlife.
Paddleboarding – With endless pristine shoreline and crystal-clear water, you’ll be absolutely blown away by the experience. Some popular spots for paddleboarding include Sand Harbor State Park, Emerald Bay, and Zephyr Cove. Rentals are easy to find all around the lake, and many places offer daily tours and guided expeditions for all levels.

We’re already dreaming up our return trip—and this list is just the beginning!

✨ Final Thoughts

Lake Tahoe is the ultimate family playground. Whether you’re paddling across crystal water, zip-lining through the trees, or just lounging on the beach, it’s a place where you can be active, make memories, and truly unwind.

If you’re planning a trip, save this guide and start mapping out your own kid-friendly Tahoe adventure—you really can’t go wrong with any of these experiences!

Top Things to Do in Lake Tahoe with Kids

🌊 1. Clear Kayak Tour

We kicked off our trip on the water with a Clear Kayak Tour with Clearly Tahoe—and it was just as dreamy as it sounds. Gliding across the lake in see-through kayaks made it feel like we were floating above an underwater world.

🤿 2. Take the Plunge with Scuba Diving

Our instructor, Kyle, was truly incredible—so calm, encouraging, and clear with his instructions. He took the time to make sure we felt safe and confident every step of the way, from getting used to the gear to practicing underwater breathing in shallow water.

Once we were in the lake and descending, it felt like entering a whole new world. The visibility in Lake Tahoe is unreal—you can see so far down! We swam past submerged boulders and even spotted fish gliding through the water. The weightlessness and quiet made it feel like flying.

Our kids, who were a little unsure at first, ended up loving it and were so proud of themselves afterward. Kyle made the whole experience not just safe, but fun and empowering.

Deep Abilss also offers full certification courses like:

Open Water Diver (60 ft depth)

Advanced Open Water (130 ft depth)

Rescue Diver

Divemaster

And if you want to continue your education, they have specialty certifications like Drysuit, Altitude, Sidemount, and Deep Diver. Certified divers can join guided fun dives to wrecks and walls, explore the underwater state park at Emerald Bay by boat, or even join international dive trips.

🌲 3. Climb High at Treetop Adventure Park

After a couple of days in the water, we were ready to get active on land. So we headed to the Treetop Adventure Park. We visited the Vista location in Tahoe City, and it was an absolute hit with the whole family.

The courses are color-coded by difficulty, and there’s something for everyone—even our youngest could safely try a beginner course. The zip lines and rope challenges were exciting but not overwhelming, and the staff was super helpful and encouraging.

The Vista location offered beautiful views, but if you're staying elsewhere, they also have sites in Tahoe Granlibakken. It was a fantastic way to challenge ourselves, build confidence, and have a ton of laughs together.

🚲 4. Cruise the Pope-Baldwin Bike Path

One of the most unexpectedly fun parts of our trip was our biking day with Anderson’s Bicycle Rental. We rode 8 miles along the Pope-Baldwin Path, and it was the perfect family ride: flat, shaded, and filled with cool stops along the way. You can make it as long or short of a ride as you want.

We paused for ice cream, visited a small museum, and found a couple of beautiful hidden beaches. It was easy to ride at our own pace, and the kids loved the freedom of exploring on two wheels.

One tip: pack snacks, water, sunscreen, and swimsuits if you think you might want to swim. We didn’t bring towels and definitely wished we had once we saw the inviting water!

🤺 5. Enjoy the Easiest Beach Day with Lake Tahoe Floats

After so many active days, we were ready to relax—and Lake Tahoe Floats made it incredibly easy. This was hands-down the most relaxing beach day we’ve ever had.

They took care of everything: set up benches, chairs, towels, a table, a cooler, and the biggest, most fun floats for the kids. We didn’t have to lift a finger, and I loved their magnetized drink holders that actually kept everything from tipping.

They offer setups on the North, South, and West Shores, so you can pick the most convenient location. If you want a no-stress, fully set-up beach day, this is the way to go.

🏄️‍♂️ 6. Make a Splash with Lake Level Surf

For a core memory kind of day, we booked with Lake Level Surf and spent a morning on the lake with Captain Jim. This ended up being one of our family’s favorite moments of the trip.

Captain Jim was the best coach—encouraging, funny, and great with the kids. My husband wakeboarded while holding our toddler (amazing, right?), and our son got to ride belly-down on a surfboard while we all cheered him on.

We cruised through stunning Emerald Bay, jumped off the boat into clear, refreshing water, and just had the best time laughing and making memories. It was the perfect mix of adrenaline and relaxation, and the kind of day you talk about for years.

🏖️ 7. End with a Chill Day at Meeks Bay Resort

On our final day, we wanted something low-key, and Meeks Bay Resort was exactly what we needed. It’s just a short walk from the parking lot to the beach, which made it super easy with kids and all their gear.

The beach is peaceful, the water is shallow and clear, and there’s even a grill right on the sand with smoothies and lunch at reasonable prices. We lounged, played in the sand, and soaked up those last vacation moments without a care.

📍 Where to Stay

We stayed at a couple different Airbnbs during our trip, and they were perfect for families—lots of space, easy parking, and close to everything we wanted to do. One even had a stocked garage full of toys and gear and the other a zipline and private playground! Both were amazing with kids.

➡️ Click here to see our Airbnb recommendations and full reviews

More Ideas for Next Time

We packed a lot into our trip, but there’s still so much more we want to explore in Lake Tahoe. Here’s what’s on our list for our next family adventure:

Heavenly Mountain Coaster – A scenic alpine coaster that winds through the forest with lake views. It looks like a blast for kids (and grown-ups)!

Heavenly Gondola Ride – A relaxing ride with panoramic lake views and a fun stop at the observation deck mid-way up.

Sand Harbor Beach – Famous for its turquoise water and giant boulders. Great for swimming, kayaking, or just soaking in the beauty.

Emerald Bay State Park – Known for postcard-worthy views, plus opportunities for hiking, boating, and picnicking.

Kiva Beach – A quieter beach with calm water and mountain views. Free parking and a peaceful vibe make it ideal for families.

Rainbow Trail at Taylor Creek – An easy, stroller-friendly loop with a fun stream profile chamber and chances to spot fish, birds, and maybe even bears (from a safe distance!).

Tahoe Trout Farm – A catch-your-own fishing spot with no license required. Everything is provided, and it’s a guaranteed hit with kids.

Magic Carpet Mini Golf – Quirky and fun, with themed courses and lots of photo ops.

Bijou Community Park – Playground, skate park, disc golf, and more—all in one spot.

Tahoe Wildlife Center – Educational programs and open houses where kids can learn about local rescued wildlife.

We’re already dreaming up our return trip—and this list is just the beginning!

✨ Final Thoughts

Lake Tahoe is the ultimate family playground. Whether you’re paddling across crystal water, zip-lining through the trees, or just lounging on the beach, it’s a place where you can be active, make memories, and truly unwind.

If you’re planning a trip, save this guide and start mapping out your own kid-friendly Tahoe adventure—you really can’t go wrong with any of these experiences!