As a parent, you want your family to enjoy summer. No more laying around in front of the TV or summer boredom this year.
And there’s no better place to explore summer fun than in Colorado.
300 days of sunshine? You bet.
There’s the Rocky Mountains, of course. And plenty of natural beauty to explore. But there’s also a wealth of family-friendly activities to enjoy all around the state.
Waterparks, engaging museums, art galleries — there’s something for every member of your family no matter what they’re interested in.
To get you started, we’ve rounded up the best family-friendly Colorado attractions for kids 10 and under so you can make your summer bucket-list and hit the road.
Your kids won’t complain about being bored this summer!
Museums For Kids
Museums aren’t as stuffy as they used to be. These days, kids are actually encouraged to touch, play, and explore many of the items and activities around the museums.
Colorado has quite a few kid-friendly museums, so you’ll want to plan ahead and hit as many as you can this summer.
The Colorado Railroad Museum
The Colorado Railroad Museum is ideal for curious kids. They’ll enjoy train rides in diesel locomotives, steam engines, passenger cars, and even Thomas the Train.
They’ve got a 15-acre rail land and more than 100 engines to explore.
Your visit won’t be complete without visiting their renowned library, exhibit galleries, working turntables, and Roundhouse restorations facility. At the General Depot Store, you’ll find thousands of rail souvenirs for you and your family to take home.
This museum has special group programs and rates as well. They open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. However, there are special hours on themed train rides and special events.
To be part of these events, simply pay in advance for the limited slots. They’re currently operating trains at reduced capacity.
Check out all the cool trains >
Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum
This is the home of the only remaining WWII-era bombers, BA-Lancers, and RF-K84 Thunder flash, making it the perfect place for your future pilots, engineers, and history buffs.
It has a rich research library, archives, and collections dedicated to the building’s historic operations as an Air Force base.
If you’re looking for some extended fun, sign your kids up for the week-long aerospace camp this summer. There they’ll learn all about living on Mars, robotics and drones, and what it takes to be a pilot!
The Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum is open from Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm and from 12 pm to 4 pm on Sundays.
Book your aviation adventure >
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Denver Museum of Nature and Science has several free virtual events for kids and adults if you’re staying in this summer.
But if you’re coming to visit, it will be an experience they’ll never forget.
Your kids can watch insightful documentaries, participate in live demonstrations, and chat with real paleontologists while checking out the exhibits.
From dinosaur bones to space exploration — your kids will get an educational experience (while also enjoying the AC on a hot summer’s day).
They open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, except on Friday when they open from 9 am to 9 pm.
Grab a ticket and see what’s to explore >
Fun with Animals
Kids and animals go together like…well, kids and animals!
Colorado has tons of opportunities to experience local wildlife that you won’t get anywhere else. Make sure to add these to the top of your summer bucket list for your family while you’re in town.
Denver Aquarium
This is the perfect place for spectacular marine life, family fun, and upscale-casual dining.
Here, fish and coral reefs come to life in some the most unique ways. Get a seafloor view in bubbles that your kids can crawl into, or say hello to the big sharks.
Ever want to see a sloth paint? Yeah, you can do that here too!
Summer family nights also include discounted exhibits, kids meals, and free activities. Who could say no to that kind of fun?
They’re open Sunday to Thursday from 11 am to 8 pm, and from 11 am to 8.30 pm on Friday and Saturday. If you’re bringing a large group, they also organize customized group tours.
Find Nemo at the Denver Aquarium >
The Wild Animal Sanctuary
This is the world’s largest wild animal sanctuary with a fascinating variety of animals for your kids to see. Here, you can watch mountain lions, jaguars, coyotes, leopards, alpacas, and more.
Home to over 650 rescued animals, you can learn all about the animals (while staying at a safe distance, of course).
Plan a picnic diner to watch the animals in the evening when they’re most active or watch the sunset in the jungle. The elevated jungle walkway gives you a clear view of the jungle and all the unforgettable animal activities.
Learn more about Zimba the Lion and Leia the Lynx >
The Butterfly Pavilion
The Butterfly Pavilion is conveniently located only 15 minutes’ drive away from downtown Denver, making it a perfect stop while you’re in the city.
They organize insightful summer camp programs for kids 5-12 to help them explore the world of invertebrates. Your kids can watch as butterflies emerge from their cocoons, or get courageous and hold Rosie, the resident Tarantula!
You can also participate in Colorado Backyard, the newest interactive exhibit for kids. Here they can learn about their roles in the ecosystem, and be inspired about caring for nature and insects.
Get up close and personal with a butterfly >
Get Your Kids Out in Nature
Colorado is surely a top state for natural wonders and national parks. You can take full advantage of the beautiful landscapes and partake in plenty of unique adventures.
Explore caves, hang from zip-lines, and take selfies from the most historic mountain ranges in the world!
Did we mention all the sunshine?
Cave of the Winds
If you’re beginner cavers (or experts), your family will love this unique and kid-friendly spot. You’ll start above ground, then you’ll be guided through 196 stairs leading to 15 cave rooms.
This will take you along a ½-mile walkway to see spectacular formations in the caves and learn about their history and rare geology.
If you have older kids, you can opt for a longer and deeper tour of the caves that lead to the heart of the mountain. The pathways are narrower and rooms a little muddy, so be sure to wear appropriate boots and layers for the cold cave.
The stairs are also uneven with natural floors, so this isn’t the best choice if you have toddlers who require lots of assistance.
While you’re down in the caves, your guide will narrate scary ghost stories and tell you the spooky Cave of the Winds history.
You can also play above ground on the zip lining course and Terror-dactyl amusement ride.
Explore stalactites and stalagmites in these cool caves >
Garden of the Gods
This is your magical stop for first-range climbing, biking, and Jeep and Segway tours.
This is the most visited garden in the region, with more than 300 sandstone rock formations set against a backdrop of brilliant blue skies and a snow-covered Pikes Peak.
It’s perfect for a day-hike or checking out the activities along the way like the Junior Rangers program or a guided nature walk.
The Garden of Gods also has monthly classes, activities, and presentations by local experts as well as a restaurant on-site where you can enjoy your meals in the brilliant scenery of Pikes Peak.
Go for a hike to Garden of the Gods with your kids >
Kid-Friendly Colorado Adventures
Some kids just need a thrill.
You can ditch the screen time this summer and get your kids out on active adventures they’ll remember for years to come.
Colorado has some epic activities for the thrill-seeking kid in your family. Don’t forget to grab a helmet!
Edge Zip-Lines
Edge Zip-Lines have among the longest and fastest cables in Colorado. Here they can dangle (safely) from a zip-line and fly through the sky.
You can also try the Sky Trek with 110 unique obstacles or the Adventure Tower with thrilling jumps and vertical climbs. They will definitely feel the wind in their hair with these activities!
You can also choose a pass that gives you all-year access if your kids can’t stop talking about it after your first visit.
Take the leap of faith at Edge Zip-Lines >
Summer Fun at Mountain Kids Louisville
You don’t have to look too far for adventure this summer.
You can come into Mountain Kids for all your summer fun needs!
If you’re looking for the best and most progressive gymnastics, ninja, and dance program, you know where to find us. We have fun-filled programs, camps, and classes for every unique kid.
Want to be a Ninja for a day?
Mountain Kids Louisville Ninja Zone combines freestyle, gymnastics, and martial arts movements to boost athleticism and coordination with fun instructors.