Things to do with kids in Boulder, CO
Checked · All times are local Mountain Time (Boulder time)
Coming up in Boulder: Munchkin Masquerade on Pearl Street (Oct 31), Alpine Bank Boulder Thanksgiving Day 5K & Kids 800m (Nov 26), Switch on the Holidays on Pearl Street (Nov 22) and 6 more events. 8 always-open places, led by CU Museum of Natural History and Fiske Planetarium. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Halloween & fall events in Boulder
Munchkin Masquerade on Pearl Street
- When
- Sat, Oct 31 · 3–6pm
- Cost
- No admission listed; participating businesses give treats "at no charge"
- Ages
- Ages 12 and under · Outdoor
Kids 12 and under trick-or-treat along Pearl Street at participating downtown businesses, marked as Treat Stops.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Thanksgiving events in Boulder
Alpine Bank Boulder Thanksgiving Day 5K & Kids 800m
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · Kids 800m (12 and under) 9am; 5K 9:15am
- Cost
- Registration required; parents run free with kids under 6 in the 800m
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Downtown Boulder Thanksgiving 5K with a Kids 800m fun run for ages 12 and under. Proceeds support Harvest of Hope Pantry.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: Santa, lights and tree lightings
Switch on the Holidays on Pearl Street
- When
- Sun, Nov 22 · 11am–7pm; grand illumination 5pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Downtown Boulder's holiday kickoff with the grand illumination of Pearl Street at 5pm.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
St. Nick on the Bricks: Free Santa Visits on Pearl Street
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Sat, Dec 12 (Nov 27, Nov 28, Dec 5 and Dec 12) · 11am–2pm
- Cost
- Free (suggested donation $10 per group)
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor + outdoor
Kids can visit Santa on the Pearl Street Mall. Bring your list and a camera.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Tebo Train's Snowflake Express on Pearl Street
- When
- Sun, Nov 29 · 11am–2pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- Ages 0-10 · Outdoor
Kids 10 and under (with their grown-ups) ride the all-electric Tebo Train along Pearl Street.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Lights of December Parade
- When
- Sat, Dec 12 · 6–7:30pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Lighted floats, marching bands, lit fire engines and Santa. Route starts at 15th & Walnut, goes west to Broadway, north to Spruce and east to 15th & Spruce.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Storytimes
Musical Storytime at Boulder Main Library
- When
- Mon, Nov 2 – Mon, Dec 14 (Mondays) · Mondays 10:15–11am
- Cost
- Library program
- Ages
- Ages Ages 0–5 with a caregiver · Indoor
Sing and dance along at a lively storytime full of songs and musical stories. Listed for birth to age 5, all ages welcome; children must be with an adult.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Thursday Storytime at Boulder Main Library
- When
- Thu, Nov 5 – Thu, Dec 17 (Thursdays) · Thursdays 10:15–11am
- Cost
- Library program
- Ages
- Ages Ages 0–5 with a caregiver · Indoor
Young children and their caregivers read books and share songs and activities with a library storyteller. No storytime Thanksgiving week.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Saturday Storytime at Boulder Main Library
- When
- Sat, Nov 14 – Sat, Dec 19 (Saturdays) · Saturdays 10:15–10:45am
- Cost
- Library program
- Ages
- Ages Ages 0–5 with a caregiver · Indoor
Weekend storytime for young children and their caregivers, with books, songs and activities with a library storyteller.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
CU Museum of Natural History
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Tuesday–Saturday 10am–4pm (Thursday to 7pm)
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Fiske Planetarium
- Price
- Adult $12 · Child $8 (child 4-17)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Plus a $1.50 ticketing fee; 3 and under free; family shows most weekends. SNAP/EBT $1
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Museum of Boulder
- Price
- Adult $12 · Child $10 (child 5-17)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Under 5 free; closed Tuesdays; Sept–May 9am–5pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
NSF NCAR Mesa Lab Visitor Center
- Price
- Free walk-in
- Best for
- Ages 4–17+ (our guidance)
Weekdays 8am–5pm, weekends and holidays 9am–4pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Celestial Seasonings Tea Tour
- Price
- $6 per person (ages 5+), plus booking fees; free tea sampling
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
45-minute tea factory tour, Tue–Sat 10am–4pm; online reservations required; under 5 not allowed on the factory portion; under 15 need an adult
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Boulder Reservoir
- Price
- Daily access fee in season (Sept 8–Oct 31: $5 individual, $10 carload)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
City reservoir for swimming (summer), paddling, trails and wildlife viewing; hours and fees change by season
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Chautauqua Park
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Playground, nature play and trailheads; open 5am–11pm
Boulder Public Library – Main Library
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
✓ Details checked Oct 25, 2026 on the official website
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Boulder this weekend?
This weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1) we list 1 family event in Boulder: Munchkin Masquerade on Pearl Street (Sat).
What time is trick-or-treating in Boulder?
Sunset on Halloween in Boulder is at 5:59 p.m. Boulder doesn't list official trick-or-treat hours, so plan around dusk. Downtown: Munchkin Masquerade on Pearl Street, Sat., Oct. 31, 3–6 p.m., Pearl Street.
What Halloween events are in Boulder in 2026?
We list 1 Halloween or fall event in Boulder: Munchkin Masquerade on Pearl Street (Sat, Oct 31).
What are free things to do with kids in Boulder?
These are free according to their official sites: 2 places and 1 upcoming event in Boulder, including CU Museum of Natural History, NSF NCAR Mesa Lab Visitor Center and St. Nick on the Bricks: Free Santa Visits on Pearl Street (Nov 27 – Dec 12).
Where can kids play indoors in Boulder when it's cold or snowy?
We list 6 indoor places in Boulder: CU Museum of Natural History (Free), Fiske Planetarium (kids 4–17 $8), Museum of Boulder (kids 5–17 $10), NSF NCAR Mesa Lab Visitor Center (Free walk-in) and Celestial Seasonings Tea Tour ($6 per person, ages 5+, plus booking fees). See all 6 above.
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in Boulder?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in Boulder: Alpine Bank Boulder Thanksgiving Day 5K & Kids 800m (Thu, Nov 26). Our Thanksgiving weekend guide for the Denver area has more nearby.
When and where can kids see Santa in Boulder?
We list 2 events with Santa in Boulder, 1 free: St. Nick on the Bricks: Free Santa Visits on Pearl Street (Nov 27 – Dec 12) and Lights of December Parade (Dec 12). Our Santa guide for the Denver area has more nearby.
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Boulder?
We list 2 holiday light events in Boulder: Switch on the Holidays on Pearl Street (Nov 22) and Lights of December Parade (Dec 12). Our holiday lights guide for the Denver area has more nearby.
Are there storytimes or regular kids' programs in Boulder?
We list 3 everyday programs in Boulder: Musical Storytime at Boulder Main Library (Mondays), Thursday Storytime at Boulder Main Library (Thursdays) and Saturday Storytime at Boulder Main Library (Saturdays).
What is there to do with toddlers in Boulder?
We list 3 places and 3 events in Boulder that welcome kids under 2, including Musical Storytime at Boulder Main Library (Nov 2 – Dec 14), Thursday Storytime at Boulder Main Library (Nov 5 – Dec 17), Boulder Reservoir and Chautauqua Park. See all 6 above. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
What are the big family attractions in Boulder?
The best-known family attractions we list in Boulder are CU Museum of Natural History (Free) and Fiske Planetarium (kids 4–17 $8). They're listed first under always-open places.
How much do Boulder family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 4 places in Boulder: Fiske Planetarium (adult $12, kids 4–17 $8), Museum of Boulder (adult $12, kids 5–17 $10) and Celestial Seasonings Tea Tour ($6 per person, ages 5+, plus booking fees). See all 4 above. Confirm before you go; prices change.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
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