A Family Friendly Weekend in Riverfront Park
Riverfront Park Denver is one of the best locations in the city to spend time with your kids. Whether you devote your time to special events or tried-and-tested attractions, this neighborhood of Denver is chock-full of family friendly events, regardless of the time of year.
During the summer, Riverfront Park and its adjacent communities are awash with activities, sure to keep the kids happy and, thankfully, exhausted by the end of the day. Earn praise from the youngsters by taking them to some of these sure-to-please locations and venues.
South Platte Riverfest, Shoemaker Plaza & Confluence Park
This annual event is set for June 23 at Shoemaker Plaza and Confluence Park from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sponsored by Elitch Gardens Revesco Properties, the South Platte Riverfest is the ultimate urban festival that showcases the wonderful South Platte River and Cherry Creek corridors and benefits the Greenway Foundation.
Focusing on water recreation, the Riverfest offers a variety of recreational activities for kids including stand-up paddleboarding, a kids’ zone sponsored by Jump Bunch, climbing wall, slackline, tubing and more. Kids Activity Bands will be $5/child or $12/per family, and grant unlimited access to all of the festival’s activities. All proceedsenefit the South Platte River Environmental Education (SPREE) programs to help children from across Denver to explore nature in their neighborhoods. Enjoy live music, refreshments, food vendors and artwork at this amazing family-oriented event.
Colorado Rockies Baseball Game, 20th & Blake
Whether it’s an Thursday afternoon game, the 4th of July fireworks extravaganza or a weekday or weekend evening game, nothing beats watching the Rockies at Coors Field. Eating peanuts and popcorn, and enjoying Dinger’s antics makes for a perfect afternoon or evening with your kids. Depending on your budget, there is always a variety of seats available through the box office, private ticket websites or from street ticket sales the day of the game. Support your local team and have a great time with your kids while doing so! Also, don’t forget to check out the games that feature special promotions.
Elitch Gardens, 2000 Elitch Circle
Nothing says summer like Elitch Gardens. Whether you revel in the thrill of a roller coaster ride or need a little cooling off on one of the epic water slides, this amusement park is the epitome of fun for all ages. In addition to daily passes, you can buy a season pass ($79.99) that pays for itself after just two visits, and a dining plan is also available. There are special events throughout the summer including concerts, dive-in movies, shows and fireworks displays.
Tattered Cover
Summer is a perfect time for your kids to read and the Tattered Cover has a terrific incentive program to keep your kids engaged in books. Purchase 10 kids books between now and Sept. 3 (Labor Day) and receive a $15 gift card. Each book purchased will be recorded on the Booked for Summer bookmark (available in the children’s section of any of the Tattered Cover locations).This is a fantastic way to promote literacy and earn benefits in the process.
The Tattered Cover also has storytime every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the LoDo location. The youngsters will love 30 minutes of fun, games and listening by some of the best storytellers.
Commons Park, Little Raven & 15th St.
This spacious park along the banks of the South Platte is a perfect venue for a walk, pushing a stroller, having a picnic or just relaxing and chatting with your kids. On Sundays throughout the summer, there is a concert series that is family friendly with food trucks and good tunes. The park is flanked by the Denver Skate Park and City of Cuernavaca Park to the northeast and Confluence Park to the southwest. You’ll have a bird’s eye view of kayakers practicing their skills on the water as well as paddleboarders and people tubing on the river. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon in Riverfront Park.
Bike Ride on the South Platte/Cherry Creek Corridor
Explore this exquisite area of Denver on a bike. Whether you head out on the South Platte or Cherry Creek, you’re bound to get in a good workout and see Denver from a different vantage point. Since 1974, the Greenway Foundation has been active in reclaiming the South Platte River and its tributaries so the populace can enjoy this amazing recreational corridor. Many of its projects and improvements have lead to cleaner water and better access, and its educational programs have helped Denverites understand why a clean waterway makes for a better place to live. The South Platte Trail is over 40 miles long, and is the perfect escape for those in the city as well as suburban dwellers.
Downtown Aquarium, 700 Water St.
This entertainment and dining complex features a public aquarium boasting more than a million gallons of underwater exhibits that highlight fascinating ecosystems around the world. The Downtown Aquarium houses over 500 species of animals, the interactive Stingray Reef touch tank, Aquarium Restaurant, Dive Lounge, the Nautilus Ballroom and amusements for the entire family.Check out the Friday Family Nights, 5 p.m. to close, when you can take advantage of the $3.99 kids meals, reduced adult exhibit entrance fee (with restaurant receipt), free face painting, scavenger hunt, animal shows and free validated parking. Children 10 and under get in the aquarium for just $6 with the purchase of an adult ticket. Make sure you know the special events each month to make the trip truly unique for the little ones.
Children’s Museum, 2121 Children’s Museum Drive
From its early days of providing educational programs to children from a traveling bus, to the $16 million expansion completed in 2015, the Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus focuses on early childhood education through a variety of channels. For kids 8 and under, this is the perfect setting for hands-on interaction, and parents and children alike benefit from the interpersonal opportunities the exhibits provide. Expand your children’s knowledge and created a lifelong bond at the Children’s Museum. There are inside and outside exhibits waiting for you to explore and investigate. Free nights at the Museum are the first Tuesday of every month from 4-8 p.m.