Kids & Family

Editors’ choices

Best family outing

Animal Ark

1265 Deerlodge Road, 970-3111

For a fun-for-the-whole-crew family outing, going to the zoo is kinda a no-brainer. Because who doesn’t want to watch a bear eat her lunch? And Animal Ark is better than an average zoo because it’s a not a zoo; it’s a non-profit animal sanctuary. All of the animals are rescues—orphans, abandoned pets, domesticated animals that probably couldn’t survive on their own in the wild. The enclosures are spacious, and the setting—30 minutes north of Reno—is distinctly Great Basin. It’s like going to a Nevada ranch, but with cheetahs.

Most kid-friendly restaurant

Scoopers Drive-in

1356 Prater Way, Sparks, 331-6221

Once an A&W, this drive-in has been locally owned for 30 years. It’s always jammed during Hot August Nights, but there’s no reason to wait for that event to come around. And this is a good place to bring children and fill their ears with your experiences with places like this when you were younger. Children like to hear that kind of thing. While it still has the trappings like intercoms and trays next to the cars, you’ll actually have to get out and walk to the window to order.

Readers’ choices

Best arcade games

1. Coconut Bowl at Wild Island

1855 E. Lincoln Way, Sparks, 359-2927

2. Fun Quest

Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 E. Second St., 789-1127

3. Press Start Bar & Arcade

1413 S. Virginia St., 786-2550

Best elementary school

1. Mount Rose School

915 Lander St., 333-5030

2. Roy Gomm Elementary School

4000 Mayberry Drive, 333-5000

3. Brown Elementary School

13815 Spelling Court, 851-5600

Best family outing

1. Lake Tahoe

2. Wild Island Family Adventure Park

250 Wild Island Court, Sparks, 359-2927

3. Food Truck Fridays

Idlewild Park, 2055 Idlewild Drive

Best high school

1. Reno High School

395 Booth St., 333-5050

2. Robert McQueen High School

6055 Lancer St., 746-5880

3. Edward C. Reed High School

1350 Baring Blvd., Sparks, 353-5700

Best indoor activity for kids

1. Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum

490 S. Center St., 786-1000

2. Coconut Bowl at Wild Island

1855 E. Lincoln Way, Sparks, 359-2927

3. Fly High Trampoline Park

10 Greg St., Sparks, 856-8131

Best local library

1. Downtown Reno Library

301 S. Center St., 327-8300

2. Spanish Springs Library

7100 Pyramid Way, Sparks, 424-1800

3. South Valleys Library

15650 Wedge Pkwy., 851-5190

Best middle school

1. Kendyl Depoali Middle School

9300 Wilbur May Pkwy., 852-6700

2. B.D. Billinghurst Middle School

6685 Chesterfield Lane, 746-5870

3. Mendive Middle School

1900 Whitewood Drive, Sparks, 353-5990

Best park

1. Rancho San Rafael Regional Park

1595 N. Sierra St., 785-4512

2. Idlewild Park

2055 Idlewild Drive, 334-2270

3. Pah Rah Mountain Park

175 Shadow Lane, Sparks, 353-2376

Best toy store

1. Learning Express Toys

197 Damonte Ranch Pkwy., 853-7884

2. Target

Best weekend activity

1. Lake Tahoe

2. Hiking

3. Food Truck Fridays

Idlewild Park, 2055 Idlewild Drive

Best weeknight activity

1. Aces Baseball

Greater Nevada Field, 250 Evans Ave., 334-4700

2. Food Truck Fridays

Idlewild Park, 2055 Idlewild Drive

3. The Clay Canvas

550 Plumb Lane, 828-4118

Most kid-friendly restaurant

1. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews

4999 Kietzke Lane, 825-7246

2. Chuck E. Cheese

5000 Smithridge Dr., 827-5100

3. Laughing Planet Cafe

650 Tahoe St., 360-2592