Things To Do With Kids in Rapid City, South Dakota

Stephanie W.:  The Badlands are some of the most breathtaking rock formations in the country, so for those families looking for a place to explore outdoors, this park is the perfect stop. You can drive through and enjoy the views from your car, or take one of several different hiking trails on foot. During the summer, night sky viewings are offered, giving you a great place to enjoy the stars.

Tim Ponisciak:  What started as a simple drug store has grown to be one of the biggest tourist attractions in South Dakota! Make a pit stop for some homemade donuts, ice cream or ride the giant jackelope in the back! You really can't avoid the signs on your drive out to Mount Rushmore or when visiting South Dakota with kids.

Shila:  Watiki Indoor Waterpark Resort provides several lodging options for where to stay in Rapid City with kids! From family-sized rooms to extended stay suites, a few are even connected (or within walking distance) to WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort itself. Attractions at this indoor waterpark (open year round) include a lazy river, activity pool, toddler zone, hot tub, and body slides. Mount Rushmore is about 30 miles away.

Stephanie W.:  This fun dinosaur place in the Black Hills is on a sandstone ridge where dinosaurs have been found. There are life-size dinosaur sculptures to check out as you wander the park, a gift shop and visitor center, and gorgeous 100-mile views of the South Dakota Badlands.

Stephanie W.:  The world's largest reptile collection, Reptile Gardens has educational shows about snakes, alligators, and exotic birds, as well as different rooms full of beautiful plants, iguanas, lizards, and more. For those not thrilled by the thought of so many reptiles, there is a tortoise garden, and a prairie dog colony that you can get up close and personal with!

Stephanie W.:  On a road trip, it's always nice to have a spot to hop out of the car and get those wiggles out. Story Book Island is just the place for this, and best of all, it's free! It has over 7 acres of play sets that are all classic-story-book themed and free range play space. Their ticketed attractions include a carousel, a train ride, and the Bippity Boppity Bouce, for young kids ages 3-11!

Stephanie W.:  One of the most interesting things to do with kids in Rapid City is experiencing Bear Country USA! Drive thru a small, yet beautiful park filled with wildlife like elk, mountain lions, buffalo, and other course, bears! Your kids will love getting to see animals in their natural habitat, up close and personal and/or from your vehicle!

Stephanie W.:  This is a perfect stop for families who love the outdoors, plus a little adventure! Rush Mountain has it all- a roller coaster, a zip line with side-by-side seats, a challenge course for tykes, and more. It's most famously known as the Home of Rushmore Cave, where you can take a scenic walking tour, a flashlight tour, or an adventure tour to see the cave and its formations in all their beauty.

Stephanie W.:  The Mammoth Site boasts the largest concentration of mammoth fossils in the world! Over 1,200 bones remain on the site, many of which have not yet been excavated. Your kids will love seeing these fossils of prehistoric animals!

Stephanie W.:  Experience South Dakota above and below ground at this beautiful National Park. You'll find wild animals like bison, prairie dogs and elk on the peaceful prairie. Take a tour of the caves below, names for the high winds at their entrance. Wind Cave is one of the largest and most complex caves in the world, with boxwork throughout, a unique and rare formation, as well as crystals, dripstone, and more.

Stephanie W.:  Mount Rushmore! We all learn about it in school, but there's nothing quite like seeing it in person. This incredible sculpture of four of our nation's presidents was built in to a mountain and is surrounded by the Black Hills of South Dakota. Audio tours are available. If you're lucky you might even catch a glimpse of wildlife while exploring Mount Rushmore, like a mountain goat or an eagle!

Stephanie W.:  Custer State Park is a beautiful place for an outdoor adventure around Rapid City! Try activities like birdwatching, easy hiking, camping, boating, swimming, even snowshoeing! If you stop by during the summer, you can watch a performance at the Black Hills Playhouse, one of the oldest theater companies in the country. There are great family-friendly activities available throughout the year.

Stephanie W.:  Known as one of the most unique things to do with kids in South Dakota, Jewel Cave National Monument takes you through beautiful caves filled with crystals! It's the perfect place to visit for kids who love exploring! There are tours given daily, and there are many different types of tours to suite your family's needs.

Stephanie W.:  The Crazy Horse Memorial is an unfinished sculpture meant to honor all North American Indians. This sculpture, carved in to the Black Hills of South Dakota was first begun in 1947, and the work continues today on the world's largest mountain carving currently in progress. This memorial is a beautiful tribute and is definitely worth seeing as a family!