Already checked off the popular family activities in Denver? Fortunately, there’s plenty more to do around the city with kids, from indoor attractions to outdoor fun for every budget.
Here’s a hot tip: If you live in the area, don’t miss out on museum and cultural passes from your local library. These grant you and your family free admission to several sites including Dinosaur Ridge, which is one of the lesser-known activities for families around Denver.
Walk Above Habitats at The Wild Animal Sanctuary
The Wild Animal Sanctuary is located in Keenesburg, roughly 45 minutes northeast of Denver. This 1,214-acre refuge is home to hundreds of animals, most of which were rescued from inhumane captivity. No longer are they used as entertainment by private owners, roadside attractions and unethical zoos. Rather, these bears, big cats and other creatures roam spacious open-air environments at the sanctuary. Visitors look down on these enclosures via a 1.5-mile elevated walkway—and because these animals have no airborne predators, humans’ presence doesn’t cause stress or affect their behaviors. Witness wolves howl, grizzlies splash in pools and tigers chase each other in play. wildanimalsanctuary.org
Get Creative at the Denver Art Museum
While the Denver Art Museum is far from a secret, not all realize that this institution is free to guests ages 18 and under. Plus, it offers an extensive amount of family programming. Start in the Hamilton Building’s interactive Dream Studio, then head up to the second floor and cross the pedestrian bridge. This leads to the museum’s Martin Building, which features a children’s play area and textile crafts at the sixth-floor Thread Studio. More art projects are available in this building’s ground-level Creative Hub, which has a seasonal Sensory Garden right outside its doors. In addition to these hands-on activities, the Denver Art Museum houses several permanent and rotating galleries with various mediums from around the world. denverartmuseum.org
READ MORE: Free Family Adventures in Boulder
Pedal on Land and Water at Washington Park
Wash Park is also a well-known destination in the city, loved for its numerous amenities including grassy picnic areas, tennis and basketball courts, a comprehensive rec center and more. But the hidden gem here is Wheel Fun Rentals, which offers several unique ways to experience the park. Cruise around Smith Lake in a swan boat or turn heads on a floating water trike! If you’d rather pedal on land, rent a surrey for the family. These four- and six-passenger carriages offer a new way to explore the park’s 2.6 miles of paved paths. Enjoy stops at playgrounds and decorative gardens while riding this leisurely loop. wheelfunrentals.com
Learn and Play at the Denver Firefighters Museum
The Denver Firefighters Museum is set within a former firehouse, which was built in 1909 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s one of the best indoor activities for families, having several interactive children’s displays. Little ones can dress up in firefighter costumes, get hands-on in a big, red firetruck and set a safety plan in a two-story playhouse. Several exhibits cover the history of the Denver Fire Department, along with the industry’s development. See retired engines, early equipment and more memorabilia on display. denverfirefightersmuseum.org
Dig for Fossils at Dinosaur Ridge
Dinosaur Ridge is around 20 minutes west of downtown, located along the foothills of Morrison. Several fossils were found in this region near the turn of the century and, in 1937, a wall of dinosaur tracks was unearthed. Today, visitors can walk a quick half-mile to this discovery or board a shuttle to see it and other prehistoric sites. Guides on these 45-minute tours explain what dinosaurs made various tracks and point out bones in a rock bed, where they’ve been encased for millennia. Back at the bus stop, families can explore the visitor center’s indoor exhibits, which feature real fossils, along with outdoor dig areas that give kids a feel for paleontologists’ work. dinoridge.org
Crack Open Geodes at the Mines Museum of Earth Science
The Mines Museum of Earth Science is part of the Colorado School of Mines. This Golden institution is around 25 minutes from Denver and allows guests to view its thousands of specimens at no cost. Spend an afternoon exploring its various exhibits, which include a walk-through cave replica with glowing minerals and a machine to crack open geodes. Visitors can earn a free stone by participating in a kid-friendly scavenger hunt, which highlights the museum’s moon rocks, meteorites, fossils, gems and more in its collection. mines.edu
Witness Sugar Science at The Inventing Room
Museums help visitors explore various senses, but one is often overlooked: taste. Fortunately, that’s not the case at The Inventing Room, a science-forward dessert shop owned not by Willy Wonka, but by chef Ian Kleinman. Many of his sweet creations are made using liquid nitrogen and other molecular techniques, which he demonstrates in the shop. Book tickets in advance to sample freeze-dried marshmallows, glow-in-the-dark cotton candy and ice cream sundaes topped with exploding whipped cream, plus more imaginative treats. tirdenver.com
