1 of 15

Write now Article Tools

Denver is a wonderful vacation destination for families, any time of year. The natural scenery is spectacular, and each season offers its own opportunities for fun. Adults and kids of all ages will find plenty of amusements. Below are 30 kid-friendly activities in the Greater Denver area:

DENVER ZOO (www.denverzoo.org

2300 Steele Street, Denver

888-638-5648

One of the most popular zoos in America, this amazing zoo has lots of different habitats, including rain forests, marine pools, caves, tropical jungles, savannah, tundra, and African villages. 4,000 animals, 700 species, rides, shows, interactive events, and special activities for kids will keep all ages entertained.

ELITCH GARDENS AND ISLAND KINGDOM WATER PARK (www.elitchgardens.com

2000 Elitch Circle, Denver

303-595-4386

This is a combination amusement park and water park, featuring an observation tower, a carousel, a thrilling coaster, a giant wave pool,waterfalls, free-fall slides, Captain Hook's Lagoon,and awesome views of the mountains. With over 40 rides, special play areas and rides just for little kids, and cabanas, this is real family fun for all ages!

ADAMS MYSTERY PLAYHOUSE (www.denver.com/murder-mystery- dinner-theater/

2406 Federal Boulevard, Denver

888-203-1975

Enjoy a meal and try to solve an intriguing murder mystery by playing the part of sleuth for an evening. Mysteries just for kids are offered, too, but children under five or six might not be able to follow the plot. The plays are interactive, very entertaining, and humorous!

DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM (www.aquariumrestaurants.com

700 Water Street, Denver

303-561-4450

Home to hundreds of species and a restaurant with a 150,000-gallon tank. Different tanks, over one million gallons total, present different marine ecosystems and their inhabitants. Visitors six and up can even swim with the fish for an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience! Kids will thrill to the "touch tanks." Fun and educational for all ages.

DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE (www.dmns.org

2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver

303-322-7009

With mummies, Native American artifacts, dinosaur fossils, a planetarium, an IMAX theater, and a special area for kids, this museum is a great adventure for all ages. You can spend hours here and not be bored. There's also a snack bar and a gift shop. Kids will learn while having fun!

WATER WORLD (www.waterworldcolorado.com

1800 W. 89th Avenue, Denver

303-427-7873

This water park has 64 acres of rides, more family tube rides than any other park in the US. Thrill rides, picnic areas, special kiddie rides, and snack bars make this a favorite with families. For all ages. Open from Memorial Day-Labor Day.

DENVER FIREFIGHTERS MUSEUM (www.denverfirefightersmuseum.o rg

1326 Tremont Place

303-892-1436

If your little ones want to become firefighters some day, they'll love this old fire house. Antique fire-fighting equipment, photos, a children's pole and fire truck, and a special gallery just for kids. Includes information on fire safety, especially for children. Best for ages 4 and up.

FAT CITY (www.fatcityinfo.com

9670 W. Coal Mine Avenue, Denver

303-972-4344

Fat City is 3.5 acres of fun, with bowling lanes, an arcade, rides, billiards, laser tag, roller skating, TVs, miniature golf, inflatables, a restaurant/snack bar, and a three-story foam factory that will delight little ones. There's something for all ages. Your kids will never want to leave!

CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF DENVER (www.cmdenver.org

2121 Children's Museum Drive, Denver

303-433-7444

The museum has 11 interactive playscapes where kids can play, explore, and learn. For ages newborn through eight years. There's also a gift shop and a cafe. Plan to spend a couple of hours!

BOONDOCKS FUN CENTER (www.boondocksfuncenter.com

1142 5 Community Center Drive, Denver

720-997-8000

More than seven acres of fun, including laser tag, bumper boats, go-carts, batting cages, an arcade, miniature golf, and a snack bar. A kiddie soft-play area and kiddie go-carts make this great for all ages.

ROCK'N AND JAM'N INDOOR CLIMBING (www.rocknandjamn.com

9499 Washington Street, Denver

303-254-6299

The tallest and steepest rock-climbing wall in the Rockies, a tight rope, and bouldering walls, all in a comfortable atmosphere. For ages six and up, this is a wonderful rainy-day activity. Tutorials are available.

LASER QUEST (wwww.laserquest.com)

8988 E. Hampden Avenue, Denver

303-796-0707

A high-tech version of laser tag in a multi-level building, complete with amazing lighting, pulsating music, and eerie fog machines. Suggested for ages five and up. Younger kids are welcome, but they might need help from an adult.

DENVER PUPPET THEATER (www.denverpuppettheater.com

315 6 W. 38th Avenue, Denver

303-458-6446

A wonderful children's theater, with puppet shows, a store, and hands-on activities. Kids can get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into puppetering, too. Bring your lunch and picnic in the courtyard. For ages 3 and up.

DENVER COLISEUM (www.denvercoliseum.com

4600 Humbolt Street, Denver

720-865-4220

Take the family to an event at this beautiful facility. Enoy a circus, a Native American pow-wow, sports events, rodeos, concerts, wrestling, horse shows, and special events for kids. Access is easy, and food and drinks are available.

CASA BONITA (www.casabonitadenver.com

6715 W. Colfax, Denver

303-232-5115

Adults go for the great Mexican food, but for kids, it's all about the fun: mines, shootouts, cliff divers, puppet shows, fire jugglers, magicians, and an arcade with prizes. Kids will love Chiquita, the "escaped" gorilla. An absolute blast for all ages!

DENVER MUSEUM OF MINIATURES, DOLLS, AND TOYS (www.dmmdt.org

1880 N. Gaylord Street, Denver

303-322-1053

More than 10,000 items are here, including some that date back to 1680. Dolls, trains, wooden toys, cars, trucks, teddy bears, and elaborate doll houses will delight kids of all ages. It's like Christmas morning on steroids!

BUG THEATRE (www.bugtheatre.org

3654 Navajo Street, Denver

303-477-9984

Originally a 1912 nickelodeon movie house, this theater for the performing arts and media center offers a calendar of events appropriate for all age groups. Local talent is often featured. Another great activity for cold or rainy days, and a wonderful way to introduce kids to live theater.

WINGS OVER THE ROCKIES AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM (www.wingsmuseum.org

7711 E. Academy Boulevard, Denver

303-360-5360

This museum is a must for future pilots and astronauts! The hangar has rare fighter planes, a Star Wars X-wing fighter, and space artifacts. Kids can chat with actual pilots, ride pedal planes, sit in the cockpit of a real airplane, and learn about the solar system, rockets, and the history of avionics. Interesting and educational for all ages.

ESPN ZONE (www.espnzone.com/denver/

1187 16th Street, Denver

303-595-3776

This is a combination restaurant and virtual sports park in one! Kids can play basketball, ski, play football, box, play ice hockey, ride a wave runner, or be a jockey on a racehorse. Parents will appreciate the quality of the food, but the kids might not want to take time out to eat! For all ages.

SLOAN'S LAKE PARK (www.denvergov.org

Sheridan Boulevard and W. 17th Avenue, Denver

720-913-0696

A city park offering bike trails, boating, tennis courts, a picnic area, shelters, fishing, water skiing, playgrounds, and fields for soccer, football, and softball. Several of the sports venues are lighted for night-time play. For all ages.

THE URBAN FARM AT STAPLETON (www.theurbanfarm.org

10200 Smith Road, Denver

303-307-9332

Here, kids can learn to garden, ride a horse, manage waterways, and learn to care for all kinds of farm animals. It's hands-on fun and learning! Open to the public on Saturdays. For all ages.

BLUFF LAKE NATURE CENTER (www.blufflakenaturecenter.org

7 350 E. 29th Avenue, Denver

303-468-3240

Actually an island, the center includes a variety of natural habitats and deer, raccoons, foxes, badgers, coyotes, rabbits, beavers, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. Nature trails and boardwalks take visitors through wooded areas and across wetlands. Great for all ages, and it's free!

LAKESIDE AMUSEMENT PARK (www.lakesideamusementpark.com

4 601 Sheridan Boulevard, Denver

303-477-1621

A park that features lots of rides, including roller coasters, trains, bumper boats, sports cars, planes, an antique carousel, and more. There's also a wide variety of kiddie rides, and special guests include Scooby Doo, Shaggy, and Sponge Bob. Bring a picnic or eat at the snack bar. Appropriate for all ages.

SKI TRAIN (www.skitrain.com

17th and Wynkoop Streets, Denver

303-296-4754

Take an amazing 57-mile trip from Denver over the Continental Divide aboard the Ski Train. Pass through gorgeous scenery and tunnels. Once you arrive in Winter Park, you'll have the day to play before catching the train back to Denver. Depending on the season, you can ski, snowboard, snow tube, play miniature golf, hike, enjoy snowcat tours, go snowmobiling, ride a dogsled, picnic, swoosh down an Alpine slide, rock climb, bike, bungee jump, try gyro riding, or just hang out and have a superb meal at the beautiful lodge. The train cars include restrooms, cafes, lounges, and comfy seats. Unforgettable for the whole family!

DENVER HOT AIR BALLOONS (www.denverhotairballoons.com

ca ll for directions

800-877-7553

Imagine floating more than 1,000 feet over mountains, forests, hills, vineyards, rivers, and valleys...hearing nothing but the wind...seeing for miles and miles. All this can be yours with a hot air balloon ride! All ages are allowed, but kids won't enjoy the trip much if they aren't tall enough to see over the basket's side. Suggested for ages six and up.

ROCK CREEK FARM (www.rockcreekfarm.com

2005 S. 110th Street, Broomfield (Greater Denver)

303-465-9565

Just 20 minutes from Denver, this farm is a wonderful way to spend a crisp autumn day! There's a huge pumpking patch, corn mazes, a hay maze, goats, pigs, ponies, donkeys, and chickens. Homemade goodies and snacks are available. Fun for all ages!

STOCKTON'S PLUM CREEK STABLES (www.stocktonsplumcreek.com

7479 W. Titan Road, Littleton (Greater Denver)

303-791-1966

If you're out West, ya gotta ride a horse, right? Plum Creek Stables offers riding lessons, horse-drawn hay rides, picnicking, fishing, volleyball, horseshoe pitching, a western town, antique farm equipment, and a playground. Group rides are available. Riding is for ages five and over. Other activities are for all ages.

CHATFIELD STATE PARK (www.http://parks.state.co.us/P arks/Chatfield/

11500 N. Roxborough Park Road, Littleton (Greater Denver)

303-791-7275

The park has a large lake with a sandy beach, and it offers swimming, beach volleyball, boating, fishing, biking, cross-country skiing, hiking, ice fishing, jet skiing, sailboarding, picnicking, snowshoing, and water skiing. On-site stables will take you on a relaxing trail ride. Something for all ages, no matter the season.

ARGO GOLD MINE AND MILL (www.historicargotours.com

2350 Riverside Drive (between Denver and Idaho Springs)

303-567-2421

Just 30 minutes from Denver, you can tour a real mine, learn to pan for gold, visit the museum, learn how gold was processed in the mill, and see live demonstations. Interesting and educational for adults and kids over six.

SPLASH AT FOSSIL TRACE (http://cityofgolden.net

3151 Illinois Street, Golden (Greater Denver)

303-277-8700

A large water park with big slides, a sandy beach, a 500-gallon dump bucket, and an activity pool. For little kids, there are small slides, a play area, a jungle gym, and spray fountains. Lawn chairs and shady areas are provided. Just 10 minutes from Denver and great for all ages!

Your biggest problem in the Mile-High City will be trying to decide what to do first! With all the great sights and activities, you and your kids will never be bored, rain or shine. Denver...it's not just for skiing anymore!

Learn more about this author, Holle Abee.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Traveling with kids in Denver?
We want to hear your view. Write now!