Top 15 Family Friendly Activities in Denver

Looking for some family friendly things to do in Denver? Look no further than our list of ideas!

A Day in Downtown Denver with the Kids

#1 Take the Light Rail for a Day at Union Station

Megan Ivy, Broker Associate, takes her kids on a downtown “adventure” in the city!  “One of our favorite things to do is take the light rail down to Union Station and make the afternoon of it. In the summer we play in the splash pad and in cooler months there is plenty of open space for the kids to run around and explore without bothering anyone.”

Megan continues, “Once someone gets hungry (often me!) or loses interest, we grab a bite to eat at Hopdoddy which, if you haven’t been, is incredible even if you’re not a burger person. The kids have loved doing this since they were toddlers and now that our oldest is 11, I can assure you it appeals to all ages.  It’s also a great thing to do with out-of-towners or a unique way to meet up with friends from across the city. The whole event will definitely stay on our ‘how to burn an afternoon’ list for a long time!”

#2 Visit the Children’s Museum of Denver

Photo courtesy of Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus

The Children’s Museum of Denver does a great job at blending fun and fascination! From the 500 ft long aerial adventure course with an immersive art installation to the giant physics playground that will have your kids thinking like Newton, testing theories about motion, forces, and gravity, this spot has it all. The 46,902 square foot building is located on a 9-acre campus and has 20 exhibits and you can find it at 2121 Children’s Museum Dr, Denver, CO 80211 and make sure to make a reservation before you go!

#3 Play Ball at a Rockies Game!

Jenny Usaj, Employing Broker and downtown Denver local, recommends heading to Coors Field for a Rockies game with the whole family! Coors Field features an Interactive Area for kids, located behind the bullpens on the Main Concourse at Gate A.

#4 Mini Golf Adventure at Holey Moley

Andrea Henderson and Jenny Usaj both recommended this indoor mini-golf spot, so it must be good! Andrea says, “I love Holey Moley in downtown. The course is very unique to Denver’s iconic spots.” Top off your round of putt putt with drinks and dinner from their full restaurant and bar with an amazing menu!

Ice Cream Galore the Kids are Sure to Love

#5 Scoops of Joy at Little Man and Beyond

In Denver, we truly love our ice cream. If we had to pick only one spot to recommend, it would be Little Man Ice Cream! The iconic spot is not only a great outing for the whole family, but the ice cream they serve up is simply delicious! Their salted Oreo flavor is a real crowd-pleaser. A few other awesome spots to check out with your kids in tow are:

• Sweet Cow – 3 Denver Locations – Stanley Marketplace, Highlands Square, and Platt Park
• Dang Soft Serve – In Denver’s Park Hill Neighborhood
• High Point Creamery – With a RiNo, Hilltop, and Tennyson Street locations
• Sweet Cooie’s Ice Cream –  In Denver’s Congress Park Neighborhood
• Sweet Action – With Wash Park and South Broadway locations
• Liks – In Denver’s Capitol Hill Neighborhood
• Nuggs Ice Cream – In Denver’s East Colfax Neighborhood

Neighborhood Adventures

Pro tip: City park (pictured) is home to both the Denver Zoo and the Nature & Science Museum!

#6 See the Animals at the Denver Zoo

Kristina Casinelli, Broker Associate, personally recommends the zoo! “We love the Denver Zoo. It’s perfect for an all-day outing with the family.  Other than amazing habitats and animals there are play areas for the kids, grassy areas for picnics, a carousel, and train ride for grandma and grandpa. They have ample parking and plenty of food and drink options for everyone.”

#7 Travel with Dinosaurs at the Nature and Science Museum

Patty Rodi, a staff member at Usaj Realty recommends “the dinosaur exhibit, moon rocks, mummies, and gemstones are the stars of this museum.  My favorite is the wildlife halls. There are over 90 wildlife and habit scenes.  There is a huge area for the kids called the Discovery Zone.  You could spend hours in just this area. Just outside the museum are trails and picnic areas. There is ample parking and many choices for food and snacks.”

#8 Hit the Playground and Walk around the Lake

Sloan’s Lake Park, Washington Park, and City Park are the best spots in Denver to find a fun playground and then enjoy the scenery of these large city parks. Head to City Park and attend the Zoo as well as the Nature & Science museum all located at the park!

Just Outside of the Mile High City

Photo courtesy of Pindustry

Greenwood Village, Colorado

Andrea Henderson, Broker Associate, high recommends Pindustry in Greenwood Village. “Pindustry is super fun place for a whole entire family. They have everything to live music, food, adult beverages, mini bowling, ski ball, darts, ping-pong, you can pretty much name if they have it!”

#10 Get Some Exercise at the Colorado Bounce Company

Lakewood, Colorado

Kristina Casinelli recommends this fun indoor facility with inflatables for the kiddos! The Colorado Bounce Company boasts this rave review on their website: “What a fun place! The kids had a blast jumping and rolling around! Clean facility with lots of tables for parents to watch. There are socks, snacks and drinks available to purchase if you forgot your own.”

#11 Take a Stroll at Golden’s River Walk

Golden, Colorado

Patty Rodi, a staff member at Usaj Realty remarks that she “love spending the day in Historic Golden. Just walking the river has so many benefits. There are sandy beaches to build sandcastles as you watch the kayakers ride the rapids, ice cream shops for a sweet treat, and tubing if you want to cool off.  A trip to Coors Brewery is always a fun stop and a refreshing way to end the day.”

#12 Splash around at Civic Green Park

Highlands Ranch, CO

Civic Green Park in Highlands Ranch boasts interactive fountains and splash pads for the kids, Kristina Casinelli takes her daughter here for a fun play date with friends! There are also picnic tables and a playground to enjoy.

#13 A Kid Friendly Hike at Evergreen Lake

Evergreen, Colorado

Nestled in the beautiful mountain town is it has spectacular mountain views, elk, deer, and if you are lucky bald eagle sightings. There is a Nature Museum, boat rentals, and some excellent fishing to entice all interests. It is located right next to some fabulous downtown shopping and dining experiences.

#14 Eat some Great Food at Farm House Restaurant at Breckenridge Brewery

Littleton, Colorado

Looking for an awesome spot for big families or groups? Kristina Casinelli, Broker Associate, heads to the Farm House for a great meal and some family memories. Just 10 miles south of Denver beside the Platte River & bike trail, this 12-acre property is worth the drive! The food and beers are delicious and there is plenty of space for the kids to explore!

#15 Hike and Explore at Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Morrison, Colorado

This famous outdoor venue is more than just concerts! It has awe-inspiring hiking and biking trails that are for the novice and experienced alike. The visitors center features educational displays, short films, and a fabulous restaurant. The views are breathtaking and the wildlife is plentiful.

Want even more options? Here are some more ideas of places to visit:

• The Denver Aquarium near Downtown
• Stanley Marketplace near the Central Park neighborhood in Northeast Denver
• Robert F. Clement Park in Littleton, CO
• Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park, Downtown Denver
• The Ralston-Central Park and Splash Pad in Arvada
• Denver Firefighters Museum, Downtown Denver
• Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison, CO
• Take a free Hammond’s Candy Factory tour
• Head to the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, CO
• WOW! Children’s Museum in Lafayette, CO

Have another perfect place in mind for families? Leave us a comment below!