Fun Places to Go Close to Home for Kids

Updated on April 23, 2010
D.K. asks from Broomfield, CO
10 answers

We are such a tight budget and with my doing the part time daycare at home, my kids and I have never been on a "vacation". I really want to plan something fun for them this summer. These are kids that get truly excited to go overnight to a hotel!!! I don't have much money, want to stay semi close to home (within 4 hours each way driving). I cannot be gone long with my working even this summer and have pets here at home to deal with. I am thinking first of June when school gets out and I live in Colorado. Any ideas of some fun things away from home but not too far away and inexpensive?????
PS, I am not a camper, outside in tents anyway....! I had heard of Jellystone park by estes, anyone been?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.M.

answers from Denver on

Hi D.!

It sounds like you are the same situation A LOT of us are in. We take our kids (4 and 5 yrs old)camping over the summer. If you are not into the "tent" thing you can always rena a cabin or yert in Golden Gate State Park (Reverands Ridge). Its only 1 hr from Denver up Coal Creek Canyon out of Golden. Its right at the Peak To Peak highway. Totally away from town and still close and cheap. reserveamerica.com will give you all you need to know. Just put in Golden Gate State Park for the Park name to make reservations. The cabins are only $60 bucks a night in the winter. They are heated. You can build campfires, grill and have a blast. We hike and snowshoe there in the winter. In the summer you can drive up the road to Peaceful Valley and ride horses or stop by Camp Dick and hike and play in the creek. Bring your bikes too. The kids LOVE being in the mountains! Another idea is to get a room near Lake Dillon. You can bike the trails (use a tandem attachment for the 3 yr old), nature trail hikes or rent a boat. Get a hotel with a pool!
Check out some day trips too like the Ceran Saint Vrain trail out of Jamestown (west of Boulder) there is a wonderful, beautiful easy trail there for the kids and a creek to wade in and throw rocks (to the right of the foot bridge). Also Eldorado Canyon has some great stuff for kids http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/measa_trailhead_2082.asp playing in the creek is HUGE fun here...
good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.A.

answers from Denver on

Jellystone is awesome for kids. I have a 7, 6, and 3 year old. It is a little pricey for what it is but the kids love all the activities. The cabins are very tiny but it is fun--- can feel like camping! I am in the process of divorce...Getting used to this single mom thing! L.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.B.

answers from Denver on

D.,
Hi! Have you been to Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs? The Denver Art Museum is free on the first Saturday of every month. Also, Friends of Dinosaur Ridge in Golden is a good day out.(303.697.DINO) Is the Capital building of interest or the Mint?
I am always looking for free things to do so I will keep looking and let you know if I find anything else.
C. B

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.M.

answers from Denver on

Try the YMCA in the rockies (near winter park). WE went last summer and our kids loved it. There is short hikes, pool, miniature golf, even crafts to do. The one down side is that the pine beetles have killed most of the trees but it is still beautiful.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.M.

answers from Denver on

Hello, in our family it seems every summer we don't have the time or money to take a vacation out of state. So what we do in august before school starts is we find a nice hotel in another county and spend about $150 for one night and we find attractions to do while we are there. It is not much but the idea of a hotel for my 7 and 3 year olds is the best vacation we make sure that the hotel has an indoor pool and just make the most out of it. Wherever you decide to go make sure to take a lot of pictures call it a vacation and have FUN. I think this year we are going to check out the hot springs

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.R.

answers from Denver on

D.,
Luckily, you live in a beautiful area, filled with numerous options. Children of all ages love to be outdoors, and the benefits they recieve from exploration are numerous. Estes is great, however Chucara and the National Sand Dunes in southern Co is amazing. Not to mention Moab, UT and Arches National Park would be a fun weekend for you and your children. Even taking them to the Science Museum, Art Museum, and History Museum in Denver is a great weekend day trip you all would enjoy.
I don't have children yet, but we are actively trying, however I have worked with children and families for 7 years, doing adventure trips for troubled youth,counseling etc. It's so beautiful to see childrens response and excitment when you place them out of their comfort zones and into new environments. Of course at times it takes pacience in your part, but the overall effect it has on them is endless.

Something you could even do on the weeknights is to take your children to the public library. My husbands father use to take him and his brother every week to the library. They would pick out a particular subject of intrest and go find books on that particular subject and sit down and read about it together. It amazes me the knowledge my husband bestows, and often I will ask him how do you know that, frequently his response is... I learned that when I was just a little guy, going to the library with dad. How wonderful is that!
Right now your children are sponges and every moment you spend with them doing productive activities,investing in their knowledge and experience, is preparing and helping them figure out more about themselves and their interest for their adult lives.

My husband reads all the time, and did as a child too, partly I feel because his parents took an incredible interest in him as a young child. And because of that, my husband new at a very young age what he wanted to do with his life and career.

As for me, my story is a bit different. My parents were wonderful parents, but they didn't read a whole lot with me. Something I really with they had done. We were much more of an outdoor adventure family, which I'm very grateful for. This really shaped me in the realm and direction of my life and interest.

The more you can introduce to your children, the more prepared to make decisions in their adult life they will be. You can easily find cheap and inexpensive things to do with them, that really have a significant impact in their lives. Such as a walk in the woods hunting interesting fauna and flowers (buy a book to help you recognize these); a trip to the farmers market exploring different kinds of vegtables and foods; or possibly a trip to the library to research dinosaurs, pirates, queens, or fun art projects to do at home. The possibilities are endless...

Have fun!

Smiles, K.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.M.

answers from Pueblo on

What if someone , like myself started a family fun center in the San Luis Valley ( Alamosa) How many families do you think would take advantage of that since residents don't have much money or time for Vacations?
Please respond I need as many responses has I can get.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from Denver on

Manitou Springs is great - hotels can be had for as little as $50 a night - campy/50's type but clean. And that opens up Pikes Peak, Cave of the Winds, Cliff Dwellings, 7 Falls, a fabulous dinosaur museum in Woodland Park, and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo - you get to feed the giraffes. For an indoor pool, you'd probably have to go into CO Springs. Its taken us three weekends to hit all the tourist traps and that doesn't include hitting Royal Gorge/Canon City.
Great Sand Dunes is great too - the world's largest sand box. There's a commercial place right outside the park - no idea what its like because we camped. Alamosa is the closest town and I can't imagine the hotels are too expensive. The Alligator Farm near Alamosa/Sand Dunes is also a great 1/2 day. Lots of alligators to look at and feed and a little one to hold (w/its mouth taped shut).

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.C.

answers from Denver on

There are so many places to go... if you are up for camping but don't want to invest in the equipment, I think you can actually rent tents and such at REI. Camping is great up in Rocky Mountain National Park (and the surrounding state parks). There is also YMCA of the Rockies ( I think) that are geared for families -- I think there is one in Estes and one in Winterpark. Sand Dunes are great too and not too far is the Colorado Gator Farm which is fun.

For day trips.. there is TinyTown which is a lot of fun too.

Camping is definitely economical if you can make it happen and deal with it. We love it. The National Parks and other campgrounds tend to have Ranger programs plus lots of different hikes (varying levels). My 3 year old had a blast last year and can't wait to go again.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.H.

answers from Denver on

Hotsprings can be fun. Are usually 4 hours away in Colorado. It's not too expensive and can be located in beautiful spots. Cottonwood has a Teepee but that would almost be camping....I'd stay away from Indian Hotsprings in Idaho Springs unless someone has fixed it up. it's funky. Hot Sulphur Springs, Joyful Valley, Sand Dunes and Glenwood are all pretty nice. Glenwood is the cushiest.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches