The kids are out of school and (if you’re lucky enough to get the day off yourself) that means you have an extra day of weekend fun. How will you pass the time? We came up with a few suggestions your kids will love! From a day at the museum to cozying up with a good book at a local bookstore, here are 14 things to do around town on Presidents Day.
Special Events
Chinese New Year Celebration
February 17, 10 a.m. to noon
Celebrate the Year of the Rat with Chinese New Year crafts and a traditional lion dance performance by the Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu Association. Then join Association members for a dance lesson and to try on the lion costume. Chinese New Year craft activities are also available. Included with admission. WOW! Children’s Museum, Lafayette.
Denver Botanic Gardens Free Day
February 17, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Take a walk through the gardens and discover the beauty that winter brings. While you’re there, participate in a family workshop, search for plants, and explore the indoor Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory. Free admission. Denver Botanic Gardens York Street, Denver.
Family Workshop: Chocolate Treats
February 17, 10-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-3 p.m.
Follow the journey of a cacao bean and discover how chocolate is made. Create a box of chocolate treats to take home. For families with children ages 5-10. $10-$17. Denver Botanic Gardens York Street, Denver.
Museums & Exhibits
Denver Art Museum
Open Mondays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The DAM is always free for kids under 18. Check out the First Light Family Space, with activities like making a mirror, playing with patterns, and creating a colorful city. Then, head to the Paint Studio to make a masterpiece. Museum admission is $10 for adult Colorado residents. Denver Art Museum, Denver.
Extreme Sports: Beyond Human Limits
Open daily through April 12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Go into the minds and bodies of extreme athletes to explore the psychology of their motivations and the science behind sports such as wingsuit flying, ice and rock climbing, parkour, and free diving. Learn about your own personal limits through challenges including a course developed by American Ninja Warriors and kid-size climbing walls. Included with museum admission. Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver.
Money Museum
Open Monday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Take a free self-guided tour to learn more about money and finances. The downtown Denver museum features four permanent exhibits that include learning about money management, designing colorful currency, and seeing historical currency from 1755 to present. Money Museum, Denver.
The Science Behind Pixar
Open daily through April 5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Explore the STEAM concepts used at Pixar Animation Studios every day to bring their films and characters to life. Each section in the exhibition focuses on a step in the filmmaking process, giving guests an unparalleled view of the production pipeline and concepts used by the artists and computer scientists. $23-$30, tickets include general admission. Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver.
Movies & IMAX
Amazon Adventure 3D
Showtimes daily at 11:30 a.m.
Watch the true story of explorer Henry Bates, who dedicated his life to science in the Amazon rainforest in the 1850s. Bates discovered the phenomenon of mimicry, where certain animals adopt the look of others to help them deceive predators and gain an advantage to survive. $6-$7, plus museum admission. Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver.
Dinosaurs of Antarctica 3D
Showtimes daily at 2pm and 5pm
Learn about the prehistoric creatures that inhabited Antarctic forests and swamps hundreds of millions of years ago. The film follows a team of paleoecologists on a quest to understand the southern continent’s profound transformation, from a warm and bio-diverse Mesozoic to the frozen desert we know today. $6-$7, plus museum admission. Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver.
Hidden Pacific 3D
Showtimes daily at 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.
Witness the beauty of blue-green islands, atolls, and coral reefs in the far reaches of the Pacific Ocean, largely untouched by humans. $6-$7, plus museum admission. Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver.
Into America’s Wild 3D
Showtimes daily at 1pm and 4pm
Witness a cross-country adventure into the hidden wonders of the natural world. The film visits some of the most beautiful but untamed landscapes of America, from the lush coastline of Oregon and the wilds of Alaska to the ancient canyons of the Southwest and the rolling hills of the Appalachian Trail. $6-$7, plus museum admission. Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver.
Meerkats 3D
Showtimes daily at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m.
Watch the film that provides insight into the lives of a family of 20 meerkats. Led by the family matriarch, see how the group protects their territory, their young, and their lives. Free-$12, combo pricing available with museum admission. CU South Denver, Parker.
Storytimes
Bookbar
February 17, 10:30 a.m.
Attend Bookbar’s weekly Magical Monday storytime. Parents can enjoy half price beverages from 10-11 a.m., and cookies are served to kids during storytime. Tennyson Street, Denver.
Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
February 17, 9:30, 10:30, and 11:30 a.m.
Hear a story, participate in a craft or activity. Storytime for early learners (age three and under) takes place at 10:30 a.m. with songs, finger rhymes, felt board activities, or egg shakers. Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, Denver.
