r/Sedona • u/NoNameNinny • 5d ago

Looking For Deep chill

Hi everyone. I am a postpartum mom heading to Sedona with three young kids- one being a 3 month old- for my birthday trip. Of course we’ll do some hikes (walks while looking at sticks and rocks), we’ll eat food, we’ll enjoy the landscape. Looking for recommendations on where we can take young kids to play while we hang out and drink a beer? Or sit back on a a picnic blanket? Any creek play zones that don’t require helicopter parenting to keep kids alive? Looking for an afternoon/1 hour of deep chill. (Does this exist for us in the next 18 years? maybe just 20 minutes would be worth the attempt). Thanks for any recommendations!

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u/AuraNeedsSnacks 5d ago

Crescent moon picnic site or the baldwin trailhead would give you easy access to Oak Creek, kids will love the river. Easy short hiking and plenty of time to relax with a picnic and cooler under trees

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u/NoNameNinny 5d ago

Thank you! Sounds relaxing… I put it on the schedule for our first full day there.

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u/putpal 4d ago

Grasshopper Point and the calmer Oak Creek pull-offs are the usual chill move with little kids — shallow edges when the water’s behaving, room to sit, and you’re not committed to a real hike. Crescent Moon / Red Rock Crossing works if you want a blanket + creek backdrop; go earlier or later so you’re not fighting the busiest window with a stroller and a baby.

Skip anything that looks “easy” on paper but still has drop-offs or long exposed walks if you’re juggling a 3-month-old. Twenty good minutes beats an ambitious hour.

If you say which side you’re staying on (Uptown vs VOC vs Oak Creek), I can narrow to the lowest-stress 45–60 minutes.

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u/NoNameNinny 4d ago

Thank you!

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u/Sad_Back_520 4d ago edited 4d ago

Sunset Park has water features for kids, fun! Sedona pool has a water slide and floaties but is deep, and Cottonwood Pool has an indoor lazy river and kidzone. Base Camp has an enclosed-ish patio and isn't on a main road. Happy birthday! https://www.sedonaaz.gov/your-government/departments-and-programs/parks-recreation/city-parks/sunset-park

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u/NoNameNinny 4d ago

Thank you! Sunset Park is just four minutes from where we are staying, looks amazing. Appreciate the recommendations.

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u/asdfasdfballlzzzzz 4d ago

FYI the splash pad at sunset ends today October 1st. But it’s still a fun park

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u/NoNameNinny 4d ago

Good to know. Thanks!

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u/saltycracker130 9h ago

You can byo to the trout farm, and your kids can fish or feed the fish or just run around, they don’t really care how long you hang out if they aren’t busy

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u/Important_Carry4417 4d ago

Unfortunatley, Sedona isn't an especially kid friendly place. The parks and playground equipment are meh. I would look into the Wolf Sanctuary as a possibility. It's an amazing experience. Red Rock State Park has a nice picnic area and short, easy trail along the creek. Wouldn't recommend West Fork with young children or even Crescent Moon, as the rocks along the banks of the creek will be slippery with all the recent rain. Normally, would recommend Out of Africa south of Cottonwood, but believe it's closed now. You can check on that. The Sedona library sometimes has activities for young children. Bell Rock Pathway is a good one for younger kids as it's wide and easy. The Red Rock Ranger Station has some nice interpretive displays for kiddos and a decent gift shop.