Breck Lindsey 06/30/2025

22 Exciting Ideas for Family Fun in Ruidoso

Your kids will be over the moon about a day where your answer is always “yes!” Here are some cheap, free, and downright fun ideas for a “yes day” in Ruidoso your kids won’t ever forget.

Bonus: Make it a game and play Bingo while you mark off activities! Check out the board below or download a printable copy here.

Search for fairies at Wingfield Park

  • Cost: $0
  • Go on a scavenger hunt at Wingfield Park and uncover magical hiding places along the recently added Fairy Trail. Find Phon, Roxie, and all 8 fairies along the path.

Take a card game to a local coffee shop or park

  • Cost: $0
  • Kids love games, so why not take a family favorite to a new location and shake it up a bit! Find a spot to grab a drink or snack with our restaurant directory or pack a picnic and head to one of our local parks for a laid back afternoon.

Go to the “Top of the World” at Ski Apache

  • Cost: $0
  • Ski Apache offers the best panoramic views in the area! Take the winding drive to the top and play a game of I Spy while you’re at it. The kids won’t believe how HIGH you are above the world below. If you feel like doing an activity at the top, ziplining and a gondola ride are available.

Experience western swing and the wild frontier at Flying J Ranch

  • Cost: $21-$41 per ticket
  • A Ruidoso summer tradition, Flying J Ranch brings the wild west to visitors every week. Get there early to explore Bonita City, catch a mock gunfight, and pan for gold. Then, head to the dining room for an authentic chuckwagon dinner and western swing show. Reservations recommended.

Try unique flavors of candy

  • Cost: Varies
  • Visit Sabor or Purple Mountain Taffy Company for a sweet taste test! What kid wouldn’t go crazy for a “yes day” with candy involved?

Ride the Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster at Ruidoso Winter Park

  • Cost: $25+
  • The Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster is the only mountain coaster in New Mexico and features 5100 feet of waves, dips, and a 360-degree helix! Drivers must be ages 9+ and 52”and riders can be ages 3+ and 36″ with a driver 16 years or older. All rides are weather permitting and tickets can be purchased in person at the park.

Explore games and animals at Enchanted Vine

  • Cost: $0
  • Enjoy a relaxing Sunday afternoon at Enchanted Vine at their Artisan Market (seasonal), featuring live music and local vendors. It’s a wonderful place to spend time for the whole family.

Become a Junior or Little Ranger at Smokey Bear Historical Park

  • Cost: $3-$6
  • Learn about Smokey Bear in his hometown of Capitan at Smokey Bear Historical Park! Visitors can explore a variety of educational activities, exhibits, and of course information about Smokey Bear’s story. Younger visitors can become official rangers (and earn some neat souvenirs) by completing an engaging activity about fire prevention and Smokey Bear. They’ll love learning new things and creating fun memories.

Rent a boat at Mescalero Lake

  • Cost: $40-$55
  • Row boats, pedal boats, kayaks, and paddle boards are available at Mescalero Lake at Inn of the Mountain Gods. Rent one for the afternoon and try a new activity together. Walk-ins welcome, but reservations are requested. All activities are weather permitting.

Crack a geode at Spanish Stirrup Rock Shop

  • Cost: Varies
  • Bring the kids for some fun! Spanish Stirrup Rock Shop has interactive and educational activities for the kids to enjoy and they will never forget cracking their own geode!

Find the fairies and trolls at Two Rivers Park

Have dessert before your meal

  • Cost: Varies
  • Our delectable restaurants have some of the best desserts around. Say “yes” to dessert before dinner (or lunch) and make your child’s day. Figure out where to eat with our directory.

Pick out a book or activity at Books, Etc.

  • Cost: Varies
  • Books, Etc. is a local treasure with books and fun galore! Bring your children and let them pick out something special to enjoy while you relax with your own page turner and enjoy the scenic Ruidoso views.

Treasure hunt at a local thrift store or antique shop

  • Cost: $0
  • You never know what you might discover at our antique stores! You might be surprised at how excited your kids will be to hunt through shops for something special. Plus, you might find a vintage treasure that will blow their mind… like a rotary phone or cassette tape! *wink wink*

Tube the mountain at Ruidoso Winter Park

  • Cost: $15+
  • If a mountain coaster isn’t your thing, Ruidoso Winter Park has more activities to enjoy. Try summer tubing! No snow is needed to fly down the mountain on an inner tube. Available for ages 3+ and 32″ or taller, passes get you an hour of tubing fun. Ages 3-5 ride free!

Ride a horse at Grindstone Stables

  • Cost: $60 per horse
  • Horse riding is an awesome idea for a memorable afternoon. Grindstone Stables offers 3-mile, beginner-friendly trail rides or has horses available at The Pony Ring for kids under 5 years old to ride.

Try something at each restaurant at The Market at Inn of the Mountain Gods

  • Cost: Varies
  • Progressive dinner, anyone? The Market at the Mountain has lots of choices for the whole family! Let everyone try something from each establishment, or split up and have each person try a different restaurant. Options include Samurai Sam’s Teriyaki Grill, Wahlburgers, Sbarro, Warshield Tacos, Carrizo Canyon Coffee House, and for the adults, Scouts Corner Bar (21+).

See a movie at Sierra Cinema

  • Cost: Varies
  • Kids love going to the theater, so enjoy a laid back experience at Sierra Cinema. Make sure to check their website for showings and events, like their free summer movie series on select Wednesday mornings.

Learn something new about the area at the Ruidoso Public Library

  • Cost: $0
  • Public libraries are incredibly special and a great resource for their communities. Stop in to utilize Ruidoso’s library while you’re here. Ruidoso has a rich history and the library is a great place to learn about it. It’s a great option for a free and educational activity. Don’t forget to view their website and see what other great events are going on.

Go bowling at the Ruidoso Bowling Center

  • Cost: Varies
  • Ruidoso Bowling Center has 10 lanes of fun, plus pool, arcade games, and darts for guests to play and enjoy. With a restaurant on-site, it’s a wonderful indoor activity for those rainy vacation days in Ruidoso!

Take a tour of Lincoln Historic Site to experience the wild west

Play arcade games at Inn of the Mountain Gods

  • Cost: Varies
  • The Chipper and Bandit Arcade has the newest and most popular games for kids to play after a meal at The Market. It’s the perfect place to run off some energy after great food.

Breck Lindsey

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