Kids Fun

Cheap Fun With Kids in Denver and Boulder

Denver and Boulder are paradise for families. No matter the season, there’s always something to do with your kids in Denver for free or on the cheap. We won’t even go into the outdoor recreational activities, such as hiking, biking, skiing or whitewater rafting. You know about all that stuff.

But how about holding a live tarantula in the palm of your hand? Stepping into the tracks of a Stegosaurus? Sitting in the cockpit of a Star Wars X-Wing Fighter? Watching as millions of pennies, nickles and dimes are produced? Seeing a tornado form right in front of you? We have it all. Here are 14 top free or cheap things to do with the family in Denver, Boulder and beyond. [Read more…] about Cheap Fun With Kids in Denver and Boulder

Celestial Seasonings’ Free Tea Factory Tour

Ya gotta love a place whose address is on Sleepytime Drive. So no surprise Celestial Seasonings offers FREE tours of its Boulder-based tea production plant. After a 13-minute video intro to the history of tea and close-up view of tea processing, you’ll get to walk through the largest, most modern tea factory in the United States. The highlight: a whiff of the Mint Room — guaranteed to clear the sinuses or your money back… oh wait, you didn’t have to pay for this tour! [Read more…] about Celestial Seasonings’ Free Tea Factory Tour

Free Young Eagles Flights For Kids In The Denver Area

Does your child love all things having to do with airplanes? Now they can become junior birdmen on a FREE flight designed just for kids. For the past 25 years the EAA Young Eagles program has been giving children ages 8 to 17 the chance to fly for FREE. According to the website, “It’s the only program of its kind, with the sole mission to introduce and inspire kids in the world of aviation.” This nationwide program has given more than two million children the chance to fly. [Read more…] about Free Young Eagles Flights For Kids In The Denver Area

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 museum is located at 1020 16th St. (across from Rock Bottom Brewery on the 16th Street Mall.) The Denver Money Museum 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

Broncos Bunch Extras for Young Fans

Pro hockey and basketball season are winding down and baseball season is in high gear, but it’s never too early to think football. Enroll youngsters for the Broncos Bunch Kids Club, which includes a Broncos Bunch T-shirt, NFL trading cards and entry to such special events as movie night, junior training camp and next fall, a trick-or-treat party.

It’s worth signing up now, in time for a special Summer Kickoff party in June where kids can play on the field, meet players, alumni and more. Also, members receive a ticket for a FREE kids’ admission to the Downtown Aquarium and a small DQ ice cream cone. [Read more…] about Broncos Bunch Extras for Young Fans

Free Kids Crafts Every Saturday at Lakeshore Learning

Every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lakeshore Learning Store offers FREE craft activities for kids (3 and older.) If you’ve never checked one out, Lakeshore is chock-a-block overflowing with games, arts & crafts, puzzles, blocks, educational software and more, all designed to teach kids, without them knowing they are boosting their brainpower.

The upcoming schedule promises lots of hands-on fun. Here’s the line-up: [Read more…] about Free Kids Crafts Every Saturday at Lakeshore Learning

Michaels $2 Kids Club Craft Class on Saturdays

Arts and crafts supply store, Michaels hosts a Kids Club craft project nearly every Saturday. Sessions start every half-hour from 10 a.m. to noon. Projects and fees depend on the child’s age. Ages 3 to 5 cost $2, ages 6 and older now cost $5 and include supplies. [Read more…] about Michaels $2 Kids Club Craft Class on Saturdays

Sweet Deal: Free Hammond’s Candy Factory Tour

Hammond’s Candies has been making delicious candies since 1920 and they still do it the old-fashioned way in small batches. FREE factory tours run Monday through Saturday every half-hour and are a great way to entertain the entire family. The tour shows the candymakers hand-pulling and hand-twisting oversize candy canes, as well as ribbon candy, lollipops and chocolate. And everyone gets a free candy sample. Sweet!! [Read more…] about Sweet Deal: Free Hammond’s Candy Factory Tour

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.

Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus

The Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, located on a 9-acre tract along the South Platte River, has something for every youngster from infancy to about age 8 – in fact, many “somethings” with learning and growth in a fun, enriching and nurturing atmosphere.The museum is designed for children and their parents or other caregivers to share the experience. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and no adults are admitted without accompanying children.

Families love the indoor areas and the wonderful outdoor environment with opportunities for kids to climb a hill, roll in the grass, splash in a little “river,” build a log fort, ride a safe little zipline and more beckon in warm or sunny weather. Exhibits are divided to four themes encouraging children to Explore, Investigate, Imagine and Create and thereby expand their world.

The museum undertook a $16.1 million expansion in 2015, doubling the exhibit space and adding such features as Altitude, The Art Studio, Energy, Joy Park, The Teaching Kitchen and Water.

In addition, the museum offers storytime for various ages and cooking, clay and art programs with guidance in building those skills. Target First Tuesdays allow for FREE play between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month.

Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, 2121 Children’s Museum, Dr., Denver, 303-433-7444

Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wednesday: Open 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Day and Easter.

Admission Prices

Ages 2 – 59: $14

Seniors (60+): $12

Age 1: $12

Under age 1: Free

Members: Free

Low-Cost Ongoing Fun at WOW! Children’s Museum

WOW! Children’s Museum (World of Wonder) flies under the radar when it comes to family-centric educational attractions. But the Lafayette-based museum provides kids with an interactive experience that sparks imagination and inspired learning through play. Adults pay $5 admission. Children ages 1 to 11 cost $9, with museum admission valid all day in case you want to take a break and then return. The museum has a new Little Clinic Exhibit where children can explore the medical field through play. All activities are included with Museum admission. Hours: Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Closed on Monday. 110 N. Harrison Ave., Lafayette, 303-604-2424.