10 Family-Friendly Fun Things to Do in Great Falls, MT
Get into the swing of things with these fabulous activities for children of all ages.
Whether you’re on a family vacation or moving to the city with little ones, here are 10 fun things to do in Great Falls, MT:
In This Article
1. Spend Glorious Days at the Park
A park day with the family is a no-brainer, and Great Falls has a great selection of city parks to explore, such as Gibson Park and Lions Park. During the summer, Electric City Water Park is an absolute blast, with its windy water slides, lazy river, swimming pool, Kersplash Climbing Wall, RipTide Slide and other water fun.
2. Enjoy the Great Indoors
When you can’t stand another second in the sun or need a break from the snow, you can always find refuge at indoor recreational facilities like Flippin’ Family Fun or Honey Hippo. Honey Hippo is a “play cafe” with an elaborate indoor playground and coffee drinks for adults to enjoy while the kids play. Flippin’ Family Fun, meanwhile, is an indoor trampoline park that will skyrocket your family’s fun levels to new heights.
3. Immerse Yourself in the Arts
Multiple local art institutions offer classes and workshops for youth. Both Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art and art studio Brush Crazy provide hands-on opportunities for kids and teens to immerse themselves in creating art. Education-wise, the C.M. Russell Museum has created a unit-based lesson plan, Russell for Learning, that includes student workbooks and teacher resources. C.M. Russell Museum also hosts events like Saddles and Spurs, which is a celebration of cowboy culture.
4. Take in the Theater
Discover the vibrant world of theater with the Great Falls Theatre Company. Whether you’re a seasoned actor or a novice, this local gem offers a stage for everyone to shine. Embrace the magic of live performances and get involved in their various productions, fostering a deep appreciation for the arts. From captivating plays to engaging community events, Great Falls Theatre Company is where passion and creativity unite in the heart of Montana.
5. Dart to One of the Many Museums
For an engaging educational experience, check out some of the many museums Great Falls has to offer. In addition to the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art, kids will also especially love the Children’s Museum of Montana, which is incredibly colorful and interactive. Also notable is the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, which transports viewers to days of old through engaging exhibits and art collections. In the winter months, the center has also been known to offer snowshoe rentals and guided hikes, giving people a closer glimpse of the snow-white beauty outside their window.
6. Dance the Day Away
You don’t have to live in a big metropolitan city to have access to focused skills training like dance studios. In fact, there are a couple of much-loved local studios with youth programs. Faith in Motion Dance Studio teaches both ballet and jazz/contemporary classes for ages 4 and up, while Below Zero Dance Studio has a special “Minnies” class for ages 3-5, which fosters a love of dance and teaches simple dance techniques.
7. Pick Up a Good Book
The stunning Great Falls Public Library offers programs for all ages, including storytime and toddler time, themed presentations around the holidays and even a Dungeons and Dragons campaign catered to preteens and teens ages 10-18. The library also offers educational workshops for adults, covering topics such as property taxes and health care.
8. Attend a Sporting Event
Calling all sports fans: Put on your jerseys and foam fingers, because it’s spectating time! Great Falls is home to two sports teams: the Great Falls Voyagers, an independent baseball team in the Pioneer League, and the Great Falls Americans, a Tier III Junior A ice hockey team. Plus, Great Falls Electric is reintroducing professional basketball to the city. Cheer for the home team while making core memories the kids won’t soon forget.
9. Climb Your Way to a Fun Day
Did you know that rock climbing can be a team sport? At Hi-Line Climbing Center, there’s a youth climbing team for ages 5-18, and no previous experience is necessary. It’s a great way to build physical strength, learn teamwork and problem-solving, and best of all, it can be done year-round, regardless of weather.
10. Visit the Montana ExpoPark
The Montana ExpoPark is primarily home to the annual Montana State Fair, as well as some sporting championships, expos and private events. The fair is the main attraction, though, and for good reason. It has everything you could possibly wish for: a pro rodeo, carnival rides, concerts, concessions, horse racing, competitive exhibits and a general overflowing of Montana state pride.
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