9 Must-Do Children’s Activities in the Coachella Valley

Each year, Palm Springs Life invites readers to vote for their favorite businesses, experiences, and attractions across Greater Palm Springs in our city-by-city Best of the Best competition. Below, you’ll find this year’s winners for Best Children’s Activity.

Explore the full list of 2025 winners across all 29 categories at the link below.

The next round of voting opens in April 2026.

Palm Springs (Tied)

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

In just 10 minutes, a tram ride lifts wide-eyed riders to a whole new world: a mountaintop forest perched above the desert floor. Views, hikes, and snowball fights (in winter) await.

Palm Springs Art Museum

The third Sunday of each month, free Family + events feature workshops and art-making activities. Any other time, kids can go on a self-guided Gallery Quest scavenger hunt.

Desert Hot Springs

Cabot’s Pueblo Museum

Desert homesteader Cabot Yerxa’s Hopi-inspired former home is a four-story, 35-room architectural wonder built from salvaged materials and filled with intriguing historical artifacts.

Cathedral City (Tied)

Boomers Palm Springs

All that revving you hear next to Trader Joe’s is the go-karts rounding the curves at this entertainment center’s outdoor course. Miniature golf is a little tamer, or head inside for arcade games. 

Zebra World

As they jump on trampolines, traverse rope ladders, barrel through foam obstacles, or tackle an American Ninja Warrior–type course, kids will expend energy and build motor skills.

Rancho Mirage

Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert

Founded by two teachers and recently reimagined, the museum features
hands-on exhibits for kidsages 0 to 8 including a theater, garden, restaurant, science experiments, and a giant sandbox.

Palm Desert

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

At this conservation-focused zoo, visitors can feed giraffes, meet a black rhino, or admire cheetahs, meerkats, warthogs, and other creatures from afar. New to the zoo is a splash pad for keeping cool.

La Quinta

Old Town Artisan Studios

This 20,000-square-foot, park-like campus is a creative oasis with an art gallery and working studios. Kids can take ceramics, sensory art, and other classes, or stop in to paint their own pottery. 

Indio

Center Stage

Described as Indio’s “outdoor living room,” this downtown stage is a hub for gatherings, including free Second Saturdays featuring live music and food vendors.