If the Grand Canyon and its rugged desert terrain is unfamiliar territory for your family, a guided tour is a great way to get initiated and take the stress out of your first visit. There are plenty of tour options available, including via bus, boat, helicopter, rafting and airplane tours. Bus tours are the most straightforward tour type available to Grand Canyon adventurers. Simply hop on your bus, enjoy the ride to the Grand Canyon (including the stops along the way), and hop back on after you explore the Rim.

Family-friendly biking can be enjoyed by riders of all ages along the paved Greenway section of the Rim Trail between Grand Canyon Visitor Centre and the South Kaibab Trailhead. This 8km route (one way) is mostly level and has no car traffic. Bicycles for adults and older kids, as well as Burley trailers to carry small children, can be rented from Bright Angel Bicycle Rentals (bikegrandcanyon.com), which is located at Grand Canyon Visitor Centre.

The Yavapai Geology Museum is filled with educational displays on Grand Canyon’s Geological history, but the most interesting and tactile experience for kids is the large topographic relief model. This 3D map is designed to be touched and mimics the panorama unfolding on the other side of the museum’s large plate glass window. Young visitors can study the colours and labels on the map to help put the massive canyon into perspective. After a tour of the museum, walk on the interpretive path (the Trail of Time) to see samples of Grand Canyon rocks.

If your child is fascinated with all things locomotive, make the trip to the Grand Canyon on a restored WWII-era passenger train and diesel engine (some have been converted and are fuelled by vegetable oil). Part of the experience will include a visit from the friendly conductor and a mock train robbery by Wild West bandits. Modern train rides also feature family entertainment. Or, if you don’t arrive at the Grand Canyon by train, you can at least watch the locomotive arriving daily (11:45 a.m.) and departing (3:30 p.m.) from the historic station at Grand Canyon Village.

A signature Grand Canyon experience using a time-honoured method of canyon transportation is the sure-footed mule. Take in the breathtaking vistas while trotting along the rim of the canyon, stopping at various points of interest to discuss geologic formations, human history, fire ecology and more. There are up to 20 riders per departure and riders need to be at least 144 cm (4 feet, 9 inches) to ride.