What are the best things to do in Denver with kids? Children's Museum of Denver (pretend grocery store, fire truck, bubbles), Denver Zoo (Elephant Passage is worth admission alone), and Confluence Park (free summer water play). Skip Elitch Gardens unless you have low expectations. Altitude makes kids tired faster—pack double snacks and water.
Top Picks
Children's Museum of Denver nails what young kids want. The pretend grocery store keeps 5-year-olds occupied for unreasonable stretches—shopping, checking out, restocking, repeat. The fire truck exhibit, bubble room, and art studio round out 3+ hours of entertainment. Best timing: early morning or after 2pm, since 11am-2pm is packed.
Denver Zoo's Elephant Passage is worth the admission price alone—multiple viewing areas, village setup, and kids can watch for extended periods. The train ($3 extra) and carousel save tired legs. Pack your own lunch because zoo food is expensive and underwhelming. Plan 4+ hours minimum.
Outdoor Options
Confluence Park offers free water play in summer—kids wade in shallow river sections, throw rocks, and burn energy. REI is right there, and the store itself is entertainment with the climbing wall. Washington Park has two separate playgrounds that solve the boredom problem: when kids tire of one, walk to the other. Pedal boats run $20/hour and kids think they're steering.
City Park has massive playgrounds, lakes with ducks, and open fields. When the playground gets boring, walk to the lake, then to the other playground. Free summer jazz concerts are a bonus. Red Rocks works for active kids who need to burn serious energy—let them run the amphitheater stairs while you enjoy the views.
Indoor Adventures
Meow Wolf Denver 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. Five-year-olds hit the sweet spot for this experience. Warning: can overwhelm sensory-sensitive kids since the environment is intentionally intense.
Museum of Nature & Science is overwhelming but amazing. The dinosaur section alone occupies kids for hours. Discovery Zone is specifically designed for young kids and usually less crowded. Downtown Aquarium has stingrays you can touch (prepare for wet sleeves) plus tigers for some reason. Kids don't question it.
Free Options
Denver Public Library's central branch children's area is basically a free indoor playground. Play areas, reading caves, puppet shows, and daily free programs—impressively well-designed for kids. Sloan's Lake has a 2.6-mile path with multiple playgrounds scattered around plus small beach areas for water access.
Denver Botanic Gardens isn't 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. Union Station works for killing an hour downtown—watch trains, play in outdoor fountains, grab ice cream at Milkbox.
Practical Tips
Altitude makes kids cranky faster. At 5,280 feet, they'll tire out quicker and get dehydrated easily. Pack more snacks and water than seems reasonable. Weather changes fast—always bring layers even if it looks perfect outside. Everything is crowded 11am-2pm on weekends, so plan around that window.
Age guide: 2-3 years works best at Children's Museum, parks, and library. Ages 4-6 can handle everything. Ages 7-10 enjoy Meow Wolf, Elitch Gardens, and harder Red Rocks hikes. Ages 11+ will complain about everything anyway. Always have a backup plan because kids don't respect reservations or carefully planned itineraries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best kid activity in Denver?
Children's Museum of Denver. The pretend grocery store, fire truck exhibit, and bubble room keep young kids entertained for 3+ hours. Best for ages 2-7. Arrive early morning or after 2pm to avoid the worst crowds.
Is Denver Zoo worth it with kids?
Yes. Elephant Passage alone is worth the admission. The train and carousel help with tired legs. Pack your own lunch—zoo food is overpriced. Plan 4+ hours minimum for a full visit.
What free things can kids do in Denver?
Confluence Park water play (summer), City Park playgrounds and duck lakes, Denver Public Library children's area, Sloan's Lake path with multiple playgrounds. Red Rocks is free to visit outside of concerts.
Is Meow Wolf Denver good for kids?
Great for ages 5+. Secret doors, touchable art, weird rooms—kids love it. Can overwhelm sensory-sensitive children since the environment is intentionally intense and chaotic. Kids under 3 are free.
Does altitude affect kids in Denver?
Yes. At 5,280 feet, kids tire faster and get dehydrated easily. Pack extra water and snacks. Expect crankiness the first day. Most adjust by day two if you keep them hydrated.
Is Elitch Gardens worth it in Denver?
Lower your expectations. Adults see a run-down theme park in a parking lot. Kids see roller coasters and cotton candy. If you're from somewhere with quality theme parks, you'll be disappointed. Kids won't notice.