Now that the monsoons of May are {fingers crossed} over, and we are able to move a little more freely around town, you might be looking at your calendar and wondering, “Well NOW what?!”
Mama, we’ve got you covered. We’ve got a list of the best things to do in Denver this summer! So, grab the sunscreen, your favorite breathable mask, and let’s have some fun checking off our Denver Summer Bucket List!
Denver Summer Bucket List Outdoor Fun::
- If you haven’t been yet, the music-themed Paco Sanchez Park is AMAZING and might be the best playground in Denver. Honoring Denver’s first Hispanic radio DJ, the towering 1950s microphone-inspired play structure in this park, will wow your family. Kids of all ages will love the endless opportunities for dynamic play on the rubber hills, zip line-style swing, climbing walls, bridges, and slides.
- Head to the Arvada Volunteer Firefighters Park, where the bright red firetruck-themed play will have your littles feeling like heroes!
- Enjoy mountain views, a skate park, multiple play areas, a climbing wall, and a splash pad at Discovery Park in Wheat Ridge.
- Head out for a Geocaching adventure!
- Go on an amazing child-friendly Front Range hike! Don’t forget to check out our Tips for Hiking With Kids before you go!
- Load up your family and go camping.
- Go play putt-putt.
- Explore, discover, play, hunt bugs, and race pinecones at the Mordecai Children’s Garden.
- Bring out the ninja warrior in your littles by setting up an outdoor obstacle course!
- Check out one of the area’s BEST playgrounds and water play areas at the award-winning Centennial Center Park.
- Build an outdoor fort.
- Head to Boulder’s Shanahan Ridge Park where you can experience the breathtaking Flatiron views, while your children enjoy nature play on the climbing structures, open turf, native grass, rocks, and tunnels!
- Make giant bubbles!
- Road trip to Glenwood Springs to spend the day at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.
- Go fly a kite at Cherry Creek Reservoir or Stapleton’s Central Park.
- Make a reservation and head to the Children’s Museum of Denver Explore Joy Park for FREE on the third Friday of each month May – September from 4:30 – 7:30 pm. Space is limited and reservations are required.
- Plan a Nature Scavenger Hunt!
- Go on a bike ride.
- Catch a Colorado Rapids Game, where your kids can experience all the thrills of Major League Soccer!
- Picnic in Eldorado Canyon State Park.
- Try frisbee golf.
- Head to the Lookout Mountain Nature Center – enjoy the panoramic views, hands-on children’s playroom, and hiking trails!
Denver Summer Bucket List Indoor Play, Learning, and Activities::
- Check out world-class art exhibits and FREE youth admission at the Denver Art Museum.
- The Denver Children’s Museum is now open Wednesday – Sunday for two play sessions per day, one morning and one evening. Reservations are required – Make them HERE.
- Make sock puppets and put on a show.
- Let the littles run around the spacious, multi-level play area in the APEX Center Clubhouse.
- The Museum of Nature and Science has a Space Odyssey exhibit that’s sure to please the whole family! They also host lots of virtual events for children and adults.
- Head to storytime or check out a video at your local library.
- Visit the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden for a tour. Plan ahead and go on a train ride!
- Make an indoor fort.
- Make Kinetic sand!
- Get handy at a Kid’s Workshop at Home Depot {check website calendar for events}
- Experience the great exhibits at the Denver Firefighter’s Museum– where your little one can learn all about our great local heroes!
- Treat your little angler to an afternoon of fishing@
- Head over to Hammond’s Candy Factory to unlock your sweet tooth at their FREE factory tour!
- Check out local Kids Bowl Free programs.
Denver Summer Bucket List Water Fun::
The Denver metro area has tons of local spots for water fun!
- Rent a boat at the Chatfield Or Horsetooth Reservoir!
- Take the kids on an adventure on a stand-up paddleboard!
- Splash around at Confluence Park in a kayak or a tube.
- Pirates Cove Family Aquatic Center in Englewood is sure to please the whole family!
- Set up a slip and slide with a tarp in your yard.
- Let the kids run through the sprinklers while you water your yard!
- Have a beach day at Bear Creek Lake Park!
- Have a water balloon fight.
- Splash pads for kids of all ages abound at Lakewood’s Surfside Spray Park.
- Spend a day at one of the downtown water parks.
Denver Summer Bucket List Fairs and Festivals::
- Don’t miss the dragon boat races, marketplace, performances, food, and educational opportunities at the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival. September 25th and 26th at Sloans Lake
- Film on the Rocks is back!!! This summer-long film festival at Red Rocks Amphitheatre isn’t to be missed! Check their website for show dates!
- Buffalo Bill Days– Will not be happening in-person this summer, but there will be a virtual marketplace.
- First Friday Art Walks ARE BACK! This fun summer event is held the first Friday of every month in the Denver arts district and makes for a great date night or a fun family stroll.
- The Colorado State Fair & Rodeo in Pueblo begins August 27th – mark your calendars now!
- Taste of Colorado– Close out the summer by spending Labor Day weekend at this celebration in Civic Center Park on September 4th-6th. The celebration includes over 50 restaurants, 250 marketplace vendors, seven stages, and many educational programs.
Denver Summer Bucket List Animal Encounters::
- Go get up close and personal (and have your Kristen Bell moment) with the sloths at the Denver Zoo!
- See more than 350 rescued lions, tigers, bears, wolves, and other large carnivores at the nationally renowned Wild Animal Sanctuary near Keenesburg.
- Head to Bennett and introduce your kids to the gentle residents of the Longhopes Donkey Shelter.
- Marvel at the 1,600 butterflies ruling the sky in the tropical rainforest at the Butterfly Pavillion.
- Explore the undersea fun at the Downtown Aquarium.
- Plan a late-summer hike to Elk Meadow Park, and catch a glimpse of the elk grazing!
- Go Fishing at the South Platte Park Carson Nature Center!
- Check out The Wildlife Experience down in Parker.
Denver Summer Bucket List Get Your Groove On::
- Don’t miss Evenings al Fresco at the Denver Botanic Gardens Monday and Wednesday evenings this summer!
- Head to City Park for Sunday night grooving to the weekly summer City Park Jazz
- Crank up a family-friendly Pandora station and bust a move with a living room dance party!
Good Eats and Cool Treats:: 
- Are you a foodie, feeding a toddler? Check out our Toddler Top 5 Denver Eats – where we’ve redefined “family-friendly.”
- Looking for a fantastic patio? Here’s our list of Denver’s Best Patios!
- Hanging in the Highlands? We have a list of the Best Highlands Restaurants for Kids and Their Parents.
- Check out our FAVORITE local food truck markets!
- Eat and shop your way through a local farmer’s market.
- Host a backyard BBQ!
- Little Man Ice Cream — need we say more?
- Plan a potluck block party!
- Breakfast burrito fan? You MUST head out towards Golden and try Bonfire Burritos — this little trailer turns out some awesome eats!
- Make homemade ice cream!
- Check out one of our FAVORITE family-friendly local breweries!
- In the mood for a hot dog made of wild boar, pheasant, antelope, rattlesnake, or yak! Then don’t miss Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs – quintessential Denver Street food.
Denver Summer Bucket List Day Trips::
- Take in a silver mine tour and ride the Georgetown Loop Railroad.
- Looking for adventure? Fly high at the Open Air Adventure Park in Estes Park – fun for adults and children ages 5 and up! {40lb minimum weight requirement.}
- Going south? Head up the Pikes Peak Cog Railway in Manitou Springs.
- Spend the weekend exploring Moab – it’s just 350 miles from Denver!
- Go have some winter-themed fun at the Snow Mountain Ranch Summer Tubing Hill in Granby!
May We Also Recommend::
- Rainy Day Destinations in Denver
- Just Add Water: A Guide to Water Fun in Metro Denver
- Toddler Top 5 Denver Eats
- 15 Family-Friendly Activities in the Denver Metro Area
- Top 5 Restaurants for Kids and Their Parents in the Highlands
- Family Guide to Denver Metro Museums
- Top Spots for Animal Lovers & Education
- 15 Family-Friendly Activities in the Denver Metro
- 5 Denver Playgrounds You’ve Never Heard Of
- Free SCFD Days – The Scientific and Cultural Facilities District offers free days at local organizations throughout the year. Check their calendar to find upcoming free days at Chatfield Botanic Gardens, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Denver Art Museum, the Denver Botanic Gardens, and more.
Mile High Wine Fest!