Top Things to Do with Kids in Sheridan
From parks, pools, and picnic areas to wildlife, games and events, Sheridan is the perfect playground for the young and the young-at-heart. From year-round attractions to summer and winter events, the fun never ends under the Bighorns. Be sure to visit our blog on Family Friendly Summer Fun for even more ideas.
Top Kid-Friendly Fun Activities in Sheridan
We’ve asked some of Sheridan’s youngest residents about their favorite local activities. While Kendrick Park is a timeless favorite—especially when the ice cream stand is open—be sure to explore all of these top kid-friendly spots in Sheridan.
1. Kendrick Park
A fixture to the Sheridan community is the wooded oasis of Kendrick Park. Enjoy solitude along the tree-lined creek or stretch out and play on the grassy expanse. The park hosts picnic areas, horseshoe pits, a large children’s playground, an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts and ample fishing. During the summer months, enjoy the sounds of summer at Concerts in the Park, hosted at the park’s bandshell.
2. Elk & Buffalo Pasture
Adjacent to Kendrick Park is a wildlife area, which is home to a small herd of buffalo and elk. Sit back and watch or bring your camera and capture these majestic and photogenic animals. Elk and bison have made Kendrick Park their home since the early 1900s. During the reintroduction of elk into the Bighorn Mountains, twenty-five elk were temporarily housed at Kendrick before being relocated. Two elk remained in Kendrick alongside the bison, and have been part of the park ever since.
3. Sheridan County YMCA
A full-service facility featuring an indoor swimming pool and indoor playland, fitness facilities, classes, courts, indoor track, outdoor fields, and central trail access to miles of Sheridan’s pathways. Challenge your family to a friendly game of pickleball, raquetball or basketball. Cool down in the expansive indoor pool or let your children get the wiggles out in the very impressive Playland area.
4. Story Fish Hatchery
The Story Fish Hatchery is located along the east slope of the Bighorn Mountains in the town of Story, just a short drive from Sheridan. The hatchery provides an interesting and educational journey through the fish hatchery process and the always-exciting opportunity to feed the trout.
Turn your visit to Story into a full-day experience. Besides visiting the Story Fish Hatchery, the small community of Story offers a wealth of outdoor activities, history and charming eateries that make it a hidden gem for visitors.
5. Sheridan Pathways
Explore and enjoy the Sheridan Pathways, connecting many of the city’s parks and points of interest within city limits. Over thirteen miles of wheelchair-accessible, scenic pathways provide recreation opportunities including walking, jogging, cycling and rollerblading.
Mountain biking and hiking trails are also conveniently located on the outskirts of town or a short drive away to the base of the Bighorns. And for 4 wheeled adventures, visit the Forest Service for ATV/OHV trails.
6. Bighorn National Forest
For families visiting Sheridan, the Bighorn National Forest offers an amazing natural playground where kids can hike, explore, swim, fish, look for wildlife and discover their own adventures. Its easy access, abundant trails, and family-friendly campgrounds make it a perfect day trip or overnight adventure that children will love.
7. King’s Saddlery and Museum
King’s Saddlery and the Don King Museum offer a mix of hands-on activities, fascinating history, and a taste of Western culture, making them a memorable and fun-filled family outing. King’s Saddlery is world-renowned for its high-quality ropes and saddles, which have been used by cowboys and rodeo champions for decades. At the Don King Museum, located across the alley from King’s Saddlery, kids can get an up-close look at the tools of the trade and see how ropes are made and leather is tooled.
The Don King Museum is the perfect spot to spend a rainy or snowy day. For more fun indoor things to do, visit our Best Indoor Activities.
8. Shell Falls
A great day trip from Sheridan, Shell Falls, known as the “Thundering Heartbeat of the Bighorn Mountains,” offers stunning views and is perfect for families. The scenic drive through Bighorn National Forest adds to the experience, and the falls provide a fantastic photo opportunity. With plenty of parking and wheelchair (and stroller) accessibility, it’s an ideal spot for everyone to explore and enjoy. Escape to the Mountains, and check out some hikes, eateries and sites along the way to Shell Falls.
9. Sheridan Information Center
The Sheridan Information Center is a fantastic hub for families looking to discover fun activities with kids in Sheridan. It’s not just a place to gather brochures; it’s a fun destination on its own with plenty to offer for a family outing. Let your children burn off extra energy at the playground and then enjoy your sack lunch with panoramic views of the Bighorns from one of the many sheltered picnic areas. Inside the building, you’ll find a small museum with exhibits, information on local attractions, videos and an authentic teepee for kids to climb inside. The friendly staff is available to answer questions and provide additional recommendations.
Things to Do with Kids in the Summer
Sunny summers in Sheridan bring countless family-friendly events and endless adventures at playgrounds, parks, trails, and splash pads. Sheridan offers an array of family-friendly summer fun activities.
1o. WYO Rodeo Boot Kick-Off
Boots are kicked off in this family-oriented event celebrating the start of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo. Kendrick Park is the setting for games and contests for both children and adults, including a stick-horse race and boot-kicking contest. Brush up on all your rodeo facts before kick-off by visiting the 10 Things You Didn’t Know About the WYO Rodeo.
11. 3rd Thursday
The 3rd Thursday Street Festival is a lively and popular event that takes place on the third Thursday of each month during the summer, from June through September. Held in downtown Sheridan, the festival is a vibrant celebration of live music, local vendors and artisans, family-friendly activities and games, and food trucks and beverage booths. The 3rd Thursday Festivals are a staple to the Sheridan summer scene and the perfect spot to socialize, enjoy the entertainment and explore downtown Sheridan.
12. Thorne-Rider Park
Thorne-Rider Park is the ultimate destination for sports fans and kids in Sheridan. Located alongside the Sheridan Pathway system, the park hosts two playgrounds, picnic areas, indoor hitting shed, covered and outdoor tennis, basketball and pickleball courts, baseball fields and sledding hills. Thorne-Rider Park plays host to many community events throughout the summer including Trooper baseball games.
13. Whitney Commons
Along the Sheridan Pathways and just a block from downtown Sheridan awaits the tranquility of the Whitney Commons. The Commons features a playground, grassy expanses for playing catch or tossing a Frisbee, picnic tables, and a splash pad, perfect for cooling off during those hot summer days.
14. Polo Matches
Stamp divots, bring a picnic, enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, and watch the action matching talented athletes and animals from around the country – making the fast-paced game of polo entertaining from start to finish. Two clubs, The Big Horn Polo Club and the Flying H Polo Club, and nine playing fields ensure that polo is played throughout the entire summer:
Things to Do with Kids in the Winter
As the snow begins to fall, Sheridan comes alive with winter events and activities. Enjoy the town’s festive events calendar and quintessential winter sports like sledding, skiing, and ice skating.
15. Ice Skating
Whether it’s your first time lacing up or you’re a seasoned professional, ice-skating provides hours of wintertime fun for the entire family. Whatever your level, the Whitney Rink at the M&M Center is the perfect icy retreat. Visit their weekly schedule for open skate times, when ice skate rental is provided free of charge. Also check the schedule for upcoming hockey games; whether you’re a hockey fan or just looking for a fun, local event, attending a Sheridan Hawks game is a fantastic way to spend an evening in Sheridan.
16. Christmas Stroll
Main Street comes alive with festive holiday cheer, lights, decorations, store specials, free trolley rides, hay wagons, musicians, food and warm drinks during the annual Christmas Stroll. If you’ve been nice, Santa and Mrs. Claus may even drop in for photo opportunities! A festive holiday event, with decorated streets and stores, store specials, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, free rides on the trolley, a hay wagon, musicians, & much more!
17. Sledding
Sheridan offers some fantastic sledding opportunities making it a great winter destination for families looking to enjoy some snowy fun. A few sledding hills conveniently located in town include the Trail End State Historic Site, Thorne-Rider Park and the local favorite, Linden Hill. Or, take a scenic drive into the Bighorns for a fun afternoon sledding The Bowl, located conveniently off of Highway 14.
18. WYO Winter Rodeo
The Sheridan WYO Winter Rodeo is a must-attend, family friendly, winter tradition. Held every February, this winter rodeo combines Western culture, thrilling competitions, and festive activities, creating a great experience for all ages. On of the main highlights of the Winter Rodeo is skijoring, a thrilling and unique sport where a skier is pulled by a horse through an obstacle course. In addition to skijoring, the Winter Rodeo includes a calendar full of events such as Sheridan Hawks games, family sled day, moonlight nordic skiing and concerts.
