Things to do with kids in Fort Collins, CO
Checked · All times are local Mountain Time (Fort Collins time)
Coming up in Fort Collins: Tiny Tot Halloween in Downtown Fort Collins (Oct 30), Fort Collins Thanksgiving Day Run & Gobble Gobble Kids' Run (Nov 26), Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony (Nov 6) and 2 more events. 8 always-open places, led by Fort Collins Museum of Discovery. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Halloween & fall events in Fort Collins
Tiny Tot Halloween in Downtown Fort Collins
- When
- Fri, Oct 30 · 10am–1pm
- Cost
- Not stated
- Ages
- Ages Preschool and kindergarten · Outdoor
Costumed preschoolers and kindergartners trick-or-treat with their parents at nearly 100 downtown businesses, with photo ops.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Thanksgiving events in Fort Collins
Fort Collins Thanksgiving Day Run & Gobble Gobble Kids' Run
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · Kids' run about 8:45am; 4-mile run about 9am (may shift for trains)
- Cost
- Kids' run has no entry fee (no registration); 4-mile run registration required
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Downtown Thanksgiving four-mile run/walk with a free one-third-mile kids' race down College Ave; every kid gets a finisher ribbon and prize. Meet at the Silver Grill banner in Oak Street Plaza.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: Santa and lights
Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony
- When
- Fri, Nov 6 · 5:30–7pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Live music 5:30–7pm and a short countdown at 6:30pm to light thousands of LEDs; the lights stay up through Feb 14.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Santa Arrives in Old Town Square
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 · 11:30am
- Cost
- Free; Santa visits and skate rentals are free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Santa arrives by firetruck with Comet the reindeer; Santa's Workshop and the free skate rink open for the season afterward.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Storytimes
All Ages Storytime at Old Town Library
- When
- Wed, Nov 4 – Wed, Dec 16 (Wednesdays) · 10–10:30am
- Cost
- Library program
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
Stories, songs, rhymes and play to build early literacy, with a short playtime at the end for kids and grown-ups.
✓ 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.
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
- Price
- Adult $15.5 · Child $12.75 (child 2-12)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Tuesday–Sunday 9am–5pm; closed Mondays and most major holidays
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
The Gardens on Spring Creek
- Price
- Adult $12.5 · Child $10.5 (child 2-17)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Includes the Butterfly House; closed Thursdays and some holidays; SNAP/EBT $1
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
The Farm at Lee Martinez Park
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
City farm with 40–60 animals. Nov–Mar: Wednesday–Saturday 10am–4pm, Sunday noon–4pm. Admission required (see the city's page)
✓ Details checked Oct 25, 2026 on the official website
Old Town Square
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Downtown Fort Collins pedestrian plaza with play features and a splash pad (pop jets on 8am–midnight in summer); seasonal family events
Spring Canyon Park (Inspiration Playground)
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Inspiration Playground, skate park, bike pump track and a summer splash pad; city parks open 5am–11pm
✓ Details checked Oct 25, 2026 on the official website
Twin Silo Park
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Farm-themed playground built around two real silos, with a silo slide, zip line and bike pump track; city parks open 5am–11pm
✓ Details checked Oct 25, 2026 on the official website
Harmony Library (Poudre Libraries)
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Baby, bilingual and all-ages storytimes; Mon–Thu 9am–8pm, Fri 9am–6pm, Sat 9am–5pm, Sun noon–5pm
Old Town Library (Poudre Libraries)
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Storytimes most weekdays; see the library calendar
✓ Details checked Oct 25, 2026 on the official website
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Fort Collins this weekend?
This weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1) we list 1 family event in Fort Collins: Tiny Tot Halloween in Downtown Fort Collins (Fri).
What time is trick-or-treating in Fort Collins?
Sunset on Halloween in Fort Collins is at 5:57 p.m. Fort Collins doesn't list official trick-or-treat hours, so plan around dusk. Downtown: Tiny Tot Halloween in Downtown Fort Collins, Fri., Oct. 30, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., Old Town Square.
What Halloween events are in Fort Collins in 2026?
We list 1 Halloween or fall event in Fort Collins: Tiny Tot Halloween in Downtown Fort Collins (Fri, Oct 30).
What are free things to do with kids in Fort Collins?
These are free according to their official sites: 2 upcoming events in Fort Collins, including Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony (Fri, Nov 6) and Santa Arrives in Old Town Square (Fri, Nov 27).
Where can kids play indoors in Fort Collins when it's cold or snowy?
We list 3 indoor places in Fort Collins: Fort Collins Museum of Discovery (kids 2–12 $12.75), Harmony Library (Poudre Libraries) and Old Town Library (Poudre Libraries).
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in Fort Collins?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in Fort Collins: Fort Collins Thanksgiving Day Run & Gobble Gobble Kids' Run (Thu, Nov 26).
When and where can kids see Santa in Fort Collins?
We list 1 event with Santa in Fort Collins: Santa Arrives in Old Town Square (Nov 27).
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Fort Collins?
We list 1 holiday light event in Fort Collins: Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony (Nov 6, free).
Are there storytimes or regular kids' programs in Fort Collins?
We list 1 everyday program in Fort Collins: All Ages Storytime at Old Town Library (Wednesdays).
What is there to do with toddlers in Fort Collins?
We list 5 places in Fort Collins that welcome kids under 2, including The Gardens on Spring Creek, Spring Canyon Park (Inspiration Playground) and Twin Silo Park. See all 5 above. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
How much do Fort Collins family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 2 places in Fort Collins: Fort Collins Museum of Discovery (adult $15.5, kids 2–12 $12.75) and The Gardens on Spring Creek (adult $12.5, kids 2–17 $10.5). 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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