Things to Do with Kids in Bozeman, Montana
- Montana Edit
- 6 hours ago
- 6 min read
Bozeman is a nature lover's paradise nestled in the heart of southwestern Montana, surrounded by mountains and offering endless opportunities for family fun. Whether you're a local or visiting, this college town has something for every age—from world-class dinosaur exhibits to sandy beaches, indoor play spaces, and outdoor adventures. Here's your complete guide to making memories with kids in Bozeman!
Museums & Educational Attractions
📍600 W. Kagy Blvd
📞(406) 994-2251
This world-class museum is a must-visit for families and houses one of the largest dinosaur fossil collections in the United States. As a Smithsonian affiliate, the Museum of the Rockies offers an incredible journey through 500 million years of history.
What Kids Love:
Siebel Dinosaur Complex: Home to the largest T-rex skull ever discovered and multiple complete dinosaur skeletons. Kids can watch paleontologists working on real fossils through viewing windows.
Explore Yellowstone Room: Designed specifically for children ages 0-8, this interactive space features a fire tower to climb, a play kitchen modeled after the Old Faithful Inn, fishing activities, camping setups, and a dedicated baby play area.
Taylor Planetarium: State-of-the-art shows about space and astronomy that captivate visitors of all ages.
Living History Farm: In summer months, the Tinsley House showcases homestead life in the 1800s Gallatin Valley.
Special Programs: Little Learners, Sensational Babies, and Preschool Pioneers classes offer hands-on learning experiences.
Pro Tip: Rocky Rex's Roasts café offers coffee, sandwiches, and ice cream—no museum admission required!
📍80 Bozeman Hill Rd
📞(406) 586-8893
Located halfway between Bozeman and Livingston on Bozeman Pass, this grizzly bear rescue and education sanctuary provides a rare opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures up close in a naturalistic setting.
What Makes It Special:
Home to rescued grizzly bears who cannot be released into the wild
Educational presentations about bear behavior, conservation, and safety
Bears rotate through the outdoor viewing area, so each visit offers different viewing opportunities
Admission is good for two consecutive days, allowing you to return and see different bears
Pro Tip: Call ahead to check which bears will be out during your visit. School groups are always welcome free of charge!
📍2023 Stadium Dr, Suite 1-A
From ancient cuneiform tablets to modern technology, this fascinating museum traces the evolution of computing. Despite its name, it offers engaging exhibits for all ages and is perfect for a rainy day activity.
Indoor Play & Activities
📍221 E. Oak St, Suite C
📞(406) 404-2374
This modern, thoughtfully designed indoor play space is perfect for children ages 0-9 and offers a refreshing alternative to traditional playgrounds. Founded by early childhood educator Katie Dolen, State of Play emphasizes creativity, open-ended play, and inclusive learning.
Features:
Geometric play fort and climbing structures
Art studio with rotating creative activities
Sensory bins and exploration stations
Play kitchen and reading nooks
"Glow Cave" for calming sensory experiences
Building zones with natural, sustainable materials
Programming:
Open play sessions (typically starting with a class like yoga, world language, cooking, or tiny ballet, followed by open play)
After-school art classes for ages 3-7
Date Night drop-off (every other Friday)
Birthday parties and special events
📍13 Enterprise Blvd (Main facility)
📞(406) 586-0706
Bozeman's premier indoor climbing facility welcomes climbers of all ages and abilities across 19,000 square feet of climbing terrain.
Features:
Walls ranging from 14 to 50 feet tall
Top-rope climbing, lead climbing, bouldering
Six auto-belay stations (no partner needed!)
Birthday party room with kitchenette
Yoga studio and fitness equipment
Climbing classes and youth programs
Pro Tip: No experience or appointment necessary—staff will teach you everything you need to get started. Great for rainy days!
📍Homestake Dr
📞(406) 586-3473
Indoor trampoline park with toddler zone, ninja course, basketball hoops, and more. Best times for younger kids are earlier in the day before it gets busy. Check out special deals like Sunday Family Fun, Bounce-n-Bite Lunch, and Toddler Time.
📍626 E. Main St
📞(406) 582-2400
The Children's Room is a fantastic free activity featuring books, toys, blocks, and a creative rotating imaginative play station (past themes include Farmers Market, Veterinarian, Hair Salon, and Pizzeria).
Weekly Programs:
Big Kid STEAM Play
LEGO Club
Family Storytime
Read with a Dog
Parks
Glen Lake Rotary Park (Bozeman Beach)
📍173 Bridger Vale Dr
This 83-acre recreation area offers Bozeman's own brand of sandy paradise—yes, there's a real beach in Montana! This former gravel pit was transformed by volunteers into one of the city's most popular parks.
Features:
4-acre swimming lake with sandy beach
Fishing and diving dock
Volleyball courts
Picnic shelters and pavilions
3 miles of walking/biking trails (maintained by Gallatin Valley Land Trust)
Playground and climbing boulders
Connections to Cherry River trail system
Nearby: MAP Brewing overlooks the lake and offers food, drinks, and a grassy area—perfect for parents!
Pro Tip: No dogs allowed in the park proper, but allowed on surrounding trails
Gallatin County Regional Park & Dinosaur Playground
📍Davis Ln (between Baxter and Oak)
This 100-acre park encompasses the Dinosaur Playground plus much more. The fan-favorite playground in Bozeman features educational dinosaur sculptures and endless entertainment for toddlers through older kids.
Park Features:
Two lakes stocked with rainbow trout for fishing
Walking and jogging trails
Sledding hill (great winter fun!)
Climbing boulders throughout the park
Skate park
Nordic ski trails in winter
Off-leash dog park area
Playground Features:
Multiple dinosaur sculptures to climb and explore
"Dino dig" sandboxes where kids uncover permanent dinosaur "bones"
Separate "Tot Lot" area for toddlers
Slides, swings, climbing walls with safety surfacing
Covered picnic tables
Adjacent to skating rink and larger regional park trails
📍698 Bridger Dr
An incredible nature-focused park featuring two playgrounds, including a unique grain elevator-themed climber, three-story treehouse with slides, and a super-long slide built into the hillside. Also includes a learning garden and beautiful trails.
📍325 S. Church Ave
Features:
Excellent playground for ages 2-5 with safe equipment
Separate "big kids" playground with climbing structures
Access to Bozeman Creek for water play
Free City Band concerts on Tuesday nights in summer
Tuesday Evening Farmer's Market (June-mid September)
Bozeman's only city pool (seasonal)
Ice skating rink in winter
New pickleball courts
Large open fields
📍700 S. Fowler Ave
This 16.5-acre park features ponds, a small playground, climbing wall for all ages, pavilion, and plenty of open space for running and playing. Popular for swimming, kayaking, picnicking, and sand volleyball.
Outdoor Adventures & Day Trips
Palisade Falls
📍Hyalite Canyon
A family-friendly hike leading to a stunning waterfall. The trail is relatively easy and perfect for kids who can handle a short uphill walk.
M Trail & Drinking Horse Trail
📍Bridger Creek Rd
These iconic Bozeman trails offer beautiful views of the city and mountains. The M Trail climbs to a large white "M" on the mountainside representing Montana State University. Both are short loops great for kids comfortable with uphill hiking.
📍15795 Bridger Canyon Rd
With a summit elevation of 8,700 feet and beginner skiing classes for kids ages 4+, Bridger Bowl offers family-friendly skiing on safe slopes like Sunnyside, Glenn's Glade, and Moose Meadows.
Sourdough Creek Trail
📍HXRF+W9
The best walking trail for young kids—easy to access, relatively flat, with spots to stop and play by the creek.
Alpacas of Montana
📍8255 Cottonwood Rd
Located outside Bozeman, this farm offers free tours (10am-5pm) where you can meet, pet, cuddle, and even walk alpacas on a leash! Tours last about 90 minutes and end at the farm shop selling alpaca products.
Hyalite Canyon
📍Hyalite Canyon Rd
Head south on Highway 191 for beautiful canyon scenery, waterfalls (including Grotto Falls and Palisade Falls), and family-friendly hiking trails. The Gallatin River runs through the canyon, offering fishing opportunities.
📍63960 Gallatin Rd
Offers beginner rafting trips for kids ages 6+ on the Gallatin River (90 minutes), plus zip line tours, fly fishing, and tubing on the Madison River. The season typically runs May through mid-September.
Ice Skating
Beall Park
Bogert Park (with lights for night skating)
Southside Park (with lights)
Haynes Pavilion (Gallatin County Fairgrounds - indoor rink)
Sledding Hills
Peet's Hill: The town's favorite for decades—fast and steep!
Snowfill Recreation Area: Also an off-leash dog area
Lindley Center: Mellower hill, great for younger kids
Dinosaur Park: Man-made hill with fast snow and long run-outs
Cross-Country Skiing
Gallatin County Regional Park and other areas offer groomed trails perfect for families.
