Things to do with kids in Reno & Sparks, NV
Checked · All times are local Pacific Time (Reno & Sparks time)
Coming up in Reno & Sparks: Wobble Before You Gobble (Nov 26), Sparks Hometowne Christmas Tree Lighting (Dec 4), Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade (Dec 5) and 3 more events. 8 always-open places, led by The Discovery (Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum). Prices and hours come from each official site.
Thanksgiving events in Reno & Sparks
Wobble Before You Gobble
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 10K 9am; 5K 9:10am; 1-mile walk 9:15am
- Cost
- Registration required
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Reno's Thanksgiving family run through downtown and the riverside parks. Choose a 10K, a 5K or an untimed 1-mile walk; finishers get a medal.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: Santa, lights and tree lightings
Sparks Hometowne Christmas Tree Lighting
- When
- Fri, Dec 4 · 6:30–7pm
- Cost
- No admission listed; hot chocolate at no charge
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The mayor lights the city's 60-foot living Giant Sequoia, with live Christmas music. The 39 North Pole light village runs 4–9pm the same evening.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · 1–2:30pm (activities 11am–3:30pm)
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
39th annual parade from Pyramid Way down Victorian Avenue to Victorian Plaza Circle West. Santa photos at 39 North Pole 11am–1:30pm and 2:30–3:30pm.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Holiday Family Arts Festival at the Lake Mansion
- When
- Sat, Dec 12 · 10am–2pm
- Cost
- Free; no RSVP needed
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor + outdoor
Holiday crafts, carols, Santa photos, local artists and a free book for every child, hosted by Arts for All Nevada.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Storytimes
Family Story Time at Sparks Library
- When
- Wed, Oct 28 – Wed, Nov 25 (Wednesdays) · 10:15–10:45am
- Cost
- Library program; registration recommended
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
Weekly family story time with stories, songs and movement, followed by Stay & Play. Sparks also hosts Baby Story Time on Mondays and Toddler Time on Tuesdays.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Family Story Time at Downtown Reno Library
- When
- Tue, Nov 3 – Tue, Nov 24 (Tuesdays) · 10:15–10:45am
- Cost
- Library program; registration recommended
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
Stories, songs, fingerplays and wiggle time for children of all ages with their families, followed by Stay & Play.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
The Discovery (Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum)
- Price
- Adult $17.95 · Child $15.95 (child 6-17)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Ages 1–5 $13.95; under 1 free; Wednesday after 4pm $5. Closed Mondays except holidays and school breaks
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
National Automobile Museum
- Price
- Adult $16 · Child $13 (child 6-17)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Ages 5 and under $3. More than 240 cars with period street scenes
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Nevada Museum of Art
- Price
- Adult $15 · Child $3 (child 6-14)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Downtown Reno art museum; 5 and under free; students and seniors $13; Tue–Sun 10am–6pm, Thu until 8pm; closed Mondays and national holidays
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Wilbur D. May Museum
- Price
- Adult $7 · Child $5 (child 3-17)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Permanent collection; under 3 free. Special-exhibit season costs more. Open Wednesday–Saturday 10am–4pm, Sunday noon–4pm. Inside Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Galena Creek Visitor Center
- Price
- No admission charge
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Regional bird displays and nature exhibits; trails in Galena Creek Regional Park
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Idlewild Park
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Riverside city park with two playgrounds, duck ponds and a rose garden
✓ Details checked Oct 25, 2026 on the official website
Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Washoe County's largest park; the Arboretum & Botanical Garden inside is free. Winter hours 8am–5pm
✓ Details checked Oct 25, 2026 on the official website
Sparks Marina Park
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
77-acre lake with walking paths, beaches and playgrounds; open 6am–10pm; free parking
✓ Details checked Oct 25, 2026 on the official website
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Reno & Sparks this weekend?
The Discovery (Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum), National Automobile Museum and Nevada Museum of Art are open most days, but we don't have a Reno & Sparks event listed for this weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1). Next up: Wobble Before You Gobble (Nov 26) and Sparks Hometowne Christmas Tree Lighting (Dec 4).
What time is trick-or-treating in Reno & Sparks?
Sunset on Halloween in Reno & Sparks is at 5:58 p.m. Reno & Sparks don't list official trick-or-treat hours, so plan around dusk.
What are free things to do with kids in Reno & Sparks?
These are free according to their official sites: 1 place and 1 upcoming event in Reno & Sparks, including Galena Creek Visitor Center and Holiday Family Arts Festival at the Lake Mansion (Sat, Dec 12).
Where can kids play indoors in Reno & Sparks when it's too hot or windy?
We list 4 indoor places in Reno & Sparks: The Discovery (Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, kids 6–17 $15.95), National Automobile Museum (kids 6–17 $13), Nevada Museum of Art (kids 6–14 $3) and Wilbur D. May Museum (kids 3–17 $5).
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in Reno & Sparks?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in Reno & Sparks: Wobble Before You Gobble (Thu, Nov 26).
When and where can kids see Santa in Reno & Sparks?
We list 2 events with Santa in Reno & Sparks, 1 free: Sparks Hometowne Christmas Parade (Dec 5) and Holiday Family Arts Festival at the Lake Mansion (Dec 12).
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Reno & Sparks?
We list 1 holiday light event in Reno & Sparks: Sparks Hometowne Christmas Tree Lighting (Dec 4).
Are there storytimes or regular kids' programs in Reno & Sparks?
We list 2 everyday programs in Reno & Sparks: Family Story Time at Sparks Library (Wednesdays) and Family Story Time at Downtown Reno Library (Tuesdays).
What is there to do with toddlers in Reno & Sparks?
We list 4 places in Reno & Sparks that welcome kids under 2, including Galena Creek Visitor Center, Idlewild Park and Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. See all 4 above. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
How much do Reno & Sparks family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 4 places in Reno & Sparks: The Discovery (Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, adult $17.95, kids 6–17 $15.95) and National Automobile Museum (adult $16, kids 6–17 $13). See all 4 above. Confirm before you go; prices change.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
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