Planning a getaway for you and your family in the mile-high city of Denver doesn’t have to be stressful.
The city of Denver is home to many local attractions and amenities.
Families can plan fun and educational outings and day trips that are sure to keep them entertained and create lasting family memories.
Read on to learn about ten things to do in Denver with Kids.
Contents
- 10 Things to Do in Denver with Kids
- Denver Safety Overview
- Frequently Asked Questions
10 Things to Do in Denver with Kids
#1. – Denver Zoo
About the Zoo
Visit the Denver Zoo to create lasting memories and have one-on-one encounters with some of the most exotic animals and wildlife from around the world.
The Denver Zoo features popular animal exhibits, including up-close viewing of lions, gorillas, and elephants.
Immersive exhibits allow you and your family to feel at one with nature and the animals exhibited at this popular family destination.
Interactive exhibits, educational talks, and on-site concessions are just a few amenities available at one of Colorado‘s best zoos.
The Denver Zoo is open year-round and offers discounted pricing for children, seniors, zoo members, and visitors who enter after 5 pm.
Online ticket purchases are available.
Contact Information
Address: 2300 Steele St, Denver, Colorado 80205
Phone: 720-337-1400
Website: https://denverzoo.org
Fees
Adults: $24.00
Seniors: $21.00
Kids: $18.00
Late Entry: $5.00
#2.- Denver Museum of Nature and Science
About the Museum
Denver-area families who love to look at ancient artifacts or gaze up at the night sky inside a planetarium are in for a treat when they visit the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
This family-friendly destination features educational exhibits that take you and your family back in time to learn about the history of extinct animals like dinosaurs and bugs in exciting exhibits.
You and your family can learn about the latest species of bugs and even find out what it is like on the dark side of the moon when you take a trip to the DMNS.
Children are unable to attend the museum in person and homeschooled families will be excited to learn that the DMNS also offers virtual museum visits and tours accessed from home and other internet-connected locations.
On-site visitors can also take advantage of viewing educational documentaries in the Infinity Theater inside the museum.
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is open year-round and closed on Christmas Day.
Contact Information
Address: 2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver, Colorado – 80205
Phone: 303-370-6000
Website: https://www.dmns.org
Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Daily
#3. – Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park
About the Theme Park
Elitch Gardens is an amusement park located in the heart of Denver.
This family-friendly theme park offers hours of water park fun and entertainment from April through October each year.
Park visitors can take advantage of theme park rides that include thrill rides like roller coasters and family-friendly rides that can accommodate adults and kids of all ages.
Popular water rides at Elitch Gardens include its Disaster Canyon and Shipwreck Falls rides that can accommodate large groups like families.
They offer season passes for families who want to visit the park more than once during their operating season.
Elitch Gardens is open from 10:30 am to 8 pm during the season that runs from April through October.
Contact Information
Address: 2000 Elitch Cir, Denver, Colorado – 80204
Phone: 303-595-4386
Website: https://www.Elitch gardens.com
Fees
Season Pass: $74.99
Tickets: $34.99
#4. – Children’s Museum of Denver
About the Museum
Hands-on activities and interactive play are the name of the game when you take your child to visit Denver’s most popular children’s museum.
Arrive early to make the most of your trip to one of Denver’s most popular family venues and educational entertainment.
Your child will love taking advantage of immersive and kid-friendly activities that teach them important and valuable topics like water, kinetics, bubbles, and energy.
The Children’s Museum of Denver is open from 9 am to 4 pm, seven days a week.
They offer programming, scheduling, and tours on a first-come, first-served basis.
Contact Information
Address: 2121 Children’s Museum Drive, Denver, Colorado – 80211
Phone: 303-433-7444
Website: https://www.my child’s museum.org
Fees
Adults: $18.00
Children: $18.00
Seniors: $16.00
Members: Free
#5. – Butterfly Pavillion
About the Pavilion
When you’re looking for an educational family adventure, consider spending the day at Denver’s famous Butterfly Pavillion.
This outdoor butterfly habitat features a variety of timed and non-timed butterfly and invertebrate exhibits.
Exhibits include educational tours and information on the over 1600 species of animals that live in this Denver butterfly zoo.
Families and children can learn about the many different species of invertebrates, including butterflies, tarantulas, and other naturally creepy or crawly animals that thrive in the same environments as butterflies.
Denver’s outdoor Butterfly Pavillion is open seven days a week from 9 am to 5 pm.
Contact Information
Address: 6252 W 104th Ave, Westminster, CO 80020
Phone: 303-469-5441
Website: https://butterflies.org
Fees
Adults: $14.95
Children: $9.95
Members: Free
#6. – Denver Botanic Gardens
About the Botanical Gardens
These 23-acre gardens feature a wide variety of plants, flowers, trees, shrubs, and other natural outdoor features, making it one of the best botanical gardens in the US.
Denver Botanical Gardens features indoor and outdoor spaces where visitors can take in the breathtaking sights and learn about the different variety of plants and flowers houses here.
Visit the Denver Botanical Gardens for a relaxing family atmosphere with a natural backdrop that includes plants, flowers, trees, shrubs, ponds, and related wildlife that are sure to take your breath away
Contact Information
Address: 1007 York St, Denver, Colorado – 80206
Phone: 720-865-3500
Website: https://botanicgardens.org
Fees
Adults: $15.00
Seniors: $11.50
Children: $11.00
Students: $11.00
Kids 2 and under can visit the Denver Botanical Gardens for free.
#7. – Denver Firefighters Museum
About the Firefighters Museum
The Denver Firefighter’s Museum in Downtown Denver is a family-friendly hot spot where excited visitors can learn about how local firefighters and emergency dispatchers respond to 911 emergencies.
A self-guided tour teaches kids and families how emergency communications centers work and provides interactive and hands-on activities to keep kids interested for hours.
The highlights of a visit to the Denver Firefighters Museum include costumes, dress-up, and exploring a real firetruck.
Contact Information
Address: 1326 Tremont Pl, Denver, CO
Phone: 303-892-1436
Website: https://firefightersmuseum.org
Hours: 10 am – 4 pm
Adult Admission: $9.00
Child Admission: $8.00
#8. – Lakeside Amusement Park
About the Amusement Park
When you’re looking for family fun and kid-sized attractions, Lakeside Amusement Park in Denver is a great place to spend the day.
Lakeside Amusement Park features adult and child-sized rides suitable for families of all ages and activity levels.
The amusement park offers admission pricing that ranges from free for children under 36 inches tall and spectators to around $30.00 for an all-access weekend pass.
They also offer individual ride coupons for spectators and park visitors who only want to ride a few rides.
Contact Information
Address: 4601 Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, Colorado – 80212
Phone: 303-477-1621
Website: https://www.lakesideamusementpark.com/
Fees: $0-$30.00
#9. – Denver Public Library
About the Library
The library is open to the public and offers a host of family-friendly activities that include storytime for people of all ages.
Students looking to get ahead on their schoolwork and those enrolled in summer school can take advantage of the wealth of STEM-based activities that support coding, robotics, engineering, and mathematics.
The Denver Library has a central branch and several locations throughout the city to make it easier for residents and families to check out books and audio/visual materials for education and entertainment.
Contact Information
Address: 10 E Fourteenth Ave Pkwy, Denver, Colorado 80204
Phone: 720-865-1111
Website: https://www.denverlibrary.org/
Fees: Varies by service
#10. – Downtown Aquarium
About the Aquarium
The Denver Downtown Aquarium offers children and parents a glimpse into the lives of sea animals that live in our lakes, oceans, rivers, and streams.
This one-of-a-kind aquarium has a host of water-based activities that include underwater exhibits that educate visitors about coral lagoons and shipwrecks.
They also exhibit beach animals that inhabit shallow waters, and an immersive 4-D theater for watching short films related to nature, the environment, and current events.
Contact Information
Address: 700 Water Street, Denver, Colorado – 80211
Phone: 303-561-4450
Website: https://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/downtownaquariumdenver/default.asp
Fees
Adults: $27.50
Children: $20.99
Seniors: $25.99
Denver Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Denver Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I prepare for an outing with my kids in Denver?
One of the most important things you can do when planning a day trip to a Denver amusement park or local Zoo is to plan ahead.
Contact the venue beforehand to learn about their operating hours, costs, parking fees, blackout dates, and child-friendly policies.
Can I Buy Tickets to Visit Denver Attractions Online?
Yes!
Many Denver-area attractions make it easier to plan your visit by offering online ticketing options that prevent you from having to wait in long lines when you and your family arrive at the Zoo or the local amusement park.
Visit the website for the attractions you and your family want to visit to learn more about buying tickets and discounted rates on their website.
Do any local Denver family entertainment venues offer free admission?
Yes!
Many of Denver’s family-friendly attractions offer free or reduced pricing.
The Denver Zoo regularly offers free days for non-members who can take advantage of saving money on pre-set days.
What are some of the most popular family-friendly entertainment venues in Denver?
Denver families with kids will be happy to learn that they can spend the day exploring the Denver Zoo, Botanical Gardens, Butterfly Gardens, or amusement parks like the Elitch Gardens theme park and water park.
Denver offers a wide range of family-friendly activities, from visiting the Denver Zoo and Museum of Nature and Science to exploring the Children’s Museum and Downtown Aquarium.