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September 2024
If this lineup of family-friendly Denver events is any indication, the return to school definitely doesn’t mean the end of fun.
From big community festivals with free (you read that right, free!) bouncy houses to a massive gem show to s’mores on the shore of a beautiful reservoir, here’s a roundup of 15 activities for kids and their parents in Denver, Northglenn, Brighton, Parker, and beyond.
Click on one of the links below to jump to a specific Denver region:
- 🏙️ Central Denver Things To Do
- ⛰️ Northwest Denver Things To Do
- ✈️ Northeast Denver Things To Do
- 🌲 West Denver Things To Do
- ⛵️ Southeast Denver Things To Do
Central
Free Day and Free Night at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Since it’s typically open during business hours, it’s hard for a working parent to enjoy the Denver Museum of Nature and Science with their kids during the week. That’s not the case on Tuesday, Sept. 10, when this favorite Denver kid-friendly activity will open its doors for a free night from 5-9 p.m. All of the museum’s permanent exhibits are open for anyone to enjoy, which means kids can check out the dinosaur bones and epic collection of dioramas that provide an international experience without the cost of overseas travel. If you have more flexibility in your schedule, the museum is also open for a free day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 30.
Denver Mineral, Fossil, Gem, and Jewelry Show
Rocks are fantastic at any age, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a kid who’s not at least a little impressed by crazy-looking gems or shiny diamonds. The Denver Mineral, Fossil, Gem, and Jewelry Show runs from Sept. 6-15, giving kids of all ages the opportunity to gawk at a massive selection of some of the coolest rocks around, as well as fossils, dinosaurs, and more. The event takes place at the National Western Center, and both parking and admission to the 100-acre grounds are entirely free. There’s so much to see that the event’s website recommends at least three hours to peruse the more than 100 tents scattered across the center, so it should provide a full day of free entertainment for families.
Denver Astronomical Society’s Public Night
Every Tuesday and Thursday, the University of Denver’s historic Chamberlin Observatory opens its doors for everyone to enjoy a multi-media astronomy presentation and look through its 20-inch Alvan Clark-Saegmuller refractor telescope. (Note: this is limited to kids at least 42 inches tall). The cost is $4 for adults and $3 for students, and pre-registration is required.
Northwest
Fall Fest
Boulder Pearl Street Mall
From Sept. 13-15, Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall will be the place to be for everyone in the family. To start? There will be a free bounce house, giant slide, and inflatable obstacle course on the Boulder County Courthouse Lawn. That’s awesome for the kids, but adults should be excited too: There’s a huge beer and margarita garden, as well as live music for the whole family. The festivities will last from:
- 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13
- 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15.
Town of Superior Chili and Beer Festival
Superior
Before you say, “Wait, how exactly are chili and beer kid-friendly?!” – we have a rebuttal. This community event features a free kid zone that’s home to bouncy castles, face painting, and more! And that’s in addition to live music by FACE Vocal Band and others. Everyone can indulge in free chili samples during the People’s Choice Competition, and whoever’s not the designated driver can take part in the nearby beer festival for $40.
Broomfield Days
Broomfield
Seemingly everyone in Broomfield (and beyond) will come together in Midway Park on Sept. 21, and for good reason. This decades-old event includes everything from a community pancake breakfast to the Mayor’s Cup 5K to a parade, followed by a children’s clown contest where kids can wear their goofiest getups and vie for a free bike. Beyond that, visitors can check out a car show, go to the DuckDog competition, jump on inflatables, and enjoy live performances on three stages. Perhaps most importantly, attending the event is free.
Northeast
Pirate Festival
Northglenn
Is it possible to be a pirate despite living in a landlocked state? Judging by the fact that Northglenn is home to its very own pirate festival, the answer is clearly yes. Kids and their parents can don their best pirate attire for this free event, which includes music, sword fighting, mermaids for photos, bounce houses, and more. We’d highly encourage checking out this “talk like a pirate” translation tool before attending.
Lochbuie 50th Anniversary Fall Festival
Lochbuie
Celebrate this east Denver suburb’s 50th anniversary through a free, fun, and family-friendly event that includes live music, lots of children’s activities, an extensive selection of food trucks, and finally, a drone show that’s sure to light up Colorado’s autumn sky.
Toddler Story Time
Barr Lake State Park in Brighton
Barr Lake State Park is the perfect place to help young kids become excited about nature, and this Sept. 17 toddler activity will only help feed that curiosity. Bring your little one to the park’s Nature Center, where they’ll listen to stories about the natural world and learn about plants, animals, and our planet along the way. The event is free with state park entry, but register your child ahead of time.
West
Wild West Walking Tour
Golden
The Golden we know and love today might feel more like an idyllic college town than the rough and tumble outpost it was back in the day, but if you know where to look, the vestiges of its history are scattered in plain sight. Learn all about the pioneers, outlaws, and lawmen who used to roam Golden’s dusty streets during the Wild West Walking Tour, which promises to provide entertainment for kids, their parents, grandparents, and everyone in between. This roughly one to two-hour excursion costs $16 to $26 per person and comes with a souvenir bandana (score!).
Family Health and Fitness Day
Lakewood
Instilling healthy habits starts at an early age, and you can expose your kids to all the joys of fitness during this free, family-friendly event in Lakewood on Saturday, Sept. 14. Visit O’Kane Park for sports and fitness demos for the entire family, a color run, displays from local vendors and more.
Chalk Art
Littleton
Downtown Littleton will become even more colorful on Saturday, Sept. 7, when local artists take over the sidewalks of Main and Alamo streets to create their chalk masterpieces. Watch the artists in action starting at 8 a.m., and be sure to visit throughout the day to track their progress. Downtown Littleton is home to numerous kid-friendly breweries and restaurants, including Denver Beer Company right on Main Street and Inside Scoop Creamery for incredible ice cream.
Southeast
ElizaFest
Elizabeth
Celebrate everything the quaint town of Elizabeth has to offer during ElizaFest. This huge free community event includes lots of lawn games and activities for kids, a cornhole tournament, food trucks, live music, and a community rodeo. The festivities will last from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28.
Parker Fall Fest
Parker
Downtown Parker will welcome the advent of autumn in style with Fall Fest, which runs from Sept. 21 to 28. Visit O’Brien Park for family-friendly activities like a hay bale maze, pumpkin hunt, street hockey, lawn games led by Sam the Scarecrow, carnival games with prizes, and a big drone show to cap everything off. In typical Colorado fashion, adults get a beer garden as well as the opportunity to participate in ax throwing (but not at the same time, for obvious reasons).
S’mores on the Shore
Aurora Reservoir
A crisp fall evening calls for s’mores, and visitors have the opportunity to enjoy this sweet treat while dipping their toes in the sand during multiple unique events at the Aurora Reservoir. S’mores on the Shore sessions are slated for three Fridays in September (the 6th, 13th, and 27th) from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15 per firepit, which can seat up to six people. Chairs are provided, but you should bring your own blanket.
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Editor’s Note: Our articles focus on five metro Denver regions: central, northeast, northwest; west; southeast. Some cities span across more than one region. See map.)
August 2024
August is right around the corner. And sure, that means the new school year is just around the corner, but make no mistake: it’s still very much summer in Colorado, and that means there’s no shortage of family-friendly activities in and around Denver.
From splash pads and water parks to old-school panning for gold (because that back-to-school outfit isn’t going to pay for itself), here’s a rundown of some of the best things for kids to do in Denver, Aurora, Commerce City, Golden, and beyond.
Click on one of the links below to jump to a specific Denver region:
- 🏙️ Central Denver Things To Do
- ⛰️ Northwest Denver Things To Do
- ✈️ Northeast Denver Things To Do
- 🌲 West Denver Things To Do
- ⛵️ Southeast Denver Things To Do
Central Denver
Discover Teen Rex at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science
City Park
While this story technically began tens of millions of years ago, the latest chapter happened in 2022, when a family of fossil hunters stumbled upon a rare discovery in the heart of the Badlands of South Dakota.
Their find was a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex — one of only four such specimens discovered in the world! What’s been dubbed “Teen Rex” is now being studied and prepared for display at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, where the public can see paleontology in action through a series of walkthroughs and digital displays.
This special exhibit is free with museum admission. You can find details here.
Bright Nights at Four Mile
Glendale
By day, Glendale’s Four Mile Historic Park takes you back to Denver’s past, but by night, it transforms into something else entirely. Bright Nights, which is a collaboration with one of the largest producers of Chinese lantern festivals in North America, involves 40 larger-than-life sculptures illuminating the night across 12 acres.
Bright Nights will run through Sept. 29. It is open from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, and 7 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for kids. More information is available here.
Lakeside Amusement Park
Berkeley
A trip to Lakeside is a rite of passage for any kid who’s lucky enough to grow up in Denver — and a nostalgia trip for the lucky parents who get to tag along. The old-school wooden Cyclone rollercoaster offers thrills (and cool views), and even though it looks harmless, the Wild Chipmunk might just be the most thrilling ride on the Front Range.
Better yet? Parking at Lakeside is free, and parents who have been afraid of the Wild Chipmunk since their childhoods can snag a spectator pass for $5. An all-access pass for the rides is $35 and $25 for kids under 48”. Learn more here.
Northwest
Celestial Seasonings Tea Tour
Boulder
One of the best ways to end summer with a bang? Surviving the infamous “Mint Room” during the Celestial Seasonings tea factory tour. This quintessential Colorado experience gives kids the opportunity to learn exactly what goes into tea, as well as sample some of the more than 100 tea varieties available at Celestial Seasonings.
Admission is $5, and the 45-minute tours are offered every hour on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Learn more here.
Kookalooz Space Playground
Westminster
Summer might be a break from school, but that doesn’t mean the learning has to stop. That’s where Kookalooz comes in. This 9,000-square-foot facility is home to an indoor playground, ballistics area, and hands-on space for kids to run, jump, crawl, slide, and bounce — all while learning about the wonders of a STEM career.
A bonus for parents? While kids are playing, they’re welcome to sip on coffee and use the free WiFi. Tickets are $9.50 for toddlers, $16.50 for kids between three and 12, and $4 for adults and babies (because it’s never too early to show your kid they can be a rocket scientist). Details here.
Lil Bucaroos’ Petting Zoo
Erie
Is there a better photo op than cute kids and cute animals?! No, there’s not, and these moments will be in ample supply at Lil Bucaroos’ Petting Zoo in Erie, where over the course of a one-hour self-guided tour, kids can meet everything from mini potbellied pigs to Flemish giant rabbits, a mini horse, and an 85-pound tortoise.
Tours are available from 9-10 a.m., 11 a.m. to noon, 1-2 p.m. ,and 3-4 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays. While walk-ins are allowed, reservations are highly encouraged to ensure a spot (especially on weekends!). Learn more here.
Northeast
88 Drive-In Theater
Commerce City
Back in the day, nothing said “summer” quite like a drive-in movie theater, but now, they seem to be a dying breed. Luckily, there’s still one drive-in theater in metro Denver — and this Commerce City treasure has been with the same family since 1976, offering one of the most unique movie experiences out there seven days a week.
Each night starts with a family-friendly movie to start. Then, once the kids fall asleep, parents can stick around for a second, more adult viewing experience. Admission is $10 per person, and kids 12 and under are free! Here’s a look at what’s playing.
Boondocks Food and Fun
Northglenn
There’s nothing quite as FOMO-inducing as being trapped on Interstate 25 in Northglenn and spotting all the people having the time of their lives on go-karts just off the highway at Boondocks. Luckily, it’s summer, and there’s no better time to join in on the fun.
In addition to the said go-karts, Boondocks also has laser tag, bowling, mini golf, an arcade and a full food menu (with a bar for mom and dad). Check out the rundown of activities and see the prices here.
Wagon Wheel Skate Center
Brighton
While some say roller skating became cool again during the COVID-19 pandemic, we would argue that it never went out of style. At Wagon Wheel Skate Center in Brighton, kids (and adults) can hone their skills on four wheels underneath a sky of disco lights — a welcome reprieve from the August heat.
Public skating sessions are open from 1-4 p.m., from 6-9 p.m. on Fridays, and from 6-9 p.m. on Saturdays. Details about pricing are available here.
West
Ralston Central Park Splash Pad
Arvada
On a hot August day, there’s perhaps nothing better than a good splash pad, and the one at Ralston Central Park in Arvada is one of the best free kid-friendly activities west of Denver.
In addition to a large spray park/splash pad, this facility also has indoor restrooms, a sand volleyball pit, two (!) playgrounds, and a covered picnic pavilion with seating for 100 — meaning it’s a free spot where it could be effortless to while away a summer day.
Find directions and a rundown of all the activities here.
Colorado Railroad Museum
Golden
Is there anything that can bring us together quite like trains? Both toddlers and grandparents will be delighted by the dozens of historic locomotives in the Colorado Railroad Museum’s Outdoor Railyard. If that’s not enough, visitors can even ride a train themselves Thursdays through Sundays.
The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids 2-17, $8 for seniors, and free for kids under 2. Learn more about the exhibits and special events here.
Alderfer/Three Sisters Park
Evergreen
Kids like to climb on stuff, and there’s no better place to (safely) let them explore their inner Alex Honnold than at Alderfer/Three Sisters Park in Evergreen. Here, kids have the option to scramble on numerous rock formations while their parents can soak in views of the Front Range.
Most of the trails in the park are relatively short, and everything’s in the shade, meaning it’s really a choose-your-own adventure on a hot summer day. For information on visiting and a trail map, check this out.
Vic’s Gold Panning
Black Hawk
Will you strike it rich, panning for gold in one of Colorado’s historic waterways? Maybe not, but it’s worth a shot. That’s where Vic’s Panning for Gold comes in. This outfitter, which brags about its 1969 feature in National Geographic on its website, is one of Colorado’s most historic pay-to-pan sites. Adults can pay $10 to try their hand at panning for gold, and kids can tag along for free.
For more information and to make a reservation, visit here.
Southeast
Wild Animal Sanctuary
Keenesburg
Where else can you see the expansive vistas of Colorado’s Eastern Plains as well as actual lions, tigers, and bears? Sprawling over 33,000 acres, the Wild Animal Sanctuary offers an array of natural habitats for more than 950 rescued animals to enjoy.
Take a walk along the “Mile into the Wild” for a birds-eye view of these rare animals, as well as a firsthand look at wildlife conservation in action. A warning: the animals typically aren’t as active in the August heat, so afternoon visits are advised. For details about ticketing and how to get to the facility, visit here.
Global Fest
Aurora
Celebrate one of the most diverse cities in Colorado during a free festival that the whole family can enjoy.
Global Fest, which is slated for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Aug. 17, features two stages of vibrant dance performances, a variety of local food trucks, an international fashion show, specific activities for children and more. For a schedule of events, visit here.
Del Mar Family Aquatic Center
Aurora
This isn’t any old community pool: the Del Mar Family Aquatic Center is home to some epic water slides at a much more budget-friendly price than some of the bigger parks in town.
Case in point? Swimming is free on Fridays, and otherwise, admission is $5 for adults and $4 for children and older adults. Kids must be over 48 inches to ride all six slides, though other slides are open to smaller visitors.
More details can be found here.
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Editor’s Note: Our articles focus on five metro Denver regions: central, northeast, northwest; west; southeast. Some cities span across more than one region. See map.)
