With summer over, many families are missing weekends at the neighborhood pool, running through the sprinkler, and long days at the park. Moms and Dads wish for those easy-to-plan afternoons that define summer for kids. So, here are some of the great family activities Denver has to offer in the fall before ski season kicks in.
1) Ride bikes at Waterton Canyon (http://www.denverwater.org/recreation/watertoncanyon/). The path is wide for slightly unsafe, swerving youngsters, and the scenery is gorgeous. The flat round-trip ride to the dam is 12 miles. Don’t try the big hill at the end. Your kids and thighs will complain for weeks. The ride stretched our eight and nine year old boys without making them whine too much. Just don’t forget snacks.
2) Take a walk around Wash Park and end up at the Gnome’s Nook Confectioners (http://www.denvercandy.net/) on Gaylord Street. It’s a magical penny candy store in the city decorated like a fairy house filled with gnomes. You can even host a birthday party or attend a story hour if you time it right. Decadent chocolate treats for adults downstairs and old-time penny candy selections for the little ones upstairs.
3) Bricks 4 Kidz (http://www.bricks4kidz.com/colorado-denver-centennial-littleton/) at SouthGlen Mall offers hour-long LEGO-based preschool classes and birthday parties for $12 per child. Their pre-school program includes alphabet-related building activities.
4) Although our Rockies’ season is ending, baseball fans can still get their fill. Kids love the Coors Field tours (http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/col/ballpark/tours/index.jsp), offered during the off-season on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Your kids will love getting into the dugout and visitors’ clubhouse. Tickets are only $7 for adults and $5 for kids, and there are lots of great restaurants within walking distance if you want to make a day of it.
5) Instead of a lemonade stand, try a cider stand. You might want to try making pumpkin-themed sugar cookies to sell too. Our family likes to use the first $25 earned to make a loan on Kiva (http://www.kiva.org/start) to an entrepreneur in the Third World. Then the kids keep the rest. Check out www.pennyjarkids.com to see how to turn a cider stand into a lesson on philanthropy.
6) Organize a parent-child football game on your block before the next Broncos game. Then, as the weather cools, invite everyone in for a chili party.
7) Hit a different museum every couple of weekends. We just saw the dramatic Pompeii exhibit (although it was a little intense for my nine year old) at the Museum of Nature & Science (http://www.dmns.org/), and Becoming Van Gogh (http://www.vangoghdenver.com/) will be at the Denver Art Museum from October 21 to January 30.
8) Monster Golf (http://monsterminigolf.com/) in Centennial is perfect for getting in the Halloween spirit or just for an afternoon out of the cold as winter approaches. A glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course surrounded by monsters provides a unique golf setting, and the deejay plays fun 80s music that keeps the entire family dancing while they play. Great for birthday parties too.
9) Check out the Family Guide on the Denver Center for the Performing Arts website (http://www.denvercenter.org/home.aspx). It lists the appropriate ages for all the Center’s shows. The Three Musketeers is listed for all ages and plays through October 21. Tickets to War Horse (January 8 – 20) go one sale November 11, but the age recommendations are still listed as TBA.
10) This summer was a scorcher, so for those that skipped their annual day at Elitch Gardens (http://elitchgardens.com/) due to the heat, you still have time. October weekends may be the best time to go for the kids, because in addition to the rides, they get a sneak peak in daylight at all the tricks and haunts of the famed Elitch Haunted House. Also, the Annual Pet Parade and pet/owner costume contest is Saturday, October 13 to benefit the Dumb Friends League. Daily tickets are expensive, so look for coupons online before you go!
11) Plan a day at the Botanic Gardens at Chatfield (http://www.botanicgardens.org/corn-maze), where they have already opened the annual Corn Maze. This 8-acre is a great place to get lost. Pony rides, hayrides and carnival-style food vendors add to the festivities. Be careful though! The maze is haunted Fridays and Saturdays, October 5-27 after dark!
