For many families, Central Oregon is synonymous with spring break, summer vacation, holiday outings, and family gatherings. And it’s no wonder: The region is home to a variety of kid-friendly activities (indoors and out) that range from educational museums to speedy go-kart tracks. And that’s to say nothing of the region’s many parks, several of which host fun-filled playgrounds where your little ones can play to their hearts’ content.
So no matter what kind of memory you want to make on your next family outing, here’s a roundup of kid-friendly activities in Central Oregon!
Kid-Friendly Activities in Bend and Sunriver
Bend and Sunriver are among the region’s most popular destinations with families, and it’s easy to see why. Family activities in Bend, Oregon, abound with plenty of options—indoors and outdoors—for making the most of your time in the area. Here are just a few favorite kid-friendly activities in Bend and Sunriver.
High Desert Museum
One of the most popular family activities in Bend is a visit to the award-winning High Desert Museum, which sits a short 10-minute drive from Bend and Sunriver. The museum offers a diverse range of exhibits and experiences, suitable for families and children of all ages.
-
- Indoor and outdoor attractions
- Rotating and interactive exhibits
- Native wildlife, including birds of prey and river otters
- On-site café serving lunch, snacks, and refreshments
If you have your travels planned, skip the line and purchase tickets to the High Desert Museum now.
Lava Lands Visitors Center
A short drive away from the High Desert Museum, the Lava Lands Visitor Center includes a 3-D topographic map showing off all the area’s volcanoes. shows short films on what’s happening under the surface, and hosts a few paved, mostly flat walking trails that head into the heart of an otherworldly lava flow.
Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory
Venture another 15 minutes south, and you’ll arrive at Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory. This incredible destination offers hands-on activities and hosts wildlife displays during the day and after the sun sets.
During the day, check out exhibits showcasing snakes, lizards, hawks, and owls. After dark, the on-site observatory brings together nine to 20 telescopes to gaze at stars, planets, moons, and other celestial wonders. This is the largest collection of telescopes for public use in the United States!
Restaurants and Activity Centers around Bend
Bend takes pride in offering fun for the whole family. With indoor and outdoor activities, there’s an abundance of adrenaline-pumping fun—and spots to refuel for lunch or dinner.
K1 Speed
For the Mario Cart fans among us, K1 Speed offers high-speed thrills through its fleet of zero-emissions go-karts. Step away from the course and onto the resident café, serving classic snacks (for the kids) and locally brewed beer and cider (for the grown-ups).
Lifty’s Bar Grill & Sandbox
Lifty’s takes full advantage of its surroundings by featuring a rooftop deck showcasing wide-open mountain view, a sand volleyball court, and other fun games. Of course, you’ll want to unwind with hearty pub grub, mocktails, and local brews after a few rounds of games.
Outdoor Recreation in Sunriver
If you’re staying in Sunriver, it won’t be long before your little ones beg to check out the outdoor activities. With plenty of outdoor fun throughout each season, Sunriver offers a range of recreational activities, no matter the time of year.
-
- Sunriver SHARC Aquatics & Recreation: More commonly known locally as simply “SHARC”, this outstanding aquatic recreation facility is home to indoor and outdoor pools, a lazy river, waterslides, and splash and play areas for toddlers and young children.
- Sunriver Ice Skating: A popular tradition in the winter, the ice skating rink at Sunriver runs from November through the end of the season.
- Sno-Parks: Snowy hillsides become popular destinations during the chilly seasons to go sledding in Central Oregon.
Indoor Activities in Bend
We may have the market cornered on outdoor fun, but Bend has plenty of exciting indoor opportunities when kids want to jump around.
-
- Mountain Air: This indoor trampoline park features 26 trampolines, surrounded on two sides by angled trampoline walls for an added thrill.
- Free Spirit: Located in the Old Mill District, Free Spirit features a climbing wall, a ninja-style obstacle course, a twisting red slide, and other fun activities for babies, toddlers, and young kids. Plus, it’s just steps from the Deschutes River Trail where you can enjoy a leisurely stroll!
- Trampoline Zone: Get ready for extreme indoor adventure! Trampoline Zone’s indoor trampoline park boasts more than 50 trampoline beds, six climbing walls, a laser maze, and other engaging activities.
Bend Parks
Around Central Oregon, our neighborhood parks offer plenty of diversions. Alpenglow Community Park, for instance, offers a splash pad, dog park, playground, and more. Juniper Park, meanwhile, offers a variety of unique play options (including activities with sound and tactile play elements), climbing structures, horseshoe pits, and tennis courts. Learn more about Bend’s exciting parks from the Bend Parks & Recreation District.
Sahalie and Koosah Falls
At the western edge of Central Oregon sits the majestic McKenzie River—home to Sahalie and Koosah Falls. Just steps from the parking lot, the thundering Sahalie Falls plunges roughly 100 feet into the river below. And, if the waterfall looks familiar, it’s because a scene from the hit Disney film Homeward Bound was filmed here.
Just a short walk downriver, Koosah Falls plunges about 75 feet into a deep pool. Keep going for a mostly easy 2.6-mile hike, or turn back for a quick, kid-friendly outing. If your time along the McKenzie piques your curiosity, learn more about the rivers in Central Oregon.
Hoodoo Ski Area
Just a half-hour northwest of Sisters, Hoodoo Ski Area offers some of the best family-friendly skiing in Central Oregon. The long-running ski area offers a wide range of runs geared toward skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels and a family-friendly tubing park.
Hoodoo’s night skiing is another delightful attraction, especially for little ones. Nighttime fun includes live music, a massive bonfire (occasionally kept alight via flamethrower), and a food menu that leans heavily on kid-friendly snacks.
If you want to hit the slopes elsewhere around the region, check out our page on skiing and snowboarding in Central Oregon.
Redmond Caves
For a fun diversion not far from downtown, check out the Redmond Caves Recreation Site—home to five caves that formed when a lava tube collapsed thousands of years ago. Open year-round, caves one, three, and four have big enough openings to walk into and explore; caves two and five, meanwhile, are smaller and shallower.
Pump Tracks and Skate Parks
Check out the many fun stops for budding bikers and growing skaters. If your kid loves boarding, make time for a stop at one of these parks and tracks.
-
- Ponderosa Skate Park or Rockridge Skate Park in Bend: Budding riders can test their skills on the Homestead Pump Track, offering a few straightaways and two-wall rides.
- Redmond Bike Park: This park hosts three dirt-jump trails and a pump track.
- Prineville Bike Park: Head further east for jumps, roller, berms, and other challenges for new and advanced riders alike.
- Madras Skate Park: Venture to the north for Madras Skate Park, which beckons skaters to play in the bowls, a snake pit, and street elements.
Visit an Alpaca Ranch
You’ll find ranches of all kinds across Central Oregon, including the popular Crescent Moon Ranch in Terrebonne. Home to several alpacas, Crescent Moon Ranch opens its doors daily to anyone wanting to see the furry animals up close.
Visitors can even feed the alpacas for a small fee for a unique adventure. An on-site boutique sells all manner of items made from alpaca fiber, including shirts, sweaters, yarn, and more. And, for a bucket list experience, try to visit in March or April to see the year’s newborns!
Curious about other activities around the region? Learn more about things to do in Central Oregon.
And if you’re looking for a place geared toward the whole family—four-legged friends included—learn all about pet-friendly hotels in Bend and Central Oregon.
