The lively capital of Denver, Colorado sits in the middle of beautiful natural landscapes and is rich with history. Nestled between the High Plains and Rocky Mountains, Denver offers all sorts of fun options for every member of your family.
A bit of a headscratcher, though once finding the best things to do for all. I am a travel lover and Mom by heart, I know how much of work it is to bang on an activity that keeps the whole family engulfed in joy.
So, I have found some of the best fun things to do with kids in Denver and compiled them into a perfect itinerary for someone like you. This list covers everything from long hikes in extensive parks to day-to-day adventures outside.
Carefully looked into each of the activities with safety, price and enjoyment in mind to ensure you have a good time.
Dive in and see what fun awaits you here in the Mile High City!
23 Fun Things To Do in Denver With Kids
The desert capital of Denver, Colorado is a historical city with stunning natural vistas out it’s backdoor. Nestled in the heart of the High Plains and on the edge of the Rocky Mountains, Denver offers something for everyone at least one member that your family is sure to enjoy.
From heart-thumping ziplining tours to indoor skydiving experiences, Denver has something for everyone.
This guide will help you tailor your own Denver family vacation with the most fun things to do in city, all designed for families. From outdoor adventures to indoor excitement, you’re bound to find some great ideas for family fun in this article.
1. Rocky Mountain Zipline Adventure
Zip through the Colorado Rockies in Conifer with a zipline ride unlike any other.
Rating Criteria
- Age Compatibility: Teenagers (13-17 years old)
- Educational Value: 2/5
- Fun Factor: 5/5
- Accessibility: 3/5
- Affordability: 4/5
Pros
- Ziplining of all kinds
- Fun & Encouraging coaches
Cons:
- Does not include hotel pick up or drop off
Why We Recommend This Activity
Get ready to fly some of the longest ziplines in Queenstown. While flying, you can look around and enjoy what is surely some beautiful scenery.
Recommended Ages
The Rocky Mountain Zipline Adventure is suitable for teenagers and adults.
2. Indoor Skydiving
Located on Park Meadows Drive, iFly Denver offers an exhilarating indoor skydiving experience.
Ratings Criteria
- Age Compatibility: Teenagers (13-17 years old)
- Educational Value: 2/5
- Fun Factor: 5/5
- Accessibility: 5/5
- Affordability: 3/5
Pros
- Engaging and enjoyable skydiving experience
- Experienced and skilled instructors
Cons
- Not recommended for individuals with prior injuries or medical conditions
Why We Recommend This Activity
If you fancy the heart-pounding sensation of skydiving but not crazy about hurdling from a plane, iFly Denver delivers that rush – indoors. You will be given a short briefing with the details and all necessary equipment before you take off.
Recommended Ages
iFly Denver’s indoor skydiving is open to teenagers and adults, regardless of prior skydiving experience.
3. The EDGE: Epic Sky Trek
Epic Sky Trek was introduced in 2015 and is designed to provide thrill-seeking guests with a memorable outdoor adventure involving multiple challenging aerial elements.
Ratings Criteria
- Age Compatibility: Young Children (6-9 years old)
- Educational Value: 1/5
- Fun Factor: 5/5
- Accessibility: 4/5
- Affordability: 4.5/5
Pros
- Adrenaline-pumping obstacle courses
- Reasonably priced tickets
Cons
- Not wheelchair accessible
Why We Recommend This Activity
Challenge your physical abilities and stamina with 120 aerial obstacles and ziplines at The EDGE. Don’t be concerned if the course seems intimidating; there are various levels of difficulty, clearly marked by color codes, to match different skill levels.
Recommended Ages
The EDGE: Epic Sky Trek is appropriate for both young children and adults.
4. Denver Botanic Gardens
Opened in 1995, the Denver Botanic Gardens is a sprawling 23-acre exhibit and event space with vibrant botanical displays.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Fall at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Its visitors appreciate a great range of flowering plants, some striking sculptures and from time to time concerts. The gardens also contain classes and workshops on art, providing a fantastic alternative to venturing indoors for skydiving and The Epic Sky Trek.
All combined in a location which blends art and nature; where the main inputs are both relaxation and creativity.
Recommended Ages
The Denver Botanic Gardens offers an enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages.
5. Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park – Platte River
Elitch Gardens was a zoological park and garden founded thirty years after the creation of Denver, that in subsequent decades also came to include theater, ballroom and eventually more than 100 amusement rides.
Why We Recommend This Activity
A must-visit for families that receive their kicks via exhilaration. Boasting more than 50 rides for thrill seekers of all ages, it’s easy to see why this waterpark is the most visited in Texas. Splash around at Hook’s Lagoon or Skull Island, two fun-filled wet playgrounds perfect fro kids of any age!
Recommended Ages
Elitch Gardens welcomes visitors of all ages, offering a fun-filled day for everyone.
6. Confluence Park – Platte River
Confluence Park is located at the confluence of Cherry Creek and Denver’s earliest settlements, 1850s-era Auraria.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Enjoy a few activities in Confluence Park with views of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek. There are hiking and biking corrals, fishing on the South Platte or chilling by the river. Kayaking & Tubing, Riverside Beach Sunbathing, Ice Skating in the Park or Swim in the Shallow Water.
Recommended Ages
Confluence Park welcomes visitors of all ages, offering a variety of affordable and family-friendly activities.
7. Denver Firefighters Museum – Downtown Denver
Local firefighters work recognized Housed in the original combination firehouse, No. 1/2 built in the late 1860’s, Denver Firefighters Museum pays tribute to heroic efforts of this Colorado community and it serves as a lesson source for society on how fires can be prevented. The museum, located in a former firehouse built 1909 and opened to the public in 1980.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Discover the origins of firefighting and let children be a part of firefighter camps or classes. It houses over 30,000 exhibits and provides hands-on activities like immersing yourself in turnout gear, sliding down the firehouse pole or pedaling a miniature pumper truck for children to simulate real firefighting duties. There is a gift shop as well for those who want to pick up some fire fighting souvenirs.
Recommended Ages
The museum is suitable for visitors of all ages, providing an engaging experience that highlights the important work of firefighters.
8. Denver Trolley – Platte River
In 1885, the Denver Electric and Cable Railway Company (later to be known as The Denver Tramway) started running streetcars on a large city system of tracks plus interurbans at high-speed. But it was axed in 1950 as the automobile became king. Now, the Denver Trolley offers a sentimental look back on this bygone epoch.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Heritage Ride Around South Platte River & Cherry Creek in the past of Denver The city tour will highlight prominent Denver landmarks and tell tales of the Wild West days. The trolley, a 1986 reproduction of the style used in St. Augustine and Tampa during the early years of the last century, offers charming remembrances among images difficult to forget from over a decade ago now.
Recommended Ages
Visitors of all ages, both local and from abroad, can enjoy this historic and scenic ride on the Denver Trolley.
9. Children’s Museum of Denver – Platte River
The Children’s Museum of Denver was established in 1973 and started within a renovated school bus. It expanded through Bannock Street and sprawled over the west bank of Platte River in its current nine-acre area because it became more popular.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Looking for engaging activities for kids in Denver? The Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus stands out as a top choice. With 20 interactive exhibits spread across its 46,000-square-foot facility, children can enjoy a range of attractions, including the Adventure Forest, Box Canyon, Art Studio, Assembly Plant, Teaching Kitchen, Book Nook, Village of Healthy Smiles, and more.
For those seeking activities suitable for toddlers or infants, the museum offers plenty of options to entertain and educate.
Recommended Ages
The museum is geared towards children from newborns to eight years old, but visitors of all ages can find something enjoyable to experience.
10. Center for Visual Art – Santa Fe
The Center for Visual Art, an off-campus gallery managed by the art department at Metropolitan State University of Denver has been in operation since 1990.
Why We Recommend This Activity
The CVA offers a dynamic environment for both locals and visitors to engage with contemporary art throughout the year. You can delve into the gallery via a guided tour, participate in a hands-on workshop, or join an interactive gallery talk. The center also provides various art programs, including classes for children, an Art + Action Lab internship for teenagers, and creative sessions for adults.
Recommended Ages
The Center for Visual Art offers educational experiences for children and enjoyable activities for teens and adults.
11. Morrison Natural History Museum
Situated in Morrison, the Morrison Natural History Museum specializes in dinosaur fossils and prehistoric artifacts.
Why We Recommend This Activity
This museum presents an intriguing and educational outing to explore local paleontology with your family. The museum is small, but there are some awesome dinosaur fossils and other exhibits. It is a thrilling option for visitors who do not care to partake in indoor skydiving or The EDGE: Epic Sky Trek.
Recommended Ages
The museum welcomes visitors of all ages, making it an engaging experience for everyone.
12. National Western Stock Show – East Denver
Since 1906, the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo has highlighted advancements in animal breeding and feeding while celebrating America’s Wild West heritage.
Why We Recommend This Activity
This massive spectacle of a Western experience includes rodeos, Wild West performances, dancing horses lobbed so far through space and time you’ll think they’re in Hugh Jackman’s The Greatest Show on Earth, and livestock contests dog shows with The Stock Show is a Denver mainstay, held annually each January and drawing competitors from throughout the U.S. and around the world. The festival has 300 free events, the National Western Nursery, petting farms and pony rides that are all a budget-friendly source of entertainment for families.
Recommended Ages
This grand event is particularly enjoyable for children aged 5 and older.
13. Butterfly Pavilion
Established in 1995, the Butterfly Pavilion is the first non-profit insect zoo in the United States.
Why We Recommend This Activity
The Butterfly Pavilion provides a serene escape for the many local butterfly and insect species. Visitors can also enjoy sauntering around the garden and get knowledge on these colorful beings by learning about them while in there. And unique educational exhibits, too, that depict various animals in their natural worlds. With it’s engaging displays, it presents a great alternative to attractions like indoor skydiving and The EDGE: Epic Sky Trek.
Recommended Ages
The Butterfly Pavilion is suitable for visitors of all ages, making it a delightful experience for both children and adults.
14. Hammond’s Candy Factory
Ever curious about candy production? Hammond’s Candy Factory, which has been crafting sweets for over a century, offers a glimpse into the candy-making process.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Founded in 1920 as a small family business Hammond’s Candies has weathered many economic upturns and downturns while others have crumbled; all the while remaining a staple among candy makers out here. Watch their sweets pulled, twisted in forms and then packaging done through manual with operation from the traditional hands which are since this factory started. Make sure to stop by the throwback candy shop and grab a few snacks before going home.
Recommended Ages
Hammond’s Candy Factory appeals to visitors of all ages, attracting candy enthusiasts with its high-quality products and historical charm.
15. Dinosaur Ridge – Morrison
The exploration of fossils at Dinosaur Ridge began in 1877, unearthing some of the most renowned dinosaurs in history.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Dinosaur Ridge is tant to the Red Rocks, offers many things for families interested in dinosaurs including guided tours. Exhibits: Walk Through Time Trail, Western Interior Seaway, Dinosaur Tracks Geologic Puzzle Volcanic Ash Bed (The Jurassic Rocks and the Eruption of Something Much Bigger) A location buried by volcanic ash preserved a diversity of unique dinosaur assemblages across time in this geology stratigraphically archived for scientific studies. Children will love the imaginative paleontology workshops and camps. I hope you take some time to attend the events on their schedule.
Recommended Ages
Visitors of all ages will appreciate the chance to hike where dinosaurs once roamed and participate in the museum’s interactive programs.
16. Meow Wolf Denver’s Convergence Station
Meow Wolf Denver’s Convergence Station, a dynamic art venue, began welcoming visitors in September 2021 in the Auraria neighborhood.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Dive into an extraordinary art adventure with Meow Wolf Denver’s Convergence Station. This four-story attraction features over 70 distinct art installations, from immersive experiences and themed rooms to unconventional sculptures. Some areas provide narrative experiences with mind-bending art and compelling storylines. Highlights include the Galleri Gallery, showcasing rotating works by Denver artists, and the Perplexiplex, a space for concerts and events.
Recommended Ages
People of all ages will enjoy exploring the four floors of interactive art exhibits and installations.
17. History Colorado Center
Opened in April 2012, the History Colorado Center stands out with its extensive collection of exhibits dedicated to local history.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Travel back in time through the history of Colorado and the American West at this incredible museum. Visitors may explore at least nine permanent exhibits that include such galleries as Ancestral Puebloans, Colorado Mountain wildlife etc. Among the many other exhibits are “Colorado Stories,” which celebrates prominent Colorado characters and actors; “The Living West”, on ecological areas View and interact with artifacts, dioramas that show 19th century life on the plains of Colorado (featuring LEGO-building workshops), history lectures and live performances.
Recommended Ages
The History Colorado Center offers an engaging experience for visitors of all ages, from toddlers and children to teens, parents, and grandparents.
18. Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
Established in December 1994 at the former Lowry Air Force Base, Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum is dedicated to aerospace history.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Create lasting memories with your family as you explore over fifty aircraft on display. Engage in numerous activities such as climbing into cockpits, participating in educational guided tours, and watching demonstrations. Learn about the different uses of various aircraft and delve into space travel. The museum also hosts interactive events throughout the year, including the Breakfast Fly-In, where you can enjoy dishes from food trucks, experience flight simulators, and watch aircraft displays. Don’t forget to stop by the museum store for themed souvenirs including toys, books, games, and apparel.
Recommended Ages
Visitors of all ages can enjoy the museum, though school-aged children may find the activities particularly engaging compared to toddlers.
19. Colorado Railroad Museum
Founded in 1959, the Colorado Railroad Museum stands as one of the largest institutions of its kind in the state.
Why We Recommend This Activity
With your family, you can see this wonderful history of the locomotives at Colorado Railroad Museum. Check out exhibits, from retro photographs, railway cars to historic artifacts. In addition to the exhibits, guests can engage in train rides and behind-the-scenes tours, as well live demonstrations of historic railroad skills and seasonal offerings. A gift shop ties the plainfare to provide you with mugs, hats and t-shirts related stuff as well other items if you want that are available in a large variety such toys & games board game for children wooden track puzzles stuffed animals magnets art resourcematerials thomas & friends products/makeup.
Recommended Ages: This museum offers engaging experiences for visitors of all ages.
20. Denver Selfie Museum
Opened in 2019, the Denver Selfie Museum is an interactive art venue featuring exhibits specifically designed for photo opportunities.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Create some of the best moments for family photographs or legacy picture taking at Denver Selfie Museum. Right in the heart of downtown inside the ReNew on Stout apartment building, this museum offers a variety of creative set backdrops to capture bigger than life gravity defying moments. The backdrops all have pro lighting setups and props to ensure that you get a stunning photo bordering between reality and surrealism.
Recommended Ages
This engaging museum welcomes visitors of all ages, making it a great spot for family fun.
21. Buckhorn Exchange
Established in November 1893, the Buckhorn Exchange is a historic, upscale steakhouse.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Before you return to your accommodations, savor an exceptional meal at the Buckhorn Exchange with your family. This distinctive restaurant is adorned with vintage photographs, Native American artifacts, antique firearms, and an impressive collection of over 500 taxidermied animals, including elk, yak, and rhinos. The menu offers delectable options such as Grilled Duck Breast, Salmon, Beef Tenderloin Steak, along with indulgent desserts like cheesecake, brownies, apple pie, and ice cream.
Recommended Ages: The restaurant welcomes patrons of all ages.
22. 16th Street Mall
The 16th Street Mall is a mile-long shopping area located in downtown Denver.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Take the family on a wonderful shopping trip to 16th Street Mall +250 retail outlets & eateries to cater for every interest Discover a range of baby clothes, sweets, fresh blooms, clothing with toys and books to water hole souvenirs when you venture into these shops. Stores such as H&M, Hot Topic, Banana Republic, Target, Sephora and Victoria’s Secret & PINK are undoubtedly all around the common mall with twist off down from Uniqlo to Forever21.
As for places to eat out, the mall boasts a selection of family-friendly eateries such as Brooklyn´s Finest Pizza, Krispy Kreme and McDonalds among others.
Recommended Ages
The mall is easily accessible and offers free shuttle services along its length, making it convenient for families with young children or babies.
23. Denver Skatepark
Located in downtown Denver, Denver Skatepark is a large outdoor skateboarding facility offering views of the city skyline.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Skateboarding at Denver Skatepark provides a thrilling experience for families. Spanning 60,000 square feet, this park features diverse sections suited for both novice and experienced skateboarders. It stands out as a fantastic alternative to Indoor Skydiving and The EDGE: Epic Sky Trek, providing exciting and no-cost activities.
Recommended Ages: Denver Skatepark welcomes skateboarders of all ages with no admission fee.
Conclusion
Denver offers a wealth of activities for families seeking both excitement and fun.
During my visit, the Rocky Mountain Zipline Adventure stood out as the most exhilarating experience. For those preferring a more controlled environment, Indoor Skydiving provided a secure and enjoyable alternative. Additionally, The EDGE: Epic Sky Trek presented a significant challenge, testing both physical and mental endurance.
While these experiences are impressive, they may not suit everyone. Both The EDGE: Epic Sky Trek and Indoor Skydiving can be costly, and the Rocky Mountain Zipline Adventure focuses solely on zip lining. For a more relaxed outing, the Downtown Aquarium – Platte River is a worthwhile option.
In summary, the Rocky Mountain Zipline Adventure ranks highly on our list of family activities in Denver. This adrenaline-pumping adventure offers not only thrills but also an engaging way to connect with Denver’s scenic beauty, making it a memorable highlight of your trip.
