Whether your kids are bursting with curiosity or just need to burn off energy, Reno offers a huge variety of ways to keep them entertained all year long. From interactive museums to indoor play spaces and outdoor adventures, there’s something to fit every age, budget, and attention span.
Let’s get to it.
Sensology
When you step into Sensology, it feels like a private game pod tucked inside the Grand Fun Zone at the Grand Sierra Resort. You and up to nine friends or family members get your own comfy lounge room for 75 minutes of sensory challenges. There’s a host guiding you through smell tests, taste experiments, touch mysteries, sound quizzes, and sight puzzles. No pressure, just fun.
At $29 per person, it’s not bargain-basement cheap, but you’ll get fully stocked snacks and drinks in your room. The host explains each game clearly and jumps in if anyone gets stuck. Since it’s just your group, you can laugh off any flubbed guesses without worrying about strangers watching.
They’re open daily from 10am to nearly midnight, so you can squeeze in a session before dinner or late at night. It’s built for all ages—grade-school kids, teens, parents, or groups of friends who like a low-key competition. Sensology isn’t just weird quizzes about senses. It’s a relaxed, family-friendly way to bond, test your nose, and see which friend is the worst at guessing flavors. It ends up being educational in a quirky, totally fun package.
National Automobile Museum
If you’re in Reno and have even a passing interest in cars, the National Automobile Museum delivers. It houses vintage classics and rare models behind glass walls, but the real draw is the interactive kids’ center. At the E.L. Wiegand Children’s Center, little ones can try virtual race car design, pretend to wash a car in a simulation, and build their own mini-vehicles.
It’s all indoors, so rain or shine doesn’t matter. There are party rooms, movie screenings, and birthday packages with catering options if you’d rather skip packing snacks. Science Saturdays bring planetarium shows and VR demos, and PBS Reno sometimes hosts hands-on workshops. Museum staff guide each activity, keeping things organized so it never turns into total chaos.
Tickets run $15 for adults, $10 for kids, and free for children under six. The whole facility is wheelchair-friendly, and staff are ready to accommodate varied needs. Drop in for a couple of hours, book a birthday celebration, or set up a school field trip. It’s a neat blend of shiny classics, interactive learning, and family-friendly fun.
Wilbur D. May Arboretum
Tucked inside Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, the Wilbur D. May Arboretum is all about outdoor learning and exploration. Little Sprouts sessions in the mornings welcome toddlers under five for sensory play and nature walks. Older kids can join the Jr Naturalist Patch program whenever they like and earn embroidered patches as they discover plants, insects, and birds.
Most activities happen outside among the trees and flower beds. If the weather turns sour, the Ranch House offers shelter for homeschool meetups, and Honey’s Garden hosts summer story times under a covered patio. Sessions stay small so every child gets hands-on experience digging in soil, identifying leaves, or watching bugs scurry.
Almost all programs are free, except the structured homeschool group, which does offer discounted rates. Staff are trained to support kids with special needs, so families know they’ll get the help they need. You do have to register in advance since slots fill up fast, but once you’re in, it feels like you’ve snagged a hidden gem for curious young learners.
Wonder & Unwind
For families with toddlers up to kindergarteners, Wonder & Unwind is a lifesaver on wild-weather days or whenever you need a change of pace. The space is divided into zones—a STEM room full of hands-on science toys, a reading nook where it’s quiet enough to flip pages, and a sensory area for kids who need a calm corner.
Babies under one get their own super-clean zone of soft mats and gentle toys. Older preschoolers climb, build with giant foam blocks, or test out the scarf cannon. Drop-in visits come with a free coffee or tea for the grown-ups, and parents can either dive in or chill in the adults-only lounge.
Staff members are trained in early childhood development and inclusion, so every child feels welcome. No structured classes here—just open play, loose routines, and plenty of supervised chaos. Snacks are ready to grab, and changing tables and nursing nooks are scattered throughout. It’s a simple formula, but it works: kids burn energy, parents get a moment of calm, and everyone leaves happy.
The Discovery
When you head to The Discovery, you’re signing up for hands-on science adventures in a 67,000-square-foot indoor center. Toddlers to adults can explore rotating exhibits, interactive galleries, and permanent favorites like the NV Nature Diorama.
On Wednesdays, Small Wonder Wednesday offers special toddler-focused activities all day, and after 4pm general admission drops to just $5. That’s cheaper than most snack stops and way more engaging. You’ll find Spark!Lab for building simple machines, a Block Party zone for architectural chaos, and other stations designed to spark curiosity.
Staff oversee every gallery to keep things safe and fun. They also run science camps during school breaks and offer discounts for families watching their budget. You can’t just drop kids off and run; parents stay close, but there’s always a comfortable spot to read or plan the next hands-on experiment. The Discovery nails the balance of fun and learning, so you leave smarter and still smiling.
Wilbur D. May Center
You’ll notice right away at Wilbur D. May Center that it’s part museum, part giant backyard—but with staff handling the weeding. Inside, the climate-controlled galleries showcase art, natural history displays, and hands-on exhibits for a wide age range. Step outside into the arboretum and it feels like Reno’s outdoor classroom, with paths winding through trees, shrubs, and colorful flower beds.
For kids, programs range from Little Sprouts for toddlers (currently on pause for staffing) to the Jr Naturalist Patch program, where garden exploration earns them a patch by the end. The Discovery Room is always stocked with crafts, and gold panning has made a comeback after a decade. Scavenger hunts pop up during tours, and you’ll often see playful competition among adults and kids alike. School groups, homeschoolers, and drop-ins are all welcome, though group rates kick in for larger parties. Most activities are free or low-cost, and staff or rangers keep everything safe and accessible. Seasons may shift which programs run, but there’s almost always something to explore if you want a museum plus garden combo with genuine Reno charm.
Nevada Museum of Art
One standout feature at Nevada Museum of Art is that it’s the only accredited art museum in Nevada, and its rotating exhibitions keep things fresh. What really shines is the family-friendly approach. Hands ON! Second Saturdays happen monthly, are totally free, and don’t require sign-ups. You can dive into indoor and outdoor art stations, with changing themes, live music, storytelling, and even an instrument petting zoo. All materials are non-toxic, ADA accessible, and museum staff or visiting artists help you through every project.
If your kid is stuck in a “why” phase, the Curious Kids Family Tours are a great fit. These small-group guided tours happen monthly and give real museum professionals a chance to tackle endless questions. You won’t get lost in a crowd, and the guides stay engaged for the whole tour. Between hands-on events and guided explorations, the Nevada Museum of Art does more than just hang paintings—it brings art to life for every age.
Grand Sierra Resort and Casino
Don’t be surprised if you never feel like leaving Grand Sierra Resort and Casino. Fun Quest is the arcade’s wild cousin, offering laser tag, bumper cars, and a bounce area with pretty strict sock and height policies (under 12 and shorter than 66 inches get priority). Bowling runs 24 hours a day, so midnight pin-crushing is a real option. The golf driving range has island greens and even delivers snacks right to your bay.
Max Action Arena covers VR experiences plus axe throwing, with trained instructors ensuring safety. Puzzle lovers can tackle themed escape rooms or join Sensology’s team challenges. Over at The Dart Side, high-tech darts replace your old pub-style boards. In winter, you’ll find an ice rink complete with a cozy fire pit. Pools stay open year-round too, so you can float between activities. If you get bored easily, Grand Sierra has enough options to keep you busy for days.
Roller Kingdom
Stepping into Roller Kingdom in downtown Reno feels like a classic warehouse dance hall, complete with a DJ spinning tracks and a disco ball glittering overhead. Everyone’s welcome, whether you’re wobbling around on your first lap or showing off backwards-skate moves. Saturday mornings are reserved for under-8 skate sessions, and any kid 12 and under can skate free under the Kids Skate Free deal.
Admission runs between $3 and $6.50, with skate rentals for $5. Prices make it easy to bring the whole family for traditions like Sunday Family Skate. Staff and skate patrol officers glide among skaters, so collisions usually end in laughs instead of face-plants. There’s a small arcade, a snack bar for refueling, and a rental counter for gear. Themed nights pop up regularly—think 80s retro, roller derby, or Halloween spooks. Whether you need skating assistance or just want to chill and watch from the benches, Roller Kingdom covers pretty much every angle for family fun on wheels.
FUNBOX WASHOE COUNTY – RENO
If your kids have boundless energy, FUNBOX at Meadowood Mall turns that chaos into a controlled good time. This 25,000-square-foot outdoor trampoline park has ten themed jump zones, each linking into obstacle courses, battle beams, slides, and more. It’s all weather-dependent though, so rain means a canceled session.
Each session lasts about 90 minutes and staff keep numbers in check so no one gets steamrolled by overly enthusiastic eight-year-olds. Kids ages three and up need a ticket, and parents planning to watch from inside do too. Little ones under two get in free. When you need a break, there are snack stands and chill-out spots scattered around. Staff members are everywhere, acting like lifeguards for rubber and air rather than water. It’s not fancy, but if you’re looking for a spot to burn off energy (and maybe laugh at yourself doing it), FUNBOX has it dialed.
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
Walking into Urban Air feels like your favorite playground got supercharged with obstacle courses, ice-cold AC, and endless ways to stay busy. You’ve got wall-to-wall trampolines, a zip line soaring above you, climbing walls that test your grip, and more—all indoors so you never have to worry about sunscreen running into your eyes.
There’s a special “Shorty 40” area for kids under 40 inches, and littler jumpers (five and under) get their own low-key Jumperoo time on Fridays when the lights go down and the music volume eases up a bit. Everyone else can just bounce, climb, or zip until they’re worn out or their wristband beeps.
Pricing changes based on how intense you want it: Ultimate passes start at $25.99, Deluxe at $20.99, and Shorty 40 at $11.99. Parents pay half off when their kid is playing, and on Jumperoo Fridays, grown-ups get in free. There are membership packages and a summer pass if you plan on coming back a lot.
Safety is tight with court monitors in branded shirts and padded floors everywhere, so as long as you follow the wristband rules, you’re good. Meanwhile, one parent can chill in the café with a churro while everyone else tackles the Warrior Course.
Round1 Bowling & Arcade Meadowood Mall
If you’re looking for a one-stop spot for bowling, games, and more, Round1 at Meadowood Mall has it all. It’s open from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m., so you can start with morning strikes and end with late-night air hockey.
Bowling runs $5–8 per game plus $4 for shoe rental, and if you’d rather hop around the arcade, grab a game card—most machines cost a quarter per credit with fancier attractions requiring a couple more. You’ll also find pool tables, private karaoke rooms, and the Victory Zone arcade packed with prize machines.
Families can request bumper lanes or ramps for little bowlers and let kids loose in a dedicated play area. Staff are always nearby to reset pins, help with machines, or hand over that giant plush you just won.
It’s loud, bright, and full of energy whether it’s sunny or pouring outside. From casual family nights to big birthday blowouts, this place has something for everyone on your guest list.
