We know frugal families are well-versed on the FREE Days at museums and attractions across the city. Therefore, rather than posting each one individually, we created a comprehensive list of all the FREE days for easy one-stop “shopping.” Most of the free days are funded, in part, by taxes collected through the Science and Cultural Facilities District. Others are funded by corporate sponsorship. We’re lucky to live in a city with so many wonderful institutions to explore without breaking the bank. However, it’s important to note that the FREE Days are very popular. (Translation: Be prepared to deal with large crowds and allow time to search for a good parking spot.) To review our page, click here. Of course, if we find a FREE Day of note because of some special attraction or exhibit, we’ll post it for you.
Family Activities
Game On! Deals & Discounts at Dave & Buster’s
Game on! Families looking for lots of fun-packed action should head to Dave & Buster’s. The entertainment complex has it all — sports bar, restaurant and arcade. Now, this is not your typical arcade. For those old enough, it’s not Pac-Man, Centipede or Frogger anymore. Now, everything is much more high-tech and interactive.
The destination offers some of the most cutting-edge video games, many based on hit movies. On the flip side, they also offer many “carnival” arcade games for those who prefer their gaming a little more traditional, but still lots of fun. (On the arcade games, players earn tokens for high scores, which can be redeemed for some really cool prizes.) [Read more…] about Game On! Deals & Discounts at Dave & Buster’s
Timbuk Toys’ Weekly Story Play Time, $10 Discount For Birthday Boys & Girls
Timbuk Toys brings Denver the world’s best toys for learning, laughter and fun. However, they offer families more than just toys. In all of its stores, they have interactive play stations where kids can have fun with its toys and parents can see how its curated selection of toys enrich the play experience.
Plus, they offer a weekly Story Play Time for toddlers and pre-schoolers, an interactive hour of entertainment and engagement by the beloved Mr. Paul. [Read more…] about Timbuk Toys’ Weekly Story Play Time, $10 Discount For Birthday Boys & Girls
Go Wild For Free On Your Birthday at Denver Zoo
If you’re an animal lover, here’s the perfect way to go wild on your birthday, courtesy of the Denver Zoo.
The popular attraction offers complimentary admission on your birthday, as well as a few more treats to make the day extra special. [Read more…] about Go Wild For Free On Your Birthday at Denver Zoo
Denver Art Museum: Free Entry For Kids All The Time
The Denver Art Museum is now welcoming kids ages 18 and under for FREE. Grown-ups still have to pay admission (and there may be fees for special exhibits), but Free for Kids applies every day the museum is open. To get the free entry, simply come to the Denver Art Museum welcome desk, and everyone ages 18 and under receives a FREE general admission ticket.
The museum offers families a ton of options. The Family Activity Cart, included with admission, offers bilingual backpacks and Art Tubes filled with activities for kids of all ages. The Just For Fun Center and Kids Corner spaces are filled with kid-centric projects including costumes, memory games, architectural blocks, art making and more.
Find a list of family fun at the Denver Art Museum here. 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., Denver.
Free Community Runs from Shake Shack
Shake Shack is known far and wide for burgers, hot dogs, fries and shakes. It is now offering a way to burn off some of those calories. Shake Shack Track & Field hosts FREE community runs on the second Tuesday of each month beginning on August 14. The runs, which are open to all ages and abilities, take off from and return to two metro Denver Shake Shack locations — RiNo and Highlands Ranch. Upon return, the first beverage back at “the Shack” is FREE.
Click here to register, and then meet the group meet at the Shake Shack of your choice at 6:30 p.m. for the 3- to 4-mile loop led by Boulder Running Company. The RiNo Shack is at 995 Larimer St.. Denver, 720-543-8609. The south suburban Shack is at 1509 Park Central Dr., Suite 100, Highlands Ranch, 720-452-1007.
JeffCo Open Space Offers Free, Fun Nature & History Programs
Connecting with the natural world is easy in Colorado. All you have to do is head east to the plains or west into the mountains. FREE programs take place in a variety of Jefferson County Open Space parks, including Lookout Mountain Nature Center (LMNC) and the Hiwan Homestead Museum, throughout the year. The Center offers a variety of nature programs with topics that explore the diversity and richness of the foothills. Discover wildlife, plants, geology, astronomy and more. [Read more…] about JeffCo Open Space Offers Free, Fun Nature & History Programs
Free Attraction & Museum Passes Thru Jeffco Library
The Jefferson County Public Library offers FREE passes to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Butterfly Pavilion, Denver Firefighters Museum, Dinosaur Ridge, the Denver Trolley, Golden History Museums, History Colorado Center, MCA Denver. Molly Brown House, Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum and Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls & Toys.
Passes are available in limited quantities each day and allow different numbers of people to enter the attraction at no cost. You must have a current JCPL library card (you’ll need the number handy to get your pass), but any Colorado resident can get a card, as long as you present some sort of photo ID at any one of its library locations.
Because the Culture Pass page can be sorted by date, the simplest method is to pick your day and see what’s available.
Free Subscription to LEGO Life Magazine
Parents will “take issue” with this freebie from LEGO. Kids always enjoy receiving mail and, if they’re LEGO fans, this offer will make them run even faster to the mailbox. LEGO Life Magazine is a FREE magazine created for kids between ages 5 and 9, mailed to your home five times a year. Every issue is packed full of LEGO news and behind-the-bricks interviews, comic adventures, games and puzzles, building challenges and Cool Creations built by LEGO fans, as well as sneak peeks at the latest sets and themes. Parents can subscribe here.
MY Denver Card – Free Fun and Activities For Kids
The MY Denver Card just keeps getting better. What started as a program to give kids (ages 5 to 18) FREE year-round access to the city’s 24 recreation centers and 29 pools, as well as the Denver Public Library, also includes FREE admission and/or other deals at 13 arts, culture and science organizations and attractions, including the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver Zoo, History Colorado Center and, Buffalo Bill Museum.
Benefits at the various cultural sites are offered at various times throughout the year, so you need to check the MY Denver Card site for specifics. [Read more…] about MY Denver Card – Free Fun and Activities For Kids
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.