Art For Kids in Denver

It's a fact: art is good for young minds. It stimulates creativity, sets imaginations free and encourages an appreciation of culture that will last a lifetime. Denver's artsy attractions and programs are sure to get your little ones excited about the arts world.

Denver Art Museum

The world-class Denver Art Museum – free for kids age five and younger – is a great place to introduce kids to the wide and wonderful world of art. Every gallery on every floor of this expansive museum has something fun for families.

First, pick up a free Family Backpack on level one of the Hamilton Building. These backpacks are filled with arts, crafts and games. Tromp through the galleries making art, playing games, and piecing together puzzles. Try a different adventure every time you visit. You can also grab a free Art Tube, each with a bite-sized art-making activity that you complete in the galleries.

As you’re making your way through the museum, keep your eyes peeled for the Hotspot icon (shown right), which will point you towards family-friendly art and activities.

In the lower level of DAM’s North Building, you’ll find the Just For Fun Family Center, where touching, scribbling, building and playing is strongly encouraged. Nearby, check out the Kids Corner, where youngsters can create their own mini-masterpiece.

Smudge, squiggle, and splatter at Create Playdates on the second Wednesday of the month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Drop in with your little ones (ages 3–5) to meet up with other tots and their grown ups for artmaking in Duncan Pavilion, storytime throughout the museum, and scavenger hunts in the galleries. Create Playdates explore a new theme every other month. Upcoming dates: March 11 and April 8.

DAM also offers a wide array of art-centric classes and camps for kids every summer. Check the Web site for dates and details!

SmART Brunch Saturdays at MCA | Denver

Contemporary art can be for kids, too! SmART Brunch Sundays at the Museum of Contemporary Art | Denver provide creative time for families to explore, talk about art and engage with the museum’s staff. Each visit begins with a tour – the adults go in one direction with a guide and the kids go another with an education specialist. Afterwards, adults convene in the MCA CAFE to discuss their insights about the work on view. The kids move directly to the Idea Box where they participate in a workshop with staff to make objects, drawings or mixed media wonders. By the end, everyone comes together to share their amazing behind the scenes experience. SmART Brunches take place on the first and third Sundays of the month, beginning at 10 a.m. Admission is $15 for the general public and $7 for MCA | Denver members.

Public Art in Denver

Great art in Denver isn’t just in museums. It’s all over the city’s parks, streets and malls. Ranging from the iconic to the whimsical, from the miniscule to the enormous, the Mile High City is always adding new pieces to its public art collection. Civic Center Park is a great spot for Western sculptures, while Downtown and the 16th Street Mall are packed with public art pieces. Kids will love the amazing 40-foot-tall Blue Bear at the Colorado Convention Center, or the colorful cows that can be found along 16th Street. Check out this Denver Public Art Guide for much more info on where to find these unique pieces. 

Children’s Museum of Denver

The Children’s Museum of Denver offers a bunch of artsy, hands-on activities that will stimulate your young child’s creativity. Check the museum’s Web site for detailed information on these crafty events – with each month comes new and fun themes.

Online Resource: Wackykids.org

A great way to get your kids excited about visiting all of Denver’s art-centric spots is to log on to www.Wackykids.org with them. The wac in wacky stands for world, art and cultures. Wackykids.org, designed by the education staff at the Denver Art Museum, is the place to explore art from around the world and the people who made and used it. Your kids can explore fun facts about the art by rolling your mouse over the pictures, print out fun projects like masks, pencil and paper games, and other art activities. It’s the perfect gateway to a lifetime of art appreciation.