Things to do with a 6 year old around Denver, CO

[luvmylittleboy2003]

I'm taking my son on a mini vacation to Littleton/Denver CO Oct. 14-19th. Would love some ideas on things to see and do with him. Thanks a bunch!

 

[WL Fan]

The aquarium in downtown Denver is very easy to get to, parking is a breeze, and it's a very kid-friendly place. My 9 year old loved it, you can even "pet" the manta rays at the end of the tour. Very fun. There's a nice restaurant there, too, although we just went to Wendy's.

We've been to the Natural History museum, too, it's pretty cool.

 

[CTPinkPrincess]

I took DH and DD (7) with me to Denver this summer on a business trip...the Aquarium is definitely a must do , there is also a children's museum just a short walk past the aquarium as well...Downtown Denver is very pedestrian friendly, lots of shops and restuarants...and if your DS is anything like my DD, the hotel pool might end up being the highlight of the trip!

 

[cristit14]

Don't forget about the zoo that is a good one too. I agree with the others. The Children's Museum and the Museum of Nature and Science is really good

 

[RussN]

Here is the list of things I use when my friends come to town:

- Broadmoor Hotel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadmoor_Hotel)
- US Mint - FREE (http://www.usmint.gov/mint_tours/index.cfm?action=StartReservation)
- Denver City and County Building
- Columbine Memorial - FREE (http://www.columbinememorial.org/)
- Pikes Peak ($) (http://www.pikespeakcolorado.com/ -- coupon too)
- Seven Falls (have membership already) (http://www.sevenfalls.com)
- Royal Gorge ($) (http://www.royalgorgebridge.com/)
- Denver Zoo (have membership already) (http://www.denverzoo.org/)
- Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (have membership already) (http://www.cmzoo.org/)
- Air Force Academy - FREE (http://www.usafa.af.mil/superintendent/pa/visitor-center.cfm?catname=Visiting USAFA)
- State Capital - FREE (parking) (http://www.milehighcity.com/capitol/)
- 16th Street Mall (http://www.downtowndenver.com/BID/BID16thStreetMall.htm)
- Downtown Aquarium (http://www.downtownaquarium.com)
- Coors Field (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coors_Field)
- Pepsi Center (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepsi_Center)
- Invesco Field (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invesco_Field)
- Dave & Busters (food isn’t the greatest) (http://www.daveandbusters.com/)
- Casabinta Restaurant (don't want to go but have to do it at least once)
- Coors Brewery Tour (http://www.colorado-for-free.com/FreeThingsToDoColorado/Coors.htm)
- Red Rocks (http://www.redrocksonline.com/)
- Mt. Evans ($) (http://www.mountevans.com/)
- Rocky Mountain National Park (http://www.nps.gov/romo)
- Bass Pro Shop - FREE (http://www.basspro.com)
- Buffalo Bills Grave - FREE (http://www.buffalobill.org/)
- Water world (www.waterworldcolorado.com) ($)
- Garden of the Gods - FREE (http://www.gardenofgods.com)
- Winterpark (http://www.skiwinterpark.com/todo/resortactivities/summer_activities/index.htm)
- Manitou Springs (http://www.manitousprings.org/)
- Denver Children's Museum ($) (http://www.cmdenver.org/)
- Denver Museum of Nature and Science (http://www.dmns.org)
- Blackhawk Gambling (http://www.blackhawkcolorado.com/)
- Four Corners (6+ hour drive)
- Mt Rushmore (6+ hour drive)
- Cheyenne Wyoming (2+ hour drive)

 

[NHdisneylover]

My kids HAVE to go to Casa Bonita every time we visit Colorado. It is loud and the food is mediocre at beast, but it is highly unique and fun for the kids. Perfect for your son's age. Get there when they first open to make it more bareable for you

The kids also recomend going to Boulder on a Friday or Saturday afternoon evening and wandering Pearl Street Mall. Great atmosphere and lots of entertainment--and fun rosks to climb on add up to a good time for young and old alike. Make sure you drop in to Into the Wind kite shop (great kites to look at and all kinds of unique toys and games set out to try-and buy of course). Boulder is lovely and you can easily spend the daytime there as well. Good places would be Chataqua park (you can hike all the way up to the base of the flatirons if so inclined, or take a shorter hike or just stay at the base and play frisbree, play on playgrounds ,etc.), wander the bike path along the river, head up to nearby Niwot and tour the Celestial Seasonings Tea factory (get a sleepytime bear for your little guy), etc.

 

[NotUrsula]

For a bit of low-key fun, you might want to visit Westlands Park, off Quebec street a bit north of Arapahoe. The entrance is next to a large Athletic Club. This park has one of the best playgrounds that I have ever seen. DH has family in Littleton, and every time we visit them we have to make time to go to the park to play.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Alot of the PP has told you of a lot of great things to in Denver. Here are some things to do in Littleton.

He might enjoy going to the corn field that is located in Littleton.
http://www.botanicgardens.org/content/corn-maze

JumpStreet:
http://www.gotjump.com/

Mr. Biggs:
http://www.biggcity.net/lt/

Monkey Bizness:
http://www.monkeybizness.com/01denver.html

House of Bounce:
http://houseofbounce.net/

Casa Bonita:
http://www.casabonitadenver.com/

Fantastic Fun:
http://www.funtasticfun.com/

Heritage Square:
http://www.heritagesquare.info/

 

[CowboyCO]

How about the Butterfly Pavilion? www.butterflies.org

It is in Westminster.

 

[jsmith]

wondering the pearl street mall on that particular saturday night with a 6 year old might be ill advised-the CU buffs have a home game against one of their major big 12 north rivals-KU-and should they win-the place will be crawling with drunk college kids.
Concur with Casa Bonita-not great food but a blast for the kids. should be a college foot ball team in the area with a home game (CU, CSU and AFA are all with in an hours drive.)

 

[Coloradomom]

Try :
Tiny Town in Morrison, nice drive and lots of fun, they even have a train.It is a village of miniature houses and you can get great pictures there.

Tattered Cover bookstore-one off Colfax has an especially great childrens department

If you want to go to the mountains head west on I-70 and go to Keystone resort for the day. There is a lake in Keystone Village-it may be too late for the paddleboats but he can feed the ducks and it is quite pretty up there. You can do some easy hikes and they might have the gondolas going for a ride. Stop in Georgetown on the way back, there is a terrific candy/ice cream shop in town.

And yes you do have to go to Casa Bonita. My college kids still go there just because it is so much fun.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

A lot of good suggestions have already been made, but I haven't seen the Littleton Historical Museum mentioned yet. It's like taking a little trip back in time, there are two farms, one 1860's and one 1890's, if I recall correctly. You can see the animals, a blacksmith shop, schoolhouse, houses from those time periods, complete with the old-fashioned stoves and bathtubs. There are people in period dress who explain how things used to be done in the old days. The kids always love it, and it's actually educational, too! http://www.littletongov.org/museum/events/default.asp

I would second the Corn Maze, too. My kids love it. Both of these attractions are in the Littleton area.

Some other places listed (Pike's Peak, Air Force Academy, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Royal Gorge and Seven Falls) are down in or beyond Colorado Springs (1.5 hours from Littleton), so be sure you know where a place is before you get too hooked on the idea. It might be a bit much to drive down there more than once, but we'll often do one long day trip down and visit several attractions. Like drive down early, visit Pike's Peak or Cheyenne Mtn Zoo in the morning, then Garden of the Gods or Cave of the Winds in the afternoon.

And yes, with a six year old -- you HAVE to have one meal at Casa Bonita. The food is awful, but the cliff divers make it worth it.

 

[luvmylittleboy2003]

Wow....thanks everyone!! I have printed everything off and we super excited about everything!