Southern California family guide
Things to Do in Lake Arrowhead with Kids
Curated by Punita Patel
Reviewed & updated June 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Things to do in Lake Arrowhead
SkyPark at Santa's Village
Christmas-themed mountain adventure park with kid rides, mountain biking, archery, ziplines, and meet-Santa fun year-round.
~$59 adult, ~$49 kids
Lake Arrowhead Village
Lakeside shopping village with sweet shops, a small arcade, and the Arrowhead Queen lake cruise.
Free to visit; boat tours ~$20
SkyPark at Santa's Village
A revived 1950s Christmas-theme park in Skyforest, now a full mountain adventure park with ziplines, archery, rock climbing, nearly 10 miles of bike trails and a seasonal skating rink. Buy tickets online ahead since gate prices run ~$10 higher, and go early on weekends before the lot fills. Bring layers — it's at 5,000+ feet and cool in the pines even in summer.
~$59–$69/person (cheaper online than gate)
Lake Arrowhead Queen
This paddlewheel boat runs a narrated 50-minute cruise around a private lake most people can't otherwise access — the easiest way for a family to actually get out on the water. Buy tickets dock-side at LeRoy's Board Shop in the Village. Kids love spotting the lakefront mansions, and the enclosed lower deck keeps little ones comfortable if it's breezy.
$26.95 adults, $19.95 kids 2–11, infants freeLake Arrowhead Village
A lakeside, Swiss-chalet-style shopping and dining village dating to the 1920s — the free anchor for a mountain day, with waterfront walkways, a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and outlet stores. Park, grab ice cream, and let the kids run the lakeside promenade before or after a boat tour. Check the calendar — there are free concerts and seasonal festivals on the plaza many weekends.
Free to stroll; pay for shops and foodHeaps Peak Arboretum
A quiet, free stop on Highway 18 with the easy ~1-mile Sequoia Trail loop (about half an hour) passing the largest giant sequoia grove in the San Bernardino Mountains. It's fairly stroller-friendly and great for young kids, with an animal-tracks trail to keep them looking down as well as up. You'll need a Forest Service Adventure Pass on the dashboard, so buy one ahead.
Free entry; $5 daily Adventure Pass to park
Wildhaven Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary
A small nonprofit sanctuary in Cedar Glen caring for rescued indigenous animals like black bears, bobcats, foxes and birds of prey, with docent-led programs such as Bear Watch. You must reserve ahead — drop-ins aren't allowed — so book through their website before you drive up. It's an intimate, education-focused visit rather than a big zoo, memorable for animal-loving kids.
Varies (reservation required; donation/fee-based)Rim of the World Scenic Byway
The Highway 18 drive up to Lake Arrowhead is an attraction in itself, hugging the mountain rim with turnouts that open onto sweeping views over the valleys and lakes far below. Pull off at the marked overlooks (safe paved pullouts with interpretive signs) for an easy free photo stop with the kids. Watch winter weather — the road gets snow and chains are sometimes required.
FreeSeasonal & outdoors near Lake Arrowhead
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Lake Arrowhead.
More SoCal family guides
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.