Banff family guide
Banff is a small mountain town inside Canada's oldest national park, with elk wandering past the houses and peaks rising straight out of the streets. In summer families paddle canoes on turquoise lakes and walk canyon catwalks to waterfalls; in winter they ski, skate on frozen Lake Louise and soak in an outdoor hot pool while snow falls. It works well in both seasons, just pack very differently.
Create a Banff activity book
Best ages
Gondola rides, hot springs and lake walks suit all ages; longer hikes, canoeing and ski lessons are best from about 5, and canoe rental usually needs an adult per boat.
Stroller
Banff Avenue, the river paths and the Lake Louise shoreline are stroller-friendly in summer, but trails, Johnston Canyon stairs and winter snow call for a carrier or pulk sled.
Take this guide on the trip
Signal and roaming are not guaranteed abroad. Print this guide or save it as a PDF, then add a Banff travel journal and packing list. All three are free and are made in your browser.
Travel journal for Banff Packing list for BanffTop things to do in Banff with kids
Banff Gondola Ages all ages
An eight-minute ride up Sulphur Mountain to boardwalks along the ridge and an indoor centre; adult prices vary by date, roughly C$60-90, and under-6s ride free.
Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Ages all ages
Canoe on bright blue water in summer or skate on the frozen lake in winter; private cars cannot drive to Moraine Lake, so book the Parks Canada shuttle ahead.
Johnston Canyon Ages 4+
Metal catwalks bolted to the canyon walls lead about 1.1 km to the Lower Falls; in winter guided ice walks with spikes visit the frozen waterfalls.
Banff Upper Hot Springs Ages all ages
A hot outdoor pool at 39-40 °C with mountain views, open year round; a family swim costs roughly C$50-60 and swimsuits can be rented.
Cave and Basin National Historic Site Ages 4+
The warm spring cave where the national park began, with a short boardwalk, a film and tiny snails found nowhere else; youth 17 and under enter free.
Rainy-day and cold-day options
Banff Park Museum
A wooden 1903 museum full of stuffed bears, birds and other park animals.
Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
Mountain history, old skis and climbing gear with family activity sheets.
Sulphur Mountain summit centre
Indoor exhibits, a theatre and a café at the top of the gondola, warm in any weather.
A simple first day
- Morning
- Ride the Banff Gondola early and walk the boardwalk to Sanson Peak.
- Afternoon
- Visit Cave and Basin and walk the Bow River trail to Bow Falls.
- Evening
- Soak at the Upper Hot Springs, then eat a bison burger on Banff Avenue.
Getting around
Roam Transit buses link town, the gondola, Lake Louise and Canmore; a car is handy from Calgary airport, but summer parking at the lakes fills by early morning.
Food kids like
Kids usually enjoy bison burgers, Alberta beef, BeaverTails pastries, maple treats and Saskatoon berry pie; restaurants open early, with family dinners from about 17:30.
What Banff costs for a family
About C$350-550 (≈ €215-340) a day for a family of four, excluding lodging and car hire.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Parks Canada day pass (family or group, per vehicle) | C$22-25 (≈ €14-16) |
| Banff Gondola (adult / child 6-15) | C$60-90 / C$37-50 (≈ €37-56 / €23-31) |
| Upper Hot Springs (family) | C$50-60 (≈ €31-37) |
| Canoe rental on Lake Louise (30 min) | C$150-180 (≈ €93-112) |
Buy an annual Discovery Pass if staying a week or more, and use Roam Transit buses instead of paying for parking. Prices are typical ranges checked for 2025–2026; confirm current prices before you book.
Safety notes
- Stay at least 30 m from elk and 100 m from bears, carry bear spray on trails and make noise as you walk.
- Winter often drops below -20 °C, so dress children in thermal layers and limit time outdoors when the wind picks up.
- Lakes are glacier-cold even in August and mountain weather turns quickly, so use life jackets and pack rain gear; tap water is safe.
What's inside the Banff activity book
A personalized printable book for one child (or up to three with Family), built around Banff: landmark spotting, a 12-item scavenger hunt, a local food tasting page, local phrases and a quiz. Print it at home before you leave and bring a pencil.
Missions
- Wildlife watcher
- Mountain lake explorer
Landmarks to find
- Lake Louise
- Banff Gondola
- Johnston Canyon
- Cave and Basin
Foods to spot or taste
- bison burger
- BeaverTails pastry
- maple fudge
- Saskatoon berry pie
Words to try
- Hello Hello
- Thank you Thank you
- Please Please
- Yes Yes
Mini €5.90 (10 pages), Adventure €9.90 (25–28 pages) or Family €14.90 (up to three children). One-time purchase, no subscription; the book is printed at home in English.
Create a Banff activity bookQuestions parents ask
Is Banff good for young children?
Gondola rides, hot springs and lake walks suit all ages; longer hikes, canoeing and ski lessons are best from about 5, and canoe rental usually needs an adult per boat.
Can you use a stroller in Banff?
Banff Avenue, the river paths and the Lake Louise shoreline are stroller-friendly in summer, but trails, Johnston Canyon stairs and winter snow call for a carrier or pulk sled.
How much does a family day in Banff cost?
About C$350-550 (≈ €215-340) a day for a family of four, excluding lodging and car hire. Buy an annual Discovery Pass if staying a week or more, and use Roam Transit buses instead of paying for parking.
When is the best time to visit Banff with kids?
Best months: June, July, August, September, December, January, February.