Activities & Places
Camps, classes, play spaces, museums and outdoor adventures across Colorado — filter by activity type and region.
Photo: Apex Park and Recreation DistrictApex Center
Arvada
Arvada's big rec center with the Clubhouse Adventure Playground, a leisure pool, an ice arena and climbing.
Photo: arvadacenter.orgArvada Center for the Arts & Humanities
Arvada
Theater, children's shows, galleries and classes — plus a summer outdoor amphitheater.
Photo: Avid4 AdventureAvid4 Adventure
Boulder + metro sites
Outdoor adventure day camps — climbing, paddling, mountain biking and hiking — with pickup sites around the Front Range.
Photo: Butterfly PavilionButterfly Pavilion
Westminster
A tropical conservatory with thousands of free-flying butterflies, plus an invertebrate zoo where kids can hold Rosie the tarantula.
Photo: CMZooCheyenne Mountain Zoo
Colorado Springs
America's mountain zoo — famous for hand-feeding giraffes, plus a mountainside setting and the Electric Safari lights each December.
Photo: DefaultChildren's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
Denver
Hands-on play for little kids: climbing tower, water play, a kid-size grocery, art studio and outdoor Adventure Forest.
Photo: Colorado Railroad MuseumColorado Railroad Museum
Golden
15 acres of historic locomotives and cars, a model railroad, and steam train rides on select weekends. Hosts THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride each holiday season.
Photo: dmns.orgDenver Museum of Nature & Science
Denver
Dinosaurs, space, gems and minerals, a planetarium and an IMAX-size theater, all in City Park. A reliable rainy- or snowy-day pick.
Photo: Denver Zoo Conservation AllianceDenver Zoo
Denver
80 acres in City Park with elephants, big cats, a conservation carousel and the zoo railroad. Home of Zoo Lights every winter.
Photo: Georgetown Loop RailroadGeorgetown Loop Railroad
Georgetown
A narrow-gauge steam train over the High Bridge between Georgetown and Silver Plume, with holiday trains in winter.
Photo: Red Rocks AmphitheatreRed Rocks Park & Amphitheatre
Morrison
Free to explore on non-show days: short trails, giant sandstone formations and the famous amphitheater stairs.
Photo: Apex Park and Recreation DistrictApex Center Party Packages
Arvada
Pool, skating and playground party packages at Arvada's Apex Center.
Photo: Apex Park and Recreation DistrictApex Park & Recreation District Sports
Arvada
Youth sports, swim lessons, skating and gymnastics for Arvada and northwest Jeffco families.
Photo: arapahoelibraries.orgArapahoe Libraries
Centennial / Aurora area
Library district known for creative kids' programming, makerspaces and free homework resources.
Photo: BOLDERBoulder 10KBOLDERBoulder
Boulder
Memorial Day 10K, with waves for walkers and families and a stadium finish at Folsom Field.
Boulder Ballet
Boulder
Boulder's professional company and school, with youth classes and a holiday Nutcracker.
Boulder County Fair
Longmont
Classic county fair at the Longmont fairgrounds with rides, rodeo and 4-H exhibits.
Photo: Bounce EmpireBounce Empire
Lafayette
Indoor amusement park packed with inflatables, slides and obstacle courses. Popular for parties.
Photo: Bounce EmpireBounce Empire Parties
Lafayette
Inflatable-park parties with private rooms and hosts.
Photo: Butterfly PavilionButterfly Pavilion Camps
Westminster
Bug-and-nature themed camps for young scientists.
Photo: bouldercolorado.govChautauqua Park
Boulder
Classic Flatirons trailhead with a big lawn and playground — easy hikes for little legs.
Photo: Cheley Colorado CampsCheley Colorado Camps
Estes Park
Long-running overnight camp near Rocky Mountain National Park focused on horseback riding, backpacking and climbing.
Photo: DefaultChildren's Museum of Denver Birthday Parties
Denver
Private party rooms plus museum play time — an easy, low-cleanup pick for little kids.
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
Denver
Historic Five Points dance company and academy teaching modern, jazz, African and ballet for kids and teens.
Photo: Denver Colfax MarathonColfax Marathon Weekend
Denver
Spring race weekend with a 5K and kids' races alongside the marathon.
Colorado Ballet Academy
Denver
The official school of Colorado Ballet, from creative movement for preschoolers to pre-professional training.
Photo: Colorado SymphonyColorado Symphony Family Concerts
Denver (Boettcher Concert Hall)
Shorter, kid-friendly orchestra concerts plus holiday and film-score programs.
Photo: Denver Botanic GardensDenver Botanic Gardens (York Street)
Denver
Themed gardens, a tropical conservatory and a children's garden. Blossoms of Light runs here each winter.
Photo: Denver Botanic GardensDenver Botanic Gardens Summer Concerts
Denver
Amphitheater concert series in the gardens each summer. Some shows are kid-friendly; check the lineup.
Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Denver
Touring Broadway shows and the annual A Christmas Carol, plus youth theater classes.
Photo: denvergov.orgDenver Parks & Recreation Youth Sports
Denver
Affordable city leagues and clinics — basketball, soccer, flag football, swimming and more, with MY Denver free options for city kids.
Denver Public Library – Kids & Teens
Denver
Free storytimes, homework help, STEM programs and summer reading at branches across the city.
Photo: Denver Union StationDenver Union Station
Denver
Grand train hall with treats and shuffleboard inside, and summer splash fountains on the plaza.
Photo: Denver Zoo Conservation AllianceDenver Zoo Camps
Denver
Animal-themed summer and school-break day camps with behind-the-scenes visits.
Dinosaur Gulch at Cherry Creek Shopping Center
Denver
Free dinosaur-themed play area for little ones, created with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
Photo: dmns.orgDMNS Classes & Programs
Denver
Science classes, school-break camps and overnights run by the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
Douglas County Fair & Rodeo
Castle Rock
Late-summer fair and rodeo with mutton bustin', a parade, carnival and livestock shows.
Photo: Elitch GardensElitch Gardens
Denver
Downtown theme park and water park with a dedicated kids' area. Seasonal (spring–fall) plus holiday events.
Photo: Foothills Park & Recreation DistrictFoothills Park & Recreation District
Lakewood / Littleton
Youth leagues, camps, swim and ice programs across southern Jefferson County.
Photo: Fort Collins Museum of DiscoveryFort Collins Museum of Discovery
Fort Collins
Science and history museum with a digital dome theater, hands-on music and science exhibits, and local history.
Photo: gardenofgods.comGarden of the Gods
Colorado Springs
Free city park with paved, stroller-friendly trails through towering red rock formations, plus a visitor center.
Photo: Healthy Kids Running SeriesHealthy Kids Running Series
Multiple metro locations
Five-week, non-competitive kids running seasons each spring and fall at parks around the metro.
Highlands Ranch Community Association
Highlands Ranch
Rec centers, youth sports, swim lessons and outdoor programs for Highlands Ranch families.
Photo: Hudson GardensHudson Gardens Summer Concerts
Littleton
Lawn concert series in a riverside garden — an easy summer-evening family outing.
Hyland Hills Park & Recreation
Westminster / Federal Heights
Youth sports and swim, plus the Ice Centre at the Promenade and Water World in summer.
Jefferson County Fair & Festival
Golden
Summer county fair at the Jeffco Fairgrounds with 4-H animals, rides and live entertainment.
Jefferson County Public Library
Arvada / Golden / Lakewood
Free storytimes, maker programs and online tutoring with a Jeffco library card.
Keystone Resort
Keystone
A family-focused ski resort with a big kids' ski school, tubing and a lakeside skating rink in winter.
Photo: lakesideamusementpark.comLakeside Amusement Park
Lakeside (Denver)
Vintage 1908 amusement park with a classic wooden coaster, a kiddie land and the miniature train. Summer season.
Photo: Levitt Pavilion DenverLevitt Pavilion Denver
Denver (Ruby Hill Park)
Outdoor amphitheater with dozens of free concerts every summer. Bring a blanket and a picnic.
Photo: lonetreeartscenter.orgLone Tree Arts Center
Lone Tree
Mid-size theater with a family series of short, kid-friendly shows.
Morrison Natural History Museum
Morrison
Small, hands-on dinosaur museum near Dinosaur Ridge with real fossils from the Morrison Formation and live reptiles.
Olde Town Arvada
Arvada
Walkable historic downtown with the Olde Town Square — a farmers market in summer, a tree lighting and skating in winter.
Photo: Downtown BoulderPearl Street Mall
Boulder
Pedestrian mall with street performers, splash fountains and play boulders — easy family wandering.
Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts
Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs' main stage for touring family shows, the Philharmonic and holiday performances.
Photo: fws.govRocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
Commerce City
Free wildlife drive to see bison, deer and raptors minutes from downtown, plus easy trails and a visitor center.
Photo: nps.govRocky Mountain National Park
Estes Park
Elk, alpine lakes and the Junior Ranger program. Check the park site for timed-entry reservations in season.
Photo: Rocky Mountain Road RunnersRocky Mountain Road Runners
Denver (Washington & City Parks)
Long-running club putting on low-key, affordable 5Ks in city parks most months.
Photo: Colorado Parks and WildlifeRoxborough State Park
Littleton
Dramatic red rock fins with family-friendly trails. Day-use only, no dogs — great for wildlife spotting.
Photo: sanbornwesterncamps.comSanborn Western Camps
Florissant
Traditional overnight camp on a large ranch near Pikes Peak with backpacking, riding and nature programs.
South Suburban Parks & Recreation
Centennial / Littleton / Lone Tree
Large district running youth sports, ice arenas, aquatics and the Family Sports Center.
Photo: Space Foundation Discovery CenterSpace Foundation Discovery Center
Colorado Springs
Space-science museum with a Mars Robotics Lab, a Science on a Sphere globe and hands-on space exhibits.
The Kids Dig
Littleton
Colorado's largest indoor sandbox — a quarry-themed space where kids dig with construction toys.
Photo: wildanimalsanctuaryThe Wild Animal Sanctuary
Keenesburg
A rescue sanctuary for lions, tigers, bears and wolves, viewed from a long elevated walkway over large habitats.
We Rock the Spectrum – Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs
Inclusive, sensory-friendly kids gym with swings, zip line and calming spaces, designed for kids of all abilities.
Photo: Wings Over The RockiesWings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
Denver (Lowry)
Aircraft and spacecraft in a historic Lowry hangar, with cockpits to climb into and flight simulators.
WOW! Children's Museum
Lafayette
Play-based learning museum with pretend play, building zones and science exhibits for younger kids.
WOW! Children's Museum Parties
Lafayette
Museum party packages with play time across the exhibits.
Photo: denverymca.orgYMCA of Metro Denver Day Camps
Multiple metro locations
Traditional day camps across the metro with swimming, sports, crafts and field trips.
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