With so many new sights and experiences that broaden their little worlds, vacations with toddlers can be a true delight. There are few joys like watching your child’s first time touching snow or exploring a forest that looks like a scene from a storybook. Vacations with toddlers can also be tricky. You need to find age-appropriate activities, plan your days around naps and snacks, and find a balance between making memories and scheduling downtime. At Northstar Resort, it’s easy to find that balance. There are plenty of fun things to do with toddlers in Northstar, and most are available within the cozy, self-contained village.
Snow Play at The Overlook
During a peak season vacation, the No. 1 thing to do with toddlers in Northstar is play in the snow. Throwing snowballs, making snow angels, and building a snowman are all things you can do with toddlers in any safe spot with enough snow. However, there’s even more exciting fun to be had at The Overlook in Northstar Village.
The Overlook combines a cocktail and hot cocoa bar, snow play areas, and a tubing hill. Your toddler can run wild in a designated area just for snow play while you join in or watch from nearby. Seating, fire pits, and hot and cold drinks are readily available whenever you need to warm up and take a break. Do not miss the chance to soar down the tubing hill with your kid – it’s a fun thrill for all ages!
A Bike Ride in the Snow
Northstar’s Cross Country Center offers lessons and rentals for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and fat-tire biking. The most toddler-friendly of those options is fat-tire biking, as you can add a Thule Chariot Child Carrier to a half-day bike rental. Your tot can go for a ride while you enjoy a biking adventure along some 20 miles of scenic cross-country trails. Grab a trail map and plan a ride to suit your preferred difficulty level. One of the longer trails leads to an overlook with amazing views of Lake Tahoe and the Valley.
Visit the Ice Rink
Your toddler may not be ready to try ice skating, but either way, you should pay a visit to the Village Ice Skating rink. It’s super fun to rent skates and loop around the rink. But, the ice skating rink is the vibrant hub of the village, surrounded by bars, shops, restaurants, fire pits, and live music. Even if you skip the skating, it’s a great place to spend some time watching other people on the ice, taking in the lively atmosphere, and sitting by a fire pit with a drink and snack. Hot chocolate and s’mores are among the toddler-friendly treats available by the ice rink.
Ready for a Ski or Snowboard Lesson?
Don’t assume your toddler is too young to try skiing or snowboarding! Only you know when it’s the best time to get them started with snow sports, but be aware that the Ski and Snowboard School welcomes kids as young as three years old, as long as they’re potty trained. Group lessons are arranged by age and ability and promise a fun and safe environment and learning experience. Private family lessons could be an even more ideal activity to do with toddlers in Northstar. You can all learn new skills together as a family and be there to celebrate when your tot makes their first run.
Pizza Night!
There are few more toddler-friendly foods than pizza, so put Rubicon Pizza in Northstar Village on your list of top lunch and dinner spots. The pizza place is right next to the ice skating rink and has a family-friendly atmosphere. Its menus include pizza, of course, plus pasta dishes, appetizers, and desserts. The garlic cheese bread appetizer is a big hit with kids, and there’s also a kids’ menu with pepperoni and cheese pizzas, penne with butter, cheesy ravioli, chicken fingers, and more. Gourmet pizzas are available in personal, medium, and large sizes, ideal for sharing with the family.
Grab a Sweet Treat
One of the most fun things to do with toddlers at Northstar is searching for a sweet treat. Some of the top options in the village are Euro Snack, which specializes in Belgian waffles and authentic Italian gelato. Rocket Fizz is a soda and candy shop located in the Village with a huge selection of candies, both familiar and unusual plus fun fizzy drinks to try.
Catch a Kids’ Movie
If one of the two Hollywood features showing at the Village Cinemas is age-appropriate, consider taking the family to see a movie. Kid-friendly showings make the movie theater in the village one of the best places to go with toddlers in Northstar, especially on a rainy day. With concessions and comfy seats, the intimate, two-screen theater has timeless appeal for families. Sit back in the warm, inviting theater with popcorn and spend a few hours enjoying the entertainment with your tot.
KidZone Museum in Truckee
Approximately 10 miles from Northstar Resort in the historic town of Truckee is the KidZone Museum. Designed especially for young children, its exhibits focus on learning through play. The Sierra Settlers exhibit recreates the Truckee area in the late 19th century with an interactive train, blacksmith shop, and Chinese herb shop. There’s a large indoor play structure with a slide and airflow exhibit and a science lab with hands-on activities. The art studio is packed with arts and crafts supplies and also has a schedule of classes. In spring, summer and fall, spend some time with your toddler in the outdoor nature play area.
Planning a Family Vacation in Northstar?
Ready to discover all the fantastic things to do with toddlers in Northstar? Start planning your vacation by checking out family-friendly lodging options just steps from the village.
