Colorado Springs may not be your first thought when looking for a family vacation, but this diverse city offers more than 55 family-friendly attractions, and that’s just the official ones.
Located at the foot of the great Rocky Mountains, you will find many outdoor activities to keep active kids interested, but there are also many indoor activities to help kids learn and also keep them entertained.
Let’s take a look at 17 activities to share with kids in Colorado Springs.
Contents
- 17 Things to Do With Kids in Colorado Springs
- 1. US Olympic Museum
- 2. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
- 3. Garden of the Gods Park
- 4. May Museum of Natural History
- 5. Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center
- 6. Cave of the Winds Mountain Park
- 7. The Ghost Town Museum
- 8. Sky Zone
- 9. iFly Sky Diving
- 10. Great Wolf Lodge Water Park
- 11. The North Pole
- 12. Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
- 13. Manitou Cliff Dwellings
- 14. Broadman Seven Falls
- 15. Space Foundation Discovery Center
- 16. Miramont Castle
- 17. Julie Penrose Fountain
- Colorado Springs Safety Overview
- Frequently Asked Questions
17 Things to Do With Kids in Colorado Springs
1. US Olympic Museum
Kids can explore the history of both the Olympics and the Paralympics through interactive displays and interactive games, as well as videos.
There are six interactive sports stations that will have kids training like the athletes.
Watch for special programs that are put on throughout the year and give the kids an idea of just what these athletes do to become the winners of the medals that they see on display.
2. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Consistently among the best-rated zoos in the country, this zoo visit will be an experience unlike others.
In addition to the traditional viewing of animals, many of which are on the endangered list, your kids will have a chance to feed many of the animals, such as the giraffes, elephants, goats, and rhinos.
There are extra encounters you can pay for that allow you and the kids to get up close and personal with different animals. One such encounter allows the kids to feed bears.
3. Garden of the Gods Park
This park can easily take up a whole day.
Your adventure should start in the nature center, where there are thirty interactive displays that explain how the red rocks were formed and other interesting things about the park and its wild inhabitants.
Next, visit the museum where kids can enter a real tipi, watch a blacksmith work, pet farm animals, or create a cornhusk doll.
Finally, grab a scavenger jaunt card and explore the trails as the kids look for the items on the list.
4. May Museum of Natural History
What kid doesn’t like bugs?
This is the foremost museum entirely devoted to bugs and it boasts over 7,000 insects.
As kids explore, they will see butterflies, beetles, spiders, and even tropical species and will gain a much greater appreciation of not only the number of insects that share our world but also how much they contribute to life on our planet.
5. Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center
If insects aren’t of interest to the kids, then dinosaurs most certainly will be.
This dinosaur museum offers kids interactive activities to help them learn about the world of dinosaurs.
They will see dinosaur bones from a variety of species, including a T-Rex, and can marvel at the life-like dinosaur models.
A stop in the lab will allow them to see how fossils are prepared when they are discovered.
6. Cave of the Winds Mountain Park
This stop offers a lot of physical activity as you start out with a guided tour that takes you deep into an underground cavern. There is a special tour for kids over the age of eight that includes ghost stories.
Older kids will enjoy the 3-story obstacle course, a 1200-foot ride across the canyon, or a walk-up course that tests your balance and allows you to jump from a great height.
Kids of all ages will enjoy the climbing wall.
Finish the day with an experience of mining for jewels.
7. The Ghost Town Museum
This historic mining town will give the kids a hands-on experience of what it was like to live in a mining town as they tour buildings that contain many original artifacts of days gone by.
Your little ones can try their hand at churning butter, panning for gold, or cranking up an old player piano.
They can also print out a “Wanted” poster and try their skill on the shooting range.
8. Sky Zone
Sky Zone is over 10,000 square feet of trampolines and a foam pit that will have the most active kids enjoying the opportunity to jump, bounce, and flip.
They can also try their hand at a dodgeball or basketball game or play laser tag.
There is also a wall-climbing area and a special section for children under the age of four.
9. iFly Sky Diving
Imagine being able to skydive without actually having to jump out of a plane.
That is exactly what you and the kids get a chance to do at this attraction.
Wind tunnels supervised by trained instructors can have you flying in a controlled environment at wind speeds of up to 129 miles per hour.
Your experience will be filmed and you can view it and even purchase a copy to show everyone back home.
10. Great Wolf Lodge Water Park
Just as zoos are often part of a trip, water parks have become a part of most vacations, and Colorado Springs has you covered.
This indoor water park offers water slides, tube slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, and a kiddie pool.
It also offers the chance for family raft rides.
Finally, enjoy the interactive treehouse water fort that brings the outdoors inside.
11. The North Pole
What does Santa Claus do in the summer?
He resides at his workshop in the North Pole, which happens to be located in Colorado Springs.
Little ones will enjoy exploring the workshop and home of Santa, riding on the two dozen amusement park rides, and visiting the petting zoo.
There is a chance to meet with Santa himself and older kids will enjoy watching a glassblower as he creates ornaments.
End up at the cafe for a quick refresher before heading back home.
12. Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad
Experience what it was like to ride on a coal-powered train as you board this hundred-old steam locomotive for a trip through historic and scenic mining towns.
The trip takes approximately 45 minutes and makes a stop at a deserted mining camp, giving passengers a chance to explore and take pictures.
This is an opportunity to slow down a bit during an otherwise active vacation.
13. Manitou Cliff Dwellings
Learn about the life of ancient Puebloan people as you explore the ancient structures they used to live in.
These dwellings contain many artifacts that bring the past alive for the kids.
During the summer months, you can enjoy Native American dancers and wolf encounters.
14. Broadman Seven Falls
Climbing the over 200 steps to get to the top of this fall may take time, but the view is tremendous and the kids will love following the stream upwards to the top, where they can see the seven falls below them.
Once up at the top, explore more activities this park has to offer.
There are ten zip lines that take you over the falls, rope bridges for the kids to traverse, and older kids can try their hand at rappelling down the mountain.
15. Space Foundation Discovery Center
At the Space Discovery Center, the kids will be fascinated with the large collection of space artifacts and displays.
Exhibits cover such topics as moon exploration, lunar modules, space food, and model rockets.
They can try their hand at programming robotic rovers and everyone will marvel at experiencing the Universe on the world’s first spherical projection screen that has you feeling like you are out there in the midst of the stars.
16. Miramont Castle
This Victorian castle was built in 1895 and consists of four floors and over thirty rooms for your kids to explore.
They will enjoy the exhibits and artwork and will learn from the firefighters and war memorabilia.
Have them participate in a scavenger hunt or call ahead and make reservations to enjoy afternoon tea as those in the Victorian era did.
17. Julie Penrose Fountain
You can find the Julie Penrose Fountain in the heart of America the Beautiful Park and plan a day of quiet in the midst of your hectic vacation schedule.
Parents can sit and relax as the kids enjoy splashing around in the fountain or interacting with several water features and colorful lights.
If the spirit moves you, the family can take a stroll on one of the hiking and bike trails and then enjoy a meal at one of the picnic tables scattered throughout the park.
Colorado Springs Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Colorado Springs Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorado Springs a good place to visit with kids?
Yes, it is.
Besides historical sites and museums, there are plenty of parks and outdoor spaces to explore.
Can we do everything in one weekend?
No, you will need to plan a return trip or two in order to experience all this area has to offer.
Is the Glenwood Gondola wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the Glenwood Gondola can accommodate even motorized wheelchairs comfortably.
What springs are kid-friendly?
Glenwood Hot Springs and Iron Mountain Hot Springs are both kid-friendly places for the kids.
Do I need to rent a car in Colorado Springs?
No, having personal transportation isn’t necessary.
The downtown area is very walkable and contains numerous restaurants, shops, attractions, and parks to make the visit enjoyable.
Colorado Springs is a surprisingly diverse city with over 55 family-friendly attractions, including the US Olympic Museum, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and Garden of the Gods Park, making it a great destination for families looking for both outdoor and indoor activities.