The best things to do in Colorado with kids

16.09.2023 - 10:39 / lonelyplanet.com

With its endless blue skies and hiking, climbing and exploring galore, Colorado is a wonderful place to introduce the kiddos to the great outdoors.

But there's more to Colorado than peaks and canyons – the state is also bursting with history and culture, from prehistoric times to today. You could spend weeks crisscrossing the state and never truly see it all – but don’t let that stop you from herding everyone into the car and giving it a try!   

Colorado’s outdoor wonders, combined with abundant historic sites and kid-friendly cities, make this a superb destination for families. With so many possibilities, consider choosing a few primary destinations – starting off in museum-packed Denver – and link them up with a flexible driving plan. 

Be sure to check road conditions before you come. Mountain roads can close in the winter, and the I-70 highway is bumper-to-bumper on weekends and holidays. Snacks and fully charged tablets will go a long way toward keeping everyone happy in case of delays.  

If you’re headed to the mountains, bring layers and warm hats; temperatures can vary widely throughout the day, even in the summer. Also pack brimmed sunhats, sunscreen and water bottles, all of which are essential for any outdoor activities.

Whether you’ve been hiking the high country or just walking around downtown Denver, if you or the kiddos start feeling cruddy, it may well be from altitude sickness. Slowing down, resting and hydrating can work wonders. 

Discounts for children often apply for tours, admission fees and public transportation – sometimes as much as 50% off the adult rate. Infants under two typically go free. If traveling to Denver, consider purchasing a CityPASS, a prepaid ticket package that offers significant discounts for some of the city’s top attractions.   

Colorado's four national parks are spectacular and wildly distinct, and all offer camping and outdoor recreation, kid-oriented exhibitions and fascinating activity programs. Join ranger-led tours and campfire talks – typically offered daily – to learn more about each park.

In the north, Rocky Mountain National Park is the state’s signature park, with hundreds of granite peaks and shimmering lakes, flower-filled meadows and leafy forests. It’s best known for its 300 miles of trails, offering hikes for all levels of fitness, plus opportunities to see wildlife, big and small. 

Similarly, families flock to Great Sand Dunes National Park in the south, drawn to its otherworldly dune fields for off-trail hiking and sand sledding down towering slopes (with gleeful wipe-outs). In late spring, the Medano Creek flows alongside the dunes, creating an oasis of sorts – perfect for water play and sandcastle-making. 

Equally sensational is Mesa Verde National