Family Fun in Colorado: Activities for Kids

With its endless blue skies and a myriad of opportunities for hiking, climbing, and exploring, Colorado is a wonderful place to introduce kiddos to the great outdoors. However, there’s more to the state than just its stunning peaks and canyons; it is also bursting with rich history and vibrant culture. Consequently, you could spend weeks crisscrossing the state and never truly see it all. Don’t let that stop you from bundling everyone into the car and giving it a try!

Is Colorado Good for Kids?

Colorado’s outdoor wonders, coupled with abundant historic sites and family-friendly cities, make it a superb destination for all families. With an array of possibilities, consider selecting a few primary destinations, starting off in museum-packed Denver, and linking them together with a flexible driving plan.

Ensure to check road conditions before traveling, as mountain roads can close during winter, and highways can become congested on weekends and holidays. Therefore, snacks and fully charged devices will go a long way in keeping everyone entertained during unexpected delays.

If headed to the mountains, remember to pack layers and warm hats, as temperatures can fluctuate widely throughout the day even in summer. Also, do not forget sun hats, sunscreen, and water bottles, which are essential for enjoying outdoor activities safely.

National Parks Offer Exciting Family Adventures

Colorado’s four national parks are spectacularly distinct and offer camping, outdoor recreation, kid-oriented exhibitions, and fascinating programs. Engage in ranger-led tours and campfire talks, typically offered daily, to learn valuable insights about each park.

• Rocky Mountain National Park: This iconic park features hundreds of granite peaks, glistening lakes, flower-filled meadows, and dense forests. Known for its extensive network of trails, it offers hikes suitable for all fitness levels and opportunities to observe a variety of wildlife.
• Great Sand Dunes National Park: Located in the south, this park attracts families with its otherworldly dune fields, offering off-trail hiking and exhilarating sand sledding down towering slopes. In late spring, the Medano Creek flows alongside the dunes, creating a perfect oasis for fun water activities.
• Mesa Verde National Park: This park features the country’s largest and best-preserved Native American archaeological site. Explore extensive cliff dwellings, view rock art, and learn about the history of the Ancestral Puebloans, providing a unique glimpse into ancient life.
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: Known for its breathtaking views into the nation’s deepest canyon, this park primarily caters to older kids due to fewer guardrails but offers an enriching experience nonetheless.

Discover Colorado’s Wildlife Centers and Zoos

For little ones fascinated by wildlife, a visit to one of Colorado’s wildlife sanctuaries is sure to delight. Near Denver, the Wild Animal Sanctuary houses over 600 rescued predators such as lions, tigers, and bears, allowing for easy observation from a 1.5-mile elevated walkway.

Outside of Colorado Springs, the Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center provides engaging learning experiences with wolves, foxes, and coyotes, often concluding with a fun group howl. Additionally, Raptor enthusiasts should not miss the Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center, which rehabilitates over 200 injured birds of prey annually and offers guided tours.

Dinosaur Adventures Await

If you’re traveling with young dinosaur enthusiasts, Colorado is an ideal destination to witness fossilized dinosaur bones and tracks in their original settings. Dinosaur National Monument is a quintessential stop where visitors can touch dinosaur skeletons and see over 1,500 prehistoric bones embedded in a dramatic cliff face.

Museums: A Hub of Educational Fun

In the urban centers of Colorado, junior travelers will find numerous interactive museums. The Children’s Museum Denver Marisco Campus is a must-see, featuring imaginative exhibits and activities tailored for kids under ten. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is another highlight, housing exhibits that range from the fascinating to the bizarre, alongside an IMAX theater and planetarium.

Explore Colorado’s Rich Old West History

Experience Colorado’s Old West heritage by visiting iconic sites that tell the stories of its intriguing past. Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site is excellent for families, where staff dressed in period clothing share insights about early prairie life. The Trinidad History Museum offers excellent exhibits that delve into the storied Santa Fe Trail.

Additionally, for hands-on experiences, visit ghost towns where you can wander past weathered cabins and imaginarily step back in time. Some easily accessible sites include Ashcroft and Independence outside Aspen, as well as St Elmo near Buena Vista.

This guide serves as a comprehensive resource for planning unforgettable family adventures in Colorado.