Check out this creative list of Fun Things to Do with kids in Denver that will have you keeping them busy and active in no time. Post courtesy of BallenDenver.com, your Denver Real Estate Connection. 1-800-805-8354
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Kids can be tough to please. No other generation has been more spoiled for choice, and that's just summing up the hours and hours of entertainment they can tap into with their devices. While Denver doesn't have the street cred of NYC or the star power of LA, or even a name that can be distilled into an acronym, there are still plenty of kid friendly thrills to be had there.
If you're looking for a rundown of all the typical museums, zoos and science centers, you've come to the wrong place. We dug deep for some really awesome things to do around the city that are either off the beaten path or truly unique.
Fun Things to Do with Kids in Denver
1. Take them to see the Denver Broncos
Few NFL teams have a more excited fanbase than the Denver Broncos, so taking a tyke to see the game is a larger than life experience. No matter who they are playing or how chilly the air is, the seats will be packed, the outfits and body paint will be applied and the energy will be high. Plus, The Noble Energy Sports Legends Mall (1701 Bryant St) is a great place for kids to play out some pre-game energy. They have inflatables, sign making and face painting so your fan-in-training can get ready for the kick-off.
There are two factors that may get in the way of taking in a game: it's off-season and the games are the second most sought after ticket during the season, which makes them rare and expensive. At those times, remember that the Broncos play at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, which is one of the more spectacular and state-of-the-art NLF fields and stadiums. So, why not take a guided walk around? The tour (Adults $20/Kids $15) peeks behind-the-scenes of the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum, NFL Visiting Team Locker Room Facilities, Keg Room, Thunder's Stall, Team Field Entrance Tunnel and End Zone Area, plus the Network TV Production Compound and TV & Radio Broadcast Facilities & Writing Press Center. From September to May, the tours run Thursdays through Saturdays: 10am - 2pm, beginning every hour. From June to August, the tours run Mondays through Saturdays: 10am - 2pm, beginning every hour.
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2. Drop-in for a class at the Colorado Ballet Academy
What young dancer wouldn't go wild for the chance to dance in the same rehearsal studios as the greats? At the Colorado Ballet Academy (1075 Santa Fe Drive), they can do exactly that through the school's popular drop-in program, which is geared toward dancers who want casual classes that work around a flexible schedule. Come for one class or book a few if you are in town long enough. Classes span all ages and abilities, from youth beginner to intermediate/advanced. They even have adult classes for absolute beginners, so mom and dad don't feel left out.
While you're there, pick up some tickets to a matinee show starring the professional dancers of the renowned Colorado Ballet.
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3. Get your heart racing
Unser Karting (7300 Broadway) is one of the top entertainment attractions in Denver, as voted on Trip Advisor, and for several good reasons. Unser is not your State Fair go-karting track! This is a state-of-the-art karting facility with high-octane vehicles. Because it is so advanced, they offer a separate racing schedule for Junior Karting, but first each racer needs a license. A Junior Kart License ($33) includes:
- On track training and practice laps
- First race and headsock
- Free race during their birthday month
- Remains valid until 14th birthday
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4. Skate the day away
Skate City Colorado is on a mission to get the entire city rolling. Rollerskating is an awesome idea for days that are too hot, too cold or too rainy to hang outdoors. It sure beats going to the movies every time the weather acts up. Besides daily public skate times, the six rink locations host skating events—teen nights, birthday parties, and speed-skating practices—several times per week. A 2-hour session is only $5, plus a $2 skate rental. Has it been a while since you've been on four wheels? Rent a pair and hang out with an instructor to help you get your skate legs.
On winter days, you can take to the ice at Skyline Park (511 16th St, Ste 200). Skating is free and rental skates are only $2. The fun goes all day and night with music, lights and delicious food truck snacks nearby. If you'd rather watch the kids from the sidelines, the atmosphere is wonderful for people-watching.
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5. Have a family bake-off
Baking in Denver is different. Learn the secrets of baking at high altitudes at the mile high city's own Stir Cooking School (3215 Zuni Street). And even if you don't remember the lessons you'll definitely remember the delicious bacon, cheddar and scallion biscuits, Italian wedding cake cupcakes or apple and sour cream coffee cake that you made while you were there.
If you want all the fun of decorating and none of the baking mess or clean up, head to My Make Studio (6460 E Yale Ave) where they have every decorating taste and tool you can think of. A flat studio fee of studio fee of $23 (or $11.50 for five year olds) gives wannabe decorators access to more than a dozen icing and fondant colors, candies, impression mats, more than 500 cookie cutters, fondant molds and textures.
Plus, the Williams-Sonoma store (3000 E 1st Ave, Ste 261) holds free kids cooking classes with themes like Sweet and Savory Crepes and Wafflemania. Most of the classes take place on Saturdays at 10am, but check the website closer to your travel dates.
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6. Strike gold!
Johnny Walker has dedicated his life to gold prospecting, so he founded Clear Creek Prospecting Supply and Gold Panning (1006 W 104th Avenue, Northglenn) as a place where prospectors, miners, and curious crowds could meet. Beginners can learn the basics with Johnny during an in-store class ($50). And when it's warm, students can test their prospecting skills by searching for stray flakes in Clear Creek ($100).
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7. Settle in for an outdoor summer movie
What better way is there to cool off after a hot summer day in The Mile High City than at a movie in the great outdoors. If you've never been to Red Rocks Amphitheater (18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison), it should be said that the venue is half of the fun. Nothing else matches this Rocky Mountain-perched cinema and Film On The Rocks is a great way to watch the sun set and then watch a blockbuster there. Each screening starts with a stand-up comedian or a band opening performance and includes audience participation games and contests.
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8. Go on a good ol' scavenger hunt
You might think that the family spends way too much time ganging up on each other, well here's a chance to work as a team to meet a single objective. The objective: Use your smartphone to make progress through a series of three "quests". For each quest there are three checkpoints to solve so you can collect each clue. After each quest, you return to the home base to collect yet another clue. You will need all of the clues to solve the final puzzle. On top of that, you're on the clock! To get started is simple. Just get a ticket (prices vary depending on team size) and redeem it to get your launch code Head over to your 3quest starting location (McNichols Civic Center Building 144 W Colfax Avenue) and enter your launch code to begin.
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9. Play a game of free frisbee golf
Paco Sanchez Park is home to Denver's best frisbee golf course, and let us tell you it's awesome. It's long and contains a variety of holes—typical play will take about two to three hours to play with a team of two. Plus, the city rotates the basket distances regularly. At each tee box, simply pay attention to the mini-maps that show "A," "B," or "C" basket course you'll be following. It's an all-around fun and wholesome (and totally free!) way to spend a warm summer afternoon.
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10. Catch some tranquility and a little dinner
Finally, you can take the kids far enough off the beaten path that their devices may not even work. There are tons of fishing spots in and around Denver, and the Colorado Division of Wildlife plans to open up and stock even more waters in the near future. Each lake and reservoir is managed by one of the following government bodies: Bureau of Reclamation, city government, Denver Parks, or Colorado State Parks. Check with them before you set out to find out more about the specific rules and regulations for the area. Our recommendation? The Aurora Reservoir has some of the most varied species and beautiful surroundings. Just make sure to purchase a license at a local sporting goods store before you hit the water.
