Things for Kids to do in Napa Valley

Like many small towns in America, the refrains of "there's nothing to doooo" of whining kids in the Napa Valley echo off the hillsides. The truth is, there is plenty for kids to do in the Napa Valley if you just look off the beaten path.

Play in the dirt. 

Connoly Ranch in Napa is a non-profit organization that has some really cool programs for kids to get a taste of farm life. Through activities and tours, kids can learn about organic gardening, sustainability, and farm animals. There are even some fun things for grown ups to do, too!

Make a movie! 

The Cameo Cinema in St. Helena hosts a Family Film Festival every year in which kids and teens can screen their homemade movies for a live audience. Survivor Boy was a favorite at the very first event in 2010 and every year more and more kids show their talents for a chance to walk the red carpet on awards night. The festival is held in May every year, but it's never too early to get those cameras rolling. 

Climb the Walls!

Climbing is not only great exercise but also a heck of a lot of fun! Rockzilla is Napa Valley's only indoor rock climbing zone. They have climbing walls for all levels, from beginner to expert and are a great place for family fun.  Go for a couple of hours, the whole day, or plan your child's next birthday party there.

Help a Horse in Need 

Volunteering is a wonderful way for kids of all ages to learn empathy for the fellow creatures while learning to skills and knowledge along the way. At Sunrise Horse Rescue in St. Helena, Napa Valley's only horse sanctuary, youth and families can learn about horses and ponies while providing them with the care and love that they need.  All of the rescued horses at this non profit organization are cared for by volunteers and call Sunrise their forever home.

Join a Club

For after-school or summertime fun, the Boys and Girls Club of Napa Valley is a great place to make new friends and have a safe place to hang out. They offer games, activities, field trips and homework help as well as learn life-skills that they can carry with them anywhere. 

The Napa Valley also has several active Boy and Girl Scout troops that give young people a chance to meet form friendships that can last forever as well as learn new skills and have new adventures! 

The 4-H clubs of the Napa Valley are another fantastic way for kids to keep busy as they explore everything from photography and gardening to chicken-keeping and hog farming! 

Have an Outdoor Adventure

The Napa Valley offers a lot of outdoor adventures that are kid friendly and affordable. Hiking, Kayaking, and swimming are just a few. Exploring the Napa River has been a favorite activity of Napa Valley kids for generations and why not drop a line at Lake Hennesy and let them try their hand at fishing? There are several fantastic county and state parks to explore, including Bothe State Park which not only has a creek to splash in and trails to hike but also a "haunted" cemetery to explore. 

The list of things for kids to do in Napa could go on and on and many parents choose to raise their families here because it is such a great place to grow up. If you know of any other kid friendly activities, please let me know and I'll be sure to add it to the list!

Outdoor Adventures in the Napa Valley

Whether you are just visiting the Napa Valley and want a break from wine tasting, or you live here and are looking for some outdoor activities, the Napa Valley offers plenty of things to keep you busy and having fun in the open air.

Hiking 

There are several great hiking spots in the Napa Valley for both the casual and the experienced hiker, most offering stunning views and a peaceful escape.
SkylineWilderness Park in Napa – As the name suggests, this privately owned community park has over 25 miles of skyline hiking. With abundant wildlife and views that don’t stop, this is a favorite south Napa Valley hiking area. The trails are open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders but not to dogs.
Westwood Hills Park – Another beautiful spot on the Southern end of the Napa Valley, Westwood Hills is a great spot for a quick hike and picnic. Several miles of trails cross through open meadows and shaded forests and provide a lovely view across the valley. A small museum showcases some of the local flora and fauna.

Bothe State Park – Nearly 2,000 acres of Manzanita, oak and redwood offer hiking on both flat and hilly ground and the abundance of trees offers plenty of shade for those summertime hikes. Camping is also available and the pioneer cemetery offers a bit of local history. Many of the trails are open to bikes and horses as well, so watch out for occasional traffic.

Devils Punch Bowl – This Napa Valley hike is a well kept local secret and may be one of the best places to hike on a hot summer day. Hike the peaceful mossy trail down to a beautiful fern-laced creek and then head over to the waterfall which cascades into the “Punchbowl” for a quick dip to cool off.

Robert Louis Stevenson State Park – No other Napa Valley spot offers views like those from the top of Mount Saint Helena. On a clear day you can see the entire length of the valley in all of its glory and maybe even catch a glimpse of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The views along this hike are breathtaking and not to be missed!

Biking 

Many of the hiking areas can also be accessed by mountain bike if you are up for a challenge. Another great mountain biking area is the Los Posadas area in Angwin, in the eastern hills above the Napa Valley. For road biking, many people enjoy riding the Silverado trail from Calistoga to Napa, with stops along the way for wine tasting. Life Cycle Adventures offers both leisurely tours and more challenging rides to get a sight of the incredible Napa Valley views.

Kayaking

The Napa River travels the entire length of the valley and, although you can’t paddle the whole way, there are several miles of river worth traveling. Bring the family for a whole new look at the Napa Valley or bring a bottle of wine for a leisurely sunset ride and see the lights of Napa reflect on the water for an unforgettable experience. Several times a year, there are outdoor concerts at the Veteran's memorial Park, which you can get a great view of from the water. If you don't own your own gear, you can rent everything you need from Kayak Napa Valley and they'll even drop your kayak in the water for you - all the fun, none of the work!

Horseback Riding 

While there are, surprisingly enough, nowhere in the Napa Valley to rent horses and go trail riding, there are several places that offer hose back riding lessons and day camps. Check out SpiritHorse and Napa Valley Equestrian Center to see if their programs will fit the bill. If you do have your heart set on a vineyard horseback trail ride, you'll need to head over to the Sonoma area. Triple Creek Horse Outfit have been safely guiding riders for many years and provide their horses with the very best in care. 

Volunteer in Napa Valley

If you've got a few extra hours a week on your hands, want a chance to give back to your community, or need come community service hours, there are some great volunteer opportunities in the Napa Valley. From taking care of abused horses to helping out at the local police station, there is something for everyone.

Sunrise Horse Rescue & Sanctuary 
This sanctuary in St. Helena has been rescuing horses in Napa & Sonoma counties since 2007 from neglect and abuse and provides long term care to 15-20 horses.
Volunteers help out with the day to day care of the horses by feeding, grooming, and exercising them.

Whiskers, Tails, & Ferals

If you like your furry four-legged friends a bit smaller, this cat & dog rescue would welcome your help. They rescue pets from the Napa Valley and beyond that are on the euthanasia list at county animal shelters and cats and place them in foster homes permanent homes can be found for them. Volunteers can provide long or short term foster homes for dogs or cats in need. If you are unable to foster, you can volunteer during adoption events, help with fundraising, or choose from a variety of other pet care tasks. 

Big Brothers/Big Sisters

If you are looking for an excuse to be a kid again, sign up to be a Big Brother or Sister in the Napa Valley. This nationwide organization has changed the lives of thousands of youth from all walks of life and, according to their website, 81% of kids that have gone through the program have come back to say that their Big Brother/Sister made a significant impact on their life. Volunteers are needed to help with homework as tutors or to just spend time with a child doing the things you already enjoy doing.

Community Action Napa Valley
Since 1965, this non-profit organization has been providing help to low-income families, disadvantaged people, and seniors in the Napa Valley. This organization is behind the Napa foodbank and homeless shelter, and run programs such as the child development center and Meals on Wheels among others. Volunteer opportunities abound and there is always a need for more.

Napa Police Service Volunteers

Most police departments rely on volunteers to help with keeping the community safe and Napa Valley is no exception. Volunteers can be police representatives at schools and community events, help with office work and even keep a watchful eye on the streets. 

Rebuilding Calistoga

Volunteers donate their time repairing the homes of elderly and disabled citizens in the northern areas of Napa Valley. Everyone deserves to live in a warm, safe, and comfortable house, but without the help of this non-profit organization, some community members might not be so lucky. Rebuilding Calistoga also rebuilds older neighborhoods to help bring dignity back to the area. 

Volunteering isn't just good for the community, it's great for the volunteer. There is nothing quite like the feeling of giving of your time and talents to those in need. There are hundreds more ways that you can give back to your Napa Valley community and more will be added to this list, so check back often. If you have an organization you would like added to the list, let me know!