Aside from being a geological wonder 70 million years in the making, Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre is one of the world's most famous concert venues and a must-see site for any music enthusiast, young or old. Kids love exploring the trails surrounding the amphitheater, and a spectacular view of the plains makes it a perfect place for a kid-friendly hike.
Anyone with even the smallest sweet tooth will love this free tour, which gets you behind the scenes at Hammond's Candies, a company that has been making candy in Denver since 1920. You'll come away with a newfound respect for the candy industry, plenty of free samples — and maybe a cavity or two.
Tattered Cover Book Store
The Tattered Cover Book Store, arguably the top independent bookseller in the country, hosts hundreds of free children's events throughout the year, including lectures, book release parties and author appearances.
The 155-acre park is one of Denver's largest and is consistently voted by locals as their favorite. Wash Park's expansive lawns, manicured gardens and Smith Lake offer plentiful recreation opportunities, including paddle boating, and there are several trails, including one that goes around the perimeter of the park. This is an ideal setting for a family picnic, tossing the Frisbee around or just hanging out in the sunshine.
Denver is an undisputed sports paradise, and while tickets to the major sporting events don't come cheap, in-the-know baseball fanatics purchase Colorado Rockies baseball Rockpile seats at deeply discounted rates.
Art Programs for Kids
The world-class Denver Art Museum — free for those 18 and younger every day and free for all the first Saturday of each month — 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, stop by the family space on level three of the Hamilton Building for activities. Then pick up Gallery Games —small activity boards that help kids learn about artwork through games similar to I spy, bingo and memory matching — which you'll find in various galleries and exhibits throughout the museum.
Smudge, squiggle and splatter at Create Playdates on the second Wednesday of the month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (extended to 2 p.m. June–August). Drop in with your little ones (the program is geared toward ages 3–5, but older and younger kids are also welcome) to meet up with other tots for artmaking, storytime throughout the museum and instructor-guided "close looking" to explore artwork. Create Playdates explore a new theme every other month and are available in English and Spanish. Got some little detectives? They'll love Foxy and Shmoxy: Art Detectives, held the second Sunday of each month from September to May.
DAM also offers a wide array of art-centric classes and camps for kids every spring break, fall break, Thanksgiving break, winter break and throughout the summer.
Contemporary art can be for kids, too! The Bubble Garden at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver is a dedicated, artist-designed space for kids and families that engages families in creative and imaginative ways. This space provides opportunities for families to be together and play, and is a destination inside the museum.
MCA Denver is free for all kids and teens 18 and younger.
Not only does Hudson Gardens have thirty acres of gardens and trails, but they also have tons of family-friendly classes and programs! From programs like the hands-on Photography & Painting Enrichment Program to drum circles and beyond, Hudson Gardens is so much more than a garden.
