Photo sourced by Denver Museum of Nature & Science
When the weather isn’t playground-friendly and you want something a bit more educational than a straight-up indoor playground, there are a huge number of child-friendly museums in and around our city! They can be pricey, but if one really resonates with your kids, grabbing a membership (or asking the grandparents to gift one) can make visiting every weekend economical. Any great spots we missed? Let us know!
One of the best children’s museums we’ve ever been to, anywhere in the country. Kids from around toddler to age 8 will spend hours engaging with the smart, challenging exhibits, including a paper rocket testing zone, a pretend grocery store, a woodshop with real tools, a fire engine, and more. The outside area is also spectacular, with a manmade creek for splashing, a zip line, and during warmer months, a staggeringly tall climbing structure and the longest slides you’ve ever seen. Tip: Throw in a change of clothes (including socks) if you’re going to hit the water play area on the first floor—if your kiddo is really into it, they may get soaked.
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Another can’t-miss spot for kids—and adults! Kids will love the permanent two-story exhibit called Prehistoric Journey that takes you back in time, the engaging play area for younger kids, and great movies, currently including a 3D movie about T. rexes that’s as interesting to adults as it is to kids. Note that the gems and minerals area is currently closed for renovations and that temporary exhibitions often require separate tickets and fees.
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
Located in the giant airplane hangar of the former Lowry Air Force base, the enormity of the space is cool in and of itself. Kids will love climbing a ladder to examine the (surprisingly tiny) cockpit of a fighter jet, plus rockets, moon rocks, and more. Star Wars fans will go crazy for the autographed replica of an X-wing fighter with an interactive R2D2.
This one is small for the price, but my colleague’s son loved his visit so much that he still talks about it months later. It’s a series of optical illusion setups, many of which are specifically designed to be captured in photographs—the museum has plenty of staffers scattered nearby to tell you where to stand to maximize the illusion effect and to snap your picture on your phone while you pose. Be warned that the gift shop has a lot of really cool toys, so you may want to set expectations before you walk through!
Kids 18 and under get free general admission! And although it’s not a children’s museum per se, the museum has many child-specific elements throughout. Check out their Family Guide for details on interactive studios, building blocks, puzzles, and more.
Located in an old fire station, the museum has interactive exhibits, vintage fire engines, historic firefighter gear, and a specific children’s area. Visitors can explore the former living quarters of firefighters, learn about major fires in Denver’s history, and discover how firefighting technology has evolved over the years.
This museum about 20 miles from Central Park in Golden is a trainiac’s dream. You can walk through a huge railyard with lots of trains including a caboose and kitchen car, a gorgeous garden model railway, and more. Check the schedule for train rides around the property, including some with an historic steam locomotive.
Dougherty Antique Car and Tractor Museum
This one is a bit off the beaten path, about 35 miles away in Longmont. It’s a smaller spot but packed with gorgeous and unusual antique cars and farm equipment. Make sure you check the hours before you go, as it’s a small museum that has more limited hours—this year, it opens for the season on June 6.
