29 Things to Do in Colorado With Kids (By a Local Mom)
👉 Jump to: Best Things to Do in Colorado With Kids | Sites & Attractions | Museums & Culture | Hidden Gems | Outdoors
Colorado is an amazing place to explore with children! We have a wonderful variety of outdoor activities. The cool museums, zoos, and arts and culture here mean there’s an almost endless list of fun things to do in Colorado with kids.
I’m a Colorado local and mom of four who’s been exploring this state with my kids for years now. I’ll help you find the best spots for outdoor adventure, educational fun, and even some free stuff (because let’s face it – kids aren’t cheap!)
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29 Best Things to Do in Colorado With Kids
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Check out tons of hands-on exhibits and learn about space, dinosaurs, and more!
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 370-6000 | DMNS Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily, Most Fridays 9 am – 9 pm | Entrance: $25.95, adults, $20.95 ages 3-18
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is one of the top things to do in Denver, with its hands-on exhibits for curious kids! Practice docking a space shuttle, walking through a mine shaft, or measuring yourself against a dinosaur. Kids 3-8 will love the Discovery Zone, with water experiments, a construction corner, and a science kitchen.
Also, you can save $1 off peak entry times if you buy tickets online ahead of time!
Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance
See a variety of animals from around the world.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 337-1400 | Denver Zoo Website | Hours: 9 am – 4 pm Sun-Thu, 9 am – 8 pm Fri & Sat | Entrance: $26 adults, $19 kids 3-15
One of my family’s favorite ways to explore the zoo is to go when it’s warm outside, and again when it’s very cold. It’s cool to see which animals enjoy which seasons. The Arctic fox in the wintertime is a fun sight to behold! The Toyota Elephant Passage is one of the biggest elephant habitats in North America, and the new Down Under exhibit lets you get close to kangaroos.
Garden of the Gods
Short hikes and rocks shaped like giants make this a fun Colorado spot for kids!
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 634-6666 | Garden of the Gods Website | Hours: Winter 5 am – 9 pm daily; Summer 5 am – 10 pm daily | Entrance: free | 👉 Browse Garden of the Gods Tours on Viator
Garden of the Gods is a great Colorado Springs kid spot! The visitor center has interactive exhibits and a film about how the area was formed. The paths at the park are easy to navigate. And kids will have fun finding shapes like the Sleeping Giant and the Kissing Camels rock formations.
Garden of the Gods is one of the most popular things to do in Colorado Springs and a great free thing to do with kids, too.
Children’s Museum of Denver
Learn and explore with educational activities for all ages!
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 433-7444 | Children’s Museum Website | Cost: $18.75 Adults & kids over 1, $16.75 for 1-year-olds, free under 1 | Hours: 9 am – 4 pm daily
The Children’s Museum has a bubble station, an imagination area, water play, and other hands-on activities. The Adventure Forest is visible from I-25, and the colorful pods, bridges, and flags entice kids to climb and slide. This is one of many awesome museums in Denver that kids love!
Keystone Resort
Go skiing, tubing, mountain biking, and more at this year-round mountain resort.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 496-4386 | Keystone Resort Website | Hours: 8:30 am – 4 pm daily, closed mid-April through June 18, 2025 and late September through early November
There are lots of great ski resorts in Colorado (of course!), and many of them reopen during the summer with hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities. But Keystone Resort is one of the most family-friendly choices.
There are wagons to help you cart gear around, and there are tons of options for easy runs for beginners. There’s also ice skating, tubing, and gondola rides.
During the summer, you can go mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, and more.
⛷️ Pro Tip: Looking for a smaller, less-expensive ski option? My family loves Ski Cooper! It’s much more basic than fancier resorts, but it’s also more affordable. We also like that it’s not too big – I can send my kids off to ski and I know I’ll find them easily!
Rocky Mountain National Park
Explore history and nature in one of Colorado’s most beautiful national parks.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: Phone: (970) 586-1206 | Rocky Mountain National Park Website | Entrance: $30 Vehicle Day Pass | 👉 Browse Rocky Mountain National Park Tours on Viator
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of my favorite national parks in Colorado. It’s also among my favorite places to take kids in Colorado!
RMNP offers several easy nature hikes for little hikers. The trail around Sprague Lake is flat and we have seen moose here in the past.
The Coyote Valley Trail on the west side of the park is just a mile long, with tables for a picnic lunch at the start. The Holzwarth Historic Site is a good stop on the west side as well, and the visitor centers have hands-on exhibits to help kids learn more about the area.
Sites & Attractions
Casa Bonita
Watch cliff divers and sample sopapillas.
📍 Google Maps | Casa Bonita Website | Cost: from $29.99 adults, from $19.99 kids
Casa Bonita has long been known to Denver natives for its cliff divers and its notoriously bad food (except for the sopapillas!) Some people loved its kitschy vibe, and others loved to hate it.
But in 2021, South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone bought the restaurant to prevent it from going out of business. They’ve revamped the food and kept the kitsch, making the restaurant more popular than ever. Reservations are hard to come by, but if you’re able to snag one, take the kids! They’ll love it.
Denver Botanic Gardens
Enjoy native plants and flowers, and a dedicated children’s area.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 865-3500 | Denver Botanic Gardens Website | Hours: 9 am – 8 pm daily | Entrance: $16, adults, $11.75 kids 3-15
The Denver Botanic Gardens is one of my personal favorite things to do in Denver with kids! The Botanic Gardens have lots of interesting plants and flowers, plus a large, grassy area that’s perfect for running or rolling down. I especially recommend spending time in the Mordecai Children’s Garden. It has play spaces and plants that kids can touch and investigate.
Georgetown Loop Railroad
An exciting train ride through the Rockies.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (888) 456-6777 | Georgetown Loop Website | Entrance: Prices vary based on time and seat
The Georgetown Railroad is the best train ride in Colorado that’s near Denver! Kids can ride in open or covered cars, and you’ll head from Silver Plume to Georgetown and back.
Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center
Spend a day in a tropical paradise.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 469-5441 | Butterfly Pavilion Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: $17.45, adults, $12.45 for 12 and under
The Butterfly Pavilion is a really unique thing to do with children. Even on a frigid winter day, you can cavort with free-flying butterflies and other insects!
There are several rooms to explore, featuring insects and ocean animals, before you arrive at the main attraction. You’ll end up in the Butterfly Pavilion itself where you can watch the insects eat, fly, and sometimes even land on you! Try planning your trip around a release time when the newly hatched butterflies take to the air.
Gateway Park Fun Center
Choose your own adventure!
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 442-4386 | Gateway Park Website | Hours: 10 am – 10 pm daily | Entrance: Attraction prices vary
The Gateway Park Fun Center has mini golf, go-karts, batting cages, an arcade, and a driving range. You can purchase a day pass, but you can also opt to pay for each activity individually and just choose what you like.
Museums & Cultural Attractions
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Get very close to the animals!
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 633-9925 | Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: $14.75 – 34.75 adults, $10.75 – 29.75 under 12
One of the coolest things about the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is that it’s made so kids can get really close to the animals. They can feed giraffes, budgies, and a few other animals for a small extra fee. The giraffes are currently in an indoor enclosure, but they should be moving to a new home in 2026.
The zoo has lots of uphill walking, so you’ll want a wagon or stroller for younger kids.
Mesa Verde National Park
See the cliff dwellings at this World Heritage Site.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 529-4465 | Mesa Verde Website | Hours: open 24 hours | Entrance: $30 summer (May – Oct), $20 winter (Oct – May) | 👉 Browse Mesa Verde Tours on Viator
One of the coolest things to do near Durango is to visit Mesa Verde. Kids will have fun looking for cliff dwellings around the park. There’s also a wonderful visitor center at the entrance, with lots of activities to help everyone learn more. And while this is a great place to visit at any point with kids, mine had a special appreciation for the park after studying Colorado history during 4th grade.
Cave of the Winds
Examine stalactites and try an adventure course.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 685-5444 | Cave of the Winds Website | Hours: Winter 10 am – 5 pm daily; Summer 9 am – 6 pm daily | Tours: from $28 adults, $18 ages 4-12, free under 4
Cave of the Winds is a popular thing to do in Colorado Springs with kids! You can take a cave tour and see stalactites and stalagmites underground. You can also try the Wind Walker Challenge Course and several other high-adventure challenges.
Downtown Aquarium – Denver
See the fish and other aquarium creatures.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 561-4450 | Downtown Aquarium Website | Hours: 10 am – 8 pm Sun-Thurs, 10 am – 9 pm Fri & Sat | Entrance: from $28.99 adult, $22.99 age 3-11
The Denver Aquarium has more than 500 species of animals. There’s also a stingray touch tank and a tiger exhibit, although some people are petitioning to have that removed. [Source] The aquarium also has a carousel and an on-site restaurant for hungry visitors.
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
Indulge your flying fantasies!
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 360-5360 | Wings Over Rockies Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Mon – Sat, 12 pm – 5 pm Sun | Entrance: $19.95, adults, $12.95 children 4 – 16, free under 4
This air and space museum occupies a hangar that was once part of the Lowry Air Force Base. Now, kids and adults can see historic aircraft. The Apollo Command Module and Navy planes are also on display.
Colorado Railroad Museum
Tour and ride a historic train.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 279-4591 | Colorado Railroad Museum Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Tuesday – Sunday, Closed Mondays | Entrance: $10 adults, $5 under 18
If you’re looking for things to do in Golden, the Colorado Railroad Museum offers railyard tours. You can also visit for storytime or see the model train layout (it’s very elaborate!). Finish your trip with a ride in one of the passenger cars. The kids are sure to love it!
Hidden Gems
Evergreen Lake
Paddle, fish, or walk around this foothills lake.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 880-1300 | Evergreen Lake Website | Hours: Sunrise – Sunset
Evergreen Lake is a great spot for a quick getaway from Denver and nearby areas! The town feels like a charming mountain town, but it is less than an hour from downtown.
At the lake, kids can visit the nature center, rent a pedal boat, or fish. In winter, you can ice skate on the lake. There are also lots of other things to do in Evergreen for the entire family, so you can make a day of it!
Lyons Classic Pinball
Show your kids how people played before video games.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 837-2677 | Lyons Classic Pinball Website | Hours: 5 pm – 10 pm Thurs, 4 pm – 10 pm Fri, 12 pm – 10 pm Sat, 12 pm – 9 pm Sun, Closed Mon-Wed
Lyons Classic Pinball makes a great stop to or from Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Spend some time playing the more than 35 pinball machines made anytime from the 1960s through now. It’s a great thing to do near Boulder with kids!
Grizzly Rose
Have a family dance party!
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 295-2353 | Grizzly Rose Website | Hours: 6 pm – 12 am Wednesday & Sunday, 6 pm – 2 am Thursday to Saturday, closed Monday & Tuesday | Entrance: Prices vary based on performer and activity
Sure, the Grizzly Rose is a great spot for a Denver date night – but it’s fun to bring the kids as well! Sunday nights are family nights. Kids under 10 get in free, and there are a variety of kid-friendly drink and food options.
There are line dancing lessons at 7 pm (although we found them a little hard to keep up with), and a live band takes the stage at 8 pm. If the kids don’t want to dance, they can play pool or try fun games like skee ball instead.
Fishing in Leadville or Twin Lakes
These stocked ponds are a great spot for young anglers!
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 739-7000 | Hours: Sunrise to Sunset | Entrance: free | 👉 Browse Leadville Hotels on Booking
One of our favorite things to do in Leadville is to head to Hayden Meadows Reservoir on Highway 24 for some fishing! The reservoir is stocked, so impatient kids are more likely to actually catch a fish. If you want more of a challenge, head to Twin Lakes or Turquoise Lake for a much bigger body of water (or try ice fishing there in winter!)
Outdoor Attractions
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort
Splash and soak in the world’s largest hot springs pool.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (800) 537-7946 | Glenwood Hot Springs Website | 👉 Browse Glenwood Springs Hotels on Booking
Enjoy the natural hot springs at the Glenwood Hot Springs Resort! The resort includes a huge pool, a waterslide, a splash pad, and waterfalls modeled after nearby Hanging Lake. It’s one of several family-friendly Colorado hot springs resorts!
Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre
Hike and learn about music history at this unique amphitheater.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 865-2494 | Red Rocks Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily
Red Rocks is one of the best free things to do in Denver! The Trading Post Trail is a manageable trail for kids. If the kids still have energy, bring ‘em to the amphitheater and let them run the stairs. It works wonders for naptime!
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Hike, slide, and splash among the tallest sand dunes in North America.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 378-6395 | Great Sand Dunes Website | Hours: open 24 hours | Entrance: $25 7-day Vehicle Pass | 👉 Browse Nearby Hotels on Booking
You can make Great Sand Dunes National Park a day trip from Colorado Springs, or camp inside the park (it’s one of the best campgrounds in Colorado!) If you visit in late spring or early summer, Medano Creek will be flowing, and kids can splash while you relax. Also, get to the dunes early in the morning during the summer before they get hot or crowded.
Maroon Bells
Take the entire family to see the most photographed spot in Colorado
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (970) 930-6442 | Maroon Bells Website | Entrance: $10 vehicle fee; or $16 adults, $10 seniors 65+ & children under 12 shuttle fee; free off-season
If you’ve seen scenic pictures of Colorado, there’s a good chance you’ve seen a shot of Maroon Bells! It’s one of our most iconic photo spots. And fortunately for those of us with little ones, that spot is a very easy hike. It’s practically in the parking lot.
There are other hikes of various lengths that start here as well. My family did the hike to Crater Lake – it’s 3 ½ miles round-trip, and is considered a moderate hike. The kids were tired by the end, but they made it!
Dinosaur National Monument
Hit two states and see petroglyphs and fossils.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 781-7700 | Dinosaur National Monument Website | Cost: $25 7-Day Vehicle Pass
Dinosaur National Monument is both a Colorado and a Utah national monument. Check two states off your list with this trip!
At the Quarry Hall, you can view more than a thousand dinosaur bones, and kids are allowed to touch some of them. Along with dinosaur history, you can learn about the original people who lived in the area. You’ll also get stories of the outlaws and homesteaders who came later.
Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park
Scream yourself hoarse at Denver’s downtown amusement park.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 595-4386 | Elitch Gardens Website | Open April – October plus various holiday events; Hours vary depending on dates | Entrance from $39.99
Elitch’s is a very popular thing to do with kids in the Denver area. Although Elitch’s is known for its thrill rides, there are also tamer rides for smaller kids. Try the E.G. Express train or Ding Dong Dock. Elitch’s also has a water park for cooling off in summer.
Make sure to check the Elitch Gardens website for deals on tickets and season passes. Also, the park is now cashless, so you’ll need a credit or debit card, mobile payment access, or you’ll need to stop at a cash-to-card kiosk at the park.
Water World
Slip & slide the day away at Colorado’s biggest water park!
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 427-7873 | Water World Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily, open until 6 pm some days | Entrance: $35.99 – $51.99, adults, $30.99 – $46.99 under 47”, free under 40”
Water World is a great summer spot because there are fun things for every age! Wally World and Little Bear Pond are appropriate for toddlers and younger kids. Older children will enjoy bigger thrills like the Screamin’ Mimi and the Mile High Flyer.
Rafting the Arkansas River
Test yourselves on the river.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (719) 395-2158 | Noah’s Ark Rafting Website
Whitewater rafting is a popular activity in Buena Vista, and it’s an activity kids are sure to remember! Take a family rafting ride and you’ll get some great pictures and memories of your trip.
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Colorado is chock-full of kid-friendly things to do, and it’s a great place to vacation with the family. Let me know in the comments what you plan to do with your kids – there are lots of cool options. Also, check out this guide to the best places to visit in Colorado for even more inspiration!
