In case you may find yourself trapped with some rowdy young ‘uns, you may need some fun places for the kiddos to play. This list of indoor play areas around Denver should come in handy.
I’ve included all sorts of activities, some free and some with an admission fee. For some of the pricier attractions, I noted if there’s a Groupon available (and you should always check Groupon yourself for those not marked, as new Groupons pop up from time to time).
This list is by no means comprehensive as there are a gazillion spots across the metro area. A few spots have closed in the last year, others are still to re-open. Know of something that should be in the list? Just email laura@milehighonthecheap.com.
Free Play Areas and Activities
Apex Clubhouse Adventure Playground:
The multi-level play area at Arvada’s Apex Center is “paradise” for kids ages 1 to 10. There are tubes, rope ladders, slides, pogo poles, climbing structures and much more. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Even though all other activities at Apex Center carry a fee, the Adventure Playground is free and open to all — even those who do not live in the district. 13150 W. 72nd Ave., Arvada.
Chick-fil-A:
Just about every location (if not, all) have an enclosed play area where kids can climb and slide. Outside of each play area is bin full of Purell wipes, so little hands can stay clean before and after playtime.
Libraries:
Most local libraries have a children’s area with toys, games, puzzles and other fun activities, plus story times for all ages. Even better, librarians no longer “shush” noisy kids (or kids at heart).
Lookout Mountain Nature Center:
A super way to connect with the natural world on top of Lookout Mountain. Offers a hands-on play room with tons of activities and observatory.
McDonald’s Indoor PlayPlace:
More than a dozen locations in the metro area house indoor PlayPlaces. You’ll spend a little on lunch or a drink, but you have to eat anyway. When you use the “restaurant locator”, be sure to click on “Show More” and then check the “Indoor PlayPlace” box to find the restaurant closest to you.
Pay Attractions
CU Museum of Natural History:
Has everything from dinosaur fossils to cool current scientific research. The Discovery Corner is a hands-on exhibit for young children and their favorite adults to explore together. Touch real museum specimens, play with puppets, color pictures, and read books. Admission is free (a donation of $3 for adults and $1 for children/seniors is appreciated). Henderson Building, 15th & Broadway, Boulder.
WOW! Children’s Museum:
The museum offers story times, hands-on science activities and performances. Kids can pretend to be a pirate, milk a cow, shop the supermarket, create ginormous bubbles, practice their medical skills in The Little Clinic and much more. Admission is free for children under 1, $10 for ages 1 to 11 and $5 for adults. Memberships available. 110 N. Harrison Ave., Lafayette.
Miller Activity Complex (MAC) in Castle Rock
Active Fun
Activate Indoor Park in Westminster:
Offers trampolines, bounce castle, laser tag, slack line, rock climbing and more. Check website for prices which vary by day and the jumper’s age. 9979 Wadsworth Pkwy., Westminster.
Defy Denver in Aurora:
Has 50,000 square-feet of connected trampolines (60 tramps in all), plus a Ninja obstacle course, slackline, trapeze, aerial silks and foam pits. Check website for prices which vary by day and the participant’s age. 1400 S. Abilene St., Aurora. Groupon deal available.
Defy Thornton:
Has 50,000 square-feet of connected trampolines (60 tramps in all), plus a Ninja obstacle course, slackline, trapeze, aerial silks and foam pits. Check website for prices which vary by day and the participant’s age. 9925 Grant St., Thornton. Groupon deal available.
KidSpace:
An indoor children’s playground (run, jump, crawl, slide, bounce) combined with a hands-on STEM museum, including a planetarium. Plenty of hands-on fun for the kids. Kids 3 to 12 are $15, 6 mos. to 2 years are $8.50. Adults are $3. Planetarium shows included in ticket.
Open Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 6805 W. 88th St., Broomfield.
Kids Wonder:
Play rooms such as home, school, grocery stores, post office, fire stations, theater, animal hospital, parks, and more that encourages kids to use their imagination. Puppet space, tumbling area, bounce house. Open play all day every day. Suited for kids 8 and younger.
Pricing depends on day (higher or weekends and holidays). Kids $14. First two adults are FREE (each additional $5) and crawlers and infants are free. Check website for hours which vary by day. 7562 South University Blvd., Suite GG, Centennial.
Lava Island in Aurora:
An indoor park with 15,000 square feet of trampolines, 23 themed climbing walls (currently closed), and 21,000 square feet of ladders, slides and mazes. Open Sunday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday & Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Entry passes are $10 per person. 452 Sable Blvd., Aurora.
Little Monkey Bizness Parker:
Play areas feature inflatable obstacle course, jumps and slides, special toddler area, play structures and more. Open play admission is $10 per person. Check website for hours. 10430 S. Progress Way, Parker.
Little Monkey Bizness Westminster:
Play areas feature inflatable obstacle course, jumps and slides, special toddler area, play structures and more. Open play admission is $10 per person. Check website for hours. 14693 Orchard Pkwy.,Westminster.
Miller Activity Complex (MAC) in Castle Rock:
This is a huge, two-story facility housing an indoor leisure pool with slide, zero-entry section, water table and vortex whirlpool. Also batting cages, children’s play structure with 23-foot-tall slide, BEAM interactive floor games, 18-hole golf simulator, indoor full-sized synthetic field, trampoline with 16 trampoline beds ($15 to $18) and a lounge with LEGO table and train table.
Daily admission is $7 to $8 for adults, depending on your place of residency. Discounts for children and seniors. Extra fees to use trampoline, batting cages and golf simulator.
Open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy., Castle Rock.
Play Street Museum
Kids have fun imagining and pretending in the Town Square or exploring the many interactive exhibits and kid’s activities in the educational play space. Adults can join in on the adventure, or sit back and relax while their children discover a world that is just their size.
Admission is $13 per child age 1 and older.
Open play from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. 9370 S. Colorado Blvd., Ste. A-2, Highlands Ranch.
SkyZone in Arvada:
This trampoline center features a Foam Zone, obstacle course, wall-to-wall trampolines, jousting, aerial basketball, trampoline dodgeball and Toddler Zone. Check website for hours and prices which vary by day, time and the jumper’s age. 7330 W. 52nd. Ave., Arvada.
SkyZone in Parker:
This trampoline center features a Foam Zone, wall-to-wall trampolines, aerial basketball and volleyball and trampoline dodgeball. Check website for hours and prices which vary by day, time and the jumper’s age. 9851 S. Parker Rd., Parker.
Indoor Swimming
Apex Center:
Houses a 23,000 square feet Indoor Water Park with multiple pools, water slides, a vortex, “beach” play area and lap pool. Daily admission is $6.50 to $9 for adults, depending on your place of residency. Discounts for children and seniors. Admission includes use of the entire Apex Center and activities except ice skating. 13150 W. 72nd Ave., Arvada.
Aurora Central Recreation Center:
Features a lap pool, an indoor wave pool, a lazy river, an interactive water slide, Kid Zone with fountains and shipwreck slide. Drop-in admission is $4 to $5, depending on your age. They also sell monthly or 10-visit passes. 18150 E. Vassar Pl., Aurora.
Lone Tree Recreation Center:
Boasts an 88-foot body/tube water slide, leisure pool with lazy river, spray features, children’s slide, basketball hoop and hot tub. Daily admission is $5.75 to $7.75 for adults, depending on your place of residency. Discounts for children and seniors. Punch cards and a Household Pass (2 adults and 3 children) also available. 10249 Ridgegate Circle, Lone Tree.
Ridge Recreation Center:
Has a body flume slide with splash-down area, current channel, floor geysers, bubble bench and children’s play structure with tot slide. Daily pool admission is $5.50 to $7.50 for adults, depending on your place of residency. Discounts for children and seniors. 6513 S. Ward St., Littleton.
Trails Recreation Center:
Facility has leisure pool with lazy river, lap pool, activity pool, water slides and hot tub. Daily admission is $5.75 to $7.75 for adults, depending on your place of residency. Discounts for children and seniors. 16799 E. Lake ave., Centennial.
Westminster City Park Recreation Center:
Features three indoor pools with slides, a current channel, rope swing, jumping platform, rock climbing wall, a play feature, hot tubs, steam room and sauna. Men’s and women’s locker rooms and a spacious family changing area with four individual changing rooms. Admission is $5.75 to $7.50 per day for adults, depending on your place of residency. Discounts for children and seniors. 10455 Sheridan Blvd., Westminster.