So, you are coming to Pigeon Forge and are wondering what to do with kids. Well, let me tell you, there are a lot of fun activities.
Hi! We are Stephanie and Sarah. We are local moms who have lived in the Smoky Mountains. Sarah is a mom of 2 young kids and have lived in the Smoky Mountains for 15 years and Stephanie is a mom of 3 young kids. We are always adding to our list of things to do and see.
We have complied a list of things to do with your kids. If you are traveling to the Smokies with a toddler, as in they are under 3, then you may want to check out our other blog post about THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR TODDLER IN THE SMOKIES
Go To Deer Farm Petting Zoo
Deer Farm petting zoo is absolutely so much fun! You can pet all kinds of animals such as deer, sheep and goats. They also have unique animals such as camel, zebra, zonkes, mini ponies and that’s just a few. They also offer pony rides that kids love. Check out our visit here!
Camping
Taking your kids camping at either a KOA ground, RV park, cabin camping or tent camping. You are going to find a ton of locations your family will love and make memories doing.
Aquarium
The aquarium is a fun activity that you and the kids will love. This could easily be something you could do for half the day. We all know you can see tons of fish but they also have a large playground your kids will enjoy as well as live diving shows, penguins playhouse is super cool.
Anakeesta
From the time you get your ticket, there is something fun and exciting your kids will love. My kids love to ride the chairlift but riding the ridge rambler is actually a fun event as well. Your kids will love eating lunch or dinner overlooking the mountains, or climbing the observation tower, playing on the playground, grabbing snacks and watching the musicians play, or walking across the bridge staring at the trees. Then stay late and watch Astro Lumnight. This activity you could easily spend half the day.
Rainforest Zoo
There are so many animals your kids would love to see at Rainforest zoo. Most of their animals are indoors so a great thing to do if the weather isn’t great. They can pet some goats and sheep as well.
Dinner Shows
There are 3 dinner shows here in the Smokies. I know it’s hard for my kids to pay attention and sit still so dinner shows are a great way to keep them planted and eating as well as being entertained. Check out Pirates, Hatfield and McCoy, or Stampede.
Hike
Hiking with kids can be a challenge, but there are several hikes you can do that won’t take to long and see how they do. Our favorites is Grotto Falls, Cataract Falls and Laurel Falls.
Picnic
Going on a picnic is our favorite thing to do. My kids love going to a park, sitting next to a river or grilling out in nature.
Mini Golf
There is a lot of mini golf courses to choose from. We like Toy Box mini golf for their fun life size toys, Crave Golf is also a fun choice. When in Gatlinburg we like Hillbilly Golf.
Arcade
There are arcades on every corner so you won’t have a hard time finding one. It’s best to find one next to restaurants or next to other attractions. Sometimes you can get a discount when you buy their food.
Ride The Ferris Wheel
My kids love to ride The Island Ferris wheel. It has some amazing views of the mountains and the city below. It’s fun to ride it right around sunset to see the city in both day and night.
Eat Ice Cream
Ice Cream is always a fun treat with my kids. We like to find unique locations. Going to the Mountain Mile is a fun spot. You can then play some lawn games and look at shops. Another favorite spot is Cruze Farms. They always have seasonal flavors as well as lawn games outside as well as some rocking chair and swings.
Mirror Maze
If your kids like to find their way out of mazes. This could be a fun activity. I always like to check with the staff to ask about if the lights go out any, how loud the music is and average time to get out. I don’t want them to get scared in there. Our favorite one is in Gatlinburg called Circus Golf.
Go To a Magic Show
Kids and adults love magic shows. We love to go see Terry Evanswood. He has been the longest running show in the Smoky Mountains. He has themed shows for each season and also offers tours of his magical house that the kids find so fun.
Pick Berries
Depending on the season, you can go pick apple or berries and a local pick your own farm.
Ice Skate
Ice Skating is something that you don’t have to all the way to Ober for. During the winter season you can find ice skating at Wilderness at the Smokies or if you want to explore Knoxville Ice Chalet has year round ice skating.
Go Jumping
My kids love going to Top Jump because of their toddler area, but there is also Sevier Air that is a lot of fun for kids.
Play In The River
If it is warm enough, bring a change of clothes or swimsuits and let the kids get dirty and play at the river. We have 3 favorite spots. Chimey Tops Picnic Area, Sevierville City Park and The Gatlinburg Trail.
Go To The Movies
We have 2 movie theaters in Pigeon Forge. Governor’s Crossing is very cheap for only $5 movies every day. They don’t have luxury seating or really anything special but a movie for $5 is a lot of fun. The other theater is The Forge Cinema. Tickets are more expensive, but they have better seating and its a newer facility.
Go To The Lake
Pigeon Forge has a neighbor town called Dandridge and that is where we have our beautiful Douglas Lake. You can do lots of activities out there, such as renting a boat or just go and take the kids to the swimming area. It’s so beautiful to see the lake and mountains together.
Zipline
Ziplines are so much for kids and adults. Most zipline require kids to be at least 8 years old and weigh 60lbs.
Go To a Baseball Game
We have a baseball stadium where you can go see the Smoky Bears. We love eating hotdogs and watching the game. They have all kinds of themed nights and things for kids to do.
Ride A Horse
Want to get your kids use to horse back riding? You and your kids can start horse back riding at 3 years old. (Adults ride along) There are lots of horse back riding locations in the Smokies.
Go To Dollywood
We all know Dollywood’s should be on your list for things to do with kids. There are rides, shows, actives your kids will love at Dollywood.
Water Park
There are 6 waterparks in the Smokies area. You probably know the well known ones. Splash Country and Soaky Mountain but there is also Wild Bear Falls, You can grab a day pass there. Wilderness At The Smokies, you can stay at this location or buy a day pass. Country Cascades and Governor’s Crossing are both water parks for resort guests.
Snow Tubing
Take your little one on a fun snow tubing experience at Pigeon Forge Snow. You can even play in the snow as well.
Bowling/ Duck Pin Bowling
We all know bowling. There aren’t any main bowling areas here in Pigeon Forge, which is crazy to me. There are regular bowling found at the Pigeon Forge and Sevierville Community Centers. One thing that has become popular around here is Duck Pin Bowling and it is something most kids love. It’s very similar to regular bowling but the lanes are shorter, the balls are lighter with no holes and you get 3 tries each round instead of 2.
Laser Tag
Laser Tag is so much fun for everyone in the family. There are several locations in the area such as Laser Port, Battle Ground Tactical Laser Tag and Wonderworks
Sky Flyer
Have you been to Disney and rode Soarin? Well The Smokies has that same type of ride here in the Smokies. Go Ride Sky Flyer at The Island or Fly Rider at Beyond The Lens. It is so much fun pretending to fly over all these amazing iconic places.
Movie Riders
These kind of rides are similar to a motion ride but different.
Ride Amusement Rides
You can go ride some fun rides that are not in an amusement park. You can pay per ride or get combo tickets. Check out all of the fun rides at The Island, The Track or Ripley’s Fun Center.
Bumper Boats
Get in a little boat on some water and have fun playing bumper boats! You can find these at Ripley’s Super Fun Park, The Track or at Adventure Raceway
River Tubing
Have fun relaxing in the cool water this summer and go tubing. It’s so much fun and you can make it an all day activity. Imagine being in a lazy river in the Smoky Mountains. If you book with a tour they will take you up and down the river all day long and provide shelter for a picnic lunch.
Wax Museum
Are your kids dying to take a picture with a favorite celebrity? Have fun taking them to a wax museum. Be sure you have your phone to capture all the funny selfies you will be taking.
Axe Throwing
Yes, even kids can go axe throwing. Don’t worry! They don’t throw real axes. They get their own kind and kids love it.
Rowdy Bear
Rowdy Bear in Pigeon Forge as so much you can do with your kids such as summer/winter tubing, shoot out coasters, axe throwing and playgrounds. They do hourly rates as of now.
Zorb- Outdoor Gravity Park
This activity you can’t find any where else in the USA. This sport was invented in New Zealand and is so much fun. Be Sure to grab your bathing suit and some clothes to change into as you jump into a 11 foot inflatable ball. You get tossed around in the water and you choose which course you want to roll down.
Alcatraz
This museum is full of history. You will learn about all kinds of different crimes and events that changed the world. If your kids like to read and know history. This is a great stop but a lot of reading is involved and there are lots of different crimes it talks about so be aware.
Titanic
Did you watch Titanic as a kid and obsessed with Leonardo DiCaprio? No, just me Well learning all about Titanic and seeing different parts of what each area looked like is unbelievable. You even go in as a character that either survived or dies on the Titanic. It is another amazing museum older kids will enjoy. You can touch the water they were in, see the dresses and suites. There is some reading but not a ton.
Lumberjack
Have a lumberjack or lumber jill in the family? Go see the Lumberjack show and watch them climb trees and learn all what lumberjacks do or play at their adventure park.
Parrot Mountain
Are your kids a bird lover? Then they will love Parrot Mountain. It is located up on the hill behind Dollywood and it is a beautiful garden full of all kinds of birds. Walk around and listen to them talk and sing to you. You can even hold and pet them. My favorite park is going to the nursery and seeing all the baby birds that are for sale. They are so friendly since they are around people all day.
Hatfield And McCoy
This dinner show is fun for all ages. The storyline is hilarious and will keep kids and adults laughing. You get a wide range of food from soup, biscuits, fried chicken and other sides.
Pirates Dinner Show
This dinner show is perfect for pirate and mermaid lovers. The amount of food you get is a lot. Your kids will be amazed seeing real live seals, pirates and mermaids!
Array Variety Show
This new Vegas style Variety act has singers, dancers, jugglers and magic all in one. It is something everyone in the family will love.
Comedy Barn
Comedy Barn has been around for over 25 years. It is a kid friendly show that has a variety of acts such as juggling, comedians, live animal acts and so much more. Kids will definitely be laughing at this show.
Alpine Coasters
Alpine Coasters are on every corner in the Smoky Mountain area. Kids starting at 3 years old and 38 inches tall can ride the alpine coasters. What is an alpine coaster? A Fun controlled coaster that you can slow down or speed up. You can go as fast or slow as you like. You zip through all the trees and forest going downhill.
Magic Mansion
Are your kids into magic or maybe into something completely unique. Go tour The award winning Terry Evanswood magic mansion. This is offered at his magic show but anyone can book tickets. Terry has a very historic home that is full of surprises, movie memorabilia, artifacts. You can’t believe this is his real house. You can even book a private magic show from him in his small theater. Kids will talk about this tour for years. We went to see it and wrote this post. CLICK HERE TO READ IT
Wonderworks
Wonderworks is the fun upside down house in Pigeon Forge. It is a great place to learn about science and make it fun. They have 100s of hands on experiences from large bubbles, rides and 80 mile an hour winds from a hurricane!
Beyond The Lens
Grab your camera and learn at the same time. Beyond The Lens is so much fun. They have lots of fun technology games, funny photo ops, an escape room, VR games and a mix of everything. My kids love this location, especially the ball pit!
Escape Rooms
Do your kids enjoy clues and using their brain? Escape Games are all the rage right now and I know you will enjoy them too. There are all kinds of different theme rooms to chose from between all the escape rooms out there.
Skyland Ranch
Skyland Ranch is a fun chair lift to the top of a a beautiful view of the Smokies even in Pigeon Forge. Once you are up there you can enjoy their miniature animals of all kinds, play on the playground. You can then check out some shopping and grab lunch up there too.
Pigeon Forge Snow
This is a blast all year long. Kids who are 38 inches tall and at least 3 years old they can ride down the snow tubing but don’t worry. You can ride with them but you each have your own tube you are tethered together to stay connected. If your child is not old enough or not into that. They do have a snow play area. They can build a snowman or make snow angels.
Xperia
Come experience the unique underwater adventure at Xperia. This is a timed group experience that you go room to room and they have fun interactive rooms full of technology. Pretend you are going underwater in a submarine, or pretend to play with some sea lions and then my personal favorite is where you feel like you are underwater in the ocean with the animals vis 3D
We hope this list has helped you make the most of your time in the Smokies. Feel free to look at other posts we have done.
Have a great time!