Denver Kids Activities
20 FUN, ACTION FILLED IDEAS FOR THE FAMILY
Denver kids activities offer you the chance to stay busy during your visit. My list of 20 ideas includes options such as taking in a game of mini-golf, heading to a sporting event, or touring the Colorado State Capitol.
Other fun things to do include spending time at one of our amusement parks, visiting the zoo, or skiing at one of the nearby resorts. Read on for more fun ways to spent time during your visit.
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1. Aqua Golf (Mini-Golf)
One of the best Denver kids activities kids is miniature golf — a family-friendly thing to do that gets everyone outdoors. Aqua Golf's selling point is its water-driving range as well as a lot of room to practice. This 36-hole course also has water hazards and sand traps to navigate.
The facility also has table tennis and a meeting room for kids parties, corporate events, and business meetings. Golf lessons are available for adults. Rates are based on kids' ages and how many balls you want to purchase.
2. Sporting Events & Venue Tours
With seven professional sports teams and several local college teams, you will find a game on the schedule all year long. Some of the most popular are the Denver Broncos, the Colorado Rockies, and the Colorado Avalanche.
In addition to attending a game, you can also go on a behind the scenes tour of the Pepsi Center (where the Avalanche and Nuggets play), Coors Field (where the Colorado Rockies play) and Sports Authority Filed at Mile High (where the Broncos play). A game or a behind the scenes tour is one of the best Denver kids activities for your sports lovers.
>> See a schedule of upcoming games for our major sports teams
3. Colorado State Capitol
One of the free Denver kids activities is a visit to the Colorado State Capitol. It's open to the public year around from Monday through Friday.
This gorgeous building was completed in 1901 and is home to the Colorado State Legislature as well as the offices of the governor.
You can either visit on your own or go on a guided tour. I recommend the guided tour. It's free also, yet gives you access to areas of the building you are not allowed to visit on your own.
>> See pictures & learn about visiting
4. Day Trip to Rocky Mountain National Park
It's easy to make a day trip from Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park. This 358-square mile park offers hiking, views of the local wildlife, and a chance to drive on one of the highest roads in the US.
You can either head up on your own or visit with a guided tour where you can leave the driving to someone else. Both are great options and will allow you to see one of the largest national parks in the US.
5. Denver Zoo
Another one of the Denver kids activities that your entire family will enjoy is a stop at the zoo. Open all year long, this attraction is home to a Siberian Tiger, Blue Poison Arrow Frogs, and an Asiatic Black Bear.
You will also see a Harbor Seals, a South African Lion, and a River Hippopotamus. Make sure to check out the feeding schedule when you arrive to see the animals gobble up their favorite foods. A visit to the zoo will offer you an entire day of fun!
6. Theater and Shows
One of the best night time Denver kids activities is the theater. You will find a variety of performances each week. They include traveling Broadway shows such as Frozen or the holiday classic A Christmas Carol.
You can also catch a show at one of our smaller theaters at locations all around town. Find a schedule of all theater productions here.
Other family friendly shows include those performed by the Colorado Ballet, the Symphony, and the Opera.
7. Downtown Aquarium
Another one of the fun Denver kids activities is the Downtown Aquarium. Visit the North American exhibit to learn more about the colorful animals that call this part of the world home.
Other popular exhibits include the In the Desert, Under the Sea, and Coral Lagoon. Make sure to also stop by the interactive Stingray Reef touch tank, the Dive Lounge, and the 4-D Theater.
8. Genesee Park
About 30 minutes west of downtown, you will find Genesee Park. It's the largest Denver Mountain Park and it's a great place to see a large herd of bison.
This 2,413 acre park is also home to other local animals such as elk, deer, and several bird species. The best place to see the bison and other wildlife is at the Genesee Buffalo Herd Overlook. Take 1-70 and take exit 254.
Other fun activities here include hiking, the nature center, and camping. All of these are off exit 253.
>> Find additional free things to do with kids
9. Lakeside Amusement Park
Since 1908, families have enjoyed playing and picnicking at this lakeside park with stunning views of the mountains. The amusement park features trains, bumper cars, roller coasters, merry-go-round, and spinning rides. Many rides are tailored to kids, but adults will find plenty of thrill rides.
Hours vary, but the park is usually open evenings during the week and all day on weekends. Call ahead to make verify its hours.
10. The Denver Puppet Theater
Your little ones will love watching marionettes perform classic folk tales such as Rumpelstiltskin, Rapunzel, and Pinocchio. Before and after each show, kids can play with more than 100 puppets or create their own. There's also a gift shop, cafe, and relaxing courtyard.
This award-winning theater schedules shows Thursdays through Sundays. Shows are recommended for children three and older who can sit still and be quiet.
11. Adams Mystery Playhouse
The Adams Mystery Playhouse produces interactive, kid-friendly shows where they help solve crimes using creativity, imagination, and logic. Wizards, pirates, zombies, and more interesting characters are featured in these hilarious shows suitable for kids ages five to teens.
Get there early for the scavenger hunt, cocktail hour, and chance to get some early clues from the show's characters. Dinner is included.
12. Hammond's Candy Tour
Another one of the Denver kids activities that will be a hit with the entire family is a visit to the Hammond's Candy Factory. Open daily (except major holidays), this candy factory offers free tours several times a day.
Your tour starts with a brief overview of the factory's history. You will then step inside a viewing area that allows you to watch the candy makers in action. This 45-minute tour ends with a free sample and a chance to check out their candy store.
13. Skiing
Denver is the perfect starting point for ski trips to the Rocky Mountains. From here, you can head up for just a day or skiing or spend the entire week in the mountains.
Some of the top ski areas include Keystone, Breckenridge, and Vail. Other popular spots are Copper Mountain, Arapahoe Basin (known as A Basin locally), and Aspen.
14. Hiking
Hiking is another fun thing to do with your entire family. You will find dozens of trails right in town (my favorite is the one along Cherry Creek) and even more just a short drive away.
As I mentioned above, Genesee Park is a great place to hike. You will also find some great trails near Red Rocks and all around the foothills.
15. Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
Just to the east of downtown Denver in Commerce City, you will find another park that is full of wildlife. It's also home to a large herd of buffalo and welcomes visitors from sunrise to sunset all year long.
You can either drive through the park on their self-guided tour (takes about an hour) or visit on one of their hiking trails. If you want to learn more about the refuge, make sure to stop by the visitor center that is open Wednesday - Sunday from 9am to 4pm (excluding major holidays).
Visits to the refuge and the visitor's center are free.
16. WOW! Children's Museum
The WOW! Children's Museum in Lafayette (30-minutes from downtown) is an educational and interactive museum for kids of all ages. Your kids can make their own masterpieces in the Art Room, learn about plants in the garden and pretend greenhouse, and pull themselves up to the ceiling in the Pulley Chair exhibit.
Other highlights include exhibits on Investigating Dinosaurs, Solar Energy, and the Toddler Beach & Sandbox. This museum is open Tuesday through Sunday.
>> Discover the 15 best kids museums
17. Got Jump in the Colorado Mills
If your kids love to literally bounce off the walls, take them to this exhilarating indoor trampoline park. This facility has 20,000 square feet of wall-to-wall trampolines where kids can burn up all their energy.
Children three years and younger can play in the Earthquake Area while older kids can jump on the trampolines, play dodgeball, and more. Of course, adults can get in on the action as well!
18. Tiny Town Railroad
Tiny Town Railroad is another one of the fun Denver kids activities. This small park is home to almost 100 small structures as well as two working passenger trains.
When you first arrive, make sure to hop aboard the train that is running that day. This 10-minute drive leaves every 30 minutes and will show you the highlights of the park. You can then venture out on your own to see these colorful structures up close.
The museum is in Morrison and is open May through September.
19. Butterfly Pavilion
The Butterfly Pavilion is home to thousands of interesting and busy butterflies. Within their five exhibits, you will also see bees, tarantulas, and scorpions.
One of the highlights is the 7,200 square foot tropical rain forest. It's where you can see 1,600 butterflies from around the world. Inside the rain forest, you will also see hundreds of colorful plants from several tropical countries.
20. Denver Kids Activities: White Water Rafting
Another one of the fun summer Denver kids activities is white water rafting. Within just an hour or two of the Mile High City, you will find several great places to head out on the rapids.
One of the most popular spots is Clear Creek. Located less than an hour from Denver near Idaho Springs, rafting trips from here are usually a half-day or just a few hours. The minimum age is usually around 7 years old, so it's the perfect choice for your older kids.