If you’re a parent in Denver, you already know the city is packed with opportunities for family fun—but finding fresh, kid-approved activities can still be a challenge. Whether you’re planning a weekend outing, looking for after-school adventures, or trying to keep the kids entertained during school breaks, Denver offers an incredible variety of attractions, parks, and hands-on experiences designed with families in mind.
From exploring the interactive exhibits at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science to meeting animals from around the world at the Denver Zoo, local families have no shortage of educational and exciting places to visit. Kids can burn off energy at outdoor favorites like City Park or dive into immersive art experiences at Meow Wolf Denver.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best things to do with kids in Denver whether you’re a local family or a visitor. Whether you have toddlers, elementary-age kids, or teens, these activities will help you make the most of family time right here in the Mile High City.
What to Do with Kids in Denver
1. Visit the Denver Zoo or Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
The Denver area offers two great zoos for you to see all the lions, tigers and bears. Don’t miss a peek into the animal hospital at the Denver Zoo. If you’re heading to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs make sure you bring you walking shoes as the zoo trails offer a good incline hike! See our full guide here.
2. Explore at Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Denver Museum of Nature & Science is an in interactive museum with dinosaur fossils, space exhibits, wildlife, mummies and more! Check out the Infinity Theater and Planetarium for even more experiences.
3. Hands-On Play at the Children’s Museum
The Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus is a huge interactive museum where kids can climb, build, splash in water exhibits, and explore STEM activities. Joy Park is super fun when it’s nice weather and the Bloom Exhibit features fun for the smallest visitors. Check out our full guide here.
4. Experience an Immersive Art World at Meow Wolf
Meow Wolf Denver – Convergence Station is like nothing you’ve expereinced before. A surreal, colorful art playground with tunnels, secret passages, and interactive rooms. Kids love exploring the “alien worlds” and discovering hidden doors. See our full guide.
5. Walk Through the Butterfly Pavilion
The Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster lets visitors walk through a tropical conservatory with colorful butterflies fluttering all around you. You can also explore nature, insect and ocean exhibits. See our full guide.
6. Wings Over the Rockies Museum
At the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, kids can see fighter jets, helicopters, and space exhibits. Some events even allow children to climb into aircraft cockpits.
8. Explore the Denver Botanic Gardens
The Mordecai Children’s Garden at the Denver Botanic Gardens – York Street features bridges, water features, and hands-on nature play areas that teach kids about ecosystems.
9. Walk Where Dinosaurs Once Roamed
Just outside Denver, kids can see real dinosaur footprints and fossils in rock and learn about prehistoric Colorado at Dinosaur Ridge.
10. Ride a Train at the Colorado Railroad Museum
The Colorado Railroad Museum is the place in the Denver area for train lovers. This museum in Golden features train rides, an outdoor rail yard, minature trains, a train garden and special events.
What to Do with Babies Toddlers in Denver
Kids Dig in Littleton features a large 40-ton sandbox for kids 7 and under.
Kids Wonder features something for all ages at its play center in Centennial. For crawlers, a soft area features climbers, slides, small play houses and a tiny bounce house.
Monkey Bizness in Parker and Westminster are indoor playgrounds perfect for a cold or rainy day.
The WOW! Children’s Museum in Boulder County offers a chance to charge your toddler’s imagination and creativity. Bring the little ones here to introduce them to science, physics, and survival skills through experiments and demonstrations.
Sharks, fish, eels, and more fill the tanks at the Denver Aquarium. There are hands-on opportunities to touch a variety of sea creatures. Check the website for mermaid shows!
From the early learner’s oasis to the hands-on play with bubbles, water, art and more, Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus is a great place for babies and toddlers alike.
The Butterfly Pavilion, 15 minutes from downtown, allows you to interact up close with butterflies, moths and other invertebrates.
For more ideas, visit our guide to 20+ Things to Do with Babies and Toddlers.
What to Do with Teens In Denver
Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park with both roller coasters and a seasonal water park is a teenager’s dream. Season passes are reasonable and include parking!
Skateboards adore Downtown Denver Skatepark, with its 60,000 square feet of terrain to use. Bonus, it’s free!
Climb the Rock Alpine Garden at the Denver Botanic Gardens.
Ninja Nation offers classes, birthday parties and open gym times to live out their Ninja Warrior dreams.
Monster Mini Golf is a unique venue providing 18 Holes of Monster Mini Golf, as well as an arcade and VR experience.
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts provides Broadway tours, local productions and immersive experiences for all ages.
Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre is the most beautiful spot for running around the trails, hiking, viewing outdoor movies, taking a yoga class and so much more!
