We are fast approaching the winter holidays, which means cold weather is right around the corner. We’ve already felt glimpses of it here in Colorado, so be prepared for those rainy and snowy days with these fun and active places to play!
Indoor Playgrounds
All around the Boulder and Denver Metro area you can find indoor playgrounds. When it’s raining, cold, snowing, or even too hot to be outside, kids still need to run around and play. I have found these particular places to do the job.
The Bounce Place Boulder and Lakewood
Kids Wonder Centennial
Bounce City Broomfield and Aurora
(Little) Monkey Bizness Westminster and Parker
KidSpace Westminster
Chick-fil-A
With good quality food, healthy options, superb service, a clean kid-friendly environment, and a play structure in nearly every location Chick-fil-A can’t be beat! This is by far the best place to bring your kiddos for a fulfilling meal and a stretch on a rainy or snowy day. Download the Chick-fil-A One app for free treats through out the year! Several locations through out Colorado
Trampoline Parks
While there are things for smaller kids, trampoline parks are typically geared toward older kids. They offer wall-to-wall trampolines, slides, and climbing equipment. Some of them also have other options like laser tag, zip lines, and obstacle courses.
DEFY Thornton and Aurora
Sky Zone Arvada and Parker
Urban Air Westminster, Aurora, Denver, Littleton
Lava Island
The culmination of both indoor play places and trampoline parks is Lava Island in Aurora. Go early during the week to get the most out of your entrance fee.
Bowling & Fun Centers
Fun Centers can be a great option if you want several options for activities. Typically they offer dining, bowling, laser tag, and arcades, with some including mini golf and other attractions.
Fat Cats Westminster
Boondocks Northglenn and Parker
The Summit Thornton
Museums
There are too many child-friendly museums around Denver to list here, but these are my top choices for holding your kiddos’ interest and engaging them in active learning.
Children’s Museum of Denver Denver
Wow! Children’s Museum Lafayette
Butterfly Pavilion Westminster
The Museum of Nature and Science Denver
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum Denver
Museum of Boulder Boulder
Play Street Museum Highlands Ranch
The Library
Every library I know offers FREE children’s story times and activities through out the week, and many also have an indoor play area to explore and read together.
If you haven’t yet experienced the Anythink difference, I can’t encourage it enough! Anythink Libraries, part of the Rangeview Library District in Adams County, go beyond the typical slow-moving quiet community library. They offer so many free opportunities to anyone in the community, from yoga classes and book clubs for adults, to parenting classes, to coding classes for kids, and engaging story times and play areas for babies and toddlers. The Wright Farms location even offers a community garden!
Anythink Library Locations
- Bennett
- Brighton
- Commerce City
- Huron Street Thornton
- York Street Thornton
- Wright Farms Thornton
- Perl Mack Denver
Shopping Malls
Along with walking, shopping, and exploring the food court, these malls offer FREE indoor play areas:
Cherry Creek Shopping Center Denver
Flatiron Crossing Broomfield
Recreation Centers
There are so many things to do indoors at your local rec center. Many offer indoor swim lessons, adult and kid classes, an indoor play area, and activities to keep you busy in every season.
The following Recreation Centers offer FREE indoor playgrounds:
Louisville Recreation and Senior Center Louisville
Paul Derda Recreation Center Broomfield (free for children 3 and under)
Apex Center Arvada
Tumble Rooms
Need to get your little one’s wiggles out in a more intimate and less chaotic environment, consider one of these smaller and quieter indoor play options geared toward children under 5.
The Boulder Jewish Community Center Boulder CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO COVID RESTRICTIONS
Peace Lutheran Church (FREE) Boulder HOPING TO REOPEN SOON
HAPPY PLAYING!
The Colorado Nanny 