10 Kid-Friendly Activities in the Denver Area

Denver is a fantastic city for families, offering a wide array of fun activities to do with your kids. From engaging museums to outdoor adventures, The Mile High City has something fun for every age. Below, we highlight the best kid-friendly activities in the Denver area, ensuring your next family outing is a memorable one.

The Denver Zoo

Address: 2300 N Steele St, Denver, CO 80205 (on the eastern edge of City Park near 23rd and Colorado Blvd)

Cost: Admission is a paid ticket (around $20 for adults, less for kids; children two and under are usually free. Memberships are available). Denver residents can take advantage of occasional free days sponsored by the zoo!

Best Time to Visit: Go early in the morning when animals are most active and crowds are smaller. The zoo is open year-round; summer is great for a full day out, while winter evenings feature a special Zoo Lights display.

The Denver Zoo is a must-visit for animal lovers and is Denver’s most popular cultural attraction. Spanning 80 acres in City Park, it’s home to more than 3,000 animals from around the world. Kids will be thrilled to see elephants play, watch orangutans swing, and hear lions roar up close (when I lived across the street, I could listen to them from my window!). There’s also a Conservation Carousel and the Denver Zoo Railroad train ride for extra fun, making it perfect for even the littlest visitors. Educational exhibits and daily animal feedings keep children engaged while learning about wildlife conservation.

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Address: 2001 N Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80205 (immediately adjacent to the Zoo in City Park)

Cost: Admission is paid (approximately $25 for adults, $20 for kids; under three free). The museum also offers SCFD (Scientific & Cultural Facilities District) Free Days on select days for Colorado residents.

Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings are ideal to avoid crowds, especially during the school year. Plan to spend at least a half-day. On hot summer afternoons, this is a perfect indoor retreat. Don’t miss special events like Space Day or Discovery Zone activities scheduled throughout the day.

Right next door to the Zoo is the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS), where kids can journey through science, space, and history. This interactive museum lets families explore dinosaur fossils, ponder the mysteries of space in the planetarium, discover Egyptian mummies, and even catch giant-screen films at the Phipps IMAX theater. Young explorers will especially love the Discovery Zone, a hands-on area with dozens of activities – from archaeological sandpits where they can dig for “fossils” to moving water features they can splash and play with. The museum often provides scavenger hunt sheets for kids (like finding hidden elves in exhibits) to make exploring even more fun. It’s an educational playground that makes learning exciting for all ages.

Bonus - City Park

If you’re checking out either the Zoo or the Museum of Nature & Science, don’t miss out on City Park in general. Not only does the park house these adventures, but it also has a small lake with a boathouse, offering paddle boats and other water activities. Lots of trails, trees, and grass ensure that the largest park in Denver will keep your kids occupied for hours!

Children’s Museum of Denver

Address: 2121 Childrens Museum Dr, Denver, CO 80211

Cost: Admission is paid (around $18 for ages two and up; under one are free). Memberships are available for frequent visitors, and local organizations sponsor occasional discounted evenings or free nights.

Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings for fewer crowds (avoid mid-day on weekends if possible, as it gets busy). In warmer months, enjoy the outdoor splash zone and sand play areas; in winter, it’s a perfect indoor escape. Arrive right at opening for maximum playtime before nap schedules.

The Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus is all about kid-powered learning. It features one-of-a-kind exhibits that open doors for young minds to create, discover, and explore — on their terms. Whether your child is stepping inside a giant 6-foot bubble, zooming across a zip line, sculpting a clay masterpiece, or experimenting with the laws of motion, there’s always something new to try. Every exhibit is interactive and designed for hands-on play, which means kids are actively learning while having a blast. From a mini fire station to a pretend grocery market, the imaginative play areas here engage toddlers to elementary-aged kids alike. Parents will appreciate the safe, creative environment where kids can burn off energy and explore their creativity freely.

Denver Botanic Gardens & Mordecai Children’s Garden

Address: 1007 York St, Denver, CO 80206

Cost: Admission is ticketed (about $15 for adults, $11 for kids 3-15; under three are free). The Gardens offer free days throughout the year, which include the children’s garden. Stay up to date with their calendar here.

Best Time to Visit: Spring and summer offer the most colorful blooms and active play in the children’s garden. Mornings or late afternoons are ideal in hot weather. Fall brings cool colors and fewer crowds. Avoid midday heat in summer since the children’s garden is outdoors and can get warm.

For a calmer pace and some fresh air, head to the Denver Botanic Gardens. This urban oasis is an excellent place for kids to learn about plants and nature in a beautiful setting. What makes it especially fun for families is the Mordecai Children’s Garden, a magical rooftop garden designed just for kids. It’s like a living playground where children can experience six different Colorado ecosystems that change with each season. Little ones can wander over swinging bridges, splash in a mountain stream, dig in a dirt pit, and discover how vegetables grow in the gardens. The interactive elements in each area keep kids engaged, and they’re secretly learning about nature’s cycles as they play. Parents will love the relaxing scenery and the chance to introduce kids to gardening and the outdoors in a safe environment.

Bonus: Explore Chatfield Farms (an extension of the Botanic Garden organization), a 700-acre native plant refuge and working farm located along the banks of Deer Creek in Littleton!

Downtown Aquarium

Address: 700 Water St, Denver, CO 80211 (close to the Children’s Museum)

Cost: Admission is paid (roughly $25 for adults, $23 for children; under three free). The stingray feeding and rides have an extra fee. There’s also a paid restaurant inside with a giant tank – a fun way to grab a meal surrounded by fish.

Best Time to Visit: Weekdays or early on weekends to avoid the biggest crowds. Plan around feeding times or mermaid show schedules (posted online) to catch those highlights. Summer afternoons can be busy (since it’s a popular indoor escape), so earlier in the day is better for a relaxed visit.

The Downtown Aquarium in Denver combines the “looking” of an aquarium with a bit of interactive zoo flair. Kids will be mesmerized by the kaleidoscope of fish, sharks, stingrays, and surprise creatures like reptiles, birds, and even tigers in the rainforest exhibit. Beyond just walking through exhibits, the aquarium offers a lot of interactive fun: kids can feed the stingrays, pan for gold, watch mermaid shows, and even swim with the sharks(!) or spend the night in the aquarium on special overnight events. There’s also a themed Aquarium Express train and an aquatic carousel ride outside that younger kids love. With its mix of marine life and hands-on experiences, this aquarium keeps children wide-eyed and engaged throughout.

The Butterfly Pavilion

Address: 6252 W 104th Ave, Westminster, CO 80020 (a bit north of Denver)

Cost: Admission is moderate (about $17 for adults, $12 for kids 2-12, and free for under 2). You can often find discount days or special $5 evenings like their monthly Family Science Nights. Parking is also free on-site.

Best Time to Visit: Since the conservatory is kept warm and humid for the butterflies, this is great year-round (fantastic on a cold day to enjoy a tropical feel). Mornings tend to be quieter; butterflies are usually most active mid-day when it’s brightest. Utilize their occupancy tracker to see how busy the Pavilion is. If your child wants to hold Rosie the tarantula, check the schedule – generally, this is available daily but only during certain hours.

For a truly unique experience, take the kids to the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster. It’s one of the world’s first stand-alone invertebrate zoos dedicated to butterflies, bugs, and other tiny creatures. Children will step into a tropical conservatory where 1,600+ butterflies fly freely around – a magical scene with butterflies of every color flitting among lush plants. For kids with a bit of patience, standing still almost guarantees a butterfly will land on them. And The Pavilion isn’t just butterflies; interactive exhibits let kids hold Rosie the tarantula (a friendly Chilean rose-hair tarantula that’s famous in Denver) if they’re brave enough and see beetles, starfish, and other little critters up close. There’s also the Colorado Backyard play area with indoor play structures and live animals, perfect for younger ones to climb and explore. It’s a fun way to introduce children to nature’s smallest wonders in a safe, engaging environment.

Pro Tip: For moms looking for an alone-time escape, check out the programs offered by the Pavilion—I highly recommend the gardening classes!

Sloan’s Lake Park

Address: 1700 N Sheridan Blvd, Denver, CO

Cost: It’s free to visit, making it an easy and budget-friendly way to spend a day outdoors with kids! Free parking is available at the lake along 17th Ave and surrounding neighborhood streets.

Best Time to Visit: Mornings offer serene sunrises, calm waters for kayaking, and active wildlife, while afternoons in spring and fall bring mild weather and fewer crowds. Summer afternoons are great for picnicking and paddleboarding, though early mornings or evenings are best to avoid the heat and catch peaceful sunsets. For quiet visits, go on weekday mornings.

Sloan’s Lake is a fantastic spot for families looking for outdoor fun with kids. As the city’s largest lake, it offers a scenic setting with plenty of open space for little ones to run, play, and explore. Families can enjoy stroller-friendly walking and biking trails, a large playground, and open fields perfect for picnics or a game of frisbee. The lake itself provides opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, or simply watching ducks and boats glide across the water. Kids love spotting wildlife like geese, turtles, and even the occasional bald eagle. With beautiful views of both the Denver skyline and the Rocky Mountains, Sloan’s Lake Park is a great place to enjoy fresh air, sunshine, and active family time in a laid-back, natural setting. Check out fun local places to eat around the lake, like The Patio, to keep the good times going. They’re usually dog-friendly, too.

Hammond’s Candy Factory Tour

Address: 5735 Washington St, Denver, CO 80216

Cost: Free! Tours run every 30 minutes during business hours, but it’s wise to reserve online at least 24 hours before or call ahead (303-333-5588), especially on Saturdays. Walk-ins are accepted if space allows. Free parking is available on-site. And yes, free candy samples are included for tour guests.

Best Time to Visit: Tours operate year-round. Weekdays are typically less crowded than Saturdays. If you go during holiday seasons (like late fall for candy cane production), you might see seasonal treats being made. Arrive a bit early to catch the intro video, and note that strollers are welcome and the tour is only about a half-hour – perfect for short attention spans.

Here’s a fun and free treat: the Hammond’s Candy Factory Tour. Hammond’s Candies is a Denver-based candy company famous for its handmade candy canes, lollipops, and chocolates. Families can take a free 30-minute tour of the factory to see how these candies are made step by step. The tour begins with a short video about Hammond’s history (with some fun trivia to keep kids interested) and then leads you along viewing windows to watch candy makers pulling and twisting enormous ropes of candy for candy canes, pouring creamy chocolate, or molding lollipops. Best of all, every tour ends with a sweet treat: each guest gets a free sample of candy fresh from the factory. It’s a deliciously fun outing that won’t cost a dime.

Dinosaur Ridge

Address: 16831 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465. The main trail starts near the visitor center off West Alameda Parkway, just east of the Red Rocks Park.

Cost: Walking the ridge and seeing the fossil sites is free. The visitor center museum is also free, though donations are welcome. Guided shuttle tours are available for a fee (around $20 for adults, $14 for kids) if you want a narrated experience.

Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall are ideal for comfortable hiking weather. In summer, go in the morning to avoid midday heat (there’s little shade on the trail). Wear good walking shoes and bring water. Kids will enjoy the fossil dig areas at the visitor center and the guided tour (if they can sit through about 45 minutes); otherwise, the short self-guided walk to the main track site is only about a half-mile and perfect for younger children.

Got a science fan in the family? Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison is an exciting outdoor museum where kids can literally walk where dinosaurs once roamed. This site is famous as the location of some significant dinosaur discoveries, including the world’s first Stegosaurus fossils. Along the ridge trail, you can see and touch real dino bones and footprints still embedded in the rock! Kids are amazed to place their hands on Allosaurus and Stegosaurus bones in the rock wall and to follow the tracks of an Iguanodon preserved in the sandstone. There’s a small indoor visitor center with exhibits (and a gift shop with dino-themed goodies), but the main attraction is outdoors. You can do a free self-guided walk along the trail or opt for a paid guided shuttle tour for more detailed storytelling. It’s a fantastic mix of exercise, fresh air, and prehistoric adventure – a chance for kids to experience Colorado’s ancient history up close.

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre

Address: 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465. The park has multiple entrances; for the Amphitheatre, head to the Top Plaza or Trading Post parking areas.

Cost: The amphitheater is free to enter and explore on non-concert days. If a show or event is scheduled, the area might be closed to the public in the late afternoon/evening. Parking is free and available on multiple levels.

Best Time to Visit: Mornings are lovely and cooler for hikes. If you visit in summer, aim for earlier or late afternoon to avoid the heat reflecting off the rocks. Off-season (fall and spring) often means you have the amphitheater nearly to yourself. Check the Red Rocks calendar to ensure your visit doesn’t coincide with a ticketed event. Bring water, sunscreen, and a camera for those incredible views!

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre is a world-famous concert venue and a natural playground that families can enjoy for free when no events are happening. This stunning park is known for its dramatic 300-foot red sandstone monoliths, which form the world's only naturally formed, open-air amphitheater. Walking into the amphitheater is awe-inspiring – kids can clamber up and down the huge steps (great for burning energy!) and marvel at the towering rock formations. The visitor center at the top has a small museum where curious minds can learn how the amphitheater was formed and see photos of legendary concerts. For a dose of nature, the park offers family-friendly hiking trails like the Trading Post Trail, where you might spot lizards, rabbits, or hawks amid wildflowers and sweeping rock vistas. It’s also a fantastic spot for a picnic with an unforgettable view.

Pro Tip: Parents can enjoy other events like yoga to soak in the stunning environment sans kids!