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GUIDE: Vehicle Fun (Boulder/Denver) |
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Some of the following activities have not been updated for 2009. Please refer to the venue's site and the GreatIdeasForKids.com Calendar for more current information.
I can't explain why many people have a passion for vehicles, but count me in. Growing up in Detroit I attended classic car shows every year. Around the age of 30, the one thing on my "to-do before I get pregnant" list was to attend NASA Space Camp (for adults). A few years ago I picked-up a subscription to Indy 500 tickets to share with my father, now I'm looking forward to when my son is old enough to come too. - Jill
Here is a sampling of activities and venues for kids and families who love vehicles in the Boulder/Denver area:
Trucks
+ Touch A Truck in Louisville on Saturday 6/14/08 from 9-11:30am (free)
One of my Top 10 favorite events of 2007. It's back at the Louisville Rec Center for 2008. Kids have a ball. Remember to bring ear protection for little ones, there's a lot of honking.
+ 23rd Annual Fire Truck Parade and Muster in Littleton on Saturday 6/14/08 from 9am-3pm (free)
Firefighter games, helicopter landing, auto extrication and more
Call 303-738-5536 to verify location
+ Mighty Machines at the Children's Msm of Denver on 7/12, 8/9, 9/13 (outdoor events are free)
There is also a climb-on firetruck (with child-sized outfits) on permanent display inside.
+ The Denver Firefighters Museum
+ SummerFest at the Boulder History Museum on Sunday 6/8/08 from Noon-4pm (free)
A fun-filled family afternoon celebrating Boulder - yesterday and today. Climb a rock wall, pet your favorite farm animal, paint your own pottery or try your hand driving a pedal tractor and much more!
Please contact the venues for 2009 information
Trains
+ Steam-ups at the Colorado Rail Road Museum in Golden
.. Father's Day
.. September - "Day Out with Thomas"
.... click link for more dates
Toddlers should wear long pants to the CRRM. There are many inclines and much gravel. It's very easy to skin knees wearing shorts there. Thomas tickets go on sale June 1st.
+ Platte Valley Trolley in Denver/LoDo
Fun little ride. At peak times it may be difficult to get on at the Children's Museum because it already filled up at REI or the Aquarium.
+ RTD Light Rail
On weekends it's easy to park at Alameda Station. I like to ride with the kids up to Union Station and catch the back-and-forth on the 16th St Mall Shuttle. The only hitch is the departure times from Union back to Alameda can seem long. Might be worth looking at an RTD schedule. If you must bring a stroller, pre-fold an umbrella stroller before the train arrives - it's pretty quick to depart. If you need something larger, the special access ramp is only for the first car.
+ Denver Society of Model Railroaders
(in the basement of Union Station - suite 10) 303.572.1015
Layout viewing for the public Sept-May
+ Youth in Model Railroading
+ Ride the Rails (Lafayette - WoW Museum)
Model railroad layout. Dress-up play. Child-size train station.
+ Small trains on real tracks: Denver Zoo, Heritage Square, Lakeside (miniature steam engines, coal burning),
Belleview Park (beautiful scenery), and Tiny Town
I think the best zoo train is in Detroit (appears at 13 sec into the linked video)
+ Small trains on pavement:
Tebo Train (free) in Boulder and the Twin Peaks (probably free)
+ Forney Museum in Denver
500+ antique cars, locomotives, buggies, bicycles, motorcycles
Special train event on Father's Day
+ Seeking more trains in Colorado? check out these links and the Winter Park Ski Train
+ Looking for toys and books for train lovers? here is the Train page in the GreatIdeasForKids.com store. Our family has GeoTrax, to see the largest options for GeoTrax locally, visit Toys R Us.
Please contact the venues for 2009 information
Airplanes / Rockets / Space
+ Rocky Mtn Airport Open House in Broomfield on Saturday 6/7/08 (free)
aerial demonstrations, high speed fly-bys, vendors, firetrucks, kids activities incl obstacle course
+ Wings Over The Rockies Air and Space Museum at Lowry in Denver
Cockpit demo day on the 2nd Saturday each month. Fantastic "Hauntings at the Hangar" event (usually) the Sunday before Halloween. Pedal airplanes for kids.
Looking for a big gift for Father's Day? June 4-9: B-17 'Aluminum Overcast' Flights ($$$) and Ground Tours (register ahead).
+ The Runway Grill in Broomfield
Best view for a lunch. Delightful staff. Ask for a window seat for the kids. Great menu with lots of kids choices. Sometimes the food is a bit slow, so if your kids are very hungry, either bring a small snack or call-in their meal ahead.
+ Colorado Rocketry Association
Launches twice each month. Public welcome. (Not a great idea for little kids who might rush toward an unsafe area.)
+ Design your own Rocket and Send it Flying at the Children's Museum in Denver
All Sundays in June 2008 at 3pm
+ Astronaut Movie at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science
22 minutes. Don't miss the dress-up area and pretend Mission Control in the space exhibit.
Please contact the venues for 2009 information
Bikes / Skateboards
+ Kids’ Bike Rodeos with CommunityCycles.Org in Boulder (SUN June 1st and 8th - free)
+ Tony Hawk's Boom Boom Huckjam on 8/16/08 in Denver (tickets on sale now) for older kids
Please contact the venues for 2009 information
Cars
+ Slot Car Racing in Estes Park, CO
We recently visited Lightning Speedway in Livonia, Michigan. My 5 year old had a ball, my 2 year old was done after a couple minutes. My husband and I had fun too.
Go-Karts and/or Bumper Cars
Check minimum height requirements!
Adventure Golf and Raceway in Westminster - quiet go-karts including adult+kid karts
Boondocks Fun Center in Northglenn - go-karts for different ages, bumper boats too
Elitch Gardens in Denver/LoDo - kiddie bumper cars among other rides
Gateway Park in Boulder - go-karts for adult+kid and kiddie karts
Heritage Square in Morrison - go-karts for different ages, bumper boats, and an alpine slide!
Best kiddie cars anywhere: Legoland's Volvo Driving School (ages 6+)
Classic Car/Vehicle Museums
Please remember that 99% of these cars are for looking, not touching. I recommend starting with the Forney Museum. If your kids are good at following the rules and are fascinated by the classic cars, then look into visiting the other collections.
+ Forney Museum in Denver
500+ antique cars, locomotives, buggies, bicycles, motorcycles
Special train event on Father's Day
+ Cussler Museum in Arvada
classic cars owned by the author Clive Cussler
+ Dougherty Museum in Longmont
many of the cars date back 100 years and are in running order.
+ Shelby American Collection in Boulder
represents the rich racing heritage of Carroll Shelby
there may be a minimum age for visitors, need to check...
Classic Car Events around Father's Day 2008
(parents, please remember that 99% of these cars are for looking, not touching!)
+ Lafayette Atlas Valley Car Show with kids activities 6/7/08
+ Littleton Exotic Sports Show & Concours d'Elegance 6/8/08
+ Golden Wild West Auto Roundup 6/14/08
+ Northwest Denver Highlands Street Fair 6/14/08
+ Arvada Apex Car Show 6/15/08
Please contact the venues for 2009 information |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 07 September 2009 )
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