5 Fabulous Family Freebies
1. Littleton Museum
2. Cherry Creek Shopping Center Dinosaur Gulch Play Area
3. City Park
4. Denver Public Libraries
5. Hammond’s Candies Factory Tour
5 Favorite Hike or Bike Trails for Families
1. High Line Canal Trail
2. Cherry Creek State Park
3. Lair o” the Bear Park
4. Mount Falcon Park
5. South Platte River Trail
5 Must Visit Colorado Parks
1. Centennial Center Park
2. City Park
3. Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
4. Washington Park
5. Westlands Park
Children’s Theater Productions
Top Five
Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
Colorado Children’s Theatre
Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Denver Children’s Theatre at Mizel Arts and Culture Center
Inside the Orchestra
The Winner
Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada
720-898-7200 | arvadacenter.org
This award-winning organization is one of America’s largest multidisciplinary arts centers, offering top-notch drama for adults, and productions just for kids, too. With outstanding performances of favorites like Charlotte’s Web and last year’s Junie B. Jones: The Musical, kids get a delightful introduction to the world of theater. Acting classes are also available for children 3 and up, and the Arvada Center Theater Academy offers talented youth ages 13 to 18 a chance to expand their skills.
Family Fair or Festival
Top Five
A Taste of Colorado
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
Colorado Renaissance Festival
Denver Chalk Art Festival
Parker Days Festival
The Winner
Colorado Renaissance Festival
650 W. Perry Park Ave., Larkspur
303-688-6010 | coloradorenaissance.com
Thousands of lords and ladies flock to Larkspur for jousting competitions, fire blowing, acrobatics and an internationally renowned mime among many other offerings. A special 40th anniversary installment of this summertime festival is set to the tune of live music, and boasts games, shopping and food fit for a king — all held over nine weekends, June 11 to August 7.
Get ye tickets online, where you”ll find details on themed weekends.
Indoor Playspace
Top Five
Apex Center
Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
Gymboree Play & Learn
Jumpstreet Indoor Trampoline Park
Little Monkey Bizness
The Winner
Jumpstreet Indoor Trampoline Park
Three metro locations | gotjump.com
With a handful of trampoline courts, bouncy dodge ball and basketball games, a foam pit, arcade games and a special “Earthquake Kids Zone” for younger jumpers ages 7 and under, this reasonably priced indoor trampoline gym is suitable for everyone. Oh, and did we mention there’s a mechanical bull
Mommy- or Daddy-and-Me Activity
Top Five
Baby and Me Swim Classes at Ocean First Swim School
Dance with Me at the Colorado Conservatory of Dance
Gymboree Play & Learn Music Classes
Music Together Classes at Twinkle Together
Rocky Mountain Aardvarks
The Winner
Rocky Mountain Aardvarks
Seven metro locations
720-515-VARK | rockymtnaardvarks.com
Music for Aardvarks isn’t your typical parent-child music class. The songs are original, the vibe is funky and the mood is pure fun, as caregivers and kiddos ages 3 months and up rock out together. Participants try a variety of musical instruments, and are called on to participate in interactive musical numbers — and breakout dance sessions. Big kid drop-off classes are offered for ages 3 to 5.
Museum for Families
Top Five
Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
History Colorado Center
National Ballpark Museum
WOW! Children’s Museum
The Winner
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver
303-370-6000 | dmns.org
From its first floor outer space station – complete with a dress-up room for wee astronauts – to its animal dioramas, Egyptian mummies and T. Rex skeleton cast, this museum is jam-packed with hands-on offerings suitable for all ages. Younger children love exploring the second floor Discovery Room, boasting a dinosaur dig and wet-and-wild water playspace. Don’t forget to catch a show at the planetarium or IMAX.
Nature Center
Top Five
Butterfly Pavilion
Lookout Mountain Nature Center
Majestic View Nature Center
Star K Ranch Open Space
The Wildlife Experience
The Winner
Butterfly Pavilion
6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster
303-469-5441 | butterflies.org
In the Pavilion’s balmy tropical rainforest you”ll discover 1,600 butterflies from around the world as you watch guides release herds of butterflies into their habitat — and, that’s only the beginning. This site houses 5,000 animals, including Rosie the tarantula. You”ll find an array of sea critters at the Water’s Edge exhibit, and an outdoor nature trail hosts more creatures.
Place for an Animal Encounter
Top Five
Butterfly Pavilion
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Denver Zoo
The Urban Farm at Stapleton
Wild Animal Sanctuary
The Winner
Denver Zoo
2300 Steele St., Denver
720-337-1400 | denverzoo.org
With more than 3,500 animals, live feedings and unique shows, this 80-acre Denver mainstay offers nonstop excitement. Get nose-to-whisker with a prairie dog or touch an alligator at the Wild Encounters Amphitheatre; later, watch a lion trainer work behind the scenes. Can’t fit everything into one visit? Consider enrolling your children in summer camp at the Denver Zoo.
Playdate Spot
Top Five
Belleview Park
Big Time Trampoline Fun Center
Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
Little Monkey Bizness
WOW! Children’s Museum
The Winner
WOW! Children’s Museum
110 N. Harrison Ave., Lafayette
303-604-2424 | wowchildrensmuseum.org
Busy hands stay occupied at this Lafayette gem geared toward children 11 and under. An interactive art room stocks collage materials, recycled containers and creative craft supplies for mixed-media exploration, and traveling featured exhibits are designed to engage and educate. Monthly “Discovery Days” showcase rotating science exhibits, and “Sensory Friendly Playtime” days accommodate special needs families.
Special Family Event
Top Five
Zoo Lights at the Denver Zoo
National Western Stock Show
Noon Year’s Eve at the Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
Nutcracker Tea by the Colorado Conservatory of Dance
Parade of Lights
The Winner
Nutcracker Tea by the Colorado Conservatory of Dance
1055 S. 112th St., Lafayette
303-466-5685 | ccdance.org/nutcrackertea/
This holiday tea party enchants with teatime treats served with locally crafted Celestial Seasonings teas, as partygoers learn, firsthand, about old English traditions. The Sugarplum Fairy provides entertainment, telling the story of The Nutcracker while the Conservatory’s dancers perform excerpts from the classic ballet. Afterwards, kids are invited onstage for a dance session. Tickets for the November event go on sale in October.
Value for Entertaining the Whole Family
Top Five
Concerts or Movies in the Park
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Denver Zoo
Elvis Cinemas
WOW! Children’s Museum
The Winner
Elvis Cinemas
Three metro locations | elviscinemas.com
Each Elvis Cinemas theater features second run films – i.e. movies that have recently come out of main theaters – for $3 or $4 per person, depending on whether you catch a flick before or after 6 p.m. You”ll have eight or more movies to choose from, along with all of your favorite concession staples. Psst: Group packages are available for cost-effective birthday parties.
Water Park or Swim Center
Top Five
Apex Center
Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park
Pirates Cove Water Park
SafeSplash Swim School
Water World
The Winner
Water World
8801 N. Pecos St., Federal Heights
303-427-7873 | waterworldcolorado.com
Water World boasts more family tube rides than any other water park in America, and offers several twisty slides named for local rivers like the Rio Grande, Eagle and our Ragin” Colorado. Twenty-five of the 49 attractions are considered family-friendly. Bring a picnic lunch, or nosh on park food — it’s free all-you-can-eat for guests under 40-inches. Mid-day admissions pricing and season passes are available.
