Kids in the 6-to-12 range are the sweet spot for Jackson Hole. They can handle real hikes, sit through a wildlife tour without melting down, and actually remember what they saw. The valley is loaded with experiences built for this age — you just need to know which ones to prioritize.
Top Adventure Picks
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is the anchor for any Jackson Hole trip. The $35 vehicle pass is valid for 7 days — come back twice. Moose at Oxbow Bend. Bison in the meadows. Hikes from 1 mile to all-day. Big kids can handle the Jenny Lake loop and the payoff is real mountains, not a nature center exhibit.
Spend a full day here on day one. Crowds thin after 4pm — plan your best hike for late afternoon.
The Aerial Tram
Jackson Hole Aerial Tram and Gondola Rides soars 4,139 vertical feet to 10,450 feet in 12 minutes. Kids look out the window and realize the cars below are tiny — that's the moment. Tram tickets: $35–40/adult, $20–25 for kids 6–13, under 6 free. Budget $160–220 for a family of 4 including summit food. Book online — weekday visits have shorter lines.
Snow King Mountain
Snow King Mountain is right in town. Gondola, alpine slide, treetop adventure course, mini golf — plan 3–5 hours and buy an activity bundle online. Expect $150–250 for a family of 4.
The Treetop Adventure Park at Snow King Mountain ($45–65/person) is the standout for big kids. Multiple rope courses at different heights — each kid picks their challenge level. Buy tickets at snowkingmountain.com.
Wildlife Experiences Worth Booking
Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures has a perfect 5.0 rating across nearly 500 reviews. They make the natural world accessible for kids — this isn't a bus tour where you squint at a distant elk. Budget $350–600+ for a family of 4. Shared tours cost less than private.
BrushBuck Wildlife Tours (4.9 stars, 537 reviews) is a strong alternative. Morning tours produce better wildlife sightings per dollar. Cost: $300–600 for a family of 4.
For kids who want to go deeper, Wildlife Expeditions of Teton Science Schools offers programs run by working scientists — half-day to multi-day. $300–700+ depending on length.
Don't skip the Teton Raptor Center. Nonprofit raptor rescue — kids get within 3 feet of great horned owls, falcons, and hawks that can't be released. $40–70 for a family of 4. One of the best-value paid experiences in the valley.
Water and Physical Adventures
Jackson Hole Whitewater — the scenic Snake River float runs $60–85/person ($240–340 for a family of 4). Bald eagles, mountain backdrop, genuinely memorable. Whitewater trips cost more and have age requirements — check before booking.
Teton Boulder Park is free. Outdoor bouldering at the base of Snow King — no admission. Bring shoes if you have them. Great for an hour of scrambling.
Winter-Specific Picks
Snow tubing: King Tubes Snow Tubing at Snow King Mountain — $25–35/person per timed session ($100–140 for a family of 4). Buy online. Weekdays have better availability.
Alpine slide: Alpine Slide at Snow King Mountain — $15–20/ride. Buy multi-ride packages.
Sled dog tours: Jackson Hole Iditarod Sled Dog Tours — $300–500+ for a family of 4. A real Iditarod musher. The dogs bark and leap, then you're flying through a snow-covered forest in silence. Big kids remember this for years. Book early — it sells out.
Arts, Culture, and Indoor Breaks
Jackson Hole Playhouse is dinner theater with a cowboy twist. The cast brings kids up to participate. Family-style dinner included — $180–280 for a family of 4 (kids $20–30, adults $35–50). Book early.
History Jackson Hole — $30–50 for a family of 4. The Native American and frontier exhibits land well with kids who've spent the week watching wildlife. Pair with a walk through Jackson Town Square — free, iconic elk antler arches, ice cream shops on the boardwalk.
Snow King Observatory & Planetarium — gondola up, then a real telescope with astronomers who explain what you're seeing in terms kids actually understand. $60–100 for a family of 4 including gondola.
The National Elk Refuge
National Elk Refuge — in winter, 7,000–11,000 elk. Horse-drawn sleigh rides go right into the herd. $25/adult, $15/child. Drive-through viewing is free year-round. Start at the National Elk Refuge & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center — free, great wildlife displays, and the staff will tell you exactly where to look.
Free and Low-Cost Picks
- R Park — free Snake River trails, Land Trust property
- Emily Stevens Park — free, mountain views, open fields
- Jackson Town Square — free, antler arches, 20-minute stop
- Teton Boulder Park — free bouldering
- Miller Park — free, central Jackson
Book These Before You Arrive
Jackson Hole is not a walk-up-and-see-what's-available destination in peak season.
- Wildlife tours (BrushBuck, EcoTour, Wildlife Expeditions)
- Sled dog tours
- Jackson Hole Playhouse (sells out weeks ahead)
- Tram and gondola tickets (online = cheaper + skip lines)
- King Tubes snow tubing sessions
Bottom line: Two days of outdoor adventure — Grand Teton, a wildlife tour, Snake River float — plus a day on Snow King Mountain covers the best of it. Add the sled dog tour in winter or the Playhouse for a memorable evening. The wildlife is real, the mountains are real, and kids who come here at 8 or 10 still talk about it at 20.