Best Family & Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Sedona

Quick Answer: The best family activities in Sedona are Slide Rock State Park (natural rock waterslide), Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour (kids love it), Bell Rock Pathway (easy hike with epic views), Sedona Trolley Tour (55-min narrated tour), Chapel of the Holy Cross, and Verde Canyon Railroad (2-hour scenic train). All are engaging for kids ages 4 through teens.

Sedona might have a spa-and-vortex reputation, but it's a legitimately great family destination. Nature is the main event, and kids respond to it. This guide covers the activities kids actually enjoy, plus family-friendly restaurants, hotels, and pro tips for a smooth trip.

Top 10 Family-Friendly Activities

1. Slide Rock State Park — The Natural Waterslide

• Address: 6871 N AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ 86336 (7 miles north on Oak Creek Canyon)
• Coordinates: 34.9430° N, 111.7527° W
• Open in Google Maps
• Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (varies by season)
• Cost: $20 per car (peak season); $10 in winter
• Best for: Ages 4+
• Best time: May–September

Oak Creek carved a natural slide into smooth red sandstone. Kids can slide, splash, and cliff-jump (small jumps only) in the shallow pools. The park hits capacity daily in summer — arrive before 9 a.m. or check the park's status page for real-time capacity.

Bring: Water shoes (essential — rocks are slippery), sunscreen, towels, snacks, cash for entry.

2. Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour

• Length: 2 hours
• Cost: ~$120 per adult, ~$75 per child
• Ages: 5+ (some flexibility)
• Best for: Any kid who loves rollercoasters

Sedona's wildest off-road ride. The Devil's Staircase and Chicken Point sections are the definition of "hold on tight." Kids love it. See our Best Jeep Tours guide for other options.

3. Bell Rock Pathway

• Distance: As little as 0.5 mile or as much as 3.6 miles
• Difficulty: Very easy
• Coordinates: 34.8102° N, 111.7657° W

The best hike to do with kids. Flat, wide, and Bell Rock itself is climbable if your kids are older (10+) and confident. Younger kids can climb the lower sections and turn around anytime. Bring snacks and let them lead.

4. Sedona Trolley Tour

• Length: 55 minutes
• Cost: ~$21 per adult, ~$16 per child
• Departs: Uptown Sedona, 276 N AZ-89A
• Coordinates: 34.8698° N, 111.7610° W
• Best for: Ages 3+, grandparents traveling with grandkids

A narrated tour covering Sedona's history and top landmarks — Chapel of the Holy Cross, Airport Mesa, Uptown, and more. Zero effort, maximum context. Great first-day activity.

5. Chapel of the Holy Cross

• Address: 780 Chapel Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336
• Coordinates: 34.8322° N, 111.7660° W
• Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Cost: Free
• Best for: All ages, quick 30-minute stop

The chapel is set dramatically into the red rocks. Even non-religious kids find it awe-inspiring. Look for the giant cross sculpture and walk the ramp up.

6. Verde Canyon Railroad

• Departs from: Clarkdale (about 45 minutes from Sedona)
• Address: 300 N Broadway, Clarkdale, AZ 86324
• Length: 4-hour round-trip narrated ride
• Cost: ~$99 adult, ~$59 child (First Class options)
• Best for: Ages 3+, families that love trains

A vintage train ride through red rocks along the Verde River. First Class car is worth it for kids because they can go outside on the open-air platform whenever they want. Book The Magical Christmas Journey if visiting in December.

7. Bearizona / Out of Africa Wildlife Park

Two options within an hour of Sedona for kids who love animals:

• Out of Africa Wildlife Park — 3505 W AZ-260, Camp Verde. ~30 minutes away. Drive-through and walking safari, big cats.
• Bearizona — I-40 in Williams, ~1.5 hours away. Drive-through animal park; combine with a Grand Canyon day trip.

8. Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park

• Address: 2650 Pueblo Dr, Sedona
• Coordinates: 34.8747° N, 111.7913° W
• Cost: Free
• Best for: Kids old enough to walk quietly (7+)

A 14-acre Buddhist sanctuary. Great for teaching kids about world religions and quiet nature time.

9. Sedona Heritage Museum

• Address: 735 Jordan Rd, Sedona
• Coordinates: 34.8776° N, 111.7602° W
• Cost: ~$10 adult, ~$7 for kids (free under 13)
• Hours: 11 a.m.–3 p.m. daily

Great rainy-day activity. The apple-packing barn is a fun stop, and kids like the vintage Jeep displays.

10. Stargazing

Sedona is an International Dark Sky Community. On a clear night, kids can see the Milky Way with the naked eye. Great free spots:

• Airport Mesa Overlook — walk from the car
• Bell Rock Pathway — a short walk from the trailhead
• Any pullout on Highway 89A north through Oak Creek Canyon

Or book a star tour with a telescope guide from Sedona Star Gazing Adventures or similar.

Best Family-Friendly Restaurants in Sedona

• Coffee Pot Restaurant — 101 omelettes, kitschy, no reservations, kids love it
• Pisa Lisa — Wood-fired pizza, quick service, casual
• Wildflower Bread Company — Sandwiches, kids' menu, healthy options
• Sedona Pizza Company — Covered patio, dog- and kid-friendly
• Black Cow Cafe — Ice cream in Uptown; prickly pear flavor is a hit
• Indian Gardens Cafe — Great pre-hike breakfast on the way to West Fork
• The Iconic McDonald's — Yes, really. Sedona has the world's only McDonald's with turquoise arches (the city required it match the landscape). Kids love the story.
• Location: 2380 W AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ 86336

Best Family Hotels in Sedona

Family-Focused Resorts

• Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock — Pools, kids' programs, on-site restaurants
• Sedona Pines Resort — Cabins, pool, playground, apartment-style suites
• Enchantment Resort — High-end but has Camp Coyote kids' program

Family-Friendly Vacation Rentals

Book through Vrbo or Airbnb in West Sedona or Village of Oak Creek for the best combination of space and value. Look for houses with:

• Pool or hot tub
• Full kitchen
• Yard
• Distance to Bell Rock Pathway or Sedona Shuttle route

Sedona Kids Trip Planner: 3 Days

Day 1 — Arrive + Easy Intro

• Morning: Drive from Phoenix, snack stop at Rock Springs Cafe
• Afternoon: Chapel of the Holy Cross, then Bell Rock Pathway (short walk)
• Sunset: Airport Mesa Overlook
• Dinner: Pisa Lisa or Coffee Pot Restaurant

Day 2 — Adventure Day

• Morning: Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour
• Lunch: Sedona Pizza Company (kid-friendly patio)
• Afternoon: Slide Rock State Park (change into swimsuits first)
• Dinner: Wildflower Bread Company or hotel restaurant

Day 3 — Explore + Chill

• Morning: Sedona Trolley Tour (55 min)
• Late morning: Tlaquepaque Arts Village (kids love the fountains and courtyards)
• Lunch: El Rincón (Mexican, kid-approved)
• Afternoon: Amitabha Stupa OR Slide Rock (again — worth it)
• Optional: Verde Canyon Railroad if you have a 4th day

Tips for Traveling to Sedona with Kids

• Book early. Family-friendly hotels and Jeep tours fill fast.
• Slow down. Sedona is exhausting in the sun. Two big activities per day, max.
• Snack constantly. Altitude and dry air make kids hungrier and thirstier.
• Sunscreen every 2 hours. The desert sun is deceptively strong.
• Hats and closed-toe shoes. Sandals slip on sandstone.
• Emergency plan. Nearest hospital is Verde Valley Medical Center in Cottonwood (~20 min drive).
• Take a stroller? Yes for kids under 3, but use it only on paved sections (Chapel, Uptown, Tlaquepaque, Red Rock Crossing).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sedona good for young kids (under 5)? Yes, but plan around them. Slide Rock, Bell Rock Pathway, the Trolley Tour, the Verde Canyon Railroad, and the Chapel all work great for little ones. Skip the strenuous vortex hikes.

Can kids go on Jeep tours? Most tours accept kids ages 4 or 5+. Pink Jeep and A Day in the West are the top options. Broken Arrow is fine for kids who like rollercoasters; Scenic Rim tours are better for younger or nervous kids.

Is Slide Rock safe for kids? Yes, in the designated slide area. Water is shallow and adults are around. Water shoes are essential to prevent slipping. Watch children under 8 closely and skip Slide Rock if the creek is running high after storms.

What's the best hike in Sedona with kids? Bell Rock Pathway — flat, short options, huge view. Red Rock Crossing for kids who like water play. West Fork Trail's first mile for shaded canyon walking.

Are Sedona restaurants kid-friendly? Casual spots definitely — Pisa Lisa, Coffee Pot, Wildflower, Sedona Pizza. Fine dining like Cress or Mariposa work for older kids (10+) but aren't ideal for toddlers.

How many days do we need with kids? 3 days minimum. Enough time for one big adventure (Jeep tour or Slide Rock), one easy hike, the Chapel, and dinner out. Add a 4th day for the Verde Canyon Railroad or a Grand Canyon trip.

Related Guides

• Best Hikes in Sedona: Complete Trail Guide
• Best Jeep Tours in Sedona
• Best Easy Hikes in Sedona for Seniors & Beginners
• The Perfect Sedona Itinerary: 1, 2 & 3-Day Plans

Plan Your Trip

Curated family activities, kid-friendly hotel picks, and Passport perks await at SedonaPassport.com.