Things to do with kids in Denver, CO
Checked · All times are local Mountain Time (Denver time)
Coming up in Denver: National Western Center Trunk or Treat with Denver Police (Oct 30), Boo at the Zoo at Denver Zoo (from Oct 30), Swansea Rec Center Trunk or Treat with Denver Police (Oct 31) and 10 more events. 9 always-open places, led by Denver Zoo, Downtown Aquarium and Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Halloween & fall events in Denver
National Western Center Trunk or Treat with Denver Police
- When
- Fri, Oct 30 · 4–6pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
One of six free Denver Police Department and Denver Police Foundation Halloween parties, with treats and family-friendly fun.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Boo at the Zoo at Denver Zoo
- When
- Fri, Oct 30 – Sat, Oct 31 (Oct 30; Oct 31 is a sensory-friendly night) · 4:30–9pm
- Cost
- Oct 30: adults $27.95, youth $20.95, 2 and under free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Nine candy stations, costumed characters and animal ambassadors. Bring a trick-or-treat bag. Oct 31 is a sensory-friendly night.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Swansea Rec Center Trunk or Treat with Denver Police
- When
- Sat, Oct 31 · 12–2pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
One of six free Denver Police Department and Denver Police Foundation Halloween parties, with treats and family-friendly fun.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Thanksgiving events in Denver
Mile High United Way Turkey Trot & Lil' Gobbler Family Fun Run
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 4-mile waves from 9am; Lil' Gobbler 1-mile fun run 10:15am
- Cost
- Registration required (race-day sign-up available)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Thanksgiving 4-mile run/walk around Washington Park plus a 1-mile Lil' Gobbler Family Fun Run. The Family Fun Zone has games, crafts, face painting and photos with Gobbles the Turkey.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: Santa and lights
Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens
- When
- Fri, Nov 20 – Sun, Jan 10 (Closed Nov 26 and Dec 25; public tickets on sale Nov 9; advance tickets only) · 4:30–9pm
- Cost
- Timed tickets (prices to be announced)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Holiday light displays throughout the York Street gardens. Timed tickets in advance; public sale Nov 9.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Zoo Lights at Denver Zoo
- When
- Mon, Nov 23 – Sun, Jan 3 (Select nights; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas; tickets on sale Nov 5) · Sun–Thu 4:30–9pm · Fri & Sat 4:30–10pm
- Cost
- Adults $29.95, youth $22.95 ($25.95/$18.95 on value nights); 2 and under free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Timed-entry holiday lights across the zoo. Tickets go on sale to the public Nov 5.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
9NEWS Parade of Lights
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · 6pm (about 1 hour)
- Cost
- Free to watch along the route; grandstand seats are ticketed
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Denver's lighted holiday parade with floats, giant balloons, marching bands and Santa. It starts at 14th & Bannock and loops about 2 miles through downtown via Tremont, 17th, Curtis and 15th streets.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
New Year's events in Denver
Noon Year's Eve at the Children's Museum of Denver
- When
- Thu, Dec 31 · Museum hours 9am–4pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- Ages 0-8 · Indoor
A kid-friendly countdown to noon on New Year's Eve at the Children's Museum of Denver.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Storytimes, free museum days and weekly programs
Preschool Storytime at Sam Gary Branch Library
- When
- Tue, Nov 3 – Tue, Dec 15 (Tuesdays through Dec 15) · 10:15–10:45am
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- Ages 0-5 · Indoor
Stories, songs and rhymes for early learners and their caregivers in the community room.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
$12 Tuesday Nights at the Children's Museum of Denver
- When
- Tue, Nov 3 & Tue, Dec 1 (First Tuesday of the month: Nov 3 and Dec 1) · 4–7pm
- Cost
- $12 admission after 4pm
- Ages
- Ages 0-8 · Indoor
The museum stays open until 7pm on the first Tuesday of the month, and admission after 4pm is $12.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Free Days at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
- When
- Sat, Nov 7 & Mon, Nov 16 (Sat Nov 7 (5–10pm) and Mon Nov 16 (regular hours)) · Nov 7: 5–10pm; Nov 16: 9am–5pm
- Cost
- Free general admission (no tickets needed)
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
Walk-up free admission to the wildlife halls and permanent exhibitions. Planetarium, theater and temporary exhibits need separate tickets.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Community Free Days at Denver Zoo
- When
- Wed, Nov 11 & Sat, Nov 14 & Sun, Nov 22 (Nov 11, 14 and 22; free tickets online only, released two weeks ahead) · Regular zoo hours
- Cost
- Free (limited online tickets; no walk-ups)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Free admission on three November Community Free Days. Tickets are limited and released online (Oct 28, Oct 31 and Nov 8).
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Free Day at Denver Botanic Gardens (day after Thanksgiving)
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 · Regular garden hours
- Cost
- Free (advance tickets required; sells out)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Free admission at York Street, including the Mordecai Children's Garden, and at Chatfield Farms the day after Thanksgiving. Free Days cover regular hours only, not ticketed events.
✓ 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.
Denver Zoo
- Price
- Adult $27 · Child $19 (child 3-15)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Timed online reservations required; 2 and under free; ages 16+ adult
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Downtown Aquarium
- Price
- Adult $29.99 · Child $23.99 (child 3-11)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Aquarium exhibit only; 2 and under free
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
- Price
- Adult $19.75 · Child $19.75 (child 2-59)
- Best for
- Ages 0–8 (our guidance)
Open daily 9am–4pm (closed some holidays). Age 1 and 60+ $17.75; under 1 free. Tickets sold at the museum only; free parking
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
- Price
- Adult $27.95 · Child $20.95 (child 3-18)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Museum admission; planetarium and theater extra. Ages 0–2 don't need a ticket
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Denver Botanic Gardens (York Street)
- Price
- Adult $16.5 · Child $12 (child 3-15)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
2026 fact-sheet prices; 2 and under free. Blossoms of Light is ticketed separately
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Colorado History Museum
- Price
- Adult $20 · Child free (child 18 and under)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Formerly History Colorado Center. Kids 18 and under free; open daily 10am–5pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Denver Art Museum
- Price
- Adult $22 · Child free (child 18 and under)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Colorado-resident adult price ($25 Fri–Sun and holidays; non-residents $27/$30). Youth 18 and under free every day
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
- Price
- $$ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 3–17+ (our guidance)
Open daily 10am–5pm. Ticket prices are on the museum's ticket page (not stated on its visit page); SNAP/EBT cardholders $1 for up to 10 people
✓ Details checked Oct 25, 2026 on the official website
Denver Central Library (Children's 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 Denver this weekend?
This weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1) we list 3 family events in Denver, 2 free: National Western Center Trunk or Treat with Denver Police (Fri, free), Swansea Rec Center Trunk or Treat with Denver Police (Sat, free) and Boo at the Zoo at Denver Zoo (Fri & Sat).
What time is trick-or-treating in Denver?
Sunset on Halloween in Denver is at 5:58 p.m. Denver doesn't list official trick-or-treat hours, so plan around dusk. Denver Police: Swansea Rec Center Trunk or Treat with Denver Police, Sat., Oct. 31, 12–2 p.m., Swansea Recreation Center.
What Halloween events are in Denver in 2026?
We list 3 Halloween or fall events in Denver, 2 free: National Western Center Trunk or Treat with Denver Police (Fri, Oct 30, free), Boo at the Zoo at Denver Zoo (Oct 30 – Oct 31) and Swansea Rec Center Trunk or Treat with Denver Police (Sat, Oct 31, free).
What are free things to do with kids in Denver?
These are free according to their official sites: 6 upcoming events in Denver, including National Western Center Trunk or Treat with Denver Police (Fri, Oct 30) and Swansea Rec Center Trunk or Treat with Denver Police (Sat, Oct 31). See all 6 above.
Where can kids play indoors in Denver when it's cold or snowy?
We list 7 indoor places in Denver: Downtown Aquarium (kids 3–11 $23.99), Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus (kids 2–59 $19.75), Denver Museum of Nature & Science (kids 3–18 $20.95) and Colorado History Museum (kids 18 and under free). See all 7 above.
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in Denver?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in Denver: Mile High United Way Turkey Trot & Lil' Gobbler Family Fun Run (Thu, Nov 26). Our Thanksgiving weekend guide for the Denver area has more nearby.
When and where can kids see Santa in Denver?
We list 1 event with Santa in Denver: 9NEWS Parade of Lights (Dec 5). Our Santa guide for the Denver area has more nearby.
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Denver?
We list 3 holiday light events in Denver, 1 free: Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens (Nov 20 – Jan 10), Zoo Lights at Denver Zoo (Nov 23 – Jan 3) and 9NEWS Parade of Lights (Dec 5, free). Our holiday lights guide for the Denver area has more nearby.
Are there storytimes or regular kids' programs in Denver?
We list 5 everyday programs in Denver, 3 free: Preschool Storytime at Sam Gary Branch Library (Tuesdays through Dec 15) and $12 Tuesday Nights at the Children's Museum of Denver (First Tuesday of the month: Nov 3 and Dec 1). See all 5 above.
What is there to do with toddlers in Denver?
We list 5 places and 3 events in Denver that welcome kids under 2, including Noon Year's Eve at the Children's Museum of Denver (Thu, Dec 31), Preschool Storytime at Sam Gary Branch Library (Nov 3 – Dec 15) and Denver Zoo. See all 8 above. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
What are the big family attractions in Denver?
The best-known family attractions we list in Denver are Denver Zoo (kids 3–15 $19), Downtown Aquarium (kids 3–11 $23.99), Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus (kids 2–59 $19.75) and Denver Museum of Nature & Science (kids 3–18 $20.95). They're listed first under always-open places.
How much do Denver family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 7 places in Denver: Denver Zoo (adult $27, kids 3–15 $19), Downtown Aquarium (adult $29.99, kids 3–11 $23.99) and Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus (adult $19.75, kids 2–59 $19.75). See all 7 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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