29 Fun Things to Do in Denver With Kids (By a Local Mom)

👉 Jump to: Best Things | Museums | Seasonal | Food & Drink | Sites & Attractions | Outdoors

Whether you’re planning a family vacation or you’re a local looking for fun things to do in Denver with kids, you’ve come to the right place! I’m a Denver mom with tons of insight on nearby family fun.

We’ve got great museums, including many that are kid-focused. We also have lots of parks and exciting options for outdoor activities!

I’ve listed some of the best family-friendly activities in the Mile High City below. Also, be sure to check out our full post on the best things to do in Denver (for all ages!).

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29 Best Things to Do in Denver With Kids

📺 Hit play on this video to watch Abigail’s picks for the best stuff to do in Denver:

Meow Wolf

Explore rooms of colorful and engaging art installations, best for kids 10 and up.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (866) 636-9969 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 9 pm Sun – Thu, 10 am – 10 pm Fri – Sat | Entrance: $39+ adults, $29+ CO residents

Meow Wolf Denver’s Convergence Station is the newest permanent installation. Kids will be entranced by psychedelic colors, steampunk vehicles, creepy catacombs, and the living swamp.

Denver Museum Of Nature & Science

Learn about dinosaurs, space, mummies and more at this all-ages museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 370-6000 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily, 9 am – 9 pm Fridays | Entrance: $25.95 adults, $20.95 ages 3-18, $22.95 seniors 65+ | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator

We love the gemstone exhibit at this Denver museum … you access it by walking through a replica mine shaft. Also, don’t miss the space museum area and Prehistoric Journey, and the exhibit about Egyptian mummies is another of our favorites. Younger kids will enjoy the Discovery Zone area on the second floor.

There are several free days and discounts to make your visit a little more affordable, too!

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance

Take the whole family to a day at the zoo, full of animal experiences and scenic picnic spots.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 337-1400 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 4 pm Sun-Thu, 9 am – 8 pm Fri & Sat | Entrance: $26, adults, $19 kids 3-15 

The Denver Zoo has added several impressive exhibits in the past few years, including the Toyota Elephant Passage and the Down Under area featuring Australian animals. The Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Animal Hospital lets visitors watch animals get medical care – everything from routine checkups to special procedures! 

You’ll find plenty of picnic sites at the zoo or the City Park area nearby. The zoo also has educational programs and classes to check out, and be sure to take a ride on the endangered species carousel.

Denver Botanic Gardens

Marvel at plants from all over the world, and take the kids to Mordecai Children’s Garden.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 865-3500 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 8 pm Sun-Mon & Thu, 9 am – 2 pm Tue-Wed, 9 am – 7 pm Sat, Closed Fri | Entrance: $16 adults, $12.25 seniors 65+, $11.75 ages 3-15, free under 3 | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator

The Denver Botanic Gardens is one of the best family things to do in Denver, CO. At the Mordecai Children’s Garden, kids will find hands-on areas where they can build, run, and play. Don’t miss the Tropical Conservatory with its treehouse, fish, and frogs.

👉 Pro Tip: See Denver Botanic Gardens’ free days here. 

Sports Arena Tours

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the arena where your favorite Colorado team plays.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 258-3000 | Website | Entrance: $40 adults, $35 ages 6-12 & seniors, free under 6

Empower Field at Mile High offers tours that give fans a peek at where players prep for their games! You’ll see the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum, executive suite, visitors’ locker room, and Thunder’s stall, among other sites. The tour is about a half-mile long and is stroller-friendly — but bring your own, as there aren’t any to rent. 

Fans (including kids) can also tour other stadiums in Denver. These include Ball Arena, home of the Nuggets basketball team, and Coors Field, where the Colorado Rockies baseball team plays.

Tattered Cover

Denver’s local bookstore chain has events for kids throughout the week.

📍 Google Maps | Website

The Tattered Cover is Denver’s largest independent bookstore chain. Its four locations have kids’ sections with quality children’s books (new and used), toys, puzzles, and more. The bookstores also have storytimes and other kids’ events. The Tattered Cover KIDS at Stanley Marketplace is an entire store geared towards kids, rather than just having a children’s section.

Museums in Denver

👉 Be sure to all check out my guide to the best museums in Denver!

Denver Art Museum

Bring children 6 and up to this kid-friendly art museum in the heart of downtown.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 865-5000 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Thu – Mon, 10 am – 8 pm Tues | Entrance: $22 adult CO residents, $27 non-residents, $19 CO seniors 65+, $24 non-resident seniors, free under 19 

You’ll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Denver, including activities at one of the city’s best art museums. Children will enjoy the totem poles, and they can see paintings by Monet, contemporary art, and more.

Located in Capitol Hill, views of the Rocky Mountains from the bridge can’t be beat. The museum also has art programs and other events.

Littleton Museum 

Experience Wild West history first-hand at this all-ages museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 795-3950 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 4:30 pm Tues – Sat, 11 am – 4:30 pm Sun, closed Mon & holidays | Entrance: free

A special interactive kids’ area lets them pretend to use an old-fashioned stove and more, but the crowd-pleasers are the animals on the farm! Volunteers often do demonstrations in the blacksmith shop, too.

While in the area, check out my guide to other fun things to do in Littleton.

Children’s Museum of Denver 

Enjoy hands-on learning and play at this museum suited for kids 8 and under.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 433-7444 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 4 pm daily | Entrance: $18.75 ages 2-59, $16.75 seniors 60+ and age 1, free under 1

The Children’s Museum of Denver recently added an outdoor exploration space with pod-like structures you can see from the freeway. Kids love this area!

There are also climbing structures indoors at the children’s museum, along with bubble play, a fire truck, messy art, and more. Parents will love the kid-powered learning happening.

Denver Firefighters Museum

Make fire safety fun at this interactive museum best for 3-11 year olds.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 892-1436 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tues – Sat, closed Sun & Mon | Entrance: $9 adult, $8 senior/military/firefighter, $7 age 3-12, free under 3

Kids will love the Denver Firefighters Museum! It has old fire trucks, an alarm to ring, and lots of fun for kids while they learn about fire safety and the history of the Denver Fire Department.

Four Mile Historic Park

Pet farm animals and tour a Wild West museum, great for elementary schoolers.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 865-0800 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Fri – Sun, closed Mon – Thu (Jan – May); 10 am – 4 pm Wed – Sun, closed Mon & Tues (June – Dec) | Entrance: $8 adults, $7 seniors 65+, $6 ages 7-17, free under 7

Four Mile Park features Denver’s oldest structure, which now houses the museum. Kids can visit farm animals and replica buildings. The museum also has events ranging from yoga to educational programs.

History Colorado Center

Take elementary and middle school-aged children to this museum that celebrates Colorado history.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 447-8679 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: $15 adults, free under 18

The History Colorado Center was built as a hands-on museum. Kids can experience a tornado, buy goods in the general store, and do activities that teach them about state history.

Downtown Aquarium – Denver

Watch marine wildlife at one of Denver’s best family attractions.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 561-4450 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 8 pm Sun – Thurs, 10 am – 9 pm Fri & Sat | Entrance: $28.99+ adults, $27.99+ seniors 65+, $22.99+ ages 3-11, free under 3

Explore underwater worlds at the Downtown Aquarium. The aquarium showcases more than 500 species and teaches kids about ecosystems worldwide. There’s also a restaurant and gift shop at the aquarium.

Seasonal Things to Do

FYI, I’ve also got an entire post with dozens of family-friendly things to do in Denver during winter. We also have tons of fun summer activities to try!

Skiing

Enjoy skiing in the mountains — even preschoolers can get the hang of it!

Various Locations | 👉 Browse Tours on Viator

There’s plenty of skiing and snowboarding near Denver! Fortunately, many of these Denver ski resorts know the challenges of bringing kids to ski, and there are some great programs at places like Keystone and Winter Park to help both the kids and their parents have fun.

Meyer Ranch Park Sledding

Tube or sled downhill on a snowy afternoon, great for kids 3 and older.

📍 Google Maps | Website | 8 am – 7 pm daily | Entrance free 

When there’s not enough snow for good sledding or tubing in Denver, head to Meyer Ranch Park for better luck. This is a great activity for the entire family! Just note you’ll have to bring all your own gear.

Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park

Thrill the family on roller coasters and rides.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 595-4386 | Website | Hours: varies, see webpage (open seasonally & for holiday events) | Entrance: $69.99+ per person, free under 3

Head to Elitch Gardens theme park for roller coasters, thrill rides, concerts, and more. There are kiddie boats and other calmer rides for very young kids, and a water park where kids can cool off as well. The park is open during the summer and for special events in the fall and winter.

Colorado Aerial Adventure Park

Zip through the trees and test climbing skills at this ski resort, great for kids 4 and up.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (888) 272-7246 | Website | 9 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance $55 adults, $45 kids 7-14, $20 kids 4-6

Each summer, Arapahoe Basin switches from a ski resort to an outdoor park with a ropes course, mountain biking, a via ferrata, and other activities. 

My kids love the aerial adventure park, which has rope bridges, tree ladders, and even a ski lift chair to hang out in amongst the trees. There’s also a Lil’ Kids Adventure Park that’s great for kids ages 4-8.

Belleview Park

Enjoy Denver family activities at this nearby park, great for kids aged 3-11.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 6 am – 10 pm daily | Entrance: free

A small creek runs through this park, where kids love to splash and cool off. For $3 per person, they (and you!) can ride the small train around the park, or visit the petting zoo for the same price. Next door is Pirate’s Cove, a small local water park with slides and water features. All three seasonal attractions are scheduled to open on May 24, 2025.

Confluence Park 

Splash and cool off on a hot summer’s day — an activity the whole family can appreciate!

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 913-1311 | Website | Hours: 5 am – 11 pm daily | Entrance: free

Confluence Park is where Cherry Creek and the South Platte River meet. It’s near Elitch Gardens, one of the best amusement parks in Denver, and next to the Denver Trolley. Take a ride on the trolley or let the kids cool off in the water for a bit.

Food & Drink

Little Man Ice Cream

Try a scoop (or two!) at this iconic ice cream shop.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 455-3811 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 12 am daily

There’s a reason the line for this shop stretches down the street on warm summer afternoons and evenings! Little Man, in its cream can-shaped shop, is a Colorado institution and a great spot for a treat after the Denver Zoo or other outings. It’s in LoHi, our top suggested area for families to stay in Denver, so this is a must-stop if you’re in that area.

Hammond’s Candy Factory

Savor sweets on this fun candy tour, great for kids 4 and up.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 333-5588 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 4 pm Mon – Sat, closed Sun | Cost: free

Take a tour to learn how these famous hard candies are made. At the end, nab a tasty treat fresh from the factory! This is one of the best free activities in Denver!

Uncorked Kitchen Cooking Classes

Have the kids learn a little something in the kitchen.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 907-3838 | Website | Hours: class times vary

Tired of having to feed these kids day in and day out? Teach them to feed you! Uncorked Kitchen offers a variety of cooking classes for kids, teens, and for families to learn to cook together. 

Sites & Attractions

Dinosaur Ridge

Be amazed by prehistoric treasures at one of Denver’s best family attractions.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 697-3466 | Website | Summer Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily (May – Oct); 9 am – 4 pm daily (Nov – April) | Entrance: free; tours $20+ adults, $14+ kids

See where dinosaurs lived at Dinosaur Ridge, west of Denver! You’ll spot footprints, and kids can uncover bones in the dig areas outside.

The Butterfly Pavilion

Walk among hundreds of butterflies, marvel at the bugs and invertebrates, and hold a beloved tarantula. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 469-5441 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: $17.45 adults, $15.45 seniors 65+, $12.45 ages 2-12, free under 2 

Visiting the Butterfly Pavilion is a wonderful activity for kids 11 and younger! Check out the invertebrates, including millipedes and Madagascar hissing cockroaches. You’ll also find sea creatures like sea stars and spider crabs at the touch pool. 

But the tropical rainforest is the big draw, where you can mingle with 1,600 butterflies. Check out the food dishes where you might see one land to eat. A butterfly might even rest on you as you stroll around. The pavilion is stroller-friendly, and you can save $1 by booking tickets online beforehand.

The Argo Mill and Tunnel

Pan for gold on this historical tour, best for children 4 and up.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (303) 567-2421 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily (winter); 10 am – 6 pm daily (peak season) | Entrance $30 adults, $20 kids 5-16, $4 kids 1-4, free under 1 | 👉 Browse Area Tours on Viator

Teach kids about a big part of Colorado’s history with a tour of the Argo Gold Mine in Idaho Springs. Tours are about an hour and 15 minutes long, and a gold panning lesson afterwards takes about 20 minutes. Kids get to keep whatever they find!

Outdoors

Evergreen Lake

Paddle or ice skate on this year-round, all-ages spot near Denver.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (720) 880-1300 | Website | Hours: Sunrise – sunset daily | 👉 Book This Denver Foothills Tour

Walk around the lake and stop by the nature center for activities to learn about the animals that live near the lake. In summer, you can rent paddle boats and paddleboards, and in winter you can skate on the lake. Also, check out our complete list of hikes near Denver, including plenty of kid-friendly trails!

Pearl Street Fairy Doors

Discover enchanting fairy doors all along South Pearl Street. 

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Sunrise – sunset daily | Entrance: free

Keep your eyes peeled for whimsical fairy doors when wandering along South Pearl Street between Jewell and Arizona. Many of the doors are tucked near shops and restaurants. There’s one at children’s bookstore Second Star to the Right. Another lies outside Duffeyroll Cafe (where I highly recommend stopping for dessert).  

Check out my tips to find fairy doors for a magical outing with kids!

Downtown Playground

Visit this downtown jungle gym, great for kids in preschool and elementary.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Sunrise – sunset daily | Entrance: free

This isn’t a destination for a day-long trip, but it is a lifesaver if you’re in downtown Denver and need a spot for kids to blow off steam! This little playground is tucked right near LoDo, and has a climbing net and other fun features.

City Park 

Experience a calm city park in the heart of Denver, best for kids of all ages.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 5 am – 11 pm every day

The City Park area is near both the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (you can hear the animals from the zoo while you walk!)

Bike paths are level so smaller kids can bike the park paths, and there are rocks for climbing near the museum and fountains for splashing in. You can also rent paddle boats to float on the lake.

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Thanks for reading! What activity will you try first with your kids? Let me know in the comments! For more ideas, be sure to check out my list of all the fun things to do in Colorado with kids.