Denver’s Best Indoor Family Attractions
It's Cold, They're Restless
During those cold snap days where going outside sounds about as pleasant as participating in the Polar Bear Plunge, but the prospect of watching one more Disney show elicits the same visceral response, it's time to pay for active fun. Pile the family into the car and head to one of these fantastic, heated, indoor attractions.
1. Butterfly Pavilion
Suggested ages: 5-12Whether creepy-crawly earth-dwelling creatures or delicate, graceful butterflies are more to your child's taste, Westminster's Butterfly Pavilion has something that will prove fascinating. Examples of both the beautiful and the bizarre are on display in the enormous walk-through butterfly house and other themed rooms.
As for educational value, butterfly keepers give information about their fragile charges (along with gentle admonitions like "Please don't pick up the butterflies!" in short lectures designed keep the interest of the little ones. At different times during the day there are releases of newly emerged butterflies and chances to touch animals like tarantulas and sea stars. The "Shrunk" exhibit turns insects into giants with enlarged representations of honeycombs and dragonflies that children can crawl over and play in. While a visit to the center won't take up a whole day, it's ideal for a few hours of fun.
2. Children's Museum of Denver
Suggested ages: Under 10If you've never been to the Children's Museum, it's definitely time to go. Have the requisite children in tow, of course, or they won't let you in. Most of the museum is intended for children between the ages of 5 and 10, with props like age-appropriate construction tools, dress-up clothes, a fire truck and child-sized stores like a grocery and a veterinarian's office.
The museum is always full of kids, opening up plenty of opportunity for play with peers, which stimulates creativity and cooperation. Children under the age of five have a dedicated play area, with thoughtfully designed play pieces and surfaces that are both safe and entertaining.
3. Denver Art Museum
Suggested ages: 5+
Slowly, almost reluctantly, museums are learningher that you don't have to be exclusive (as in not child-friendly) to carry a message. Art museums are some of the last to catch on to the new trend of offering child-oriented activities on a daily basis, but luckily the Denver Art Museum is well ahead of the curve.
In addition to a whole level of the museum's North Building being a dedicated play area for young kids, the museum has activities scattered throughout the main exhibits. This lets you appreciate the art even while youngsters are scrabbling around with the challenges and questions presented to them. Rent a free backpack stuffed with child-friendly activities to enhance the museum visit or just stick to what's commonly available; either way there is plenty for the whole family to see and do.
4. Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Suggested ages: 6+"Dinosaurs!" one child shouts, and runs to the right. "Shiny rocks!" exclaims another, dragging to the left. Ah, yes, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, where mummies and early astronauts, woolly mammoths and extinct Native American cultures come back to life.
While some areas are pretty hands-off, there are plenty of activities that encourage children to get involved in the experience. Check out the high-tech displays in Science Odyssey or play with fossils from dinosaurs in "Prehistoric Journey." High-energy kids will get a kick out of "Discovery Zone," where everything can be poked and prodded. The planetarium and IMAX Theater give the family a chance to relax in the dark and enjoy a show, perfect for the end of a long day of exploration.
5. Downtown Aquarium
Suggested ages: 5-12
Despite being hundreds of miles from any ocean, a trip through the Downtown Aquarium almost feels like exploring the sea. Pathways meander through various areas that have been decorated to recreate the looks of different parts of the world, from rainforests to deserts to tropical beaches.
Sadly, the best aquarium activities, like swimming with sea creatures and diving with sharks, cost extra beyond the price of admission. The restaurant looks very cool, with great views of large aquarium tanks, but the food is overpriced and probably not worth the expense. Despite this, the aquarium is the best attraction in driving distance for watching aquatic animals, so check it out.
