Planning a trip to Big Bear with kids? We spent a full week in Big Bear right before the Fourth of July and found the perfect mix of outdoor adventures, easy hikes, and low key activities for little ones.
In this guide, I’m sharing our favorite family-friendly things to do in Big Bear, including hiking trails, indoor activities, and simple ways to enjoy Big Bear Lake with kids.
Big Bear Activities with Kids
We went to Gold Rush Mining Adventures and the little missy got to pan for gold, rocks and minerals. They have a ton of options and prices range greatly. We chose the $10 red bag and it was just what she wanted.
She got to sift the bag of sand and find all the treasures. It was a really fun afternoon activity for a 4 year old. I think this would also be fun for older kids.
Big Bear Discovery Center
We went to the Big Bear Discovery Center which has a bunch of stuffed "real" animals and informational assistance on the inside but the outdoor Nature Discovery Zone was great for the kiddos!
We grabbed an adventure guide and followed along the little trails to each zone. They loved the giant spider web for climbing and stacking wood pieces.
Hiking Lodgepole Pine
My favorite adventure of the week was when we took a hike at lodgepole pine. I knew I had to carry the baby on my back and I wasn't sure it would be comfortable. I ended up loving it. He rode along in my Ergobaby carrier and it was very comfortable for both of us.
We hiked along the trail, made it to the hidden lake and walked all around it as well. I am not typically a hiker as you can probably tell by my shoes but it was super enjoyable and I see more hiking in my future now.
Walking by the Lake in Big Bear
Ellie girl and I had some really great walks in the evening. A couple nights we just walked around the neighborhood and looked at the houses and landscape views.
One night we walked to the lake and enjoyed the scenery of the mountains and the lake. It was a great time of day for a walk since the sun was setting and the air was cool.
Sample Big Bear Family Itinerary
Day 1
- Arrival + lake walk
Day 2
- Discovery center + hiking
Day 3
- Gold panning + ice cream
Adventures at Big Bear Lake
We also enjoyed a few meals out, bowling, the parks and a lot of ice cream from the North Pole Fudge & Ice Cream Co. A few of our afternoons were spent on the boat at Big Bear Lake. It is always so nice to soak up the sun on a boat.
If you are enjoying this post, be sure to check out our Things to Do in Big Bear post which also has great ideas of things to do with older kids!
Finding Work Life Balance While Traveling
I had a great balance of work and home life while I was in Big Bear, which is what I have been striving for lately. It really helped me to see that I needed help at home and in turn, I hired a babysitter when we got back.
After the first few days in Big Bear, I wrote this post about remembering to take me time which is always key while traveling or at home.
Have you been to Big Bear lately? What's your favorite adventure?
Leave a Reply