Things to Do with Kids in Boulder this Summer

by Rachel Daly
Published: Last Updated on
Union Reservoir All Things Boulder

School’s out for summer! Thankfully, in good and bad weather, there are a ton of amazing places to take your kid in the Boulder area. Whether your kid loves biking, reading, skiing, go kart racing or music, there is something for everyone in our guide to summer for kids in Boulder. Does your kid love dinosaurs? Check out our guide of 10 places to explore dinosaurs and fossils in Colorado.

Creekside Play Area

what to do with kids in Boulder in summer

Photo by All Things Boulder

Kids of all ages, head outside to the new Civic Area nature playground, Creekside Play Area. This brand new playground was designed to give kids a safe, fun playground and water play area full of learning opportunities that allow children to learn and explore the natural world.

The Boulder Civic Area is Located in Front of Main Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80302. Open Dawn – Dusk, FREE.

Gateway Park Fun Center

What to do with kids in boulder this summer

Photo Courtesy Gateway Park Fun Center

Gateway Park Fun Center is a kid’s dream come true (and so fun for adults too!). Opened in the 1980s, this park has maintained tons of original features, giving it an eclectic, old school feel that will bring you back to your childhood. Many activities include 18-hole mini golf courses — choose from the Windmill Course or the Castle Course, or play both!! The park also offers bumper cars, as well as single-seat and double-seat go carts. Gateway is home to Boulder’s only batting cages, with a variety of pitch speeds for softball and baseball. The arcade is filled with different kinds of video and interactive games. Many of the games spit out tickets which can be traded in for fun prizes at the end of your visit. A snack bar is located inside. If that isn’t enough, Gateway also has a full golf driving range as well as a human maze.

Gateway Park Fun Center is located at 4800 North 28th St, Boulder, CO 80301. Open every day from 10AM – 10PM. Prices vary based on activity – view full pricing here.

Making Musicians Beginner Ukulele Class & Sound Beginnings

Photo Courtesy Making Musicians in Boulder Valley

Making Musicians in Boulder Valley is hosting summer classes to get your kids playing music, dancing, and having fun! Is there an instrument that sounds like summer more than the ukulele? In five lessons, your child will learn the basics of ukulele and be able to strum the summer away! There are classes for all grade school ages, and you can even join in! For the younger musicians in your life, check out Sound Beginnings for babies and toddlers under 5. They will have a blast learning through play, developing fine and gross motor skills, vocal and pitch development, as well as rhythm and beat. For more information and to register, click here.

Sunflower Farm

things to do with kids in Boulder this summer

Photo by All Things Boulder

Sunflower Farm is a rural haven in South Longmont where kids can feed goats, sheep and llama, jump from hay bale to hay bale, play in the corn house, playhouse and sandboxes, explore the tree forts and bridges, hold a chicken, soar down the zipline, balance on the slackline. There is even an old airplane to explore. All activities are covered by a single admission fee of a ticket—no other fees apply. Pre-purchasing tickets is encouraged, the farm frequently sells out. Purchase tickets here.

Sunflower Farm is located at 11150 Prospect Rd, Longmont, CO 80504. Summer hours posted here. Admission: $17/person. Under 12 Months FREE. Must reserve tickets ahead of time, tickets available here.

Beach Time at the Boulder Reservoir

Things to do in Boulder in June

Photo Courtesy City of Boulder

Boulder Reservoir offers one of the largest, seasonally lifeguard attended swimming beaches in Colorado. It features a marked swim area with rafts. The shallow roped off area is great for small children. Children 12 and under must pass a lifeguard administered swim test to go beyond the first rope. Children under 3 years old must wear swim diapers. Children 5 years old and under must be within arm’s reach of an adult when in the water or near the water’s edge. Flotation devices are allowed only at the discretion of the lifeguards/beach staff. To view all the safety rules, click here. Don’t have time to pack a lunch? Visit the Beachside Cafe, featuring an extensive lunch menu as well as snacks, kids meals and coffee and tea. Check out all the splash pads, pools, reservoirs and more in this dedicated guide.

Boulder Reservoir is located at 5565 N 51st St., Boulder, CO 80301. Swimming hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily unless otherwise posted. Admission: Kids ages 3-18 $5.50 (Residents $5.50), Adults 19-59 $11 (Residents $9), Seniors 60+ $6.75 (Residents $6.75), 2 and under are FREE. Group Rate for 4 people (max 2 adults) is $29 (Residents $24).

The Bee Hugger Farm

places to visit farm animals near boulder

The Bee Hugger Farm is a happy place where you can visit with goats, peacocks, chickens, sheep, horses, mini horses and more! Kids can climb tractors and adults can buy honey. The farm is open to the public with no entry fee. Text for questions to 303.330.8277. Located at 12590 Ute Hwy, Longmont, CO 80504. For a complete list of places to visit farm animals near Boulder, click here.

Spruce Outdoor Pool

what to do with kids in boulder this summer

Photo Courtesy City of Boulder

Spruce Pool is Boulder’s premier family oriented outdoor pool. Enjoy a picnic on the lawn, cool off in the water features and leisure pool, then swim a few laps in our 25 yard lap pool. Eight lane, 25-yard pool with temperatures between 80° and 82°, leisure pool with accessible ramp, accessible play features including jets, fountains and a duck slide.

Spruce Pool is located at 2102 Spruce St., Boulder, Colorado 80302. Open Swim Hours are: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 11:15AM-8PM, Tuesday & Thursday 10AM-8PM, Saturday & Sunday 10AM-6PM. Admission: Kids ages 3-18 $4, Adults 19-59 $7, Seniors 60+ $5, 2 and under are FREE. Summer passes available, click here for details.

ABC Kids Climbing

What to do with kids in boulder this summer

Photo Courtesy ABC Kids Climbing Facebook Page

Open Gym is a great opportunity for families to try ABC Kids Climbing for their first time.  Kids are welcome to explore our facility, with parent supervision, to find the area in which they will have the most fun.  ABC has top ropes, auto-belays, ziplines, slides, and bouldering for kids of all ages to enjoy! No climbing experience?  No need to worry!  ABC’s expert staff will give all new families a tour complete with rules and basic climbing guidelines to get you started in the right direction. ABC also offers summer day camps for kids – details here.

ABC Kids Climbing is located at 1960 32nd Street, Boulder, Colorado 80301. Open Gym Hours: Saturday & Sunday 12:15 – 5:15 PM; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9 AM – 2 PM. Admission:  Individuals $14, Add a climbing guardian $6.

The Great Outdoors Waterpark

boulder kids weekend guide

Photo Courtesy The Great Outdoors Waterpark

The awesome The Great Outdoors Waterpark in Lafayette will open Memorial Day weekend! Plunge down the thrilling 21-foot high double flume slides. Guests 48” tall and brave enough to conquer the twists and turns galore are invited to venture down. Perching high atop the fully accessible, zero-depth entry leisure pool, The Grand Eagle Dump Bucket spills water every few minutes near play structures perfect for smaller children.

The Great Outdoors Waterpark is located at 500 E South Boulder Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026. Hours: 10AM – 6PM daily. Admission: Kids 2-17 $7.50, Adults 18-54 $10, Seniors $7.50, Kids under 2 are FREE. Punch passes available for a discount. 

Strawberry Fields Urban Farm Petting Zoo

Set up time for a private family petting zoo at Strawberry Fields Urban Farm in Erie. The farm has the sweetest goats, as well as horses, chickens, pigs and more. Many of these animals are rescues, and all the proceeds go to taking care of the animals so they can live happy lives. Strawberry Fields is a favorite place for families to visit with farm animals near Boulder. To book an hour with the animals, go to the Strawberry Fields Urban Farm facebook page. The farm also accommodates birthday parties! For more info, message them here. Strawberry Fields Urban Farm is located at 12657 Jay Rd, Erie, CO 80516.

CU Museum of Natural History

what to do with kids in boulder this summer

Photo Courtesy CU Museum of Natural History

The museum is temporarily closed. We will update after it reopens. The University of Colorado’s Museum of Natural History is fun, educational, interactive AND parent-friendly! The museum offers kid-inspired exhibits (right now — Curious Connections in Nature) and a cute gift shop on the main level. In the lower level, kids will have a great time in the interactive play and learning area. Right outside the play area parents can enjoy a nice, FREE cup of coffee or tea in the museum’s BioLounge with comfortable seats and inviting atmosphere. Family-friendly bathrooms are located upstairs. While there are beautiful staircases in this beautiful, old building, there is also a centrally-located elevator making the museum handicapped and stroller-friendly. Admission is free, donations are accepted. The gift shop offers a fun array of science-inspired items. Paid parking is located South of the museum.

The CU Museum of Natural History is located at Henderson Building, 15th and Broadway, Boulder, CO 80309. Open Monday – Friday 9-5, Saturday 9-4 and Sunday 10-4. Admission is FREE.

Summer Reading Program at Boulder Public Library

NoBo Branch Boulder Public Library

Photo Courtesy Boulder Public Library Facebook Page

Boulder offers five public libraries in different areas around town, all of which are offering the summer reading program. You can sign up in person or sign up online and pick up your reading log or teen card deck the next time you’re at your local library. The main library is awesome for families with its children’s area as well as the Seeds Library Cafe, a full-service coffee shop right inside the library! The Children’s area is glass-enclosed, allowing kids to make some noise without disturbing other patrons and offers a vast collection of books as well as  hands-on activities, a story time meeting area, and kid-sized computer desks and seating. The area has its own private bathrooms for kids & caregivers. Parents will enjoy the Seeds Library Cafe, located on the bridge overlooking Boulder Creek between the main library and the arts & media area. The cafe is operated by the Boulder County Farmers’ Markets and offers not only coffee and espresso drinks but breakfast and lunch as well. The cafe is open Monday-Thursday from 9-5, Friday & Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 12-5. The Seeds Library Cafe is temporarily closed, we will update when it reopens.

For a map that includes all of Boulder’s libraries and their hours, click here. Admission and summer reading programs are always FREE.

The Bounce Place

Photo Courtesy The Bounce Place

The Bounce Place is an indoor playground in Boulder that features obstacle courses, bounce houses and inflatable slides for big kids as well as push cars, activity panels and building blocks for toddlers. Appropriate for kids up to age 10.

The Bounce Place is located at the 29th Street Mall, 1711 29th St, Boulder, CO 80301.  Cost: $12/child ages 3 – 10, $10/child ages 2 & under. Hours: Monday – Thursday 9 AM – 7 PM, Friday & Saturday 9 AM – 8 PM & Sunday 9 AM – 7 PM.  

Warrior Playground in Longmont

boulder birthday parties

Photo Courtesy Warrior Playground

The Warrior Playground is a full scale American Ninja Warrior and Obstacle Course Race training facility for kids & adults to experience the thrill of tackling the obstacles they see on the TV show. The Warrior Playground features many American Ninja Warrior obstacle replicas straight from the show; now even if you can’t get on the show, you can train like a ninja. If you have a little ninja at home, check out Warrior Playground’s open gym hours or sign up for a class! If it is your kid’s first time at the playground, they will need to take an orientation class.

Warrior Playground is located at 33 South Pratt Parkway, Longmont CO 80501. Open gym fees this summer are $12.50/week. Punch cards and monthly memberships can be purchased for discounted rates. Class prices and open gym schedules vary, click here for details

Valmont Bike Park

things to do with kids in boulder this summer

Photo Courtesy Valmont Bike Park

North America’s most state-of-the-art public bike park, Valmont Bike Park is located in Boulder, Colorado on 40 acres of awesome. Bike Park amenities include family trails, cross country trails, cyclocross courses, a slopestyle terrain park, dirt jumps, a dual slalom race course, 2 pump parks, and kids bike play areas. Progression is the name of the game at this park, with “small” through “extra-large” trails and features that cater to everyone, from the beginning mountain biker to professional rider. Check out the bike park’s trail map here.

Valmont Bike Park is located at 3160 Airport Rd, Boulder, CO 80301. The park is open from dawn to dusk daily. Admission is FREE.

Fiske Planetarium

what to do with kids in boulder this summer

Photo Courtesy of Fiske Planetarium Facebook Page

Fiske Planetarium is located on the campus of the University of Colorado. The Planetarium hosts a diverse range of shows, star talks, LASER shows, and special live events in it’s 65-foot diameter dome (the largest between Chicago and Los Angeles!). In 2013, Fiske completed a major systems upgrade with an 8K Sky-Skan projection system that allows us to show the most cutting-edge content in a truly immersive environment that fully surrounds audiences with a huge screen, dazzling visuals, and fantastic sound.  The new star machine, which looks like R2-D2, shows 10 million stars and the Milky Way, the most beautiful indoor sky ever. The planetarium hosts special talks and educational events, and often host large crowds during astronomical and NASA-related events. Fiske is open weekdays for select shows and events, and hosts weekend shows and matinées. For the Planetarium’s show schedule, click here.

The Fiske Planetarium is located at 2414 Regent Dr, Boulder, CO 80309. Shows vary daily, see full schedule here. Tickets are generally $7 for kids, seniors & veterans/ $10 for adults

Meadow Music with Jeff and Paige

Things to do in Boulder in June

Photo Courtesy Jeff and Paige

A kid favorite. Join the musical duo Jeff and Paige for mornings of children’s music and nature education . Sponsored by City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks Division Meadow Music is an award-winning environmental education program.

Meadow Music is held at the Boulder Bandshell. Reservations required this year. Always FREE.

Shredder Urban Ski & Snowboard Park

what to do with kids this summer in boulder

Photo Courtesy Shredder Ski Facebook Page

Disappointed that ski season is over? Shredder Urban Ski & Snowboard Park has got you covered! Shredder is an amazing indoor ski and snowboarding facility for ages 10 months to adult. Shredder offers ski and snowboard school classes to all ages, including freestyle fundamental classes (starting at age 8), Yeti School (10 months to 3 years), and beginning adult skiers/boarders. Check out Shredder for Birthday Parties, Summer Camps, Parents’ Nights Out, and so much more!

Shredder Urban Ski & Snowboard Park is located at  6655 Arapahoe Rd, Boulder, CO 80303. To view class schedules and prices, click here.

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