Summer Camps, Activities and More!

IMG_2601Summer is just around the corner. Luckily, the Front Range is filled with fun for the whole family. From adventure camps to nature hikes to concerts in the square and movies in the park, this area is a haven for family-friendly frolicking.

MOD Moms get great discounts for many area camps and super-fun summer activities! Check out our current list, and stay tuned for updates. (Be sure to show your current MOD Moms card!)

GOLD LEVEL PARTNERS:

Boulder Indoor Soccer

Boulder Indoor Sports

Colorado Conservatory of Dance

Flatirons Gymnastics

High Peak Twirlers

Mountain Kids

Updated for 2018:

A minimum of 4 week commitment required (weeks do not need to be consecutive) Students provide their own healthy snack.

When: Tuesdays & Thursdays May 29th thru August 9th*
*Please note days your student will attend in comment section when you register on-line
Time: 9:30-12pm
Ages: 3-6 yrs
Cost: $40/day or $75/2 days a week

Start Your Registration Today! 

***Mod Mom Members receive 15% discount on camp enrollment. 

Sports Performance Center by FC Boulder

Whole Body Singing 

Xtreme Altitude Gymnastics

 

SILVER LEVEL PARTNERS:

CATS Gymnastics

Game On! Sports Camp 4 Girls

Updated for 2018: 

Game On! Sports Camp 4 Girls – 10% off total summer camp registration for Mod Moms; Multi-sport summer day camp for girls 5-14; June 4 – July 13.  

Great Play of Superior

Shalom Baby at the Boulder JCC

Thorne Nature Experience

 

SPONSORSHIPS:

School of Rock – Broomfield

 

PERKS FOR MOD Moms:

BringtheKids

Rock Creek After School

Superior Learning Academy

 

Do you own a camp? Want to partner or sponsor with MOD Moms for your camp? Do you have a favorite camp or activity? Tell us about it.

 

 

More great summer activities

ABC Climbing
Apex Movement (parkour)
Art Underground
Boulder County Agricultural Heritage Center (Free, Open Fri, Sat, Sun 10am – 5pm). Step into Boulder County of yesteryear with a tour of an old farmstead
Chatauqua Meadow Music with Jeff & Paige (Fun family friendly hike followed by great nature-themed kid music. Monday evenings from 5:30-7pm. Meet by the Ranger Station for the short hike).
Clementine Studio
Louisville Community Park Movies in the Park (with food trucks!)
MidAir Adventures (Thornton)
Sunflower Farm
Tinkermill For the builders, the makers and the creators
Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center

Some fun area museums

Butterfly Pavillion (Westminster)
Denver Aquarium
Denver Art Museum (Kids under 18 are free everyday!)
Denver Botanic Gardens (upcoming free days)
Denver Children’s Museum (Denver)
Denver Museum of Nature and Science (upcoming free days: Sunday, May 31, Monday, June 29, Sunday, July 26, Monday, August 17)
Denver Zoo
Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
Longmont Museum
Railroad Museum
WOW Museum (Lafayette)

Bowling, mini golf and family fun centers

Boondocks (Northglenn)
Carousel of Happiness (Nederland) $1/ride!
Chippers (Broomfield) 
Coal Creek Bowling (Lafayette) 
Dizzy (Longmont) 
Fat Cats (Westminster)
Gateway Park Fun Center (Boulder)

Water Fun

Apex Recreation Center (Arvada)
Bob Burger Recreation Center
Broomfield Bay
City Park Recreation Center (Westminster)
Erie Community Center
Memory Square
Paul Derda Recreation Center (Broomfield)
Scott Carpenter Park (Boulder)

 

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Summer Fun

Still looking for something fun for your kids to do this summer? Check out some of the awesome camps and activities we’re highlighting here:

Great Play of Superior

Great Play of Superior — (MOD Moms receive a 10% discount on enrollment and first set of classes) Spare your kiddos from a sunburn and fill up on active fun with Sanjana and her amazing team at Great Play. In addition to the always fun classes, Great Play is offering camp days for Juniors (ages 3-6) and Big Kids (ages 4.5 -10) as well as themed Camp Parties for both age groups as well! MOD Moms get a great discount, and the kids are sure to have loads of fun.

CAMP DAYS
Camp Junior, Ages 3-6, Tuesdays, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Upcoming Dates: June 28, July 5, July 12, July 19, July 26, August 2, August 9, and August 16
The curriculum varies each week so each camp is fun and fresh!

CAMP PARTY DAYS
Camp Party Junior, Ages 3-6, Thursdays, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
June 23 – Super Hero Party
June 30 – Pajama Party
July 7 – Championship Day
July 14 – Carnival Party
July 21 – Super Spy Day
July 28 – Super Hero Party
Aug 4 – Princess & Pirate
Aug 11 – Championship Day
Aug 18 – Super Spy Day

Camp Party, Ages 4.5 – 10, Thursdays 1:00 – 3:30 pm
June 23 – Beach Party
June 30 – Olypmic Day
July 7 – Championship Day
July 14 – Carnival Day
July 21 – Beach Party
July 28 – Olypmic Day
Aug 4 -Carnival Day
Aug 11 – Championship Day
Aug 18 – Olympic Day

Camp Prices:
$35 each for non-members, $33 for members.
5-Pack Fun Pack: $150 for non-members, $140 for members.
10-Pack Fun Pack: $250 for non-members, $230 for members.

Kumon Boulder BIg Logo

Kumon of Boulder — (MOD Moms receive a 10% discount). Help your child get ahead with Kumon’s fun and engaging approach to reading and math!

Camp dates: June 1 – August 15, 2016
Mondays (3-7pm) / Wednesdays (3-5pm) / Thursdays (3-7pm)

Students come to the center once or twice each week, and remain for approximately 30 minutes per subject. Daily assignments will be assigned for non-class days.

Tuition:
One child / one subject: $495
One child / two subjects: $945
Two children / one subject each: $945
Two children / two subjects each:$1,695

For additional information, email the Center Director at john@boulderkumon.com.

 

 

mountainkidshappy

Mountain Kids (MOD Moms receive a 15% discount on classes and camps Mon-Fri that start before 4pm)

Super Fun and Super Active Camps for kids in Kindergarten – 6th grade

Upcoming camps:
June 27- July 1: Storybook Week
July 5-8: Master Chef
July 11-15: Wacky Week
July 18-22: Wild West Week
July 25-29: Mad Scientists
Aug 1-5: Future Olympians Week
Aug 8-12: Best Week Ever

Summer Camp Activities
Our Summer Day Camp is full of action, fun field trips, sports & arts. Gymnastics is offered twice a week (on Wed/Fri Jr. Campers & Tues/Fri Sr. Campers). Campers will also get to choose to participate in either a 1hr Dance or Ninja Zone class on Mondays. Plus, tons field trips such as: Open Swim, Anderson Farms, WOW Children’s Museum, ABC Climbing, Sunflower Farms, IMAX, Tours and so much more! Weekly swimming lessons are provided for our Jr. Campers as an option under the direction of the Lafayette Recreation Center. We average 4 to 5 field trips a week.

Camp Groups
Campers are divided into Jr. Camp (entering kindergarten to entering 2nd Grade) & Sr. Camp (3rd Grade to 6th Grade) to facilitate age appropriate activities and social interaction. Our Jr. Campers stay close to home travel only within Boulder County and the nearby areas. Our Sr. Campers on occasion have the opportunity to travel to Denver to explore bigger and more age appropriate and challenging field trips to keep them engaged and having fun all summer long!

Hours
Camp activities take place between 9.00am – 4:30pm. Children may come as early as 7:30 am and stay as late as 5:45 pm for no additional charge.

Tuition
Includes all activities and field trips for your convenience. Minimum enrollment of four weeks for the summer is required. Weeks do NOT need to be consecutive. Choose either full or part time tuition for each week of camp. We offer a 10% sibling discount!

Full Week $275 (4 to 5 days)
3 days $215 (choose any 3)
2 day $165 (choose any 2)
Camper Registration $75/ child

THORNE

Thorne Nature Experience: (MOD Moms receive a 10% discount, enter code  “MOD2016” upon checkout).

Get outside! Your kids can spend the summer catching frogs, getting muddy, biking down mountain trails, and exploring Colorado’s wild places with the Thorne Nature Experience Summer Camp!

Thorne offers fun, hands-on environmental “Camp Experiences” for children aged 3-15 in two stunning locations; Waterton Canyon in Littleton and in Boulder. Kids will have a blast practicing important survival skills, exploring forests and streams, learning about local plants and animals, and getting their hands on tadpoles, crawfish, grasshoppers, and more! Thorne’s experienced, CPR and first-aid trained instructors help facilitate student learning and appreciation for the outdoors while keeping them safe. Students complete the program with a newfound respect and awe of nature, increased understanding of the environment, and a desire to get back outside.

Flatirons Gymnastics

SCHOOL AGE CAMPS (K-12 years)
Road to Rio Camp ~ July 25-29

FULL DAY (9:00am-4:00pm) or HALF DAY (9:00am-12:00pm)
Choose 5 days or 3 days (you pick which 3 days!)
Siblings/Students enrolled in multiple camps save up to $25.00 per camp!
All camps are co-ed, unless otherwise specified. Child must be 6 years old, or have completed Kindergarten to enroll in school-age camps.

Pricing Info:
5 Half Days $250
3 Half Days $180
5 Full Days $350
3 Full Days $240

PRESCHOOL AGE CAMPS (3-5 years)
Road to Rio Camp ~ July 11-15
School Age Camp Details:

HALF DAY (9:00am-12:00pm)
Choose 5 days or 3 days (you pick which 3 days!)
Siblings/Students enrolled in multiple camps save up to $25.00 per camp!
All camps are co-ed, unless otherwise specified. All campers must be potty trained.
Pricing Info:

5 Half Days $250
3 Half Days $180

SUPER STARS CAMP ~ Girls Gym Stars Classes Only
August 1-5
Super Stars Camp Details:

HALF DAY (9:00am-12:00pm)
Choose 5 or 3 days (you choose which 3 days!)
Siblings/Students enrolled in multiple camps save up to $25.00 per camp!
Child must be actively enrolled in our Gym Stars Program to enroll in this camp.

Pricing Info:
5 Half Days $275
3 Half Days $195

Superior Learning Academy

Superior Learning Academy Super-fun kid-centered preschool summer camp. (Through August 31st) Weekly themes like Robots, Bugs, Space adventures and Superheroes!

Monday – Friday, 9am-1pm (ages 3-6)
Daily ($36/day) or weekly ($180 for 5 days), monthly or for the rest of the summer ($288 for two days a week, $432 for 3 days a week or everyday ($720 for 5 days).

Aftercare available (1pm-4pm, but limited spots available daily) $25/afternoon or a pack of 5 days for $90

Screen Shot 2016-06-28 at 12.19.33 PM

Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center, Nederland

CHOOSE ANY DAY OF THE WEEK!  WILD BEAR WORKS WITH YOUR SCHEDULE!
HOURS:  Monday-Friday 8am-4pm
Shuttle service is available from Boulder, pick up at 8:00 a.m. drop off in Boulder at 4:00 p.m.
Summer Camps for children ages 5-15
Wild Bear Camps are from June 6-August 12

  • 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. M-F in Nederland, Colorado and NCAR in Boulder each Friday
  • Shuttle Service is available from Boulder to Nederland
  • Choose any or all days of the week!
  • Pricing Information: http://wildbear.org/pricing2015/

NederRANGERS: 5 & 6 year olds (for the first time Wild Bear). Join other young friends to explore the forest, play, sing and make crafts with other campers with  highly experienced Early Childhood Educators. This program includes trips to Mud Lake!

Mountain Rangers – For the Wild Campers who are 6-7 years old The Mountain Rangers head out to Mud Lake to explore this magical place and integrate the arts into their discoveries.

Wild Naturalists- For the Wild Campers who are 8-9 years old Venture out onto the surrounding Rocky Mountain forest, bring your camera and put on your water shoes to discover the water, the woods, and the mud. Try your hand at catch and release, camping and survival skills, and document the fun through creative lenses.

NCAR Fridays For ages 5-8, children meet at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder EVERY Friday and enjoy nature workshops in and around the local foothills.  DROP OFF: at 8:30 and PICK UP: at 3:30pm at the “drop off” at the NCAR parking lot. Children access the trails surrounding NCAR as well as the famous Mesa Lab with exhibits and scientists who will help us to connect even more with nature!

Mountain Youth Adventure Program Summer Camps for ages 10 and older: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in Nederland, Colorado. Includes Fly Fishing, Primitive Pathways and more!

Bear Cubs: Ages 3-5 with an Adult: Every Wednesday
10:30 a.m.-noon $15 per family (must be related). During the summer months, Bear Cubs is a parent/child workshop. Meet at the Mud Lake parking lot every Wednesday and hike with us to the lake. Venture on trails, sing with us and discover the many plants and animals who live in and around Mud Lake. Pre-registration is required.

*Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) is accepted for payment at Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center.

 

And so many more great camp options in the area! (Add to our list in the comments section!)

Avid For Adventure

Colorado Athletic Club Sports Camps

Lakeshore Athletic Club Landsharks

The Butterfly Pavillion

Denver Museum of Nature and Science Camps

Denver Zoo Camps

 

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How to BBQ Like a Pro

Summer is the perfect time to entertain, especially in Colorado. We have access to great outdoor venues and weather that opens up more space for entertaining than during the winter months. When I think of a summer BBQ, I think outside.

Everyone’s event space is different, but it always adds something special if you can enhance it a bit from the everyday norm. For a party that may linger until the evening hours, a great way to bring your space to life is add specialty lighting. This does not have to be anything expensive, you most likely have Christmas lights collecting dust in storage that you could re-purpose in this way. Whether you wrap trees or string overhead, the lights add an ambiance that will definitely increase the space value and make the event seem a bit more intimate.

Of course, every BBQ needs to have good food! A BBQ offers so many options of what to provide for your guests, or you can opt for potluck style. Whether you grill everything yourself or cater it from a nearby BBQ joint, it is one of the most straightforward menus.

(c) Jessica Diamond
(c) Jessica Diamond

I love to display menus for events like this, and one way I do this is by using chalkboards. I LOVE chalkboards for event planning and especially since they are still on trend with a lot of styles. Whenever I see a chalkboard on sale, at a garage sale, on a buy/sell group, I will usually buy it because they are so versatile for these occasions. I display the menu on a larger style chalkboard near the food.

If you are interested in using chalkboards, I feel obligated to tell you about the chalk marker, quite possibly one of the greatest new inventions! I don’t have the best handwriting, but chalk markers make writing on chalkboards SO much EASIER. You can buy chalk markers at any craft store. Trust me, if you have a chalkboard, you need some of these!

Signage goes a long way toward increasing the sophistication of an event. So, whether you use a chalkboard or create signage of your own it can definitely create that WOW factor for your guests.

For this summer BBQ, I used a combination of chalkboards and customized signage that I created and printed. You don’t have to be a graphic designer to whip something up and with a little practice; you would be surprised at what you can create. There is a free program called PicMonkey, that is super-easy to use. If you watch a few YouTube videos, you will be all set to create some simple signs. Of course, there are also plenty of printable party signs and enhancements that you can purchase on Etsy if you would rather go that route.

(c) Jessica Diamond
(c) Jessica Diamond

In addition to great food, I really love the look of a great table setting as well. You can certainly have a BBQ and just pull out a stack of paper plates, but there are also a lot of ways you can spruce up the event that don’t add a ton of cost. Now, this (pictured event) was a BIG party for over 100 people, so we opted for disposable tableware.

When planning your event, it is great to establish a theme or color scheme and choose the elements with this in mind.

We opted for a blue/gingham/rustic feel for this gathering. We covered the tables (because, they were those ugly plastic ones…) with white tablecloths to give us uniform look. Then I alternated pieces of colored burlap and blue gingham as table squares. For the plates, I found a blue gingham paper plate that matched perfectly with the color scheme. I wanted the table setting to feel a little “upscale” since this was an adults only event, but had to keep in mind the quantity of people.

(c) Jessica Diamond
(c) Jessica Diamond

I also knew that I wanted to incorporate the rustic style of mason jars. Now, as an event planner, I actually own over 100 mason jars. I know, kind of crazy! Hopefully your BBQ won’t require you to purchase quite so many, but they are a great investment and something you will use again and again.

**Buying Tip: Walmart actually makes their own version of mason jars and sells them by the case. These are the cheapest I have been able to find. In addition you can buy the traditional ones at Michael’s by the case with a 40% off coupon, which is also a good deal. You can also find mason jars at Hobby Lobby or online from spots like the Fresh Preserving shop.)**

We stuffed the mason jars with a blue handkerchief for a napkin and upgraded to the “fancy” silver plated plastic utensils. The combination really looked great!

(c) Jessica Diamond
(c) Jessica Diamond

The last touch to the tables was flowers! Did you know that you can buy flowers in bulk from Sam’s Club? You can! That is where we ordered these flowers! These arrangements were relatively simple to construct. For vases, we used a LARGE size mason jar. Then we stuck a combination of sunflowers and baby’s breath in the vase.

(c) Jessica Diamond
(c) Jessica Diamond

Keep in mind, you do have to order the flowers a little bit in advance to make sure they will have the quantity you require. To finish it off, we tied a bow of raffia around the top of the vase. Voila! Beautiful tables, complete.

For the drink areas, we set up a few tables and layered different drink dispensers. What do a mean by layering drink dispensers? Well, it makes the visual more appealing when items are layered at different eye levels versus having them all lined up in a straight line.

(c) Jessica Diamond
(c) Jessica Diamond

I will often wrap books (Harry Potter books work great for this!) in coordinating paper and use them to achieve different heights for a display.

We spiced up the store bought lemonade and tea by adding fresh berries as well as descriptive labels for each dispenser. To spruce up the front of the drink stations, we draped a burlap banner labeled “DRINKS.” I use this burlap banner all the time and just change the letter stickers (yes, they are removable stickers) on the banner depending on the occasion.

(c) Jessica Diamond
(c) Jessica Diamond

As the event comes to a close, I love to send guests off with a little something to remember the occasion. This is by no means necessary, but it is a nice gesture if you can fit it into your party budget.

In this instance, we decided to give each departing guest a small package of brownie bites. The brownie bites were from Sam’s Club and I packaged them in a small cellophane bag,  tied securely with a blue gingham ribbon. They were displayed in a basket alongside a chalkboard (of course!) with instructions for guests to take one on their way out.

Brownie Bites
(c) Jessica Diamond

So, what makes a good party?

The people you surround yourself with, of course!

What makes a pretty party? Well, a lot of the details that I shared with you here today. By creating a subtle, but consistent color scheme or theme you can really turn even a simple BBQ into a coordinated event. I’m looking forward to the snow finally leaving for good, moving into my new home, breaking out my boxes of mason jars and having you mamas over for a mommy date!

Share your tips and tricks for a summer BBQ or what you loved from this post in the comments below.

——————-

About Guest Blogger Jessica Diamond

I am so excited to be sharing a post with Mod Moms! My name is Jessica Diamond. I joined MOD Moms as soon as we relocated to Colorado last year. MOD Moms was instantly a great group of moms to connect with and share information. I am so looking forward to getting out to more events and meeting more awesome moms!

Since moving to Colorado, I have started a local resource blog, Mom Knows – Boulder County. I thought it was the perfect way to share all the information I was discovering, as well as to offer tips on a few areas where I already had some experience. I hope you’ll take a look and find it useful!

Before we moved to Colorado, I owned and operated an event/party planning business – Simply Perfect Parties. I started the business because I LOVE throwing parties and could really entertain everyday! With relocating, renting, trying to buy a house and getting the family settled here, I have not had the time to relaunch the business. However, I still think about parties all the time! Since we are headed into warmer weather, I am going to share with you some easy ways you can throw a summer BBQ that is sure to impress your guests.

To learn more about me, visit www.momknowsboco.com/about

Follow me on social media at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/momknowsboco
Instagram: @momknowsbouldercounty
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/momknowsboulder

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Road Tripping Across the Heartland with the Kiddo

Maybe your summer was filled with exotic locales and trendy hot spots.

For me and my little guy, this summer’s big travel itinerary didn’t feature beaches, resorts, or wild rides. Nope, our big summer fun was braving a cross-regional road trip: 11 days, 10 nights, 6 hotels throughout the scenic farmlands of Kansas, Missouri, and northern Arkansas. One driver (me) and one 4.5-year old co-pilot, and many, many bathroom stops along the way. It was Mama and W’s Big Adventure, and it was surprisingly manageable and … even fun.

Perhaps you’re a seasoned expert at kid-friendly road trips, maybe you’ve got a streamlined system ready for a patent. Me, I’m just a left-foot-right-footing it mama who had a couple of big family events and a deep love for other people’s stories. Pre-kid, my husband and I regularly blazed a handful of routes across the midwest to see our spread-out family. We’d blast some great music, or listen to an entire (grown up) audio book, making necessary stops with incredible precision and speed.

I’d like to see that someday,” I’d remark wistfully as we’d whisk past the World’s Largest Prairie Dog and the Historic Carousel attractions. But we always had a schedule to keep — and really, those places are just tourist traps, right?

This time, with just me as the driver and sole kid-wrangler, I decided my main rule would be to attempt to enjoy the journey. And, strange as it might sound, part of enjoying that journey was a hefty amount of pre-trip planning. I decided that I didn’t want to spend more than 4-6 hours per day actually driving — and I wanted to add a buffer for fun and interesting stops. Like an expert travel agent, I researched towns, historic landmarks, parks, museums, and interesting diversions.

To engage my co-pilot (who prefers plans to spontaneity) I crafted a spiral bound book with a map for each day, a picture of our hotel/lodging and the planned stops along the way. I added a mini-review section for each page, “Good, Just Okay, and Not Good” with a space for comments and notes, but reminded him (and myself) that we’d stay open to other possibilities along the route.

 

IMG_6123
Little W’s Road Trip Book
Wolf's Trip-Tix and Review Book.
W’s Trip-Tix and Review Book.

I’ve never been great at packing light. Like a good Girl Scout, I just like to be prepared. Ask anyone who knows me — I’ll likely be the one in the group who can pull just about any random thing you might need out of my bag. Extra t-shirt? Snack? Water bottle? Bandaid? Wet-wipes? Toys? I can’t help it. So, even though the weather report predicted triple digit temperatures for most of our trip across the Heartland, I stuffed our rain jackets, sweatshirts, extra pants, and even my favorite puffy vest into our family’s largest and heaviest suitcase. I mean, what if a freak July snowstorm really did occur? My eye-rolling husband would feel silly then!

As it were, weather.com was on the money. Temperatures ranged from 92 – 106 degrees (even at night!) for most of the trip and my favorite green vest sat mocking me in that enormous suitcase the entire time.

I might have overdone it on the clothes. But I got it right on the toys. I cleaned out my gym bag and filled it with gallon-sized ziplocs of: legos, little tiny dinosaurs and animals, matchbox cars, markers, crayons, and art supplies and tons of other toys I can’t remember. Perhaps the most important item of all: rolls of colored painter’s tape, perfect for making roads and cities on hotel room carpets.

Packing the car

My main strategy for car packing — ease of access. Food, snacks, wet wipes and special needs items occupied my passenger seat. The ever-useful portable potty (Pottette Plus) and compostable liners/ bags were stuffed into a drawstring backpack and tucked just behind the driver’s seat, ready for emergency deployment. The gym bag turned toy-palooza sat just under W’s feet where he could hook it with his left toe and procure any of the items he needed. For quick access to books and coloring supplies, I filled an old Duplo Lego bucket and wedged that atop the rear armrest next to his carseat. It was perfect! I was so proud… at least until I took that first hard left turn and sent everything flying across the car.

 

Ready for a road trip
Ready for a road trip

And of course, the most important/useful item in the car: my trusty prize bag. Whenever we travel, I always prep a small bag of surprises. Little trinkets picked up from the dollar bin at Target, treats W doesn’t usually get to eat, and even a few extra special things like a harmonica (#whatwasithinking?). My grandmother used to do that for my brother and me when we were kids. She put a lot of thought into hers: each small treasure would be stapled inside of a brown paper lunch bag — labeled with the mile marker or landmark where we would finally be able to open the goodies.

Following in Grandma’s footsteps, the first set of W’s prizes on this trip looked lovely, so nicely wrapped in tissue paper. Christmas in July! Genuine glee in the backseat, I tell you! As the trip progressed though, the surprise bag dwindled. So, the little guy and I picked out inexpensive prizes together from museums, a Dollar Store, and a couple of Walmarts. At prize picking time, W would close his eyes and fumble around the bag. “I’m gonna pretend I forgetted what we buyed, okay Mama?” he’d say earnestly.

On the Road

Knowing my little co-pilot would need to stretch his legs (and empty his bladder) frequently, I tried to plan for a multi-purpose, relatively fun stop every couple of hours. Our first official destination (not counting the quick bathroom tour in Arriba) was Parmer Park in Burlington, Colorado. Prior to this trip, Burlington, to me, was simply a blur on Highway 70. People, let me tell you, if you have small folks in your car, Burlington is worth a few minutes of your time.

IMG_6026
Parmer Park, Burlington, CO. Lots of fun!

With a rocket ship-themed playground and a rather impressive splash pad, Parmer Park earned a “Super Good” in little W’s review book. If we would have planned ahead, we could have enjoyed the adjacent swimming pool for just a few bucks, and that would have been a nice way to relieve the 96 degree heat.

Parmer Park, Burlington, CO.
Parmer Park, Burlington, CO.

Energized after our brief play break, we turned the car east and headed toward the Kansas line. The next pit-stop on our list? One of my favorite gas spots — the beloved Colby Travel Oasis. Boasting a small playground, clean bathrooms, kitschy souvenirs, a Starbucks, a Quiznos and a Qdoba, Exit 53 is always a welcomed sight. After gassing up, little W bounded out of the car toward the scorching playground and I relished a few minutes to check my email under the shade of the tiny picnic pavilion.

Colby Travel Oasis, Colby, KS (Exit 53!).
Colby Travel Oasis, Colby, KS (Exit 53!).

Sweaty and worn out, we grabbed some sandwiches for the rest of the day’s drive to Hayes, Kansas where our hotel, and more importantly, the swimming pool, was waiting for us.

That first evening, I knew I made a mistake with the suitcase. It was unbelievably heavy and awkward. Erick never would have packed it that way. I hate it when he’s right. I had to lug the giant suitcase filled with every season of gear (really, what was I thinking!), plus the toy bag — because, toys! — and my computer backpack, and the food bag — because, food! — and the giant Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle accompanying us on this journey. It wasn’t pretty, and it looked like we were moving in, but I did it. And though I was tired to the bone, I kept my swimming promise and even had fun in the pool.

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Late night pool time!

Post pool-time, I shuddered when I realized that I couldn’t actually stay up late to write or work or relax — because we’d be hitting the road early in the morning and I had to pack up all of this stuff that had somehow exploded around the room.

The next 11 days are kind of blur, but in a good sort of way. It was never easy, and I was certainly tired. But, I was surprisingly not miserable. Having a checklist of fun stops each day, helped my little guy (and me, too) stay focused on the journey rather than the tedious miles. And sometimes, it was the littlest things that made W smile. On Day 2, in the breakfast area of Holiday Inn Express, we spent 10 minutes watching pancakes emerge from a futuristic-looking contraption.

Pancakes from a machine? Are you for reals?” little W asked me skeptically.

Apparently, it’s true. Holiday Inn Express has entered a new era of efficiency. No more spilled waffle batter. At this hotel, we simply pressed a button and watched in surprise as a tidy little pancake pushed through heated rollers out onto our plates. The 4 year-old budding engineer was definitely a fan. “Can we buy one of these?

After stuffing all of our luggage back into the car, we charted course for the day’s first adventure: the Sternberg Museum of Natural History. We got in free with our Denver Museum of Nature and Science card (yay for ASTC reciprocity!) and had a great time touring the impressive dinosaur habitat, the kids’ area, and the decidedly cool Titanaboa exhibit on loan from the Smithsonian. This massive predator was 48 feet long and weighed roughly 2,500 pounds.

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Titans of the Ice Age, Sternberg Museum, Hays, KS.
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Titanoboa replica (eating a caiman alligator).
Learning about frog anatomy.
Learning about frog anatomy.

That museum stop tided us over to Wichita, Kansas. The promise of a Chuck E Cheese date with some family friends was a decent incentive for the little guy to curb his “Are we there yets” long enough for me to stay sane. Along the way, a gas station with a sub-par restroom received W’s only “sad face” rating of the entire trip. For me, double sad face, maybe triple. Chuck E Cheese, though, was surprisingly delightful. Maybe it was the long drive, maybe it was all the extra tickets the hostess handed the kids in our group, maybe it was catching up with a friend I hadn’t seen in years. Regardless, the pizza wasn’t bad, the games were fun, and the company was great.

After cashing in over a hundred tickets on funny sunglasses and tiny toys destined for the odd corners of my car, we loaded up for the day’s final destination, Hampton Inn in Hutchinson, Kansas. There, for the second time, I cursed my need to be prepared for any kind of weather. Why couldn’t I have just packed that stuff in an extra duffle bag and taken the smaller, lighter red suitcase? Seriously. And for the second night, I kept my promise to swim in the pool (even though I was exhausted) and miserably failed on my promise to work on my writing.

In Hutch, we endured the 100+ degree heat (and seemingly 50 percent humidity) to visit wonderful family and some great local attractions. A cute play spot in a mall cooled us off, the free local zoo full of several rescued animals, and many endemic species was informative and educational. It also had a fun little dinosaur-themed play area which was mercifully covered with a sun shade.

 

 

Hutchinson Zoo
Hutchinson Zoo

 

Dinosaur fun!
Dinosaur fun!
Demonstration barn
Demonstration barn

We had hoped to also visit the Kansas Cosmosphere or the Dillon Nature Center but we ran out of time. Plus, I was hungry and I really wanted a coffee not made in a hotel lobby. So, we headed to historic Main Street and stumbled upon Brewed Awakenings which served up a good cup of cappuccino and some tasty sandwiches. Next door, we found Smiths Market, an adorable, old-fashioned grocery full of gorgeous fruits, vegetables, specialty food items and interesting toys.

The next day was the best. We donned our hard hats, joined up with family, and explored the Strataca Underground Salt Museum 650 feet below ground. The ride down was admittedly unnerving; a dark, crowded elevator with no way out? Claustrophobia anyone? Fortunately it was quick and the guide had a headlamp. When we piled out of the elevator, we saw what seemed like miles of tunnels and caverns. Exhibits tucked into corners here and there elaborated on the history of mining and methodologies. Little W “oohed and ahhed” over dynamite blasters, and cutters, and other strange machines whose functions I still don’t understand. To his delight, we rode the underground train, touring some of the original areas of the mine. Looking back now, I realize that we really should have opted for the additional special “dark ride” for just a couple of extra bucks. On that one, visitors get to see other tunnels and ‘mine’ their own salt rocks.

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Streetcar Underground Salt Mines, Hutchinson, KS.
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Touring the Salt Mines with Uncle Rick.
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Old equipment used in the salt mines.

Next on our itinerary? Pratt, Kansas. A quaint farming town with historic homesteads and some really nice people. I got to meet a cousin I’ve only really known on Facebook, enjoyed being regaled with tales of my dad’s high school antics, and was treated to a special family tour of The Pratt Education Center, part of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. W loved the fish hatchery, the aquariums, the snakes and salamanders, and the many displays and mounts.

Keeping a tight schedule, we high-tailed it to Joplin, Missouri. Or, at least we tried. On the map, US Hwy 400 seemed like a pretty straight forward choice. Direct, dotted with small towns. I imagined it to be picturesque and perhaps slightly less-traveled.

In actuality, it was desolate. And none of those map dots seemed to be anywhere near the highway. I think we saw one town, one gas station. My first clue should have been the pre-trip Internet searches for a hotel. I couldn’t find anything enroute (with a decent swimming pool) closer than Joplin. Well, that’s not true. I did find one hotel that seemed like it would work out okay. But when I checked the photos online, there were mirrors above the beds — which kind of creeped me out.

Maybe it was the long drive, maybe it was the stale car snacks or the Raffi on repeat, but when I dragged our giant suitcase into the lobby of the Homewood Suites of Joplin, I think I heard angels sing. For a regular hotel, this property was amazing. And though we pulled in past 9pm, the blazing fire pit, the outdoor putting green and the saltwater pool (all open til 11pm) made my little guy’s eyes sparkle like he was on a real vacation. Each room was a mini-apartment, with a separate sitting area and kitchenette so it really did feel a bit like home (especially after the toys came out).

I bought a bottle of Perrier from the front desk and stuck it in the freezer so it would be nice and cold. Then fed the child, went for a whirlwind swim, quick round of putt-the-golf ball, and warmed up by the fire. With little W finally tuckered out and tucked in, I remembered my sparkly water waiting in the freezer. Except it wasn’t. It had exploded everywhere. What was I thinking? For the next half hour, I questioned my brain power while picking out every shard of green glass from the freezer.

My own major gaffe aside, this place was a lot of fun. They had a great breakfast and really lovely staff. Be aware, though, this is a pet-friendly facility. I didn’t know that when I booked it, though I am sure it said so in the fine print. My little guy is often scared of dogs, but he found riding in the elevator with them to be refreshingly fun. So, hooray for that.

The next day of our big adventure we headed toward our second major destination: a surprise anniversary party for Nana and PopPop in northern Arkansas. Along the way, we finally made it to one of W’s most anticipated stops. The Discovery Center of Springfield, Missouri — or as the little guy called it, The Mouth Museum (the website has a photo of a giant, walk-through mouth as part of one of the ‘human body’ exhibits). We used our ATSCA / Denver Museum of Nature and Science card for free admission (yay!) and enjoyed the place so much we added it to our itinerary for the way home. There was a dinosaur dig pit, a giant Operation game, a small magnetic crane, an airplane flying game, an interactive human body exhibit and so much more.

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Discovery Center, Springfield, MO. So much fun!
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Discovery Center, Springfield, MO. So much fun!
Discovery Center, Springfield, MO. So much fun!
Discovery Center, Springfield, MO. So much fun!
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Discovery Center, Springfield, MO. So much fun!

From the museum, we had a rather manageable drive to the beautiful old farm where dear friends put together a lovely celebration for Nana and PopPop. The drive was worth it just to see the smiles on their faces as we snuck across the field. Our Arkansas days were full of family, tractor rides, chigger bites, garden visits, and hammering projects in PopPop’s workshop.

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Special anniversary party for Nana and PopPop. Arkansas.
Gardening with PopPop.
Gardening with PopPop.

Too soon though, little W and I were hitting the road again, homeward bound. Nana escorted us through the hills and hollers past their house on Bull Shoals Lake up to Branson so we could all play tourists. We visited the Butterfly Palace, which actually does kind of look like a palace. W loved the reptiles and amphibians area, but even more, he enjoyed bolting through the kids’ stuff — a mirror maze (which was surprisingly effective) and a jungle maze made out of bungee cords meant to emulate banyan tree roots. Personally, I enjoyed the tranquil butterfly aviary, which was filled with colorful butterflies, moths, a few birds and the soothing music of a hammered dulcimer.

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Butterfly Palace, Branson, MO.

By this time in the trip, I was feeling pretty good. Like, “Mama, you got this!” We had a rhythm, W and I. We had the snacks flowing, the music playing, the prize box full of surprises … Then it started pouring in Springfield. Big, heaving chunks of sky assaulting the car. I have a thing about driving in storms in the midwest. It totally freaks me out. I got caught in the edge of a massive Kansas storm cell of a tornado back in 2008, and it has kind of left a mark. Eyes scanning the sky for signs of dropping clouds, I squealed into the nearest Starbucks for a coffee and a chance to catch my breath.

Much later, when we finally pulled into Topeka, the friendly desk clerk couldn’t find my reservation and the hotel was solidly booked (summer vacation travelers, maybe?). Turns out, I’d accidentally mixed up the dates for the last couple of nights on the trip. Really? Who does that? Fortunately, with A+ customer service, a few prayers and a fair bit of luck, little W and I were able to finagle ourselves into decent rooms for both nights at two different hotel chains. And even though it was almost 10pm, we went swimming. Hooray.

The next morning, I just couldn’t do another hotel breakfast. So we splurged and found a nearby Denny’s. W must have been hungry, he ate everything in sight, pancakes, bacon, cheesy eggs — gone. My finicky carb-loving kid found his culinary paradise. “Can we come to this awesome restaurant again sometime, Mama?

Growing a little weary of the car, we dragged out the morning a bit chatting over the last bits of sticky crumbs. First on the agenda of our penultimate morning: the Rolling Hills Zoo and Museum in Salina. Honestly, I didn’t have high expectations and planned to cut the visit a little short. The car temperature gauge was reading 106 degrees and I was starting to feel the pull of the greater Denver area.

But, I had promised; it was in our little trip-tix book and everything. So, we stopped. And I’m glad we did. The spacious facility was clean, with good habitats and very engaging staff and volunteers. We opted for the tram ride — and had the whole thing to ourselves. It turned out to be the best (and perhaps only) way to see the zoo on such a brutally hot day.

Tram ride, Rolling Hills Zoo. Salina, KS.
Tram ride, Rolling Hills Zoo. Salina, KS.

And while the zoo itself was nice, it was the museum that was truly impressive. Huge, semi-interactive dioramas featuring animatronics and real waterfalls, on par with what I’d expect to see in a major museum. Separated by regional habitats, we toured Southeast Asian rainforests, the African Savannah, the Arctic Tundra, South Asia and more. We would have toured the bat habitat, but W got too engrossed in the kids area which featured a giant Connect Four game, a reading loft, games and toys. It was a great stop.

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Kids area at the Rolling Hills Zoo Museum. Salina, KS.

When we pulled into Hays at nearly 5pm, we went straight to our last destination of the day: the town’s aquatic park. With several pools, many waterslides (including a kiddie, frog-mouth slide), fountains, a lazy river, and floating animals to climb on, it was a refreshing respite (marred only by the very faint smell of cows). Definitely a solid smiley face from the little guy for this attraction.

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Hays Aquatic Park! (finally)

The next morning, we made sure to pay tribute to Hays’ herd of Bison before setting our sights on Colorado.

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Bison herd. Hays, KS.

Later, on our return pass through Burlington, we opted for a quick ride on the Kit Carson County Historic Carousel (25 cents!) and a bit of fun in the nearby (very shady) Outback Territory Park. This park was absolutely magical. A giant wooden structure filled with nooks, crannies, slides, bridges and obstacles. A stones’ throw from the Interstate, it was time well spent.

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Kit Carson Historic Carousel. Burlington, CO.
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Kit Carson Historic Carousel. Burlington, CO.
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Outback Territory Park, Burlington, CO.
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Outback Territory Park, Burlington, CO.
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Outback Territory Park, Burlington, CO.

 

Just a few hours, and a couple of potty breaks later, we were home. We did it, we survived. We had fun. Hooray!

Lessons Learned

I count the trip as a success, but there are several things that I’d change if I could do it over again. Namely:

  • Check out new DVDs and music CDs from the library for the little man who decided on day one that he didn’t like ANY of his videos in the case anymore. I didn’t want to deal with online renewals and overdue fines. Just buy some on the road, you savvy travelers might suggest. Trust me, I scoured every gas station, truck stop and Walmart during the trip for copies of the kid-friendly documentaries he’s fond of. Not a single “Garbage Monsters” or “How Do They Build That?” to be found.
  • Pack a bit more wisely. I should have packed a small travel suitcase of the stuff I knew we’d need along with an extra duffle bag of all the “just in case” items I was afraid we couldn’t live without (we didn’t need any of them).
  • Buy more prizes ahead of time. I should have taken the time to hit up the Dollar Store for little trinkets for the whole drive. The prizes worked fabulously, but it was a pain to stop several times to add to our bag. Plus, W really liked being truly surprised.

Overall, though, I was impressed with how well we both did, and I’d do it again. I think the World’s Largest Beetle and the UFO Watchtower have our names written all over them.

Want some expert advice? Check out these great blogs and resources for tips for traveling with kiddos:

The Minitime Trip Planner (Minitime)

How to Survive Road Tripping with Kids (via Scary Mommy)

50 Road Trip Ideas for Kids (via Six Sisters’ Stuff)

Kids Road Trip Essentials (via Real Simple)

 

 

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Parks and Playgrounds

Love finding new spots to play? Check out the fun spots on our list — and add some of your own in the comments!

Arvada

Fire Fighter’s Park 
Have a flame-fighting super hero in your care? Well, put this park on your list! Your little ones will love the fire engine-themed play structures.

Discovery Park
Wheat Ridge, (southern Arvada) Featuring fun playground equipment, a skate park and a splash pad, this park is sure to be a solid hit. (seasonal bathroom)

Ralston Central Park
5850 Garrison Street, Arvada, CO. A beautiful, newly-developed park filled with green space, great play structures, picnic tables, and a fun splash pad! (Bathrooms available)

Boulder

Scott Carpenter Park
Kind of dated, but fun. My little guy can’t get enough of the rickety rocket ship. Dedicated to Boulder’s own astronaut, Scott Carpenter.

Wonderland Lake Park
Great for a nature walk, picnic, bit of play, or walk around the lake. (No bathrooms)

Foothills Community Park
Located in North Boulder (just north of Wonderland Lake) this park has a fun playground, picnic shelters, soccer fields, a basketball court and bathrooms.

Harlow Platts Park
Nestled behind Fairview High School, this park has a nice little lake with walking path (great for bike riding), cute play area with sandbox, no bathrooms (there is a port potty if you are feeling brave, though).

Broomfield

Broomfield Commons Park
Expansive park with fun play equipment, picnic shelters and bathrooms.

North Midway Park, ACCESSIBLE
A hidden gem. This park is a favorite for us. I love the accessibility for wheel chairs and walkers. My little guy loves all the fun equipment. Aside from the fun play area, you’ll find plenty of green space, a shelter, seasonal bathrooms. And, if you like tossing a disc, there’s even a disc course available.

Denver area

Bellevue Park
This park features a tiny train ($1.75/person), petting zoo ($1.75/person), and playground. A fun adventure.

Westlands Park
5701 S. Quebec St., 25.30 acre site. Located in SE Denver, this oasis is filled with fun climbing structures, great new equipment, pavilions, restrooms and lots of green space!

Surfside Spray Park
Lakewood, CO. For $1/person splash splash your way to some serious summer fun!

Erie

Erie Community Park
This beautiful new park is filled with vibrant play and climbing structures and beautiful ball fields. Bathrooms available. Coming soon? Water play area (Date TBD).

Golden

Lions Park
Next to Golden Community Center, this park features two nice play structures, sand volleyball, and great views. (No bathrooms)

Lafayette

Waneka Park
This park is one of my all-time favorite spots. With walking trail around the lake, shady in the summer, bathrooms, plus … cool paddle boats, the kids are going to be busy!

Louisville

Louisville Community Park (splash pad!)
This park is one of our staples. Roughly a mile from downtown Louisville, Community Park features a fun splash pad, great play structures, a shady pavilion, and plenty of field space to kick around a ball. Oh — and bathrooms! It’s a great spot to play before grabbing some ice cream from Sweet Cow or playing a bit of pinball at Tilt!

Cottonwood Park
A cute shady park with a small basketball area and a lovely little soccer field and fun play structure. Near bike trails. South Boulder Road and Via Appia. Seasonal bathroom.

Pirates Park
Nice play structures, sand, close to downtown/ Main Street Louisville. Tennis courts and soccer fields. (No bathrooms)

Memory Square Park
Adjacent to Memory Square Pool, this lovely shady park has a fun sandpit, play structures and plenty of grass for picnics. (No bathrooms)

Longmont

Collyer Park 
Any train aficionados in your house? Check out this cute little neighborhood park with a train play structure! How fun!

Dawson Park  and nearby Flanders Park
These nice little parks border scenic McIntosh Lake and make for a nice picnic spot on a beautiful day.

Kanemoto Park UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Unfortunately, this neat park was severely damaged by the 2013 floods, the park is slated to reopen soon. Here’s a recent article on the plans for Kanemoto Park.
A unique area park with a beautiful pagoda, donated in 1966 by the Kanemoto family, playground and splash pool.

Willow Farm Park
901 S. Fordham St., Longmont. Farm lovers take note. This park features a big red barn that serves as a shelter (with restrooms!) and a fun playground that incorporates farm themes as well!

Union Reservoir
Need a place to hunker down, drop in the kayak and play all day? Union Reservoir might be your spot. (Fees)

Stephen Day Park (Splash pad!)
A wonderful neighborhood park complete with fields, playground, skate park, mini bike paths and restrooms!

Sandstone Ranch Park
A really beautiful park filled with fun play equipment, ball fields, trails and seasonal restrooms and concession stands. Add to that, lots of green space and great views — and you have a really lovely day. But get hopelessly lost on your way there like I did. My GPS took me way out east to St Vrain State Park, then a series of empty farm fields. Tip: Sandstone Ranch isn’t in the middle of nowhere. It’s located off of 119/ Ken Pratt just past Zlaten Drive.

Quail Campus Park
Just outside the Longmont Museum is a lovely green space dotted with sculptures. No playground equipment, but it does make for a nice picnic spot.

Nederland

Chipeta Park
Just down the street from the fun Carousel of Happiness and the Mountain Bear Ecology Center, you can run off a little more steam at Chipeta Park. There the kiddos will find some play equipment, picnic tables (no bathrooms), and, of course, the creek. There’s a little fishing pond, too, if you’re up for casting a line.

Northglenn

EB Rains Junior Memorial Park/ Northglenn Sensory Park
11700 Community Center Drive, Northglenn, CO. EB Rains Jr / Northglenn Sensory Park is an inclusive, expansive park that has something for everyone including a bit of paddle boating and fishing.

Superior

Founders Park
7725 W Coal Creek Dr, Superior, CO. Across from the Target shopping complex, Founders Park is the perfect spot to run off a bit of steam. Great play structures, some walking paths, a basketball court and a soccer field, this park is on the “to do list”. Seasonal bathrooms. The con? Very little shade.

Community Park
Nestled between part of the Rock Creek neighborhood, Coalton Road and the Safeway shopping complex, this park is filled with ball fields, play areas and bike paths. A seasonal bathroom is available.

Purple Park
Looking for a great grassy picnic spot? Purple Park might just fit the bill. A little play structure, a small pond and a big hill equal some serious fun. (Has a small, seasonal bathroom).

Thornton

Carpenter Park
Get ready for some fun. This park is something special.

Westminster

Peter Pan Park, aka Westminster Center Park
Features fun playscapes, a little splash “river” (a few inches deep), covered picnic tables, and restrooms.

Westminster City Park
(Just outside of the Rec Center). Great location, tons of green space, and fun equipment. (No bathrooms)

Sensory Park
(Tucked behind an office complex near the Target off of Church Ranch)  I love this little park. It’s hidden behind an office complex just past the Target. But don’t let the out-of-the-way location fool you, this is worth the hunt for a fun, inclusive spot to play. Wheel chair accessible ramps are fun for rollers and runners, and the sandbox is one of my kiddo’s favorite spots. (No bathrooms)

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Rainy Day Fun

This year’s frequent bad weather got you down? Tired of stomping puddles? Here are a few fun indoor ideas for keeping the kids busy and yourself sane!

Puddle stomping
Puddle stomping

Around the House

  • Great Excavations (Excavating critters from ice blocks) — with a little advanced preparation, you can create a fun and educational learning experience that will keep your little ones busy for a while.

Our take: We filled a tupperware dish a little less than halfway with blue colored water and a handful of dinosaurs. After a couple of hours, we added some red colored water and another batch of dinosaurs. We flipped the “glacier” out on a big cookie sheet, and my little guy had a blast using a variety of “tools” to free his dinosaurs from the ice. We tried table salt, rock salt, water (cold and hot), spoons … so much fun!

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Excavating dinosaurs from a “glacier”!
  • Have a ‘Frozen” fanatic in the house? Make and melt some Frozen Elsa” hands. Fill them with fake jewels, or Frozen-themed tiny toys, and let your little one work some magic.
  • Tents and Forts: Indoor Camping: Grab the tent or some blankets and help the kiddos construct a hideout. Bonus points if you can do it in a place that’s just out-of-the-way enough to keep the thing standing for a couple of days.

Our Take: We filled our tent with pillows, books and games … had breakfast and lunch and even an iTunes-fueled movie night.

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Camping indoors (with some favorite toys and friends).
  • Have an obstacle course competition or a hot lava show down. My little guy loves to make “maps” to plan out his routes. To prevent our house from succumbing to total destruction I cordon off one room for the fun.

Make some stuff:

  • Whip up a batch of Oobleck — the gooey, category-defying substance that hooks kids on science. Just be sure to cover your table. Our rule is that it stays in the bowl, which stays on a cookie sheet.
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Exploring the awesome disgusting-ness of oobleck.

 

  • Try your hand at Cloud Dough. Helpful tip: Cover your workspace with a towel first!
  • Get crafty. Pull out some old paper, recyclables, or household goods and make a toilet paper roll monster, a birdhouse, or even better, one of these cute birdies.
  • Make it musical. Build your own rainstick with some paper towel tubes and pebbles or dried beans.
  • Make a duct tape treasure box and stage an indoor treasure hunt.
  • Pull out some painter’s tape or masking tape and create a roadway, a line jump, a mini maze or a fun hopscotch! Works well in an unfinished basement or even the garage!
  • Stave off hunger with a fabulous fruit rainbow.
  • Is your kiddo a questioner like mine? Get sciencey — make your own rain gauge, then explore a bit more about the water cycle.

Out and About

Local museums are always fun when it’s rainy, and the Boulder/Denver area has quite a few: the nearby Butterfly Pavillion, the WOW Museum, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the Denver Art Museum (kids under 18 are FREE everyday!), the Children’s Museum, the Aquarium, the Colorado History Museum, the Longmont Museum, the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery. Little museums like the Weather Station/ Visitor Center at NCAR, or the Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum or the Natural History Museum on the CU-Boulder campus can be a fun, quick diversion if you’re near campus (both have a small area for kids on the bottom floors).

Tired of the museum route? Here are a few other ideas around town

Just need a place to jump around and get the crazies out?

  • Dizzy in Longmont is always a big hit with my little one. It has a fun climbing structure, bouncy house and inflatable slide for the 10 and under crowd. Laser tag and loads of games round out the fun.
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Getting a little wild at Dizzy

 

  • ABC Climbing offers family climbing nights and open gym times:
  • Jump City (Arvada) offers MOD Moms a great Buy One Hour Get One Free deal if you show your MOD Moms card!
  • Great Play of Superior offers punch card style camps (starting at 5 punches) which can come in handy for bad weather days! (MOD Moms get 10% off camp punch cards, MUST show valid MOD Moms card.)
  • Playscapes at Flatirons Mall and Cherry Creek Mall are good for a quick bit of free fun
  • Don’t forget about the FREE play areas at many local rec centers such as Apex (we love the clubhouse!), Paul Derda, and Erie.
  • And of course, don’t forget about the awesome indoor water centers at these great rec centers as well!

Have any other great tips? Leave your ideas in the comments! Thanks for stopping by!

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