The Best Things to Do in the Catskills with Kids

Some places just have a way of making kids put down their screens without you even asking. The Catskills is one of those places. The moment you roll into this part of New York, something shifts. The air smells like pine and creek water. The hills stretch out in every direction. And your kids? They suddenly remember that legs are for running.

Whether you are pulling in with an RV, pitching a tent, or settling into a seasonal site at Willowemoc Campgrounds, the Catskills gives families a full plate of things to do. Here is what to put on your list.

Splash Around in a Swimming Hole

Kids and cold mountain water are a match made in summertime heaven. The Catskills is full of swimming holes fed by streams and waterfalls, and most of them are free. All you need is a towel, some water shoes, and a willingness to get completely soaked.

The Willowemoc Creek runs right through the area and is one of the most beloved spots for wading and playing. Little ones love poking around the rocks looking for crayfish. Older kids dare each other to wade out to the deeper sections. You will probably end up in the water too, and honestly, that is not a bad thing.

Go on a Family Hike

The Catskills has trails for every kind of kid, from the "I can walk forever" type to the "my legs are broken after five minutes" type. You know which one you have.

For younger kids, look for shorter loop trails that reward them with a waterfall or a viewpoint. The payoff matters. A kid who sees a waterfall at the end of a mile-long trail suddenly becomes a lifelong hiker. For older kids and teens, the longer ridge trails offer real challenge and genuinely rewarding views.

Pro Tip

Let your kid lead the hike at least part of the way. It changes everything about their attitude.

Fish the Famous Catskill Streams

The Catskills is considered the birthplace of American fly fishing. That is not just regional pride talking. The Beaverkill and Willowemoc Creek have been drawing anglers for well over a century.

You do not need to be a fly fishing purist to enjoy a fishing afternoon with kids. A simple rod, some bait, and a quiet stretch of water is all you need. Teach your kid to cast, let them stare at the water, and watch as patience becomes a skill they did not know they had. Even if nobody catches anything, the afternoon beside the stream counts for a lot.

If you are staying at an RV site at Willowemoc Campgrounds, you are already steps away from some of the best fishing water in New York State.

Visit a Local Farm

Farm visits hit differently when your kid realizes that food comes from somewhere other than a grocery store shelf. The Catskills region has a strong farming culture, and many farms welcome visitors, especially during the warmer months.

Pick-your-own berry farms are a favorite with families. Kids get to fill their own baskets, eat three berries for every one they keep, and feel genuinely proud of what they collected. Some farms also have animals to meet, from goats and chickens to the occasional friendly donkey who will absolutely eat your map.

Look for farmstands along the back roads. You will find fresh corn, heirloom tomatoes, fresh eggs, and homemade jams that you will regret not buying more of.

Catch Fireflies After Dark

This one sounds simple. It is. And it might be the thing your kids talk about for years.

On warm summer evenings in the Catskills, the fields and forest edges light up with fireflies. For kids who grew up in the city or suburbs, seeing this for the first time is genuinely magical. Grab some mason jars, go out after dinner, and let the kids catch a few to look at before releasing them.

There is no app for this. There is no screen involved. It is just your family, the warm night air, and a field full of tiny blinking lights.

Bike the Back Roads

The country roads around Livingston Manor and the surrounding Catskill towns are made for slow, scenic bike rides. Traffic is light, the scenery changes around every bend, and the whole thing feels like something out of a storybook.

If your kids are old enough to ride independently, this becomes a real family adventure. Pack snacks, pick a loose destination like a farmstand or a swimming hole, and just ride. Getting a little lost on purpose is half the fun.

For younger kids, a trail-a-bike or a trailer attachment keeps everyone moving together without leaving the little ones behind.

Play at the Campground

Here is something that parents sometimes forget: your campground is part of the activity. A good campground is not just a place to sleep. It is the home base for the whole trip.

At Willowemoc Campgrounds, the grounds themselves give kids room to roam. There is creek access, open space, and the kind of freedom that feels rare these days. Kids on bikes, kids wandering to a neighbor's campfire to say hello, kids who have figured out how to amuse themselves with a stick and a pile of rocks. That is the camping childhood experience, and it is worth more than any paid attraction.

If you are thinking about a longer stay, the seasonal RV sites at Willowemoc Campgrounds are a great way to give your family a real summer home base in the Catskills. You get the creek, the community, and the consistency of coming back to a place your kids will start to think of as theirs.

Do a Scavenger Hunt in the Woods

Before you leave home, print out a nature scavenger hunt list. Things like a feather, a heart-shaped rock, a spider web, animal tracks, a piece of bark, something yellow. Give each kid their own list and a small bag.

What happens next is basically automatic outdoor enrichment. Kids start paying attention to what is around them in a completely different way. The forest goes from background noise to a place full of details worth noticing.

You can find printable versions online or make your own. Tailor it to the age of your kids and the terrain around your campsite.

Roast Things Over the Fire

The campfire is the living room of the campground. It is where the day ends, where stories get told, and where your kid discovers that slightly burnt marshmallow is actually the best food ever invented.

Do not rush past this one. Give the campfire its proper time each evening. Let the kids tend it, learn about fire safety, and take some real responsibility for keeping it going. Roast marshmallows, obviously. But also try roasting bread on a stick, or wrapping a banana in foil with chocolate chips and letting it soften in the coals. These are the kinds of small details that become core camping memories.

Check Out the Town of Livingston Manor

Livingston Manor, the small town right next to Willowemoc Campgrounds, is a great place to spend a morning or afternoon with kids. It has that easy, unhurried small-town energy that is hard to find anywhere else.

Walk the main street, pop into a local shop, and grab something to eat at one of the local spots. The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum is nearby and worth a visit, especially if your kids caught the fishing bug earlier in the trip. Kids learn about the history of the stream right outside your campsite, which makes the whole experience feel connected.

Let the Trip Breathe

One last thing to remember, and it is important: do not over-schedule.

The best family camping trips have a loose structure and a lot of open space. Leave room for the afternoon when your kid just wants to sit by the creek and throw rocks into the water for two hours. Leave room for the unexpected hailstorm that sends everyone scrambling into the RV for an impromptu movie afternoon. Leave room for boredom, because boredom is actually where kids get creative.

The Catskills will give you more than enough. You do not have to chase every single activity. Let the place do its work.

Ready to Make It Happen?

If you are looking for the right base camp for a family trip to the Catskills, Willowemoc Campgrounds in Livingston Manor, NY sits right at the heart of everything on this list. Whether you are bringing the family RV for a weekend or thinking about settling in for the whole season, there is a site waiting for you beside the creek.

Come find out what the Catskills can do for your family. It tends to exceed expectations.

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