What to do

Fun for Kids

It you are looking for a family vacation the entire family can enjoy, or a special weekend outing just for the kids, Okanogan Country is the place to go! This is an “adventure land” for kids and pets in any season. Children are never bored here!

The Weather Channel listed the Methow Valley as the number one place in the nation for family vacations and getaways! In Winthrop, tromp the wooden boardwalks, watch glass blowing, play mini golf and check out the ice cream shoppe and bakery. To cool off, take a dip in the pool in Twisp. There are many shorter, easier well maintained trails that are perfect for the family and some, like Falls Creek, Blackpine Lake and the Washington Pass Overlook are designed for wheelchair and stroller access. The Methow Valley Sport Trails Association maintains over 200 km of trails groomed for cross country skiing in the winter and for hiking, biking and playing in summer. Alpine skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing and tubing for all ages are a short drive away at the Loup Loup Ski Area, a fantastic hill with a tubing run, rope tow, a platter surface lift, a quad chair lift and a day lodge.

The Omak Stampede and Indian Encampment is an excitement filled four days of family fun in the Heart of the Okanogan. Thursday is kids night with many children’s events and games and a family discount. The Eastside Park in Omak has playground equipment, ball courts, trails and a swimming pool. In Okanogan, Alma Park has a swimming pool, picnic area, playground equipment and sports field. The Okanogan sports complex has sports fields, a fitness trail and playground equipment. The Okanogan County Fair and rodeo in September is another “don’t-miss” event. This is classic old-fashioned family fun! You can see who won the blue ribbon for their pie, pet a pig, listen to music, watch local children show their 4-H and FFA project animals, eat elephant ears and cotton candy, picnic in the grass, listen to music, watch the horse races and enjoy time at the carnival. For some old time cowboy excitement, be sure to watch the rodeo and see some of the local hands take on the pros.

Almost everything in the North Okanogan Region is great for families and children! Kids can even visit the family-friendly Tonasket Saloon to see the murals painted by a famous western artist in the 1940s. It seems like every road here leads to water for the family to play in. Water sports, swimming, and fishing derbies on the lakes are surefire entertainment for most children. In the winter, Sitzmark Ski Area offers downhill skiing with several runs for both beginners and experienced skiers. Telemarking, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and skiboarding are open on several runs. This is a great family outing with a double chair lift, rope tow, and a day lodge. Near Havillah, the Highlands Sno-Park is a hidden gem in the beautiful mountains with 35 km of groomed cross country ski trails and around 60 miles of separate groomed snowmobile trails.

This is a vast region of family adventure, exploration and history. Experience the North Okanogan Region's wide open spaces the way Native Americans, trappers, and cowboys did - on horseback! The guest ranches welcome families with horseback riding, trail rides, wildlife viewing, tours and summer camps. Friendly and highly qualified outfitters can take you into the wilderness or you could just enjoy a relaxing trail ride on a sunny afternoon. Some outfitters offer special summer camps and tours just for kids or families. There are ghost towns to visit across the North Region and fossils to dig at Stonerose Interpretive Center. You can come as a spectator or sign up to play or ride in the annual 4th of July Chesaw Rodeo, a family event every year since 1942.

In the Columbia River Region, fishing, camping, boating, museums, festivals and events will ensure that your children are never bored! Pateros Park welcomes pets and has a long walking trail along the river. The Homestead’s fudge factory, from scratch homemade ice-cream and sweet shoppe, and the Sweet River Bakery in Pateros is a guaranteed kid pleasers! Grand Coulee hosts the Colorama in May: a festival, rodeo, parade, carnival, and hours of kid and family activities. All summer the Grand Coulee Dam is used as a giant movie screen while lasers dance across the face and spillway, telling the story of the Columbia River, history and purposes of the Grand Coulee Dam. This is an entertaining (and educational) “don’t-miss” laser light show extravaganza for all ages! Just north of the Grand Coulee Dam, Nespelem is home to the Colville Tribal Cultural Center, the Columbia River Fish Farm, and the 4th of July Pow Wow hosted by the Colville Confederated Tribes. This famous cultural event celebrates a vibrant Native American heritage and it attracts the best singers and dancers throughout Indian Country. In addition, during this festival, stick games and a parade accompany the celebration.