The YMCA of Boulder Valley is currently registering youngsters for fall programs. During Welcoming Week through September 24, they can visit and try youth sports, swim lessons, after-school and teen programs and more for FREE. Click here for details. There are three locations to serve Boulder, Broomfield and Weld Counties. Click here for addresses and phone numbers.
Family Activities
Enchanted Forest 2017 Beckons Families To Nederland
With spectacular weekend weather predicted, the mountains beckon. Avoid I-70 traffic and head for a nearby mountain town for fall fun and fall colors. Today, Saturday, September 23, Nederland’s Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center hosts the 17th Annual Enchanted Forest from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. At the in-town nature center itself, youngsters can meet the live birds of prey and a young Tyrannosaur, get their faces painted and make their own costumes. Catch the FREE shuttle to Wild Bear’s property at Mud Lake Open Space, where the fun continues. [Read more…] about Enchanted Forest 2017 Beckons Families To Nederland
Free Admission To Colorado Museums on September 23
MHOTC loves museums! That’s why we value this annual event. Saturday, September 23 is the 13th annual Smithsonian Museum Day Live!, offering FREE admission to several museums in Colorado and more than 1,300 across the U.S. To get the complimentary tickets, fill out an online form with some basic information. Once you register, request your tickets. Each ticket is good for FREE admission for two people. When your ticket arrives in your inbox, just print it and you’re ready to open your mind and not your wallet! [Read more…] about Free Admission To Colorado Museums on September 23
Be A Firefighter For The Day at West Metro’s Family Fire Muster
Dream of being a firefighter for a day? Now’s your chance. West Metro Fire Protection District hosts its annual Family Fire Muster on Saturday, September 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its Training Center. The event is FREE and you’ll see all kinds of live demonstrations. Fire engines, cool gear, firefighters… what’s not to like? [Read more…] about Be A Firefighter For The Day at West Metro’s Family Fire Muster
50% Off Harvest Farm Fall Festival and Corn Maze
Wellington’s Harvest Farm epitomizes a working farm: crops, animals and tons of space. That makes it the perfect setting for a corn maze and fall festival. Families flock to the farm every year to celebrate the season and enjoy a full lineup of 30+ attractions, including a 10-acre corn maze with three separate trails ranging from easy to expert, hay-wagon rides, petting zoo, obstacle course (suspension bridge, tires, balance beams and tunnels), plus pig races, barrel train and a pumpkin patch. For a limited time you can buy single-day admission for two people for $15 or single-day admission for four people for $29. That’s 50% off! Harvest Farm opens September 30 and operates Saturdays and Sundays through October 29. For other area corn mazes and pumpkin patches check our 2017 list.
‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ at Miners Alley Childrens Theatre
Ichabod Crane has come to Sleepy Hollow, but what he learns there frightens him nearly out of his wits! Watch as Ichabod tries to escape the clutches of the Headless Horseman in the play The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at Miners Alley with performances every Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. from September 16 through October 28. During this production designed for children (ages 12 and younger), the audience becomes part of the story. Tickets are $10 and available online or by calling 303-935-3044. 1224 Washington Ave., Golden.
Free Days at Museums & More in September
Summer may be over, but there’s lots of fall fun to be had around town. Frugal families looking for low-cost adventures in the Mile High City can start with this month’s FREE Days: Denver Art Museum (September 2 and 9), Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus (September 5; 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.), Four Mile Historic Park (September 8; noon to 4 p.m.), Denver Museum of Nature & Science (September 17) and Clyfford Still Museum (September 29; admission is also FREE every Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.) Check out our events calendar and click on “View Events By Month” for quick and easy planning. [Read more…] about Free Days at Museums & More in September
Corn Mazes and Pumpkin Patches 2017
Corn mazes and pumpkin patches are abundant in September and October. Here’s a list of what we know is happening, along with any coupons or discounts. We’ve also included a handy map below , which should help you easily locate the attractions. Just click on the corn icon for more details. Be sure to check out our Halloween Haunted Houses list for a more ghastly experience. All attractions are open through October 31, unless otherwise noted.
Cottonwood Farms Halloween Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze, Boulder. Totally FREE except for wagon rides and pumpkins. Corn maze, straw-bale maze, farm animals including chickens, a goat and donkey, farm-equipment on display. Hay ride on Saturday and Sunday is $3. Open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Opens September 23. 1535 75th St. (75th St. & Arapahoe Rd.), 720-890-4766. Map
Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms Corn Maze, Littleton. Seven-acre corn maze. Mini maze for the little ones. View the design from two 15-foot tall illuminated bridges. Admission also includes unlimited jumping pillow, one hayride and one barrel train ride (for children 10 and younger). Pony rides, hamster balls and food available for additional fee. Open Fridays & Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets: $14/adults, $13 seniors, military and students with ID, $12/adult members, $11/children (4-12), $9/child members. Opens September 15. Through October 29. 8500 West Deer Creek Canyon, 303-973-3705. Map
Fritzler Corn Maze, La Salle. Fifteen-acre corn maze, plus jumping pillow, slide mountain, Verti-scope, spider web to climb, pumpkin patch, paintball adventure. Family-friendly during the day. Scream Acres for adults only at night. Hours and days vary. Tickets individual or combo deals for all activities: $13 to $40. Opens September 16. 20861 CR 33, 970-737-2129. Map
Harvest Farm Fall Festival & Corn Maze, Wellington. Ten-acre corn maze, hay bale maze, pig races, petting zoo, goat city, playground, corn cannons, barrel train and more. Open Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Tickets: $15/adults, $13/kids (4-12) & $10/seniors (60+). Opens September 30. Through October 29. Colorado Highway 1 & E. County Rd. 66. Map
Maze in the City, Thornton. 20-acre “Crazed Corn” maze, mini maze for young children, pumpkin patch, jumping castle, air slide, kids’ activities and more. While visitors navigate their way through the cornfield, they are invited to engage in a one-of-a-kind smartphone trivia game. Open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: $12/adults, $9 kids (6-12), $8/Seniors 55+ on Tuesdays, kids 5 and younger are FREE. Additional charge for some rides & activities. 10451 McKay Rd., Thornton., Thornton, 720-408-0006. Opens September 29. Map
Mile High Farms, Bennett. Two corn mazes, a petting zoo, hayride, pumpkin patch, barrel cart rides, bounce castles, face painting, playground, entertainment and concessions. Open Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: $14/adults, $10/kids (4-12), seniors (60+) & military. Extra $4 charge for horse-drawn wagon rides through cottonwood forest. 11 Cavanaugh Rd, Bennett, 303-344-2676. Opens September 30. Map
Munson Farms, Boulder. Wander the huge pumpkin patch for FREE to pick your own, and pay by weight/size. Specializes in 10 varieties of heirloom pumpkins. Open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Valmont Rd. & 75th St., Boulder, 415-298-1500. Map
Nick’s Garden Center, Aurora. Straw maze, family tractor ride through the Tunnel of Terror (not too terrifying, in fact), kiddie train ride, jumping castles (one just for tots 5 and under). Huge pumpkin patch – more than 100 tons in all shapes and sizes. Open rain or shine Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tokens needed for hayride, pedal kart, train & castles. Tokens $1 each or an all-activity wristband for $13. 2001 S. Chambers Rd. (2 blocks north of Iliff), Aurora, 303-696-6657. Opens October 1. Map
Rock Creek Farm, Broomfield. Four corns mazes of varying lengths and complexity, kids plays area with hay bale maze, inflatable slide and farm animals. U-Pick-Em pumpkins and concessions. Admission and parking are FREE. Fee of $6 to $9 to explore corn mazes. Extra charge for pumpkins or food & drink. Open daily 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 2005 S. 112th St., Broomfield. Opens September 30. Map
Denver’s in the Money! Visit The Money Museum For Free
Have you ever wondered what $30 million looks like? Well, you can take a peek at Denver’s very own Money Museum. (No, this is not part of the U.S. Mint on West Colfax Avenue.) However, it is part of the Federal Reserve of Kansas City – Denver Branch’s community outreach efforts. The Denver Money Museum Experience offers a “wealth of opportunities” to explore the nation’s financial system and the functions of the Federal Reserve. [Read more…] about Denver’s in the Money! Visit The Money Museum For Free
Carousel of Happiness Rides Cost $1; The Happiness is Free
The Carousel of Happiness is Nederland’s magical menagerie featuring 56 whimsical, hand-carved animals on a restored 1910 Looff carousel, turning to the music of a 1913 Wurlitzer ban organ. Rides are only $1. Visitors to the Carousel can also enjoy picnicking at Barker Reservoir, hiking the trails of the Mud Lake and Caribou Ranch open space areas and the Indian Peak Wilderness Area. In the winter, the carousel is a popular stop for families enjoying Eldora Mountain Resort. While the carousel is open year-round, days and hours vary depending on season. Check the website for details. 20 Lakeview Dr., Nederland, 303-258-3457.
Parents: Review Our Updated “Kids Eat Free” Page
Dining out can be very expensive, especially with the whole family. That’s why frugal families stretch their dollars by eating at restaurants where kids eat FREE or at a discount. Recently, we spent hours (and hours) updating our “Kids Eat FREE” page for you, our dear readers. (You’re welcome!) You can review our updated Kids Eat FREE page here.
However, we still highly encourage you to check first, before loading up the kids — as offers often change. If you’re in doubt about any requirements or restrictions, ask first before ordering. Or, even better yet, call ahead. An unexpected large tab can be quite frustrating for parents, so don’t be shy about asking questions.
We’ve also included a list of the basic guidelines, so you’re better prepared to navigate the menu of offers. If you know of a KEF promo we missed, send us an e-mail at bryan@milehighonthecheap.com.
Free Story Time For Kids at Grandrabbit’s Toy Shoppes
Looking for a low-key kids activity? Every week, Grandrabbit’s Toy Shop hosts a FREE story time for kids followed by a FREE themed craft afterward. The event runs from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays at two Grandrabbit’s locations. Locations are 14644 Orchard Pkwy., Westminster, 303-815-1500; and 2525 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, 303-443-0780.
Check Out Colorado State Parks Pass at Libraries
How many of Colorado’s 42 state parks have you visited? Now you and your family can visit any or all of them for FREE. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has teamed up with the Colorado State Library to offer the Check-Out Colorado program. Each of 287 libraries (including public, military and college/university libraries) has two seven-day hang-tag park passes good for entrance to all Colorado state parks, and they can be reserved and checked-out just as books can. The pass also includes a backpack a guide to Colorado’s state parks, a set of binoculars, a copy of Wildlife Viewing Guide Book and field guides to trees, wildflowers and wildlife.
Each state park pass allows FREE entry (normally $7 to $9) into the parks for one carload of visitors. filled with park information and educational activities. Hike or bike the multi-use trails, find wildlife in their natural surroundings, visit a nature center or bring a picnic. With a license or camping reservation, you can try fishing or camp out overnight. Visit your local library or check the Participating Libraries List to find a library near you.
Step Back in Time with Living History at The Fort
The Tesoro Cultural Center, a tireless keeper of Western traditions, introduces The Tesoro Living History Experience over 20 summer weekends beginning June 2-4 and wrapping up October 13-15, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Opening weekend features demonstration powwows on Friday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and a contest powwow on Saturday. The series launches with the 17th annual Powwow Re-enactors and storytellers bring traditions of the Old West to life. Artisans demonstrate such skills as flint-lock rifle shooting, buffalo hide scraping and more. [Read more…] about Step Back in Time with Living History at The Fort
Westminster’s Movies in the Park
Grab the family and a picnic basket for a good time under the summer stars. The City of Westminster and RE/MAX Alliance are hosting Movies in the Park on select Fridays from June to September. Admission is FREE. The venue opens at 7 p.m. with food vendors and pre-movie activities. Movies start at dusk. Here’s the line-up: June 2 – The Jungle Book at Irving Street Park (7392 Irving St.); June 23 – The Secret Life of Pets at Westminster Stadium (6989 Raleigh St.); June 30 – Storks at Legacy Ridge Golf Course (10801 Legacy Ridge Pkwy.); July 21 – Finding Dory at Countryside Ballfields (10510 Oak St.); August 4 – A Dog’s Purpose at Standley Lake Regional Park (100th Ave. & Simms St.); August 25 – Moana at City Park (10475 Sheridan Blvd); and September 22 – Zootopia at Big Dry Creek Park (1700 W. 128th Ave.) It’s perfect for frugal families looking for a night of fun and relaxation.
