Traveling to the Northwest Territories is not your standard family vacation, and that is exactly what makes it so spectacularly rewarding. When you start looking for things to do in Yellowknife with kids, you quickly realize you are trading crowded theme parks and generic resorts for the raw, magnetic beauty of the Canadian subarctic. Whether you are bundling up to watch the sky dance with neon green lights in the dead of winter, or staying up until midnight in shorts and a t-shirt while the sun stubbornly refuses to set, Yellowknife delivers deep, lasting family memories. It is a place that pushes your boundaries just enough, while still offering the infrastructure and warmth you need when traveling with children.

Planning a trip this far north requires a bit more strategy than a typical weekend getaway. The elements are real, the distances are vast, and the experiences are wildly unique. From flying off the surface of Great Slave Lake in a float plane to carving your own souvenirs out of recycled glass, the capital of the Northwest Territories is packed with interactive, larger-than-life adventures. To help you navigate it all, we have pulled together the ultimate parent-tested guide to exploring the North. For an even broader look at planning your trip, be sure to check out our full City Guide: /city/yellowknife.

10 Best Things to Do in Yellowknife with Kids

1. Experience the Magic of Aurora Village

If you are visiting in the winter, seeing the Northern Lights is likely at the top of your family’s bucket list. However, driving down dark, icy highways at 1:00 AM with tired children in the backseat is not the ideal way to do it. Enter Aurora Village, the gold standard for family-friendly aurora viewing. Instead of chasing the lights in a cold vehicle, you are stationed in a traditional, wood-stove heated teepee. Kids can warm up with hot chocolate, play on the massive three-lane ice slide, and step outside exactly when the sky starts to light up. The Northern Lights Viewing Tour (Yellowknife) - Aurora Village (Aurora Viewing) offers a high-comfort, beautifully structured way to experience the phenomenon without the stress.

🎟️ Find family-friendly tours & activities →

• Cost: Approximately $120 CAD ($90 USD) per adult, discounts for children.
• Hours: Tours typically run from 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM during aurora seasons (mid-August to early October, and late November to early April).
• Stroller Accessibility: Not recommended. The ground is snow-packed; use a baby carrier or rent a sled (pulk).
• Time Needed: Plan for a 4-hour excursion.

2. Soar on a Midnight Sun Float Plane Tour

There is nothing quite like the thrill of a float plane taking off from the water, and it is a quintessential Northwest Territories experience. Booking a Midnight Sun Float Plane Tour gives your family a breathtaking aerial view of the vast, rugged Canadian Shield and the sprawling islands of Great Slave Lake. The planes are small, loud, and incredibly exciting for kids. Flying under the glow of the midnight sun during the summer months casts a golden, surreal light over the landscape that you simply cannot capture anywhere else.

🎟️ Book family tickets & skip-the-line tours →

• Cost: Around $150–$200 CAD ($110–$150 USD) per person depending on the route.
• Hours: Summer flights can be booked late into the evening to catch the midnight sun.
• Stroller Accessibility: Strollers must be left at the dock.
• Time Needed: Flights range from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

3. Craft Souvenirs at Old Town Glassworks

When you need a break from the elements, head indoors to Old Town Glassworks. This is a fantastic, worker-owned cooperative where visitors can transform recycled wine and liquor bottles into custom glassware. Kids (with appropriate parental supervision and help from the staff) can choose a bottle, cut it, polish the edges, and use stencils of ravens, bears, or the aurora to sandblast their own design. It is highly engaging, deeply satisfying, and you walk away with a meaningful, handmade souvenir rather than a cheap trinket from a gift shop.

• Cost: Workshops are roughly $60 CAD ($45 USD) per person.
• Hours: Typically open 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM; booking a workshop in advance is highly recommended.
• Stroller Accessibility: The workshop floor is tight and busy; better for walking children or infants in carriers.
• Time Needed: About 2 hours.

4. Climb the Bush Pilot's Monument

For the best vantage point in the city, make the trek up to the Bush Pilot's Monument. Situated in the heart of Old Town, this hilltop lookout offers a stunning 360-degree view of Yellowknife Bay, the colorful historic houseboats bobbing in the water (or frozen in the ice), and the float plane bases. It is a fantastic spot to play "I Spy" with younger kids and gives older kids a real sense of the city's unique geography.

• Cost: Free.
• Hours: Open 24/7.
• Stroller Accessibility: No. You must climb a large set of wooden stairs to reach the top.
• Time Needed: 30 to 45 minutes.

5. Hit the Sand at Fred Henne Territorial Park Beach

If you are visiting in July or August, Fred Henne Territorial Park Beach is the premier summer destination for local families. Yellowknife gets surprisingly hot in the summer, and this massive sandy beach on Long Lake features shallow, relatively warm water that is incredibly safe for toddlers and preschoolers to splash in. Pack a picnic, bring some sand toys, and enjoy a classic beach day with a subarctic twist.

• Cost: Day use fee is around $10 CAD ($7.50 USD) per vehicle.
• Hours: Park gates are open from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM in the summer.
• Stroller Accessibility: The paved paths are accessible, but you will need to carry strollers over the deep sand.
• Time Needed: 2 to 4 hours.

6. Hike the Rugged Trails of Tin Can Hill

To burn off some serious energy without driving out of town, Tin Can Hill is a local favorite. It features a rugged, 2km loop of Precambrian rock and wild, forested trails right on the edge of the city. The trails offer fantastic views of Yellowknife Bay. Kids love scrambling over the ancient, smooth rocks, and in the winter, it is a popular spot for snowshoeing and spotting dog sled teams training.

• Cost: Free.
• Hours: Always open.
• Stroller Accessibility: Not accessible; terrain is uneven rock and dirt trails.
• Time Needed: 1 to 2 hours.

7. Play a Round at Yellowknife Golf Club

For sports-loving tweens and teens, the Yellowknife Golf Club offers a surreal experience they will be talking about for years. This is not your manicured country club. It is a subarctic golfing experience where the "fairways" are actually vast stretches of sand, and players carry a small artificial turf mat to hit their shots off. Ravens notoriously steal golf balls, and spotting foxes on the course is a daily occurrence.

• Cost: Green fees are around $60 CAD ($45 USD) for 18 holes; club rentals available.
• Hours: Open early morning until late night in the summer (thanks to 24-hour daylight).
• Stroller Accessibility: Not appropriate for strollers or young toddlers.
• Time Needed: 3 to 4 hours.

8. Experience the Midnight Sun Phenomenon

If you travel near the summer solstice, engaging in Midnight Sun Viewing (June 21 Summer Solstice) is a must. The sun barely dips below the horizon, creating a perpetual state of twilight. Let your kids break all the rules and stay up until midnight to watch the bright sky. It messes with their sleep schedules a bit, but walking along the shores of Great Slave Lake at 11:30 PM in broad daylight is a core memory in the making.

• Cost: Free.
• Hours: Late night, mid-June to early July.

9. Escape to Prelude Lake Territorial Park

Located about 30km down the scenic Ingraham Trail, Prelude Lake Territorial Park is a rugged, beautiful escape. It offers a perfect mix of hiking on the Canadian Shield and boating. The panoramic trail system features interpretive signs explaining the local flora and fauna, and the viewpoints over the island-dotted lake are stunning. If you want something even quieter and more remote, drive a bit further to Reid Lake Territorial Park, which is 60km out and offers a rugged, serene wilderness vibe.

• Cost: Day use fee around $10 CAD ($7.50 USD) per vehicle.
• Hours: May through September.
• Stroller Accessibility: Limited to the campground roads; the trails require walking or carrying.
• Time Needed: Half-day to full-day trip.

10. Vibe at Folk on the Rocks Music Festival

If you happen to time your July visit correctly, the Folk on the Rocks Music Festival is legendary. Set on the shores of Long Lake, this music festival is incredibly family-friendly. It features a mix of Indigenous, Northern, and international artists. There is a dedicated children's area with crafts and activities, fantastic local food vendors, and a deeply welcoming, relaxed community atmosphere under the midnight sun.

• Cost: Weekend passes are roughly $120 CAD ($90 USD) for adults; youth/child tickets are discounted or free depending on age.
• Hours: Mid-July weekend, runs all day and into the evening.
• Stroller Accessibility: Yes, the grounds are mostly sandy/grassy but manageable with a sturdy stroller.
• Time Needed: A full afternoon or evening.

(Note: For families with older teens looking for true bucket-list, remote adventures, consider looking into fly-in lodges like Blachford Lake Lodge or the Indigenous-owned Enodah Wilderness Travel, which offer incredibly immersive Arctic experiences.)

Age-By-Age Guide to Things to Do in Yellowknife with Kids

Toddlers (Ages 2-3)

Traveling to the subarctic with toddlers requires patience and pacing. In the summer, Fred Henne Territorial Park Beach is your best friend. The sand is soft, and the shallow water is perfect for wading. In the winter, focus on short, highly visual experiences. Keep them bundled up and opt for the structured comfort of Aurora Village, where you can retreat to a heated teepee the moment they get cold. Avoid long, exposed hikes and instead do quick stops at places like the Bush Pilot's Monument where the visual payoff is immediate.

Preschoolers (Ages 3-5)

Preschoolers thrive on tactile and kinetic activities. They will absolutely love the three-lane ice slide at Aurora Village—it is fast enough to be thrilling but safe enough for little ones. The float plane tours are also a massive hit for this age group; the noise, the water spray, and the headsets make them feel like real explorers. Keep nature walks to a minimum distance; the rocky terrain of Tin Can Hill is great for 30 minutes of scrambling before little legs get tired.

School-Age (Ages 6-10)

This is the sweet spot for Yellowknife. Kids in this bracket have the dexterity and patience for the Old Town Glassworks workshop, which usually ends up being a highlight of their trip. They are also old enough to appreciate the cultural and geographical differences of the North. Take them hiking at Prelude Lake Territorial Park, where they can climb the Canadian Shield rock formations. They can also handle staying up a bit later to experience the midnight sun or the aurora borealis.

Tweens & Teens (Ages 11-14)

Teenagers generally want adventure and autonomy. While Aurora Village is great, older kids might prefer a more rugged, guided "aurora hunting" experience like the Northern Lights Viewing Tour (Yellowknife) - North Star Adventures (Aurora Viewing), where experts drive you to different remote locations to track the weather and the lights. They will also get a massive kick out of the quirky Yellowknife Golf Club, and they are the perfect age to fully engage in the music and food scene at the Folk on the Rocks festival.

What to Skip in Yellowknife When Traveling with Kids

Not everything in the brochures is a good fit for a family itinerary. Based on our experience, here are a few things to cross off your list when planning things to do in Yellowknife with kids:

• Cameron River Ramparts Falls: The photos of these falls look incredible, but getting there is a grueling 3+ hour backcountry trek over rough, unmaintained terrain. It is exhausting, there are steep drop-offs, and it is absolutely not a casual family hike. Save this for an adults-only trip.
• Midnight Sun Bus Tour (Generic City Tour): At $60 to $80 per person, these generic city bus tours offer very poor value for families. The main stops—like the Bush Pilot’s Monument and Old Town—are easily accessible on your own. You are much better off renting a car and exploring at your kids' pace rather than being rushed on and off a bus.
• Yellowknife City Hall: Sometimes listed in guidebooks as a stop for its visitor center, this is ultimately a functional government office with very little to offer families beyond a quick look at a small display. Grab your maps online and skip the physical stop.
• The Dive Bars and Pubs: Places like The Black Knight Pub, NWT Brewing Company, and the legendary Gold Range Hotel (The Bar) are staples of Northern culture. However, they are loud, crowded, and heavily adult-focused. While NWT Brewing has great food, the atmosphere is not conducive to a relaxed family dinner, especially later in the evening.
• Snap Lake Diamond Mine Tour: Diamond mining is a huge part of Yellowknife's economy, but the actual mines are restricted industrial sites located hundreds of kilometers away. There are no public family tours, so do not waste time trying to arrange one.
• Range Lake North School Playground: While it looks like a great spot on Google Maps to let the kids run, this playground is strictly reserved for students during school hours (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM), and visitors will be asked to leave.

Pro Tips from Parents for a Yellowknife Family Trip

1. Rent Your Winter Gear: If you are visiting in the winter, do not spend hundreds of dollars buying extreme cold-weather parkas, insulated pants, and heavy-duty boots that your kids will outgrow in six months. Several local outfitters in Yellowknife rent high-quality, extreme-weather gear packages for the whole family. It saves you money and massive amounts of luggage space.
2. Pack Blackout Curtains or Eye Masks: If you travel during the summer, the midnight sun is no joke. It will be broad daylight at 3:00 AM. Even if your hotel has decent curtains, a little light always sneaks in. Portable travel blackout blinds (the kind that suction to the window) or comfortable sleep masks for the kids are absolute lifesavers for keeping bedtimes somewhat normal.
3. Rent a Car Instead of Relying on Taxis: While Yellowknife has taxis, wait times can be long, and installing car seats in the freezing cold or swatting mosquitoes in the summer while waiting on a curb is miserable. Renting a car gives you the freedom to drive the Ingraham Trail, visit the territorial parks, and retreat to a warm vehicle whenever the kids need a break.
4. Ditch the Stroller for a Carrier: The terrain in Yellowknife is rough. Between the deep snow in the winter, the sandy beaches in the summer, and the uneven Precambrian rock everywhere else, traditional strollers are often more of a hindrance than a help. Bring a high-quality, ergonomic baby carrier or a hiking backpack carrier for toddlers.
5. Moisturize Relentlessly: The air in the Northwest Territories is incredibly dry, particularly in the winter. Pack heavy-duty lip balm, a thick face cream, and saline nasal spray for the kids to prevent chapped skin and dry bloody noses.

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Yellowknife with Kids

Taking your family to the Northwest Territories is an intentional, adventurous choice. It requires a bit of grit, a sense of wonder, and a willingness to embrace the extremes of nature. But the payoff is immense. Watching your children’s eyes go wide as a float plane lifts off the water, or seeing them stare up in awe at the dancing green ribbons of the aurora borealis, makes every bit of the journey worthwhile. By balancing the rugged outdoor excursions with cozy, structured activities like glass making or relaxing by a wood stove in a teepee, you can craft a trip that is perfectly paced for your family. As you finalize your itinerary and narrow down the best things to do in yellowknife with kids, remember to stay flexible, dress in layers, and let the wild beauty of the North lead the way.