5-Day Palm Springs Itinerary with Kids: Best Family-Friendly Things to Do
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Planning a Palm Springs itinerary with kids and wondering how to make the most of your trip?
This 5-day family-friendly plan walks you through the best things to do, how to pace your days, and the sights our family loved most.
Whether you’re visiting for a full week or squeezing in a long weekend, this itinerary keeps things simple, doable, and fun for kids of all ages.
What Not to Miss in Palm Springs with Kids
If you’re planning your trip and feeling a little overwhelmed by all the options, here are the three things I recommend fitting in no matter how many days you have.
1. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
2. Lower Palm Canyon Trail
3. Downtown Palm Springs — I recommend going downtown at least once. It’s such a fun part of Palm Springs and adds a relaxed, easy outing to your trip.
These stood out the most for our family and give your vacation a great mix of adventure, pretty views, and simple family fun.
Day 1: Arrival, Check-In, and Exploring Downtown Palm Springs
Your first day will likely be a mix of travel, settling in, and finding an easy lunch close to your hotel.
My boys always want pool time after flying or driving, so this is a great way to start your trip.
Where we stayed:
We stayed at Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas II and really loved it for our family.
The pools, extra space to spread out, and onsite restaurant made everything feel easy and relaxed. If you’re looking for a resort-style stay with room for kids to unwind, this is a great choice.
If you want to compare prices or plan ahead, you can check current rates here: Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas II
Once everyone is unpacked and has had time in the water, head to Downtown Palm Springs in the late afternoon or early evening.
What to Do Downtown
- Free parking
- Sculptures and murals like Forever Marilyn, 1968 Chevy Malibu, PS I Love You, and the wings mural
- Palm Springs Walk of Stars
- A variety of shops and family-friendly restaurants
Good dinner options: Stout Burger or El Patron
Day 2: Joshua Tree National Park Day Trip
This is a great day to visit Joshua Tree National Park, especially if your family is adjusting to the time difference and waking up early.
👉 Related: Visiting Joshua Tree National Park with Kids
Before You Go
- There is no food inside the park, so pack a picnic if you’ll be there past lunch.
- Arrive early for cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.
We explored in the morning and finished around 1 p.m., which gave us time to grab lunch in Joshua Tree before heading back to Palm Springs.
The boys relaxed at the pool in the afternoon, and we kept dinner simple with carryout pizza on our balcony overlooking the mountains.
Day 3: Lower Palm Canyon Trail and the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
This day includes two of my top picks for families.
Morning: Lower Palm Canyon Trail
This is a must-do hike for families visiting Palm Springs. The palm oasis appears right at the beginning, so even a short walk is worth it.
How to enjoy this trail with kids:
- Play in the creek
- Picnic under the shaded palms
- Hike farther if everyone’s feeling up for it
Good to Know:
- There is a per-person fee at the entrance.
- Park near the Trading Post for restrooms and snacks.
After hiking, enjoy some downtime and pool time at your hotel.
Late Afternoon: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
This is one of those big, exciting activities that’s still completely doable with kids.
The rotating tramcar and the views were already a win, but the best part was the music.
They blasted fun, karaoke-style songs the whole way up, including “Sweet Caroline” and “September.”
The entire tram ended up singing together, and my boys thought it was the coolest thing.
It was such a joyful, unexpected moment and definitely worth making time for.
👉 Related: Everything You Need to Know for Visiting the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Day 4: Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a great half-day activity and great for families of all ages.
What our kids loved:
- The G-scale model train
- Wallabies
- Majestic giraffes
I loved the garden areas and all the unique plants.
After the zoo, head back to your hotel to relax at the pool.
We ended the day with dinner at Stuft Pizza Bar and Grill at the Shops at Palm Desert.
👉Related: Top Family Things to Do in Palm Springs
Day 5: Downtown Palm Springs + Palm Springs Air Museum
Spend your final morning walking through downtown Palm Springs for souvenirs and a relaxed lunch.
We ate at Tyler’s Hamburgers. It was delicious, but here are a few things to know:
- The restaurant is small and outdoor seating has no AC
- It can be hard for larger families to find a table
- Restrooms are located across the street
If you have time before your flight, the Palm Springs Air Museum is an excellent last stop.
It’s extremely close to the airport and easy to fit into your departure day. The kids loved seeing the military aircraft, and there is a small snack shop inside.
Good to Know: Kids 12 and under are free with a paying adult.
4-Day Palm Springs Itinerary for Families
If you have four days in Palm Springs, here’s an easy way to fit in the highlights without feeling rushed.
Day 1: Arrival and Downtown Palm Springs
Day 2: Joshua Tree National Park and/or Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Day 3: Lower Palm Canyon Trail and Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Day 4: Downtown Palm Springs or Palm Springs Air Museum
Tip: The tramway can be done in 1 to 2 hours and fits easily into late afternoons.
3-Day Palm Springs Itinerary for Families
Only have a long weekend or three full days? This simple version keeps the must-dos while still giving your family some breathing room.
Day 1: Arrival and Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Day 2: Choose one: Joshua Tree, Lower Palm Canyon Trail, or the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Day 3: Depending on departure time, visit the trail, zoo, or Air Museum
Top Family Travel Tip for Visiting Palm Springs
Plan one main attraction per day and leave room for downtime. We made sure to enjoy pool time each day, even with a full itinerary, and it made the trip feel relaxed and fun.
More California Family Travel Ideas
- Top Tips for the Perfect San Diego Family Vacation
- Ultimate 4-Day San Diego Itinerary
- The Best Free and Cheap Things to do in San Diego for Families
- 5 Best Museums for Kids in San Diego
- Where We Stay in San Diego with Kids
Free Travel Itinerary Planner
Download my free Travel Itinerary Planner to map out your Palm Springs itinerary with kids and keep everything in one place.
Use it to plan each day, track reservations and tickets, list must-do attractions, and jot down packing and notes.
It is designed for busy moms so you feel prepared instead of scrambling at the last minute.
May you love your adventure. KW
