1. Mermaid Birthday Party
Shell-ebrate your child’s birthday with a mermaid swim lesson, a search and rescue for miniature plastic ocean animals, and pictures with one of Wands and Wishes 25 certified diving mermaids. “I was always fascinated by mermaids as a kid,” says resident mermaid Calliope. “It’s wonderful to see the kids have the same reactions that my inner child had.” Mermaid parties are available at Denver Divers and neighborhood pools or rec centers, or can be held at your own backyard pool. Wands and Wishes mermaids can even be booked for parties on land, without a pool. Party prices start at $180 for one hour. 2208 Kearney St., Denver.
2. Mermaid Club
On the third Saturday of every month, kids can take part in mermaid club at Mermaid Cove Swim School in Colorado Springs. The first hour of the club is devoted to creating a mermaid-themed work of art, such as ornaments, bath soaps, or pillows. The second half is focused on practicing swimming with one of Mermaid Cove’s mermaids. Kids age five and older can pick a tail from Mermaid Cove’s selection and practice swimming in their tail with games aimed at building swimming skills. Joining the mermaid club is $350 for a nine-month membership or $45 per class, with all supplies included. 4465 Northpark Dr., Colorado Springs.
3. Mystic Mermaids
With a wide array of sea creatures, it’s only fitting that the Denver Aquarium has a mermaid exhibit, too. Three resident mermaids perform daily interactive shows—set to songs from The Little Mermaid—that encourage recycling and sustainability. Afterward, kids can meet and take pictures with the performing mermaids at the Beach Exhibit. Families looking for mealtime entertainment can check out a less choreographed Dining Show, which is free for anyone eating at the Aquarium restaurant. Tickets for the Under the Sea show are $20.50 for adults, $14.50 for kids age three to 11, and free for kids age two and under. Performance times vary by day of the week and season. 700 Water St., Denver.
4. Mermaid School
Twice a month, mermaids in training can direct their fins to Goodson Recreation Center’s mermaid school. The hour-long class focuses on polishing up their swimming strokes like front crawl, breaststroke, elementary backstroke, and butterfly, all with a mermaid tail or mono-fin. The class is aimed at kids ages six to 12, and kids are encouraged to bring their own mermaid tail, but mono-fins are also available for in-class use. $20-$24 per child. 6315 S. University Blvd., Centennial.
Try Your Fin at Mermaid Toast
Created by food stylist Adeline Waugh, this internet-famous toast is made by swirling food color into cream cheese and decoratively smearing toast to make a colorful creation. Classic food dye works just fine, as does a more natural version using blueberry juice, beet juice, or just about any highly pigmented juice or powder.
(Here are four more mermaid-inspired treats to try.)
