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Happening Now
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July 25, 8:45pm:
Jupiter in July.
If your preteen or teen grandchildren are into massive gas planets, they are in for a treat this month. Jupiter is making a special appearance in the summer-night skies along with a posse of stars and clusters. Advance registration is required. Free. At the Pine Valley Ranch Park and Observatory. ( website) Hide details
Jr. Rangers on the Road in 2008.
Open Space Park Rangers and Naturalists help you and your grandchildren investigate a park "crime" scene and identify wildlife. Keep the sunscreen and shades handy when you test your fitness level on these mile-long hikes. At the end of the trail, watch the smile on the children's faces when they become honorary certified Jr. Rangers. Recommended for ages 4 to 11, and advance registration is required. Free. At Lair o' the Bear Park. ( website) Hide details
City Park Jazz at the Bandstand.
Bring a blanket and picnic goodies to these free concerts where you can introduce the young ones to boogieing and gain cool points with the preteen and teen grandchildren when you teach them the Itch. Free. At Denver City Park. (website) Hide details
Colorado Shakespeare Festival.
One of the country’s most treasured theater festivals, now celebrating its 50th anniversary, will perform six Shakespearean and classical productions from Macbeth to The Three Musketeers, including the festival’s first ever musical, Woody Guthrie's American Song. On the Main Stage of the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre and Colorado University Theatre. ( website) Hide details
Green Frontier Fest.
Promoting green practices, this eco-friendly festival for all ages features human-powered carnival rides and interactive and educational exhibits. In addition, stroll through a farmers' market, have the kids enjoy a children's area, eco-carnival games, and music. You'll all be impressed by a 140-footlong and 17-ton wind turbine blade, and a bike station that a mobile solar unit will power. Free. In The Sculpture Park of the Denver Performing Arts Complex Park. (website) Hide details
Free Day at the Denver Art Museum.
You probably won't be attending the Democratic National Convention with your grandchildren (it is not open to the public), however you are guaranteed entry into the Denver Art Museum. View the Varied Voices exhibit where you and your little ones can experience works on paper in a new way. Or free-of-charge check out a family backpack, art tubes, or digital gallery games and tromp around making art, playing games, and piecing together puzzles. TIP: Download the Family Guide for fun activities. At the Denver Art Museum. (website) Hide details
Online Coverage of the Democratic National Convention (DNC).
No matter what party you or your grandchildren choose, engage the youngsters in the convention experience without leaving the house through the live, high quality, gavel-to-gavel coverage streams on the DNC website. You can even personalize your experience by selecting camera angles. After a viewing session, talk with your grandchildren about the issues raised. On your computer in your home. (website) Hide details
The American Presidential Experience: A Nonpartisan Tribute to Presidential History.
For the first time in the Rocky Mountain Region, see this spectacular 150,000-square-foot, nonpartisan exhibit that celebrates three centuries of presidential history. Learn about democracy in action through more than 35 educational exhibits, including life-size replicas of Air Force One and the Oval Office, six presidential libraries (from three Republican and three Democratic administrations), and a collection of First-Lady gowns. In parking lot D at the Invesco Field at Mile High. (Tix) Hide details
Dialog: City.
Expose your grandchildren to the new ideas of internationally renowned artists and designers through their interactive and dialogical site-specific works. Converse with the artificially intelligent robot, DiNA, as she "runs for president," check out a public project that leverages the media to empower Denver war veterans. And see the high-frequency words from presidential State of the Union addresses translated into the visual hierarchy of an eye chart and presented in light boxes. In various neighborhoods throughout Denver. (website) Hide details
Swim with the Fishes — A Snorkeling Adventure.
Experience an extraordinary aquatic exhibition with your grandchildren 6 and older as you snorkel in a 250-pound tank filled with red drums, Queensland groupers, Moray eels, guitar fish, and 400 other fish species. At the Downtown Aquarium. (Register) Hide details
Junior Jobsite.
Construct, configure, build, form, and assemble a masterpiece with your grandchildren, outfitted in hard hats and safety vests. of course. Paint walls, discover the inner workings of plumbing, and see, touch, and even crawl on real brick-and-mortar artifacts. Recommended for grandchildren ages 3 to 8. At the Children's Museum of Denver. (website) Hide details
Dr. Seuss for President Art Exhibit.
You and your grandchildren have read many of his books together, now see Dr. Seuss's first-ever political print editions. Released in conjunction with this historic presidential election, take a glimpse into the sociopolitical-minded imagination of the highly celebrated children's book author. On August 15 at 12pm, watch or join the march on 16th Street with a live brass band in the Dr. Seuss for President Rally. In the art gallery at Gallery One Writer's Square. (website) Hide details
Inuit Voices On Our Changing World.
You and your young environmentalist can learn how global warming has changed life in the Arctic through interactive media component, photos, and artifacts. Afterwards, research your own area's oral history about the environment and the way things used to be. At the University of Colorado Museum. ( website) Hide details |
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Help With This Page
In the City Guides section, you'll find the best things to do with your grandchildren. To get started, choose a city below or select from among movies, home activities or things to do in the car. Whatever you do, have loads of fun with your grandchildren.
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| | Denver is an expansive, kid-friendly metropolis of restaurants, parks and museums nestled within the gorgeous Rocky Mountains. You and your grandchildren can hike, fish or swim by day, have dinner and a show at night. —Compiled by Erin Blakemore | |
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Located in the heart of downtown Denver, the 16th Street Mall is a great destination for grandparents with busy grandkids. The walking mall structure will allow the little ones to play and people-watch as you browse stores like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor Loft and Barnes & Noble. Top off the day trip with a movie and bowling at Lucky Strike Lanes. Downtown Denver has never been so easy to enjoy.
Hours: vary;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Age: Toddler, Child, Teen
Shopping
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Take advantage of beautiful Boulder afternoons with the grandchildren as you walk Boulder's newest outdoor mall. Featuring modernity and neighborhood charm, 29th St. is as welcoming to kids as it is to grandparents. Kids love the science exhibits in the pavilion area, and grandparents love relaxed lunches at Boulder landmark Laudisio.
Info: Restaurant hours vary.
Hours: Monday - Saturday 10AM - 9PM, Sunday 11AM - 6PM;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Shopping
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The holidays just aren't complete without a trip to the popular Parade of Lights with your grandchildren. Share the holiday magic with floats, balloons and cheer galore, all illuminated with sparkling lights. This free parade which starts at Denver City and County Building on Banock St at 14th Ave. and continues through Downtown, is a great way to ring out the old year along with your grandchildren. Make sure to pack your scarf, gloves and hot cocoa - it can get cold out there!
Hours: December November 30 8PM and December 1 6PM;
Seasons: Fall
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Fun & Games
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Combining the best of golf and racing, life is truly an adventure at Adventure Golf and Raceway. Kids and grandparents can golf until they drop, then throttle up as they challenge each other to a go-kart race on the state's only outdoor electric track. Other adventures include an authentic drag racing experience that's sure to get your adrenaline pumping.
Info: Admission: prices vary by age and activity
Hours: Summer Sunday-Thursday 10AM-10PM, Friday and Saturday 10AM-11PM;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Age: Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Attractions & Landmarks
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Sometimes it's simply all about the kids. At least, that's the case at the annual Radio Disney All About Kids Expo, a huge regional festival designed just for kids. Over two non-stop days of fun and games, your grandchildren will get to bowl, jump, pet, climb and enjoy being children with crafts, shows and childhood magic. Join in the fun as you accompany your child to this raucous convention.
Info: Admission: ages 14 and under $5, 15+ $10
Hours: February 9 10AM-6PM and February 10 10AM-4PM;
Seasons: Winter
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Fun & Games
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Apex Center
13150 West 72nd Ave.
Arvada, CO 80005
(303) 424-2739
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Pick your poison - it's all at Aurora's Apex Center, a huge sports and fun complex that will keep grandparents and children occupied all day long. With two NHL ice rinks, three gyms, an indoor water park, rock climbing and food, there's nothing a grandparent and kid can't do in the way of recreation and sports inside its walls. You'll truly reach the apex of recreation at this facility that's so much more than a rec center.
Info: Admission: varies by date and activity
Hours: vary by date and activity;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Fun & Games
Arapahoe County Fair
Arapahoe County Fairgrounds
25690 East Quincy Ave.
Aurora, CO 80010
(303) 795-4955
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Shake your tail feathers and make a trip to one of the region's best fairs. Every July, Arapahoe County lays out its bounty to fun-seeking kids and grandparents, who can savor fair fare, watch 4H competitions and livestock auctions, or just take a whirl on the carousel (or gut-wrenching carnival rides). Finish off the evening with fireworks and live entertainment. Fair enough?
Info: Admission: free
Hours: vary;
Seasons: Summer
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Fun & Games
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Take it to the track along with your grandchildren as you enjoy NHRA Championship drag racing that's sure to rev your engines. Kids will love the high-speed action and you'll thrill to the noisy, split-second races. Make sure to bring a hat and some earplugs - it gets loud down there!
Info: Admission fees vary
Hours: vary;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Age: Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Planes
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What's better than hand-picked berries and outdoor fun? Not much, and the Berry Patch Farm is your destination for both. This organic farm offers berry picking with no fees aside from what you pick. Grandparents can indulge their sweet tooth with ripe, organic strawberries and vegetables while grandchildren explore the nature exhibits in the loft of the farm's barn.
Info: Admission: free, berry picking varies per pound
Hours: June - October, hours vary during growing season;
Seasons: Summer, Fall
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Outdoor Fun
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Nestled in a sweet storefront in the heart of Denver, Bonnie Brae has been serving handmade ice cream for years. But Bonnie Brae goes one step beyond - with old-fashioned flavors and old-fashioned service, it's an ice cream experience from yesteryear that's perfect to share with today's kids. Enjoy quality time with the grandkids as you wait in the inevitable summer line for a sinful scoop - as evidenced by the brisk repeat business, the scoops are worth the wait!
Hours: Summer hours: Sunday - Thursday 10AM - 10PM, Friday - Saturday 10AM - 11PM
Winter hours: Sunday - Thursday 11AM - 8PM, Friday - Saturday 11AM - 9PM
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Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Kid Friendly Eats
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