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BOULDER AND DENVER KID STUFF!
email me to add (or remove) information |
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PUMPKIN PATCHES: Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch, 9057 Colo. 66 in Cottonwood Farm at 75th Street and Arapahoe Road in Rock Creek Farm is on the west side of U.S. 287, two Blue Ribbon Farm at 10147 Hover St. in Longmont is on Munson Farms at 75th Street and Valmont Road in Anderson Farms is at 6728 Weld County Road 31/4, in |
| Another cheap thing to do with kids when you want to feel more like a
real grown-up is the Trident Café by Jax on West Pearl. They have a sandbox in the back which my daughter just loves |
| I like Kids' Pages--published 8 times a year and available through a very inexpensive subscription that will be sent to you (something like $5/year) or free at various "newsstands" around town. It has fairs and festivals, kids' movie reviews, restaurant deals for kids, library information, and much more. If you'd like to subscribe or get more information, call them at 303-277-0053. They're based in Arvada. |
| A couple things in Denver (though not so inexpensive). Ocean Journey - my 14 month loves watching the fish. And of course the zoo... Also, have you been to the "breakfast foods" play area in Cherry Creek Mall? It is fantastic and free. Kids love climbing the sausages and cereal, etc. There's also the Children's Museum. There are coupons in for many of these in the big Denver Entertainment book. |
| There's a local musician who gives children's concerts in Boulder and
Denver. She also teaches music classes. Her name is Sue Schnitzer. Her class and schedule can be found at http://www.weebeemusic.com. |
| Charlie loves to listen to the street musicians at the Farmer's market (13th between Canyon and Arapahoe) and Pearl street musicians. We donate a dollar to the various guitarists, harpists (East end of Pearl) and violinists (farmer's market). Great if you want a spontaneous musical experience. At this past Saturday's market Charlie was dancing in circles to the guitarist and drew a bit of a crowd himself. |
| * Sammy Bear in Longmont-free under 1 year, memberships or pay per visit, great indoor play place |
| * Longmont Public Library-Great sorytimes for all ages, includes Lap- sit Storytime , Preschool Storytime, Toddler-Parent Storytime , Bedtime Storytime |
| *Broomfield Public Library-Probably the best around for children's programs. Programs include Baby Story Times, Toddler Story Times, Pre-school Story Hours, a monthly craft time for children ages 3 and up, Cuddletime Concerts (Newborn- 2 years) |
| *Kangaroo Kingdom-not free, but a great variety of classes for moms and kids. Some upcoming classes include Spanish, French, Music, Crafts, Dance, Yoga & Tumbling. go to http://www.thekangarookingdom.com |
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PONY RIDES: You'd walk the pony (since this is free - not the normal rental fee of
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| Some of my fav's: * Boulder Public Library - lots of books, storytime, puppet theatre, computers, and a huge fish tank. * N. Boulder Rec Center - GREEEAT kids amusement pool. I think $5 (?) for the grown-up and kids free. * Childish Things - Consignment store where the kids can play with all the toys while mom shops. Great sandwich store next door, too. * Dinosaur Park - huge, fun playground at the E. Boulder Rec Center. * Wonderland Lake - A do-able hike for Toddlers with a brand new playground. Gravel path for baby joggers. * Heil Ranch - (I haven't done this, but a friend highly recommended it.) There's supposed to be a loop that's great for toddlers. It's off of Lefthand Canyon Road, a couple of miles from Broadway. * Barnes & Noble - They have storytime and crafts (call for days and times). It's free, but too dangerous for me because I dropped a bundle on kids books last time we went. Not for the weak of pocketbook. * Pearl Street Mall - Lots of fun stuff to do for kids. Watch the street performers, play on the animal sculptures, etc. One of our favorite summer things is to play in the water fountains by the courthouse, then get a slice of pizza at Pizza Calore (?) They have a great lunch deal on pizza. * Longmont Museum - They have an amazing drop-in program for toddlers - preschoolers. They have art projects set up around a theme. They're really well organized and have 5-6 stations set up and each project has variations for toddlers through older kids. I think they want a $2 or $3 donation. I was really impressed with this program. I would leave the babies at home though, I found it really hard to handle my then-just-crawling wriggly daughter and glue crepe-paper boosters onto my son's toilet-paper-holder rocket ship at the same time - although I guess that's what motherhood is all about. * Boulder Creek - Year round entertainment. My son loves to throw rocks, sticks, ice chunks, or whatever he can get his hands on into the creek. Boring for mom, hours and hours and hours and hours of entertainment for kids. |
| The Boulder Parenting Place is another fun place to go. They have programs and groups going on every day. They ask for a $3 donation per visit. http://www.boulderparenting.org/?show=home |
| WOW Children’s Museum in Lafayette. It’s lots of fun, and just
$6 for kids (adults are free). Their yearly membership is a deal, if you
go often.
Flatirons Mall has a free Dinosaur play area in front of the inside lower entrance to Dillards. The dinosaurs are made out of this foam, coated with brightly painted glossy finish. So they are soft and hard at the same time. The kids love it. A cheap kids meal at Rubio’s, some shopping, and a trip to the play area makes for a good afternoon for us. |
| Gymboree classes are fun, but can be expensive (about $100 for 10 classes).
Still, it’s a great outlet for her energy, and I think will be really
useful in the winter. We’ve become real fans of the Rec Centers, too. There is day care that is quite good and cheap ($3.50 per session, if you buy a punch card). Morgan plays happily with the other kids for 90 minutes while I get a workout. She likes it so much, she doesn’t want to leave! We go twice a week. When in doubt, we go to Pearl Street. There’s always the rocks to climb on (or watch other kids climb), if nothing else. And you can get a free balloon at Art Mart. When Bongo is there, it’s fun to drop a dollar in his tip drum and have him make your little one a piece of balloon art. I love him. He doesn’t charge anything, but he says, “it’s hip to tip!” |
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