Child-Friendly Activities + Babysitters: Wander Joshua Tree

When it comes to kid-friendly attractions, you won’t have to worry about long queues and cramped spaces at Yucca Valley. There’s plenty of desert fun to enjoy with the whole fam, from horseback riding to hiking. 

So if you’re still unsure about bringing the kids with you to Wander Joshua Tree, take this as a sign that you definitely should! We rounded up a list of child-friendly activities to do, plus a couple of babysitters to call for when you need a day off!

Child-Friendly Activities

Here’s some good news: there’s no shortage of things to do in sunny Yucca Valley even if you’re bringing your kids with you! Not sure where to look? We’ve spared you a Google search and listed the best activities worth your time!

Hike and Explore Joshua Tree National Park

Photo by Brandon Kaida from Unsplash

• Miles from Wander Home: 12.9 miles

• Address: 6554 Park Boulevard, Joshua Tree, CA 92252 (Visitor Center)

• Hours: Open daily from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM

• Contact Number: 760-367-5500

• Website: https://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm

Joshua Tree is a desert wanderland (pun intended). Known for its unique rock formations and Yucca trees, you can definitely say that it’s a playground for outdoor enthusiasts.

Depending on how you’re going to spend your time at Joshua Tree National Park, expect tons of sightseeing, walking, and even climbing. So if your kid has the habit of climbing things, then they’ll have the time of their lives here.

Pro tip: be sure to stop by the Visitor Center to pick up a Junior Ranger activity book. You can complete the activities together so your child may receive a Junior Ranger badge that they can wear proudly and take home!

And if you feel like going on an adventure with the help of a local, you can check out Joshua Tree Adventures for that. 

Guided hiking and rock climbing are just some of the activities they can arrange, but you can also ask them to create a customized activity just for your group.

We heard that the owner and head guide used to organize outdoor education programs for middle school students, so you can rest assured that your kid will be in good hands!

Go Horseback Riding with Knob Hill Ranch

Photo from Knob Hill Ranch

• Miles from Wander Home: 4.6 miles 

• Address: 57840 Cortez Dr, Yucca Valley, CA 92284, USA

• Hours: Varies per season, contact for more information

• Contact Number: 760-821-7525

• Website: https://www.knobhillranch.com/#guide-trail 

There’s just something about riding a horse through the desert just like a cowboy or cowgirl in a good old western film. Sounds like a dream? You can live through it for a while with a guided trail ride courtesy of Knob Hill Ranch.

There are different types of trail rides available to cater to people with different skill levels. The Joshua Tree landscape is truly one of a kind, so opting for their sunrise or sunset ride can be a better choice.

While beginner-friendly rides are up for grabs, it can be difficult for younger and smaller riders to manage, so it's really more of big kid thing. But if you’re taking small kids with you on the ride, we recommend calling up Knob Hill Ranch beforehand to see if they can accommodate it. 

Go Rock Climbing with The Climbing Life Guides

Photo from The Climbing Life Guides

• Miles from Wander Home: 8.5 miles

• Address: 61117 Navajo Trail, Joshua Tree, CA 92252, USA

• Hours: Open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM (October to end of April)

• Contact Number: 760-780-8868

• Website: https://www.theclimbinglifeguides.com/ 

Feeling a bit adventurous? The Climbing Life Guides is one of the most family-friendly options available in Joshua Tree. No need to worry about climbing experience because they can customize the trip to meet the needs of your family!

Guided rock climbing sessions for families come in 4- and 6-hour blocks. And if you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even opt for a full-day climb! Each session can take in a maximum of 6 people, and kids as young as 3 years old can join the climb. 

While technical equipment is provided, don’t forget to bring your own snacks and beverages as it can get pretty hot during the day. Be sure to dress comfortably because as you can guess, there’s plenty of hiking and climbing involved.

Rates start at $110 per climber for a three or four-person group. Meeting place is set at their office address listed above.

Ride the Dunes

Photo from Off Road Rentals

• Miles from Wander Home: 25.5 miles

• Address: CA-111, Palm Springs, CA 92262, USA

• Hours: Open daily from 8 AM to one hour before sunset

• Contact Number: 760-325-0376

• Website: http://www.offroadrentals.com/index.html 

Bummed to see your chosen activity off-season? Here’s an option you can consider from spring to winter: riding an ATV across the sandy dunes of Palm Springs!

Each ATV can only accommodate one rider but don’t fret, you don’t need a license to operate one. This means that your kid can join in the fun!

While kids aged 4 and above are allowed to ride, be sure to watch over them at all times since all rides are self-guided. Expect there to be a variety of riding terrain including flat sandy areas, gentle grades, and hills—perfect for riders with different skill levels.

Off Road Rentals is roughly a 30-minute drive from your Wander Joshua Tree home, so it’s important to plan your day ahead! Rates start at $50 for a 30-minute ride.

Babysitters

Photo by Helena Lopes from Pexels

We know how important it is to keep your kids entertained throughout the trip but sometimes, you just want to take a short break from all that—and that’s okay! Check out our list of places where you can reach trusted babysitters in Yucca Valley. 

Care.com

Need a last-minute sitter to watch over the littles while you head out on your own adventure? Try checking out what Care.com has to offer.

This online marketplace can provide you with a list of qualified babysitters near your area, including Yucca Valley. If you don’t have an account yet, signing up won’t take a few minutes of your time. 

From there, you can post a job and wait for responses. You can also message sitters who fit your criteria if you want to fast-track the process. 

You can head over to Care.com to book a babysitter.  

UrbanSitter

UrbanSitter is another platform that connects you to babysitters near your area. Each sitter profile comes with a bunch of badges that summarizes their services and strengths.

Here’s a little tip: when scanning profiles, be sure to watch out for the badge that says “responds in 1 hour to booking requests”. Straightforward as it is, this filters out unresponsive babysitters, saving you plenty of time in the process. 

There are no fees involved in using the platform. But for an additional fee, you may request an enhanced background check or a motor vehicle check for a sitter, just in case you want that extra layer of protection.

Visit UrbanSitter to book a babysitter.

We can't wait for you to explore all the wonders that Joshua Tree has to offer, from stargazing activities to rock climbing! Our concierge desk is available to chat 24/7 if you have questions about the house or the activities above. See you soon!