As the last full weekend in May — make it a good one! Check out these Denver area events, activities, story times, and more to keep the little ones occupied.
Little University: Garden Delights
Where? 1498 North Irving Street
When? May 24th
Denver’s Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzalez Branch Library invites families to arrive before 10:30 AM for a Little University experience. Garden Delights will allow attendees to learn about the importance of fruit and veggie intake. Parents will also learn helpful tips on how to involve their little ones with food preparation, which has proven to be a beneficial way to expand palates and introduce young taste buds to new ingredients. During the Little University experience, families will learn how to prepare a seasonal salad and/or dip. Attendees will also plant a green onion that they can then take home to watch it grow.
PRO Tip: Little University activities are suitable for kiddos ages birth through preschool along with their caregivers. This is not a drop-off event, so an adult should plan to partake in the half-hour activity. The event is set to wrap up around 11:00 AM and there is no fee for attending.
Family Fun Free Day
Where? 715 South Forest Street
When? May 24th
On the fourth Friday of each month, Four Mile Historic Park hosts a free day. May’s theme is Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage. Friday’s Family Fun Free Day will be full of games, activities, presentations, and performances that are dedicated to educating the public on different cultures. Catch the Rocky Mountain Indigenous Dancers and learn more about Native American heritage. There will be Indigenous vendors on site, as the park is providing all-day free admission — so bring friends, family, and neighbors to this community-building event that’s sure to make an unforgettable impact on everyone involved.
PRO Tip: The event kicks off at 10:00 AM and runs until 6:00 PM, so hang out for a couple of hours in the morning or swing by after work. Parking is always free at the main parking lot on 4846 East Exposition Avenue and there are handicap spaces close to the main entrance.
Seedlings: Dig It!
Where? 1007 York Street
When? May 24th
This week’s Seedlings class kicks off on Wednesday for little ones ages 3-6. Thursday’s class is set aside for kiddos ages 24-36 months and Friday welcomes the youngest members of Denver Botanic Gardens, ages 18-24 months from 9:15 AM to 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM. Children will embrace a sensory adventure that allows them to “dig it” and explore soil while they learn about the role the earth plays in plant life. The program has both indoor and outdoor components, so participants are encouraged to dress for the weather and wear something that can get a little dirty.
PRO Tip: Register your child for a spot in the upcoming Seedlings class to ensure they have a place reserved! Keep in mind that cancellations with less than one week’s notice are non-refundable. These classes cost $12 per toddler or $10 for those who are members of the Denver Botanic Gardens already. One parent per child is always admitted free of charge.
Sensory Garden Guides
Where? 100 West 14th Avenue Parkway
When? May 24th & 26th
The Sensory Garden Guides experience occurs each week on Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday until the end of October 2024. Kids are invited to enjoy guided access to the Sensory Garden from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. This accessible outdoor area is great for visitors of all ages who wish to engage with plants that evoke each of the five senses. The gardens are open each day during the museum’s regular hours but volunteers are present during the guided hours to answer any questions. During inclement weather, the garden may be closed. Check with the visitor services desk for additional information.
PRO Tip: The museum Sensory Garden can be found on level 1 of the Martin Building. Visitors can enter through the Creative Hub via the Ruby Red Workshop or from the Prow Courtyard. Access to the gardens is included with the museum’s general admission.
Boulder Creek Festival
Where? 1236 Canyon Boulevard
When? May 24th – 27th
Arguably one of Boulder’s favorite annual events, the Boulder Creek Festival isn’t one you’ll want to miss. Pack up the kids and head to nearby Boulder to enjoy a weekend chock-full of events, activities, and plenty of music! The festival runs from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on both Saturday and Sunday, with a later start time of 5:00 PM on Friday. For the kids, the Boulder Creek Festival includes skate lessons, a mural project, face painting, and crafts with Street Wise Arts. Jeff & Paige will be performing on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM for a family-friendly singalong that provides an opportunity to show off everybody’s best movies!
PRO Tip: The festival is situated along Boulder Creek from 9th Street to 14th Street between Canyon Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue. There is free bike parking with a bike valet for those who live closer! Those who are coming from Denver should keep in mind that there are no designated event parking lots, so utilizing a ride-share is recommended.
Summer Low Sensory Mornings
Where? 1007 York Street
When? May 25th
The Denver Botanic Gardens is proud to host a low sensory morning once a month throughout the summer. This allows families to enjoy the York Street gardens at their own pace, without the hustle and bustle of the regular crowds. The gardens will open at 8:00 AM on Saturday for those who wish to take advantage of a more restful environment in which to enjoy the therapeutic horticulture program. This event will have limited attendance and there will be special sensory-based programming that is designed to inspire curiosity in all guests and awaken the senses. If you can’t make it out to May’s low sensory morning, mark your calendar ahead of time for June 22nd!
PRO Tip: Attendees of Saturday’s low sensory morning are asked to enter through the Main Visitor Center located on York Street to present their low sensory morning tickets. Free parking is available in the parking garage, which is accessible from both York and Josephine Streets.
Squirt’s Fire Safety Class
Where? 1326 Tremont Place
When? May 25th
The Denver Firefighters Museum believes that you’re never too young to learn all about fire safety! This class is designed for preschoolers who are ready to learn the ins and outs of fire safety and build a foundation of knowledge that they can carry with them into their early childhood years. The program kicks off at 9:30 AM on Saturday and will last approximately 90 minutes. Children and their parents will learn and practice potentially life-saving skills in a fun and engaging way designed with little ones in mind.
PRO Tip: Reservations for Squirt’s Fire Safety Class are required and space is limited. Parents can sign up online or give the museum a call. The fee for the class is $7 per child, $9 per adult, and $7 per senior. Children 3 and under are free. This fee covers the class, as well as museum admission!
The Emperor’s New Clothes
Where? 1100 Miner’s Alley
When? May 25th
Golden’s Miners Alley Playhouse is excited to present The Emperor’s New Clothes! The plot follows the young Emperor who is so in love with his clothes that they get in the way of the people in his life. The story begins when the Emperor is taken advantage of by two no-good swindlers. The overarching message of the show is that honesty is the best policy and appearances aren’t everything. This performance is dedicated to young audiences and kicks off each Saturday for two shows, with the first beginning at 11:00 and the second at 1:00 PM. This is the second to last Saturday to catch the show, as it wraps up after June 1st.
PRO Tip: Tickets to the show are priced at $15 for both adults and kiddos, including a $2 service charge. When booking your reservation, you can choose seats in tier 1, tier 2, or tier 3.
Teaching Kitchen Workshop: Breakfast Bonanza
Where? 2121 Children’s Museum Drive
When? May 25th
On Saturday, the Children’s Museum at Marsico Campus in Denver is hosting another Teaching Kitchen Workshop! The workshop is the same as last weekend, which is perfect for those who missed the opportunity or who love breakfast food so much they want to go again! The Breakfast Bonanza workshop will teach kiddos how to crack eggs like a pro and how to make tasty waffles and breakfast sandwiches! This class is designed for kids ages 5 and up and is set to run from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
PRO Tip: When purchasing tickets, make sure to include all workshop attendees. This includes adults and children. No one without a valid ticket will be admitted into the kitchen. Members of the Children’s Museum can get $10 off per attendee when they sign into their account.
Joy Park Workshop: Dinosaur Excavation
Where? 2121 Children’s Museum Drive
When? May 26th
Denver’s Children’s Museum is excited to announce this month’s Joy Park Workshop! Dinosaur Excavation will take guests back millions of years to the Mesozoic era. Kiddos will join an excavation crew at the Joy Park Sand Dunes to dig for these ancient “fossils” and learn about what life looked like during the era of dinosaurs. The workshop is designed for ages 3 and up and runs from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Members of the Children’s Museum can sign into their account to receive their discount!
PRO Tip: All Joy Park workshops are designed to be a family-friendly experience. Adults must accompany their children at all times. This is not a drop-off event. All tickets include museum admission — which is a $16-$18 value! There is free vehicle parking on site, as well as bike parking.
Family Fun Workshop
Where? 34 Springer Drive
When? May 26th
Check out Sunday’s Family Fun Day at Createry Workshop in Highlands Ranch. These workshops are designed for kids ages 4-18+ years old and their families. The class runs from 3:30 PM to 5:15 PM and has a capacity of up to 16 students. Sibling discounts of 10% are provided for families with multiple kiddos. Each class features a different project and provides parents and their children a chance to connect. No art skills are needed and staff will be available to help you visualize the process! Sunday’s class is labeled as “Hippy Van Canvas!”
PRO Tip: The cost of a drop-in class is $28, which includes all the required materials for the project of the day. Families will have the chance to take their artwork home with them after the workshop.
Memorial Day Fireworks
Where? 2000 Elitch Circle
When? May 26th
You won’t want to miss the Memorial Day Fireworks at Denver’s Elitch Gardens this Sunday. The show begins at park closing, so grab your tickets now and celebrate the long weekend in style. Tickets purchased online can save $20 from the gate price — so make sure to save big this summer and get yours ahead of time. Season passes are also on sale for the 2024 season, including unlimited park admission, discounts on dining, and bring-a-friend deals. From the theme park to the waterpark, there is endless fun to be had at Elitch Gardens, with kid-centric rides such as the Balloon Race, Blazin’ Buckaroo, and the E.G. Express mini train.
PRO Tip: Elitch Gardens is a cash-free park, so make sure you bring credit or debit to grab snacks, drinks, and any memorabilia for your family day at the park. Guests can also pay with mobile options like Apple Pay or Google Pay.