Taking Kids to Denver? 15 Activities That Actually Work for 5-Year-Olds

Denver with kids is surprisingly doable. It’s not a theme park destination, but there’s enough good stuff to keep 5-year-olds entertained without parents losing their minds. Here’s what actually works based on what families report doing here—and what holds up to reality.

The Absolute Winners

Children’s Museum of Denver

Location: 2121 Children’s Museum Dr, Denver, CO 80211

This place nails what 5-year-olds want. The pretend grocery store keeps kids occupied for unreasonably long stretches—shopping, checking out, restocking, repeat. The fire truck exhibit and bubble room are also crowd favorites.

The art studio is set up so kids can get messy without parents dealing with cleanup. Smart design all around.

• Time needed: 3+ hours minimum
• Best timing: Early morning or after 2pm (11am-2pm is packed)
• What works: Fire truck, grocery store, bubble room, art studio

Denver Zoo

Location: 2300 Steele St, Denver, CO 80205

The elephant exhibit (Elephant Passage) is worth the admission price alone. Multiple viewing areas, village setup, and kids can watch them for extended periods without getting bored.

The train costs $3 extra but it’s worth it when little legs get tired. Same with the carousel. Pack lunch—zoo food is expensive and underwhelming.

• Time needed: 4+ hours
• Don’t miss: Elephant Passage, carousel, train ride
• Money-saver: Bring your own lunch

Confluence Park

Location: 2250 15th St, Denver, CO 80202

Free water play in summer makes this a winner. Kids can wade in shallow river sections (supervision required), throw rocks, and burn energy. REI is right there—the store itself is entertainment, especially the climbing wall.

• Time needed: 1-2 hours
• Best for: Summer days when kids need to get wet and wild
• Bonus: Free, with bonus REI store entertainment nearby

The Surprisingly Good

Washington Park

Location: 701 S Franklin St, Denver, CO 80209

Two separate playgrounds solve the boredom problem—when kids get tired of one, walk to the other. The pedal boats run about $20/hour. Kids think they’re steering. They’re not, but let them believe it.

• What’s there: Two playgrounds, lake with ducks, pedal boats
• Local tip: Use both playgrounds to extend entertainment

Meow Wolf Denver

Location: 1338 1st St, Denver, CO 80204

This place is sensory overload in the best way. Kids won’t understand the “story” but they don’t care. Secret doors, lights that respond to touch, rooms that make noise—everything is touchable and weird.

It’s expensive but kids under 3 are free. Five-year-olds hit the sweet spot for this experience.

Downtown Aquarium

Location: 700 Water St, Denver, CO 80211

It’s not just fish. There are tigers for some reason. Kids don’t question it. The stingray touch tank is the highlight—prepare for wet sleeves. Skip the attached restaurant unless you enjoy overpriced, mediocre seafood.

• Don’t miss: Stingray touch tank, underwater tunnel
• Unexpected bonus: Tigers
• Skip: The restaurant

Overrated (But Kids Still Like Them)

Casa Bonita

Location: 6715 W Colfax Ave, Lakewood, CO 80214

Yes, it reopened. Yes, the food is still mediocre. Yes, it’s insanely overstimulating. But the cliff diving show makes 5-year-olds’ faces light up. Worth experiencing once.

Elitch Gardens

Location: 2000 Elitch Cir, Denver, CO 80204

Adults see a run-down theme park in a parking lot. Kids see roller coasters and cotton candy. If you’re from somewhere with high-quality theme parks, lower expectations. Kids won’t notice the difference.

Perfect for Specific Situations

Union Station

Location: 1701 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202

When it works: Need to kill an hour downtown

Watch trains come and go, play in outdoor fountains, grab ice cream at Milkbox. The model train display during Christmas season is reportedly legendary.

Red Rocks

Location: 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465

When it works: Active kids who need to burn serious energy

Let them run the amphitheater stairs. They think it’s fun. You get tired kids at the end. The visitor center has music exhibits and a small museum worth checking out.

Museum of Nature & Science

Location: 2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80205

When it works: Rainy days or heat waves

Overwhelming but amazing. The dinosaur section alone occupies kids for hours. Discovery Zone is specifically designed for young kids and typically less crowded than other sections.

• Best parts: Dinosaurs, Space Odyssey, gems and minerals
• Local tip: Head to Discovery Zone for young kid-specific exhibits

The Free Options That Actually Work

City Park

Location: 2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80205

Massive playground, lakes with ducks, open fields. When kids get bored at the playground, walk to the lake. When that’s boring, there’s another playground. Free summer jazz concerts are a bonus.

Denver Public Library Central Branch

Location: 10 W 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver, CO 80204

The children’s area is basically a free indoor playground. Play areas, reading caves, puppet shows, and daily free programs. It’s impressively well-designed for kids.

Sloan’s Lake

Location: 1700 N Sheridan Blvd, Denver, CO 80212

2.6-mile path around the lake with multiple playgrounds scattered around. When one gets boring, walk to the next. There are also small beach areas for water access.

Denver Botanic Gardens

Location: 1007 York St, Denver, CO 80206

Not free, but kids under 3 are free and there are monthly free days. The children’s garden has bridges, caves, and water features. The regular gardens are beautiful but kids won’t care about those.

• Money-saver: Check for free days or go if you have a kid under 3
• Best for kids: Children’s garden specifically

Age-Specific Reality Check

• 2-3 years: Children’s Museum, parks, library
• 4-6 years: Everything above works
• 7-10 years: Meow Wolf, Elitch Gardens, harder Red Rocks hikes
• 11+: They’ll complain about everything anyway

Denver with Kids: The Survival Guide

Altitude: Kids get cranky faster here. Extra water and snacks are non-negotiable.

Weather: Changes fast. Always bring layers even if it looks perfect outside.

Timing: Everything is crowded 11am-2pm on weekends. Plan around that.

Backup plans: Always have one. Kids don’t respect reservations or carefully planned itineraries.

Bottom Line

Denver has enough solid kid activities to fill a weekend or a week without anyone losing their mind. The key is mixing free outdoor stuff (parks, Confluence Park) with a couple paid indoor options (Children’s Museum, Zoo) and having backup plans for weather changes.

The altitude thing is real—kids get tired and cranky faster than they would at sea level. Pack more snacks and water than seems reasonable.