Denver is a vibrant city filled with endless possibilities for family fun. Whether you’re looking for interactive museums, outdoor adventures, or exciting indoor playgrounds, there are things to do in Denver with kids of all ages. The Mile-High City offers a unique blend of educational and entertainment experiences that make it an ideal destination for families. From hands-on exhibits to thrilling activities, Denver’s best places cater to curious minds and active little ones alike.
As one of the most family-friendly cities in the country, Denver is home to a wide range of attractions that will keep your kids entertained and engaged. Whether you’re exploring the colorful exhibits at a museum, enjoying the fresh air at a local park, or experiencing one of the city’s many interactive attractions, there’s no shortage of fun things to do with kids in Denver. In this guide, we’ll highlight some of the best places in Denver that are perfect for a day out with the kids, ensuring that your family will make unforgettable memories!
Our Favorite Things to Do with Kids in Denver
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2121 Children's Museum Dr, Denver, CO 80211, USA
The Children's Museum of Denver
When it comes to things to do in Denver with kids, the Children’s Museum is the star of the show. This huge facility has features for kids of all ages, including exhibits, activities, a climbing tower, a 6-foot bubble, and so much more!2
452 Sable Blvd, Aurora, CO 80011, USA
Lava Island
Lava Island is a favorite when we talk about things to do in Denver with kids. With more than 20 themed climbs and a huge adventure zone full of mazes and slides, Lava Island is one of the most popular and exciting indoor playgrounds in Denver.3
6252 W 104th Ave, Westminster, CO 80020, USA
Butterfly Pavilion
The Butterfly Pavilion provides an unforgettable experience, allowing visitors of all ages to interact with nature’s hidden wonders through immersive, hands-on exhibits. Families will love exploring this indoor tropical conservatory, home to more than 1,600 butterflies and a variety of fascinating invertebrates!4
2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80205, USA
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is a must for kids, families, and anyone visiting or living in Denver! With features like a planetarium, IMAX theater, children’s discovery zone and world-class science and nature exhibits, it’s definitely one of the best things to do with kids in Denver!5
Winter Activities: A must in Denver
If we talk about things to do with kids in Denver, Colorado, winter activities may be the first thing that comes to mind. Beyond skiing, you can enjoy hot springs, ice skating, horse-drawn sleigh rides, sledding, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Mountain towns like Breckenridge and Telluride provide unique experiences, from snowshoeing past old gold mines to snowmobiling and dog sledding in the backcountry.6
8801 N Pecos St, Federal Heights, CO 80260, USA
Water World
Water World, one of the largest family water parks in the country, is just a 15-minute drive north of downtown Denver. It boasts over 46 attractions, making it one of the top fun things to do in Denver with kids! Rated by the Travel Channel as one of the top 10 water parks in the U.S., this is an adventure you won’t want to miss!7
7711 E Academy Blvd, Denver, CO 80230, USA
Wings Over The Rockies
If your kid is into aviation, this is the place to visit! Housed in Hangar #1 of the historic Lowry Air Force Base, Wings Over the Rockies spans more than 182,000 square feet, showcasing a vast collection of aircraft, spacecraft, space vehicles, artifacts, military uniforms, and more! Kids will be thrilled to explore realistic flight simulators and enjoy a variety of exciting activities!8
9370 S Colorado Blvd suite+a-2, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126, USA
Play Street Museum
The Play Street Museum is a cool spot where kids can pretend to be firefighters, doctors, chefs, and more in a fun town square setup. It's a great place for families and definitely one of the best things to do with kids in Denver, offering both fun and learning for young kids!9
1007 York St, Denver, CO 80206, USA
Denver Botanic Gardens
If you’re thinking of fun things to do in Denver with kids, the Denver Botanic Garden has two locations: Chatfield Farms and York Street, and they both offer cool activities for the little ones and their grownups! Enjoy endless garden explorations, learn about plants from all over the world, and enjoy several kid-friendly events and activities.10
700 Water St, Denver, CO 80211, USA
Downtown Aquarium
If you’re searching for things to do in Denver with kids, the Downtown Aquarium is a must-visit! This unique attraction combines the feel of a kids’ museum with over a million gallons of underwater exhibits. With more than 500 species of animals, a memorable dining experience, and plenty of activities, it’s a hit with families!11
100 W 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver, CO 80203, USA
Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum is the perfect spot to spark a love for art in kids. With events, programs, activities, and even camps designed for all ages, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Plus, it’s one of the largest art museums between Chicago and the West Coast!12
2000 Elitch Cir, Denver, CO 80204, USA
Elitch Gardens
Elitch Gardens is the only downtown water and theme park in the country! It features 53 exciting rides, live shows, thrilling roller coasters, a full water park, and Fright Fest in October. Looking for fun things to do with kids in Denver? Don’t miss out on this unique downtown adventure!13
16831 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465, USA
Dinosaur Ridge
Dinosaur Ridge, a National Natural Landmark, is a fantastic option for unique things to do in Denver with kids. Recognized as the top dinosaur track site in the U.S. and one of the best in the world, it offers a range of exciting dinosaur-themed activities that your child won’t want to miss!14
1485 Delgany St, Denver, CO 80202, USA
Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
The Museum of Contemporary Art Denver showcases the creativity and culture of our era through dynamic rotating exhibits and educational programs. Explore unique offerings like Self-Care Sundays and exciting activities tailored for teens. It’s truly a standout spot for fun things to do with kids in Denver.15
7330 W 52nd Ave, Arvada, CO 80002, USA
Sky Zone
The Pioneers of Fun Fitness offers a fantastic venue in Denver for the entire family! Packed with exciting activities like dodgeball, a freestyle jump court, sky hoops, a foam zone, and so much more, it's the perfect spot for families to enjoy fun, fitness, and adventure all in one place!16
14500 W Colfax Ave, Lakewood, CO 80401, USA
The Bounce Place Lakewood
The Bounce Place is the ultimate indoor playground, packed with inflatable bounce houses, obstacle courses, slides, interactive games, and activity panels for endless fun. Located in Lakewood, it also features a special area for toddlers, complete with push cars, building blocks, and more—making it the perfect spot for little ones to play and explore!17
4433 W 29th Ave, Denver, CO 80212, USA
Ta Da Gymnastics
Perfect for young crawlers, Ta Da Gymnastics welcomes toddlers as young as 16 months. With an open gym, recreational gymnastics programs, and other fun activities, it’s a fantastic alternative for fun things to do with kids in Denver Colorado! Plus, Ta Da Gymnastics offers birthday party packages, making it an ideal spot for celebrations.18
1225 W Belleview Ave, Littleton, CO 80120, USA
Pirates Cove
The only waterpark in Englewood, this outdoor park offers a 35-foot slide tower, a leisure pool with an interactive play structure, a lazy river, a six-lane pool with a diving board and drop slide, plus concessions and trained lifeguards. It's the ultimate spot for water fun and for summer things to do in Denver with kids!19
10430 S Progress Way, Parker, CO 80134, USA
Little Monkey Bizness
At Monkey Bizness, kids can bounce, climb, play, and let their imaginations run wild! This exciting trampoline park and indoor playground in Denver, Colorado, offers a variety of activities, including inflatables, play structures, a climbing wall, interactive games, and a special area just for toddlers aged 3 and under. It’s the perfect place to visit when we think about things to do with kids in Denver!20
9550 E 40th Ave, Denver, CO 80238, USA
Urban Air Adventure Park - Denver (East)
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park is one of the best spots for kids to jump, play, and explore all day long! Packed with exciting attractions like climbing walls, trampolines, a spin zone, and more, it offers endless fun. Plus, with strict adherence to industry safety regulations, you can feel confident that the kids are enjoying themselves in a secure environment.21
1250 Bannock St, Denver, CO 80204, USA
Clyfford Still Museum
If you’re looking for free things to do in Denver with kids that include an educational time, visit the Clyfford Still Museum where children 17 and under are free every day. Enjoy Family Tours designed for families with children ages 5-10. These tours are interactive. Your family can play, create and explore!22
1200 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203, USA
History Colorado Center
The History Colorado Center is a fantastic choice for families exploring kid-friendly museums in Denver! Colorado's vibrant history comes to life with interactive exhibits that captivate kids and engage their curiosity. The museum also offers a variety of educational programs and special events for all ages to enjoy.23
8501 W Bowles Ave, Littleton, CO 80123, USA
Hi-Five Sports Zone
Hi-Five Sports Zone is another excellent choice for fun things to do in Denver with kids, especially for those who love sports. With basketball courts throughout the facility, it’s a great place to encourage your child's athletic growth. Hi-Five also offers spaces for adult recreational sports leagues, making it fun for the whole family!24
965 Santa Fe Dr, Denver, CO 80204, USA
Center for Visual Art
The Center for Visual Art (CVA), the off-campus art gallery of Metropolitan State University of Denver, offers art experiences for all ages featuring works by local and international artists. It also serves as an interactive hub for MSU Denver students and the surrounding community, blending education and creativity!25
17155 W 44th Ave, Golden, CO 80403, USA
Colorado Railroad Museum
Home to over 100 narrow-gauge steam and diesel locomotives, passenger cars, and cabooses, the museum also features an HO model railroad and a G-scale garden railway. With a gallery and library to explore, it’s a fantastic choice when searching for things to do in Denver, Colorado with kids.26
501 CO-8, Morrison, CO 80465, USA
Morrison Natural History Museum
Jefferson County's first paleontology museum is the ultimate destination to uncover Colorado's dinosaur history! With hands-on exhibits and knowledgeable guides, kids can dive into exciting activities like exploring historic and modern fossils and witnessing real research in action at the Fossil Preparation Lab.27
3151 Illinois St, Golden, CO 80401, USA
The Splash at Fossil Trace
The Splash at Fossil Trace offers 10 acres of fun for the whole family, with attractions for all ages! You can swim laps in the 25-meter pool with 8 lanes, enjoy open swim, or dive off the board. There are also slides for everyone— a tube slide for younger kids and a 180-foot slide for adults! When it comes to summer things to do in Denver with kids during the summer months, this is the right option!28
5690 County Line Pl unit+d, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126, USA
My Gym Highlands Ranch
With unlimited classes per week, a fantastic team of instructors, and party packages, My Gym Highlands Ranch is a top destination! What sets it apart from other indoor playgrounds in Denver is its diverse range of programs, which go beyond gymnastics to include music, arts and crafts.29
110 Overland Trail, Sterling, CO 80751, USA
Overland Trail Museum
Step back in time and explore what life was like for Colorado’s early settlers at this fascinating museum. Featuring a collection of pre-1915 structures still standing today, it offers an engaging and educational experience that makes it a great choice when looking for things to do with kids in Denver Colorado!30
2501 Dallas St, Aurora, CO 80010, USA
Bounce
Bounce features an incredible kids’ gymnastics studio with a wide range of fun activities. From daily recreational gymnastics classes and open gym sessions to parkour, free running classes, and birthday parties, it’s the perfect spot for kids to stay active and have a great time!31
4860 Van Gordon St, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033, USA
TIGAR Gymnastics and Cheer
TIGAR is a fantastic spot for fun things to do with kids in Denver! This state-of-the-art facility offers a range of activities where toddlers, tweens, and teens can start developing their athletic or gymnastic skills. As a cutting-edge training center, it’s not unique but also affordable.32
7969 E Arapahoe Rd unit b, Greenwood Village, CO 80112, USA
Candeeland
Candeeland is an indoor playground in Denver where you can take the kids for a special occasion or a fun adventure! Parents can relax in the snack area while the kids climb walls, play games in the arcade, or test their skills on the ninja course. This great option for things to do in Denver with kids is a favorite among little ones!33
7562 South University Boulevard, Centennial, CO, USA
Kids Wonder Denver
Kids ages 0-6 are invited to enjoy imaginative play in areas such as a grocery store, fire station, and construction site. The facility features bounce houses, a baby play area, and other cool activities to keep your little ones entertained.34
12000 E 6th Ave, Aurora, CO 80010, USA
Del Mar Aquatic Center
Del Mar Aquatic Center features a massive water playground with two slides, a splashdown activity pool, and a zero-depth entry for young kids. It also offers changing rooms and a full-service concession stand for a complete day of fun!As you explore all the exciting things to do with kids in Denver, you will find options for everyone! From museums, waterparks, and libraries, to even free things to do with kids in Denver, and more, options abound!
For those seeking more structured activities, there are also great things to do in Denver with kids like enrolling in dance classes or robotics programs. These experiences can help nurture creativity and problem-solving skills while providing fun and engaging learning opportunities for the whole family. No matter your interests, Denver has something for every kid to enjoy!
