Keep kids happy at these Denver attractions
Looking to keep the kids entertained during AVMA Convention 2023? Denver has you covered. From neighborhood playgrounds and iconic ice cream shops to museums and amusement parks, the list of kid-friendly sites and activities is endless.
Downtown playground
All ages are welcome at this free playground located in the middle of downtown Denver, just a few feet away from the Ball Arena at 1800 Speer Boulevard. Featuring a climbing net, sandbox, and water play, this downtown spot is a great place for parents to chill while kids burn through that extra energy. Open from sunrise to sunset.
Colorado Railroad Museum
The Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, Colorado, houses more than 100 locomotives and railroad cars. The roundhouse restoration facility with working turntable is a popular place. There are also model railroads and historic artifacts and exhibits. Go back in time to an 1880's train station and be sure to hop on a scenic train ride, available Thursdays through Sundays in the summer.
Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
Trigger a thunderstorm. Keep pets healthy with a trip to the veterinarian. Climb a mini boulder. Paint a messy picture. This interactive museum offers a plethora of one-of-the-kind exhibits sure to entertain your young ones. A newer feature is the Adventure Forest, a 500-foot-long adventure course and immersive art installation with 70-foot slides, rope swing, and more.
Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park
Head to Elitch Gardens, one of the best amusement parks in Denver, for roller coasters, thrill rides, a concert series, and more. The park has a well-known wooden roller coaster now called Twister III: Storm Chaser, which is a refurbished version of the Twister II coaster that was out of service in 2022. This 10-story superstructure features a 90-foot drop and a 100-foot, pitch-black tunnel that features the sights, sounds, and winds of a real tornado. There are also kiddie boats and other calmer rides at Elitch Gardens for very young kids, and a water park for those who want to cool off.
Little Man Ice Cream Co.
Little Man serves fresh, homemade ice cream and other treats from six locations, including one that features an iconic landmark 28-foot-tall milk can. as well as in a wide array of retail partners, including local restaurants, indie sweets shops, and coffee shops. The Little Man Ice Cream Factory, located at 4411 W Colfax Ave., is a 6,000-square-foot production facility and tasting room described on the company's website as "a design tour de force where Willy Wonka meets the Industrial Age."
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Learn about dinosaurs, Egyptian mummies, the solar system, and tons more at this all-ages museum. Be sure to check out the brand-new Infinity Theater, which includes new audio and visual accessibility features along with enhanced programming. The interactive exhibit, "Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Dr. Jane Goodall," debuted on May 19 and runs through summer. Visitors can experience a virtual 3D expedition to Tanzania's Gombe Stream National Park—where Goodall pioneered her chimpanzee research—as well as life-sized holograms of the primates.
During convention, child care services are being offered through KiddieCorp at the Colorado Convention Center. The program is for children ages 6 months through 12 years old during the following dates and times:
8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on July 14
6:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. from July 15-17
7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on July 18
The cost for the child care program is $20 per hour, per child. Children must be registered for a minimum of two consecutive hours per child for each day registered. The advance registration deadline is June 16.