Fun and Free Family Activities in Denver

Although known for its exciting nightlife, Denver is a great place to raise a family and has become a popular vacation destination for those with little ones.

With so many different attractions and festivals taking place throughout the year there is never a shortage of things to do but for those that have more than one child, the cost of entertainment can add up pretty quickly. Fortunately Denver also offers many activities that are easy on the wallet and big on family fun.

Here is an overview of fun and free family activities in Denver, CO.

Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield is located at 8500 Deer Creek Canyon Road in Littleton and is home to nature trails, a historical farm, and beautiful gardens.

Visitors can take in the beauty of the grasslands, ponds, and cottonwood banks of Deer Creek as they spy birds with binoculars, have lunch at a picnic table, and walk the scenic trails as they learn about the 19th Century one-room schoolhouse.

Due to funding by the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District, Colorado residents are offered free admission days once a month.

To learn more about the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield including special upcoming events log on to www.botanicgardens.org or call 303-973-3705.

Located at 100 West 14th Avenue Parkway in Denver, the Denver Art Museum offers over 60,000 works of art including paintings, sculptures, and mixed media compositions from every part of Africa, American Indian Art including Pueblo ceramics, Navajo textiles, and oil paintings, Asian art spanning a period from the fourth millennium B.C. to the present, European, American, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial Art and so much more.

In addition, the Denver Art Museum is proud to exhibit "Egypt 3D: Secrets of the Mummies," "Tut at Twilight," and "Conversations with Curators: Charles Deas & 1840s America," and due to the sponsorship by the Target company, Colorado residents can enjoy free admission every 1st Saturday of each month.

To learn more about the Denver Art Museum log on to www.denverartmuseum.org or call 720-865-5000.

From innovative and exciting hands-on activities that allow visitors to interact with the traditional exhibits, Denver Firefighters Museum has something for the whole family.

On the main level of the museum, visitors will discover galleries comprised of 6 themes, observe Personal Protective Tools and Equipment, learn important fire prevention lessons, and participate in exciting activities including a 911 teaching phone, child size firefighter gear, and a children's pole and fire truck.

The second floor is comprised of 3 themes where visitors will learn of becoming a firefighter, discuss the large fires in Denver, and tour the living quarters of the firefighters.

The Children's gallery is designed for families to interact with one another while learning about fire prevention and experience exhibits including a puppet theater, a reading center, a video center, and so much more.

Denver Firefighters Museum is conveniently located at 1326 Tremont Place and offers free admission on many days throughout the year.

To obtain a full listing of upcoming events log on to www.denverfirefightersmuseum.org or call 303-892-1436.

Inspiring curiosity and exciting the minds of all ages through scientific discovery and the presentation and preservation of the world's unique treasures, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science is where fun and education meet.

Located at 2001 Colorado Boulevard, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science offers countless exhibitions such as "Amazon Voyage," "Egyptian Mummies," and "Prehistoric Journey" just to name a few, and provides programs and activities including "Children's Workshops," "Parent and Child Workshops," and "Camp-ins" which will help visitors experience the natural wonders of Colorado, Earth, and the Universe.

With over 10 free days throughout the year, sponsored by the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District, parents and their children will not only enjoy the exhibits they also have the opportunity to experience education at the IMAX Theater and the Planetarium, both located at the museum.

To learn more about free admission days, a calendar of events, and museum hours, log on to www.dmns.org or call 303-370-6000.

Spanning 80 acres within Denver's historic City Park, The Denver Zoo is located at 2300 Steele Street between York Street and Colorado Boulevard just 5 minutes east from downtown Denver.

With nearly 4,000 animals representing 700 species, The Denver Zoo is the most popular cultural attraction in Colorado and has consistently ranked as one of the most popular zoos in the United States.

Home to "Mshindi," the world's only rhinoceros that paints with a brush, the birthplace of America's favorite polar bears "Klondike and Snow," and the incredibly rare okapi, red-bellied lemur, Amur leopard, black rhino, Siberian tiger, and the world's largest indoor Komodo Dragon Exhibit, The Denver Zoo is one of the best places where Denver families can experience the great outdoors.

The Denver Zoo is proud to offer 8 free admission days throughout the year and serves more than 1.6 million visitors annually.

To learn more about "The Denver Zoo" log on to www.denverzoo.org or call 303-376-6741.

Serving more than 289,000 children age's newborn through 8, and their grownups annually, The Children's Museum has served the Denver metro community since 1973.

Located at 2121 Children's Museum Drive, The Children's Museum is home to interactive "Playscapes" including "Alphabet Soup" where children will learn their ABC's and 123's, "Arts a la Carte" where children will paint, dance, and enjoy a puppet theater, "The Assembly Plant" where children will build, construct, and design with real tools, and "Ready Vet Go" where children will examine x-rays and bandage boo-boo's in a veterinarian clinic.

In addition, The Children's Museum offers daily education programs and special events such as "Afternoon Adventures" which promotes the cognitive development of children, "Backyard Explorers" where children will learn about animals and plants they live with every day, and "Hop, Skip, & a Jump Start," a 5K fun run for the entire family.

To learn more about The Children's Museum including Target Tuesday Nights where families can play for free, log on to www.mychildsmuseum.org or call 303-433-7444 for more information.

Founded in 1981 through the support of a grass-roots community coalition of miniature doll artists, business owners, and civic leaders, the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys is located 2 miles east of downtown Denver at 1880 Gaylord Street.

With so many permanent exhibits at the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys including Japanese dolls, full furnished miniature houses, planes and cars, a miniature circus, and artisan miniatures and so much more, boys and girls alike will have a great time.

In addition to the exciting exhibits families can enjoy special events throughout the year including "Pay-What-You-Can Family Free Day" held on the first Sunday of every month, sponsored by the "Scientific & Cultural Facilities District."

To learn more about the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys, log on to www.dmmdt.org or call 303-322-1053.

In today's economy people are trying to save more money now than ever before so it's great that Denver, Colorado offers many opportunities for families to have fun without putting a dent in their wallet.

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Denver The Mile High City