Kids are out for the long weekend, so here is an extra-long edition of the Boulder Kids Weekend Guide! Fall festivals, live music, the Family Play Festival, pumpkin patches and more… all happening this weekend in and around Boulder.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018
Thorne Fall Fest
Photo Courtesy Thorne Nature Experience
When: Friday, October 12, 2018, from 10 AM – 12 PM
Looking for something fun and FREE to do with your children on BVSD’s Fall In-service Day on Friday, October 12th? Celebrate the transition into Fall with Thorne Nature Experience at the Sombrero Marsh Environmental Education Center for the Thorne Fall Fest. We will have face-painting, nature explorations around the Sombrero Marsh with Thorne staff, pumpkin decorating, and dancing and singing in rainbow socks with our favorite nature performers Jeff & Paige! Light refreshments provided by in-kind donors, pack a picnic if desired. 10am-11am: Activities including pumpkin decorating, bird-watching, face painting, and nature explorations. 11am-Noon: Concert and dancing by Jeff & Paige. For more info, click here.
Thorne Nature Experience is located at 1466 63rd St, Boulder, Colorado 80303
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2018
Family Play Festival
Photo Courtesy Boulder Public Library
When: Saturday, October 13, 2018 from 10 AM – 2 PM
Drop in and play, sing, read, write and talk at activity stations throughout the Main Boulder Public Library for the Family Play Festival. Families with young children (birth to age 5) enjoy 30+ interactive early literacy activities and take home crafts and great prizes as well as new ideas for family fun. Each station includes special activities for babies.
Family Play Festival is held at Boulder Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, Colorado 80302. This event is FREE.
Laser Stranger Things
Photo Courtesy Fiske Planetarium
When: Saturday, October 13, 2018 from 9 AM – 10 AM
A fun outing for older kids! Fiske Planetarium is going full-on retro with this laser show inspired by the hit series “Stranger Things.” Take a trip to the upside-down and experience the ’80s tunes and soundscapes from the show reinterpreted in vibrant laser lights and 8K digital dome.
This show will be held at Fiske Planetarium, 2414 Regent Drive, Boulder, Colorado 80309. Cost: $10 Adults, $7 Kids/Seniors/Veterans. Tickets available here.
Fall Harvest at the Ranch in Longmont
Photo Courtesy Longmont Recreation and Golf Services
When: Saturday, October 13, 2018 from 10 AM – 1 PM
Get ready for barnyard fun at the Fall Harvest at Sandstone Ranch Visitors & Learning Center. Enjoy fall crafts, games, music and more! Park in the upper lot, and please carpool if possible. Bring a sack lunch, sunscreen, and bug repellent. Visit bit.ly/ssrevents or call 303-651-8404 for more information.
The Sandstone Ranch and Visitors Center is located here. $10 per family or $3 per person suggested donation collected at the event. No registration is necessary.
Estes Park Pumpkins & Pilsners
Photo Courtesy Families for Estes
When: Saturday, October 13, 2018 from 11 AM – 6 PM
The Pumpkins and Pilsners Festival has activities and entertainment for all ages, with proceeds going to local non-profit Families for Estes. The festival is the perfect place to pick your pumpkins with live music and craft beer for the adults, as well as games, crafts and a bounce house for the little ones. Enjoy additional free children’s activities like pony rides (free from 1-4pm), face painting, kids art activity booths, bounce house, and giant lawn games. Challenge your friends in the strider mini-bike course (bikes and helmets provided). The pumpkin patch sells pumpkins for only $5 each and you can set them aside in the well-guarded ‘sold’ corral while you enjoy the fun. Raffle tickets will be sold for $1 each for your chance to win some fabulous prizes! Each year a hand-picked selection of seasonal, local craft beers are on hand. There will also be food vendors and food trucks, as well as live music. More information available here.
Pumpkins and Pilsners will be held in Bond Park, 170 MacGregor Ave, Estes Park, CO. Admission is FREE.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2018
The Music of Michael Jackson for Kids at Boulder Theater
Photo Courtesy the Rock and Roll Playhouse
When: Sunday, October 14, 2018 at 11:30 AM
The Rock and Roll Playhouse presents The Music of Michael Jackson featuring Denver’s Michael Jackson All-Stars at the Boulder Theater. Created to provide a shared musical experience for parents and children, the Rock and Roll Playhouse hosts adult-friendly kids’ concerts. Local musicians play music live while kids and parents dance and play in the crowd.
The Music of Michael Jackson will be hosted at the Boulder Theater this Sunday, June 17, 2018 at 11:30 AM. Tickets are $15, available here.
Drop-In Toddler Aerial Playtime
Photo Courtesy Frequent Flyers
When: Sunday, October 14, 2018 at 11:00 AM
Frequent Flyers’ open play is designed for toddlers ages 2 – 4 to explore and play on the ground and in the air with assistance from an experienced youth instructor and guardian present. Toddlers will be able to swing and spin on the low flying trapeze with a trapeze bar made just for them! They will get a chance to create shapes and get lost in the aerial fabric and learn basic creative movement skills.
Frequent flyers is located at 3022 Sterling Cir suite 150, Boulder, CO 80301. Ages: 2-4 years old with guardian accompaniment. Cost: $15, register here.
Paws to Read
Photo Courtesy Lafayette Public Library
When: Sunday, October 14, 2018 from 1:30 – 2:30 PM
Check out the super fun PAWS to Read program this weekend at the Lafayette Public Library! Kids ages 5-10: Spend 15 minutes reading to a special therapy dog. They are cuddly, good listeners who would love to hear your stories.
Lafayette Public Library is located at 775 W Baseline Rd, Lafayette, Colorado 80026. This event is FREE.
ALL WEEKEND LONG
Pumpkin Pie Days: Vintage & Antique Market
Photo Courtesy St Vrain Historical Society
When: October 13, 2018 from 10 AM -5 PM & October 14, 2018 from 11 AM -4 PM
Pumpkin Pie Days: Vintage & Antique Market will be held at the Boulder County Fairgrounds. The market features high-end dealers and collectors of furniture, books, primitives, décor, toys, fine jewelry, costume jewelry, vintage clothing, plus much, much more! The show also includes glass grinder, bake sale, and art show. Admissions and café sales benefit The St. Vrain Historical Society‘s mission of historic preservation and education in the community.
Pumpkin Pie Days is held at Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Rd, Longmont, CO 80501.
Visit a Local Pumpkin Patch
When: All weekend long
There are a ton of great pumpkin patches in and around Boulder! Check out this blog post listing nine of Boulder’s local pumpkin patches. The list includes an interactive map as well as detailed descriptions of each pumpkin patch and their fall festivities.
