Colorado is a big state known mostly for the Rocky Mountains.
There are a lot of fun outdoor activities to explore.
The Rocky Mountains are spectacular, providing skiing in winter, and hiking or biking in summer.
Denver to Colorado Springs offers a lot of urban-type activities to do with kids as well.
Cool museums, parks, and arts are waiting to be explored.
There are tons of adventures waiting for kids all over the state.
Kids can be hard to entertain, but Colorado offers a lot of things that will keep them smiling.
Things to Do in Colorado With Kids
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park has some adventurous hiking available, but there are also a lot of easy trails that kids can enjoy.
There is a flat trail around Sprague Lake that is easy and there is usually lots of wildlife to see.
Visitor centers have hands-on activities kids will enjoy.
The Coyote Valley Trail is on the west side and is relatively short.
The Holzwarth Historical Site is a homestead built in 1916, which is good for a stop.
The park is busy in summer so it is a good idea to plan and make reservations.
Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is a relatively small park near Colorado Springs that features many unusual rock formations.
There are about 300 rock formations, and kids will enjoy figuring out what they look like.
Several hiking trails are short and well-marked.
The visitors center is also worth a visit with its interactive displays and theater.
There is a nice drive around the park, and with the trails there, you could easily spend half a day or longer,
Another great thing about the Garden of the Gods is that it is free.
It can get crowded on weekends, so plan accordingly.
Pikes Peak
The 14,000-foot mountain called Pikes Peak is the backdrop for the Garden of the Gods.
You can drive to the top, but that is scary for most people – a narrow winding road with no guard rails.
The better option is to take a 40-minute ride to the top of the peak.
The ride itself offers spectacular views that kids will enjoy, without the nerve-wracking drive.
At the top, there is a visitors center that opened in 2021 that offers interpretive exhibits.
You could easily fill up a whole day with a visit to the Garden of the Gods and a trip to the top of Pikes Peak.
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
This museum should be interesting to people of all ages.
Kids will enjoy hands-on exhibits concerning space, dinosaurs, and many more.
Kids can practice docking a space shuttle or exploring mine shafts.
A discovery zone lets kids learn about science by experimenting.
There are exhibits about bugs, asteroids colliding with the Earth, black holes in space, and gemstones.
The museum has a lot of visitors, so you should reserve your tickets in advance.
Water World
Water World is a huge water park at Federal Heights, a suburb on the north side of Denver.
There are rides and water activities geared to specific age groups and skill levels.
You may also reserve a bungalow where your family can have a home base and a place to relax between adventurous water rides.
There are 50 or more attractions related to water fun, like slides, pools, and rides.
There are high-speed thrills for older kids and adults, and easier more relaxing rides for younger kids.
It is the largest water park in Colorado and one of the largest in the nation, covering 70 acres.
Denver Zoo
The Denver Zoo is considered one of the top zoos in the nation, and one of the most ethical as far as the treatment of animals.
84 acres are holding more than 3,000 animals from all over the world.
Kids can enjoy various experiences, like feeding and touching stingrays and other sea life.
There are also programs involving penguins, lorikeets, special 3d and 4d theater experiences, and several more.
The Elephant Passage is a two-mile trail that will make you think you are in Africa.
The zoo is large, but there are maps and phone apps available to help you get around.
Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
The bridge was built in 1929 and is still free to cross.
There is a charge for the amusement park, however.
The park is 955 feet above the ground and was until recently the highest suspension bridge in the world.
The bridge is just the beginning.
There are relaxing gondola rides, a hipline, and a sky coaster.
Once you cross the bridge there is a playland that has a lot of structures for kids to climb on.
The bridge and park are in Canon City, about 45 miles southwest of Colorado Springs.
There is a lot to see and you can spend an entire day here in the park and around the bridge.
Elitch Gardens and Water Park
The Elitch Gardens and Water Park in Denver is 134 years old and is one of the oldest continually operating amusement parks in the nation.
It may be old, but it is with the times.
Just this year they reopened Twister III, which is a large roller coaster guaranteed to give plenty of adrenaline thrills.
It is one of the largest combined water park and theme park operations in America, and there are bound to be a lot of things any kid would enjoy here.
There are thrill slides, as well as lower-speed slides for younger kids.
The water park is great, but that is just half the fun, as there is also a theme park that is just as big.
It has a roller coaster, thrill rides, kids’ rides, water rides, and rides for the whole family.
Colorado Railroad Museum
The Colorado Railroad Museum is an old rail yard preserved for public enjoyment in the city of Golden, on the west side of the Denver metropolitan area.
There is a large and very detailed model railroad that kids of all ages will enjoy.
There is a story time, with tales of the railroad of old.
Kids, and adults, can climb on and explore various railroad cars, and learn a lot about how railroads were used in this area over the last 100 years or so.
You may also take a ride on one of the passenger trains.
On Thursdays, there are historic characters telling stories, demonstrations, and other guests.
The facility charges for admission but has free days now and then, so check their website.
Thomas the Tank Engine comes to town a few weekends each year.
Gold Rush Days in September celebrates the gold rush era.
Boulder Reservoir
You may be surprised to find a beach in the landlocked state of Colorado, but the Boulder Reservoir near Boulder has many of them.
Beach areas were created along the edges of the reservoir making it a great recreation area for kids and adults alike.
Kids may fish, swim, relax in the sun, build sand castles, ski, cycle, or go boating.
There are a lot of organized activities for kids, and you can create your adventures.
Family areas have charcoal grills and volleyball courts.
There are a lot of shallow areas to enjoy the water, and there are specially marked-off areas for more minor children.
WOW Children’s Museum
The WOW Children’s Museum is in Lafayette, between Boulder and Denver.
This museum is geared toward kids aged 12 and under, must even adults will have a good time here.
There are exhibits of science, art, dramatic plays, and many other themes that are interactive.
Kids think they are playing, but they will also be learning about a wide variety of things by participating.
There are various kinds of programs and events throughout the year.
There is an admission charge that is fairly low compared to other attractions.
Colorado Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Colorado Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the national parks in Colorado?
There are four national parks in the state.
The most popular is the Rocky Mountain National Park, followed by the Mesa Verde National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Sand Dunes National Park.
Rocky Mountain Park is the best place to enjoy the Rockies.
Gunnison National Park is in the mountains of the western part of the state with a lot of dramatic scenery.
Mesa Verde is home to Ancestral Pueblo dwellings that are hundreds of years old.
Sand Dunes has some of the tallest sand dunes anywhere at 750 feet high,
What city is best for kids in Colorado?
Denver is the most popular city in the state, and it is a great place to take kids.
There are a lot of kids’ activities, interactive museums, aquariums, zoos, and wide open spaces in parks around the city.
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science, as well as the Children’s Museum, are two attractions that should not be missed while in Denver.
What makes Colorado a good place for vacationing with kids?
There is a tremendous amount of outdoor activities you and your kids can enjoy throughout the year.
Especially around Denver and Colorado Springs, there are a lot of cool museums and many of them are geared toward children.
There are also a lot of theme parks.
The tourism industry in Colorado keeps kids in mind as it develops attractions around the state.
When is the best time of year to visit Colorado?
Summer may be the best time as far as the weather goes, but it can also get crowded during those months.
The winters can also get crowded with all the people hitting the ski slopes.
Spring and Fall normally have a lot of activities going on around the state.
If you don’t mind the crowds, summer is a great time to experience all the state has to offer.
The WOW Children’s Museum is a great place to spend a few hours with your kids.
The Rocky Mountains are breathtaking and offer a variety of outdoor activities, while Denver and Colorado Springs provide a mix of urban and cultural experiences for families with kids.