Colorado Parent October 2020 by Colorado Parent Magazine

October 2020

70+

Top Denver Pediatricians

dventures Padgett, DenverofBroncos Cornerback Kareem Jackson and his ver's Dom daughters Kaylen Growing and Kenzie. Great Families Since 1986 y Morning d his kids See page 24.

Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes

Meet Soren, 5, one of our 2020 Cover Kid winners! PAGE 16

Where to Celebrate Halloween 2020!

Over It Yet? How to Manage Family Burnout Expert Answers: Is Trick-or-Treating Safe This Year? 100 Ideas for Family Fun

PART OF OF THETHE PART

PUBLISHING FAMILY PUBLISHING FAMILY

ColoradoParent.com

Cheyenne Frontier Daysâ&#x201E;˘ July 23-August 1, 2021 Wyoming State Museum and Recently Restored and Renovated Wyoming State Capitol Mountain Biking, Hiking and Rock Climbing just 30 minutes west of Downtown Old West Museum and Store Trail Rides and Bison Train Tours at Terry Bison Ranch Cheyenne Depot Museum and other Railroad Attractions Downtown Splash Pad Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, Grand Conservatory and Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Village Western Shopping Galore!

Plus So Much More!

Just 90 minutes north of Denver cheyenne.org 800-426-5009

Generosity of space. Millions of twinkling lights. Hundreds of enhanced cleaning protocols. Boundless family-friendly holiday events, from ice bumper cars and Breakfast with Charlie Brown™ & Friends to our brand-new I Love Christmas Movies™ immersive pop-up experience featuring ELF™, THE POLAR EXPRESS™, and more! November 20 – January 3 | ChristmasAtGaylordRockies.com Peanuts © 2020 Peanuts Worldwide LLC . ELF and all related characters and elements © & ™ Turner Entertainment Co. (s20) THE POLAR EXPRESS and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s20)

2020

CONTENTS October 2020 features 24

HARVEST HAPPENINGS

FOUR WEEKS OF HALLOWEEN FUN

Pick a place to enjoy some outdoor amusement.

A festive planner filled with crafts, snacks, and activities.

departments

FIND THE RIGHT DOC FOR YOUR BABY

ON THE WEB

MEET THE COVER KIDS

FROM THE EDITORS

PARENTING 911

GOOD TO KNOW

GOOD STUFF

LET'S GO

LEARN & GROW

READ TO ME

ROUNDUP

What We Learned

Tricky Treats

Body and Brain Play at Kids Wonder

Introduce Some New Names in History

on the cover

Education & Enrichment Guide

Denver's Top Pediatricians

Learn More About Our 2020 Winners

Should I Read My Child's Diary?

Cozy at Home

Managing Family Burnout

A Fresh View of Fall

11 Is Trick or Treating Safe this Halloween? | 16 Meet Our 2020 Cover Kids 22 How to Manage 2020 Burnout | 24 Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes 36 Denver's Top Pediatricians | 45 100 Ideas for Family Fun

Colorado Parent | October 2020

What to consider when searching for a pediatrician.

The latest tips and tricks on ColoradoParent.com

advertising

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Our monthly roundup of local events, featuring virtual and in-person activities around town.

Soren photographed by Lucy Beaugard. lucybeaugard.com

On the Web

Colorado Parent Online Boy with pumpkin, dads adn child, Fall Crafts, Hispanic heritage: Getty Imagaes. Adaptive costume: Target.

10+ Fun Fall Crafts Take a break from the uncertainty and stress of the year by getting creative with the kids.

National Hispanic Heritage Month Colorado is rich with opportunities for families to learn more about Latinx culture, all year round. Celebrate this holiday with our roundup of activities, local food creations, lively rhythms, and ways to support Latinx organizations.

Halloween Happenings The spooky season isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t canceled. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re sharing ways to safely celebrate Halloween this year. Explore our up-todate list of events online.

Family Guide to Fall in Colorado Looking for ways to enjoy the fall season in Colorado? Check out our Family Guide to Fall in Colorado for information on corn mazes and pumpkin patches, ideas for fall hikes and road trips, the best spots for leaf peeping near Denver, fall-inspired recipes, craft projects, and more.

Adaptive Costumes Dressing up in a creative costume is one of the best parts of Halloween. These companies ensure that every child has a chance to show their inner pirate or princess.

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From the Editors

What We Learned… EDITORIAL edit@coloradoparent.com Editor Deborah Mock Associate Editor Christina Cook Assistant Editor Kara Thompson Editorial Assistant Anna Sutterer Copy Editor Lydia Rueger

LO V

Burnout is real, and not just for grownups. Kids are experiencing the same emotional and mental exhaustion from the stress of, well, 2020. Find tips to help your whole family manage and deal with this burnout epidemic on page 22.

Things that inspired this issue, and what our editors discovered along the way.

Make spending another night at home feel a little more special with the cozy family-night-in goodies on page 18.

ADVERTISING SALES Advertising Director Brigette Swartz brigette@coloradoparent.com Account Manager Hilary Angel hilary@coloradoparent.com Client Services Coordinator Shundra Jackson

L VE EA

TRENDING

As if this year hasn’t been scary enough—a pandemic, September snow, virtual learning—now Halloween and trick-or-treating are upon us. Find tips for safer celebrations on page 11.

Use our annual Top Pediatricians list, on page 36, to leave behind the worry of finding the right health practitioners.

CAN’T WAIT We're excited to visit one of the many Front Range farms and festival grounds to pick a pumpkin, navigate a corn maze, or just get that feeling of freedom that comes from the family roaming outside in the crisp fall air. Page 24.

CREATIVE SERVICES Creative Services Director Carly Lambert Print Production Manager Megan Skolak Digital Advertising Manager Nick Stonecipher Lead Graphic Designer Chelsea Conrad Graphic Designer Caitlin Brooks Production Coordinator D'mitrius Brewer MARKETING Director of Marketing Piniel Simegn Marketing Coordinator Jess Mora ADMINISTRATION Billing and Collections Manager Jessica McHeard DISTRIBUTION & CIRCULATION Audience Development Director Audrey Congleton Audience Development Coordinator Caitlin Kittrell circulation@coloradoparent.com Printed by Publication Printers Please recycle this magazine. 5280 PUBLISHING, INC. 1675 Larimer Street Suite 675, Denver, CO 80202 P (303) 832-5280 | F (303) 832-0470 Visit us online at ColoradoParent.com

YOU SAID IT Wanting privacy doesn’t necessarily mean there’s something to hide. Secrecy may involve fear or shame. Privacy may mean a child just wants a boundary respected for something that is theirs alone. —Suvi H. Miller, child and adolescent therapist. Read more on page 17.

Share your feedback and ideas! Email us at edit@coloradoparent.com.

PRODUCTION Art Director Heather Gott

Colorado Parent | October 2020

CEO & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Daniel Brogan VICE PRESIDENT, STRATEGY Andrea Bott VICE PRESIDENT, REVENUE Zach Wolfel Colorado Parent is published monthly by 5280 Publishing, Inc. Please note that the advertisements in this magazine are paid for by the advertisers, which allows this magazine to be free to the consumer. Limit of one free copy per reader. Additional copies can be purchased for $5.00 per issue. Call (303) 320-1000 to request additional copies. Unless specifically noted, no advertisers, products, or services are endorsed by the Publisher. Editorial submissions are welcome. Colorado Parent (ISSN 1937-1020) ©2020 5280 Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

Ideas and inspiration for your next home project.

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Check out our great recipes online!

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www.denverfarmersmarket.com October 2020 | ColoradoParent.com

A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES

GET READY FOR CAT-TASTIC SURPRISES!

Good to Know HELPFUL NEWS, IDEAS, AND TIPS FOR COLORADO PARENTS

Tricky Treats

Girl Trick-or-Treating: Xavier Bonghi/Getty Images.

Definitely no bobbing for apples this Halloween! So, what is safe for little ghouls and goblins out to have spooky fun in a pandemic year? We checked with the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children Child Life and Infection Prevention Team and here’s what they had to say. TRICK OR TREATING: Unfortunately, trick or treating this year is not risk-free. Reaching into a container of candy, close contact in the doorway of someone’s home, or removing a face covering in a crowded space to eat a treat all pose a possible risk of exposing children or adults to COVID-19. If you choose to trick or treat this year and there are no specific restrictions issued by local public health officials, the Team encourages you to follow these tips to reduce the risk of spreading or contracting COVID-19: • Wear a face covering or mask that covers the mouth and nose with minimal gaps the entire time while trick or treating. A Halloween mask isn’t a replacement for a face mask. • Don’t share costume accessories (crowns, swords, etc.) with other trick-or-treaters and have each child hold their own candy bag. • Limit the number of kids you trick or treat with. • No sneaking treats. Instruct your children to not eat candy from their bag while trick or treating. This will help them keep their masks on and keep their hands away from their face. • Remind children to clean their hands with hand sanitizer both before and after grabbing candy from a container. In some cases, it may be more appropriate for a parent to pick the treats if the parent is better able to perform hand hygiene. • Remember, while it is a lot of fun to scare each other on Halloween, a howl or a scream could actually spread COVID-19! Similar to singing, screaming can expel respiratory droplets into the air. • Explore alternatives to trick or treating like an outdoor pumpkin patch or corn maze with appropriate social distancing. Communities could also set up door, window, or house decorating contests. Or, you can create a festive atmosphere at home with special games, treats, and movies just for you and the kids. No matter what your plans, if you or your child have COVID-19, have been knowingly exposed to someone with COVID-19, or if you have symptoms, stay home and turn off the porch light (the traditional signal that you won’t be coming to the door this year). Editor’s Note: As of press time, this information was accurate. Watch local public health guidance for up-to-date suggestions for your community and Halloween celebrations.

Look for more alternatives to Trick or Treating this year at ColoradoParent.com

October 2020 | ColoradoParent.com

Good to Know

Social media: Getty Images.

Vocabulary Lesson: Red Bag Kit More than a simple first aid kit, the Red Bags installed this fall in every Cherry Creek School District classroom, and other areas throughout school buildings—a total of 10,000—contain medical supplies that may be vital in case of a traumatic medical emergency. Items like an airway mask for CPR and a tourniquet and compression gauze to control dangerous bleeding equip school personnel with potentially life-saving supplies. A red tag attached to the exterior of each bag displays a QR code that, when scanned, links users to instructional videos. In the case of a school lockdown, the link is also able to receive emergency er is broadcast messages Octob l o Sch o and can connect the y user to a live chat with Safet h t n law enforcement. Mo

63%

of parents report their teen’s use of social media has increased during the pandemic, though more parents (45%) are appreciative of social media during the crisis than those who are increasingly concerned about it (39%). According to a recent Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago poll of nearly 3,000 current or recent parents of teenagers.

Colorado Parent | October 2020

Grab Your Ski Passport As Colorado’s ski areas prepare to welcome families for a winter on the slopes, 5th and 6th graders around the state are invited to register for their turn with a Colorado Ski Country USA Passport. This marks the 25th year that the Passport Program has provided Colorado 5th and 6th graders deeply discounted access to skiing and snowboarding at 21 area resorts, reducing a cost barrier to trying out the sports. There are a couple changes to the program this year. Here’s what families need to know for the 2020-2021 season: • Passport registration is open through the end of January 2021. • 5th and 6th Grade Passports will be valid

on weekdays only (Monday-Friday) this winter. • Passports may not be used the weekend of Thanksgiving, over winter break (December 24-January 3), on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, or on Presidents Day. • This season, the 5th Grade Passport gives kids access to 63 days of skiing and riding for $40. The 6th Grade Passport gives kids 84 days on the slopes for $99 (This price is guaranteed through October 8). Resorts are releasing final plans to address COVID restrictions, but the snow-blanketed slopes themselves provide an exciting sociallydistant outing to share with the family. coloradoski.com

We believe a classroom

IS MORE THAN FOUR WALLS.

Practicing safe, in-person learning since April. The Montessori method treats the whole world as a classroom, with a mission to create curious, self-directed learners who seek out knowledge wherever they are. Thanks to this pedagogical approach, and with the support of our highly-trained staff, our students showed remarkable resilience last spring. And as we continue in-person learning this fall, we expect them to continue thriving. When the focus of learning is to free each student’s mind from the confines of the classroom, they can find success wherever life takes them. Schedule a tour to learn more. Mayfair - Park Hill - Central Park

•

303.322.8324

•

mchdenver.org

Good to Know | Let’s Go

Kids Wonder: Kristi Swen. Social icon, socks: Getty Images.

LET’S GO

Body and Brain Play Stay warm, but not confined, at Kids Wonder play center. By Anna Sutterer VIBE: Elementary classroom energy DRIVE TIME: About 25 minutes from downtown Denver, in Centennial TIP: Parents, don’t forget your own sneakers or laptop. There’s an elliptical, treadmill, and stationary bike for you to squeeze in a workout, and space to get a few tasks done while the littles get the entertainment they’ve been craving. Offering colorful surroundings and adult life shrunk to kid size, Kids Wonder transforms a child’s day into an enlightening experience. Co-owners Cameron and Kristi Swen, parents of four kids, designed the space with a child’s physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development in mind.

Play items are sanitized for each child’s use.

Bring your masks and socks! But if you happen to forget, both are available for sale at the front desk.

PLAYFUL LEARNING Kids enjoy becoming restaurateurs, firefighters, vets, and actors in Lil’ Town, while toddlers clamber over soft structures and play in small houses. In the whole body play area, large inflatables and “Whole Brain Blocks” encourage physical and imaginative participation. Parents and caregivers watch, play alongside, or engage in adult education with CPR trainers, sleep specialists, and the director of You Are Not Alone, a support group for parents. ENRICHING PROGRAMS Kristi, who has two decades of teaching and administrative experience, also expanded the center’s educational components with parent-child programs, such as Lil’Learners, an early-learning practice time, including 60 lessons covering alphabet, numbers, shapes, and social/ emotional skills. Big & Lil’Players, coming in the new year, will use standards from Head Start adapted for Kids Wonder, to help little ones meet mobility milestones as wigglers, crawlers, and walkers. COVID CLEANING STANDARDS Kids Wonder performs more than 70 safety and cleaning tasks three times per day. The Tri-County Health Business Reopening Taskforce commended them for their COVID Policy and Procedures. Families flock to the Kids Wonder space seeking a birthday party spot, some sure-fire fun on a school day off, or for a family night out on Fridays. Entry is currently by reservation only with limited capacity.

Colorado Parent | October 2020

rs grownups a Wonder Workspace offe WiFi while the free and solo table space y. pla s kid

Kids Wonder is active on Facebook and sends a monthly newsletter. Follow for updates on activities, openings, and community PSAs. Test out career dream s and

learn how things get bu ilt.

Good to Know | Read to Me

The Only Woman in the Photo

The Only Woman: Simon & Schuster. Cubs in the Tub: Holiday House. A Girl Called Ghengis Khan: Sterling Publishing. Digging for Words: Penguin Random House. The Boy Who Dreamed of Infinity: Candlewick. Take a Picture of Me, James VanDerSee: Lee & Low Books.

by Kathleen Krull; illustrated by Alexandra Bye (Atheneum, 2020)

For a college history course, Frances Perkins observed conditions in paper and textile mills, and was horrified to see small children working alongside adults. The experience made her sensitive to injustice, and she wanted to help. Frances went on to serve in President Franklin Roosevelt’s cabinet as the secretary of labor, and became the mastermind behind the New Deal, the Social Security Act, unemployment insurance, child labor laws, and other initiatives to help American workers. READ TO ME

Take a Picture of Me, James VanDerSee

by Andrea Loney; illustrated by Keith Mallett (Lee & Low Books, 2017)

James VanDerZee saved his money to purchase a camera when he was a boy. By the fifth grade, he was his school’s photographer and would take photos of anyone he could. Later he moved to New York City, but was told by his boss that no one would want their photos taken “by a black man.” James opened his own portrait studio in Harlem, and went on to photograph legendary figures of the Harlem Renaissance.

Introduce Kids to New Names in History By Lydia Rueger If you asked your kids to name famous athletes or musicians, they’d probably come up with a few. But how about important people in art, math, photography, literature, or even animal care? Maybe a few less? The names found in these picture book biographies will be lesser known, but as you read their stories, you’ll discover they are certainly not “lesser” in bravery, perseverance, hard work, or innovative ideas. Give your kids a few new names from history to remember.

Cubs in the Tub

by Candace Fleming; illustrated by Julie Downing (Neal Porter Books, 2020)

Helen Martini longed to have a child. When her zookeeper husband Fred brought home a lion cub whose mother had stopped caring for it, he suggested she do for it what she would for a human baby. Helen did, and before long, she cared for more lion and tiger cubs in the couple’s Bronx apartment, until the baby animals were old enough to return to zoos. In 1944, Helen became the first female zookeeper at the Bronx Zoo.

The Boy Who Dreamed of Infinity

by Amy Alznauer; illustrated by Daniel Miyares (Candlewick, 2020)

Ramanujan was born in India in 1887 with a passion for numbers. He wrote mathematics in the sand with his finger, across the pages of his notebooks, and with chalk on the temple floor. Ramanujan had trouble in school, and struggled to find someone who could understand what he conceived. He grew up to reinvent much of modern mathematics, and change math and science forever.

Find more books about historical figures at ColoradoParent.com

A Girl Called Genghis Khan Digging for Words

by Angela Burke Kunkel; illustrated by Paola Escobar (Schwartz and Wade, 2020)

José Alberto Guttiérres was a garbage collector in Bogotá, Columbia. One day, he found a copy of the book Anna Karenina that had been discarded, and began a collection of books in his home. He shared his collection with the children in the barrio of La Nueva Gloria where he lived. The author donated a portion of her advance to José’s literacy foundation, La Fuerza de las Palabras.

by Michelle Lord; illustrated by Shehzil Malik (Sterling Children’s Books, 2019)

As a girl growing up in Pakistan, Maria Toorpakai Wazir wanted to play sports outside with the boys, but the Taliban regime demanded that women not be seen or heard in public. She cut her hair short and wore boys’ clothes so she could have more freedom and joined a squash club for boys. When people found out she was a girl, the Taliban threatened her squash club, her family, and her life. Maria went on to become the number one female squash player for Pakistan and one of the top 50 female players in the world.

October 2020 | ColoradoParent.com

Good to Know

Studio: GEtty Images.

Meet the 2020 Cover Kid Winners These three kids will brighten Colorado Parent’s upcoming issues.

olorado kids are too cute and cool, and you know it! That’s why we received more than 275 submissions to our 2020 Cover Kid search. We wish we could put everyone in the spotlight, but we had to narrow the list down to three winners. Read more about their charm here, then watch for their big debut on an upcoming cover of Colorado Parent.

SOREN GRISHAM Age 5½, Denver

This month’s cover model!

Who is your favorite storybook character? Ganesha from the book Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth. What do you like daydreaming about? Going to the mountains. If you could grow anything in the yard, what would it be? Cucumbers How do you show people that you care? I give them a hug.

Colorado Parent | October 2020

ALEXANDRA YAO Age 8, Denver

PALOMA LEWIS Age 11, Highlands Ranch

What makes you awesome? I set a goal to get a black belt in tae kwon do, and after four years of hard work and hundreds of hours of practices and testing sessions, I finally got my black belt at age 7. I am also a dedicated musician and play piano and violin.

How do you show people that you care? I show people I care by asking questions about their thoughts and feelings, listening carefully to their responses, being present for others, and being kind.

How do you show people that you care? I enjoy volunteering and helping others in our community through service projects. I also write letters and send postcards to people with stories and poetry I create.

If you opened a store, what would you sell? If I opened a store, it would sell gear for horses and their riders.

If you opened a store, what would you sell? I would call it Kids Land: there would be a cafe that sells kid-size pastries and fun drinks, a bookstore with lots of comfy chairs, a toy shop where kids can try out new toys before buying and can trade old toys for new ones, and of course, a fun playground and arcade area. If you could grow anything, what would it be? Cherry tomatoes because they are bite size, are both savory and sweet, and delicious straight from the vine.

What do you like daydreaming about? I like to daydream about performing (ballet) and being an equine veterinarian and trainer. If you could grow anything in the yard, what would it be? If I could grow anything in my yard, I would grow mangoes and watermelons. I would also grow a giant oak tree.

Good to Know | Parenting 911

Illustration: Lauren Rebbeck.

or shame. Privacy may mean a child just wants a boundary respected for something that is theirs alone. Curiosity vs. Concern Before you decide whether you’ll breach your child’s privacy, ask yourself: What’s the intention? Are you just curious about what your child is up to? Or are you genuinely concerned about your child’s safety— worried about bullying, drug use, or mental health? If you have real concern about your child’s wellbeing, breaching their trust may be difficult but important. If you feel left out because your child isn’t confiding in you like she used to, a breach of her privacy will feel violative, and may be hard to repair.

PARENTING 911

I’m Tempted to Read My Child’s Diary THE PROBLEM: I found out my tween keeps a diary. I’m so curious to know what she writes about, especially because she doesn’t share much with us. I’d also like to know if anything serious is going on that we should be alerted to. Is it OK for me to look through her diary? And, if I find something alarming, how do I handle that? THE EXPERT: Suvi H. Miller, LCSW, owner of The Child Assessment and Training Center of Denver childassessmentandtraining.com

a happy, successful, and independent person and giving enough support and safety to get them there. How much do we need to know about what they do every day? How much do we let them figure out on their own? What if they don’t come to us when they are in trouble? Children need to trust and rely on their parents. And parents need to provide opportunities for children to build trust through experiences. So, keep the following in mind before you open your child’s diary:

THE SOLUTION: One of the greatest challenges of parenting is figuring out the balance between providing your child enough room to grow into

Privacy vs. Secrecy Wanting privacy doesn’t necessarily mean there’s something to hide. Secrecy may involve fear

Set expectations Your child should know you’re going to check her texts or other social media periodically. Helping your child make good decisions with technology is part of parenting in the 21st century, and not a breach of privacy. However, does your child have the expectation that a diary would be private? That parents won’t go through her backpack or other things? Having a conversation with your child ahead of time about what you believe is private, and not, helps build and maintain trust. What if I find something of concern? Talk to your child first, before taking any action. You may feel the need to do something with what you discover, but your child should be part of that process. They should hear from you why you were concerned, why you took the action you did, and what you’re going to do next. Demonstrating good communication helps model what we expect from them as well. —Edited by Courtney Drake-McDonough

The Catalyst Center Change begins here. Invest in yourself. Not all therapy is the same. A good therapist is not “one-size-fits-all,” and you deserve to work with someone who can really help you. This is why we offer personalized recommendations and a free initial consultation for every new client. Request a Consultation Today | (720) 675-7123 | catalystcenterllc.com The Catalyst Center

October 2020 | ColoradoParent.com

Good to Know | Good Stuff

Cozy at Home Cooler weather calls for staying in and spending time together as a family. Gather inspiration from these products, stock your home with your favorites, and plan a fun family game night. By Christina Cook Throw Throw Burrito is half card game, half dodgeball, and a whole lot of fun. It’s a game of card matching, with added burrito fights—don’t worry, they’re soft—to get you moving and laughing. Ages 7 and up. $25, explodingkittens.com

A card game like no other, Exploding Kittens is a strategic game the whole family will enjoy. Take turns drawing cards, but look out for tacocats, laser beams, and of course, exploding kittens. Ages 7 and up. $20, explodingkittens.com

Pop your own popcorn with the Open Kitchen by Williams Sonoma Hot Air Popcorn Maker. It makes 12 cups in less than five minutes—no oil needed—and pops it right into your bowl. $35, williams-sonoma.com

The Grant Serving Tray from Crate & Barrel makes it a breeze to transport snacks and drinks from the kitchen to your game room. The trays are easy to wipe clean and come in three color options. $30, crateandbarrel.com

Sitting around the coffee table is a lot more comfortable with a few Washed Corduroy Floor Pillows from Urban Outfitters. They’re velvety soft and available in multiple colors to suit your style. $49, urbanoutfitters.com

Colorado Parent | October 2020

Wrap yourselves in the Faux Fur Ruched Throw from Pottery Barn, or lay it out on the floor for a soft place to play. Available in five colors, this comfy blanket is machine washable. $179, potterybarn.com

Background: Getty Images.

Serve up a game night snack in these Popcorn Bowls from Crate & Barrel—they’re great for movie nights too! With two size options, everyone can share or enjoy a small bowl all to themselves. $6-$20, crateandbarrel.com

EDUCATION & ENRICHMENT EDUCATION AURORA CedarWood Christian Academy 11430 E. 19th Avenue | 303-361-6456 roborny@cedarwoodchristian.org cedarwoodchristian.org Our mission is to teach and train young people to know and serve God by building a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, nurturing godly character and developing the mind with excellent academics. K-12. Founded in 1983. Fully accredited.

DENVER Colorado Academy 3800 S. Pierce St. | 303-914-2513 admission@coloradoacademy.org coloradoacademy.org For more than a century, CA has provided the most relevant, preparative, and highest value-added Pre-K-12 education possible. Our mission is to create curious, kind, courageous, and adventurous learners and leaders. Now taking applications for 2021-2022.

French American School of Denver 2280 E. 16th Ave. | 720-506-4589 Info@fasdenver.org | FASDenver.org

Welcoming students in grades K-3 (K-8 at full buildout) from all language backgrounds, the French American School of Denver is a tuition-free DPS charter school offering a proven, research-based bilingual French/English immersion curriculum.

International School of Denver 7701 E. First Pl., Unit C | 303-340-3647 info@isdenver.org | isdenver.org

We are more than a school—we are an inclusive, globally-minded community that develops compassionate and curious global citizens through language and culture. Our remarkable, diverse students, from Pre-K to grade 8, are at the heart of all we do.

Montessori Children’s House of Denver Mayfair, Central Park, and Park Hill campuses 303-322-8324 directorofadmissions@mchdenver.org mchdenver.org MCHD is a private Montessori school for toddlers through middle school. We help children develop

a strong academic foundation, self and community awareness, and a love of learning. MCHD is not just a school, it’s an investment in your child’s future.

Ricks Center for Gifted Children 2040 S. York St. | 303-871-3715 ricksctr@du.edu | du.edu/ricks Located on the University of Denver campus, Ricks Center is a school, preschool to eighth grade, dedicated to gifted learners. Flexible, differentiated curriculum designed around the whole child. Teachers who know, understand, and care deeply about gifted education and each individual student. Low student to teacher ratio.

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS Primrose School of Denver North/Denver Central Park & Thornton Denver & Thornton | 303-271-1237 executivedirector@rtwllc.com primroseschools.com Proudly serving Colorado since 2005, Primrose Schools was voted the Top Ranked Early Childhood

Give them an early start for a full life.

A full life for children with autism and development delays starts with the Behavior Exchange Early Start (B.E.E.S.) enrichment program. Through playful activities like circle time, sing-a-longs, music and movement, and arts and crafts, preschool-aged children learn the important skills to successfully complete school activities and listen and communicate with classmates.

@ColoradoParent

Learning CAN be fun. And SAFE! Enroll today online or call 972.312.8733.

P.S.

Rest easy knowing you made the best choice for your child this fall. Call to learn more today!

LOOKING FOR SAFE & FUN ACTIVITIES FOR YOUR KIDS? Ocean First is currently offering a variety of programs both in-person and virtually. All private, semi-private, or group lessons ensure proper safety measures of social distancing.

www.oceanfirst.blue/swim

We offer Telehealth ABA therapy in case circumstances related to Covid-19 interfere with a client’s ability to attend therapy in person.

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

720.647.8541

intake@behaviorexchange.com

behaviorexchange.com

Boulder, CO | Plano & Frisco, TX

October 2020 | ColoradoParent.com

EDUCATION &

ENRICHMENT

Proudly serving Colorado since 2005, Primrose Schools was voted the Top Ranked Early Childhood Education Provider. Enhanced health and safety measures have been put in place for a secure and sanitary school. Enrollment for 2020–2021 School Year Open Now! • Learning to Lead • Ages 6 weeks–12 years • Full Day Private Kindergarten • Certified Teachers

• New Full Day School Age Virtual Program with High-tech Equipment for Your Student to Thrive!

CHOOSE A COLORADO FAMILY FAVORITE & TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR TODAY! DENVER CENTRAL PARK primrosedenvercentralpark.com

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Colorado Parent | October 2020

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October 2020 | ColoradoParent.com

Learn & Grow

TALKING TO YOUR CHILD So how can you help your irritable, tired, and anxious child? Jodi Aman, a family therapist and author of Anxiety...I’m So Done With You, suggests checking in with your child to see how they’re doing with all of this change. “Driving is a great time to talk to kids, especially tweens and teens, because you aren’t really looking at each other and it helps them open up a little bit more,” she explains. Two of Aman’s go-to questions for sparking a burnout conversation with kids are: “How are you doing with all of this?” and “You seem to be upset lately. Is there anything we could be doing differently?” Once you’ve sparked a conversation, you’ll likely learn more about how your child is feeling and you can brainstorm ways to make things better.

Managing Family Burnout Exhausted? Stressed? Anxious? Your kids might be feeling it too. Here’s what to do. By Kara Thompson

here’s no denying that parental burnout is real, especially right now, but kids are just as at risk of feeling burned out as you. While your parenting role has changed majorly since the pandemic started, your child’s world has also been turned upside down. Between virtual school and limited social interaction, kids can feel a lot of stress from this change. Plus, spending full days together under one roof can leave your fam in need of a break. There might not be a one-size-fits all solution to prevent burnout, but there are some habits you can practice that will help your family feel better as a whole. We talked to two experts and got the lowdown on how you can limit these debilitating feelings your family might be facing. RECOGNIZING BURNOUT Burnout could very well have been a problem in your family before the pandemic started, but with a new schedule and heightened stress, it’s even more likely that your entire crew is dealing with it. “Kids are burned out on being around their siblings,

Colorado Parent | October 2020

they’re tired of having Mom’s meals, and they’re sick of being around people all the time,” says Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, a child psychotherapist, author of Mommy Burnout, and mom of three from Colorado. Ziegler believes that many parents and their children are dealing with higher levels of burnout since COVID-19 started. The signs of burnout include emotional and physical exhaustion, loss of motivation and passion, negativity, and feeling like you have nothing left to give. While these symptoms are the same for kids, the way they show up can be different. Ziegler has been seeing that while adults get burned out on work, kids might express that they don’t want to join another school Zoom meeting or have more FaceTime dates with family members. “As much as our kids are a part of a tech generation, even they can feel like enough is enough when it comes to spending time online.” She also points out that adults are better at verbalizing what they need when it comes to selfcare while kids tend to bottle things up and express their stress through irritability. “Sure, plenty of

CREATING NEW HABITS You’ve heard it before: Self-care is essential. But now that our lives have shifted and our responsibilities have become greater, it’s even more vital to schedule time for your entire family to practice self-care. Aman suggests that families make time daily for self-soothing rituals like listening to music, walking, taking a bath, drinking tea, or reading. She believes that doing these calming activities throughout the day can make a big impact in your overall mental health. While there are benefits to giving yourself some solo TLC, Aman says these activities can also be done with someone else in your family. “Some kids are really afraid of the virus, which might make it hard for you to separate yourself from them,” she explains. When you self-soothe in tandem, Aman believes you’re teaching your kids how to care for themselves, without feeding into the loneliness that can be triggering if your child is burned out. PREVENTING FUTURE EXHAUSTION How can we avoid burnout? Ziegler strongly believes that scheduling quiet time (or the self-soothing practices Aman mentioned) for yourself every single day will keep you from getting into a bad place, and the same goes for your kids. Make an effort to actually schedule it in your calendar or planner so it will be harder for you to pass up. You can also put a sticky note on your laptop that says “Take a break” or “Go for a walk at 3:00” so you have a visual cue that reminds you that you need to commit to caring for yourself. “Even when the pandemic passes, there will be other stressful situations that we all have to face. We need to adapt to living at higher levels of stress and we need to start teaching our kids how to do the same,” Ziegler says. Implementing these self-care strategies into your family’s life is a great place to start, and these habits will ultimately help you raise more calm and collected kids.

Mother and children: Getty Images.

adults can get irritable as well, but they can label why they’re irritated while a child likely has a harder time doing that.”

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October 2020 | ColoradoParent.com

Harvest Happenings

Pick a place and go for some outdoor autumnal amusement.

By Anna Sutterer

tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to get out and breathe that crisp, fall air. Harvest time at farms and plots across Coloradoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Front Range means pumpkins, gourds, hay, corn, and animals; many even incorporate carnival-like attractions. Find a corn maze, pumpkin patch, or fall festival nearby, or make a day trip to one!

Opener, background: Getty Images.

Colorado Parent | October 2020

Chatfield: Scott Dressel-Martin. Anderson FarmsL Cristin Spielman Photography.

Fall Festival and Maze at Flat Acres Farm

Through Oct. 31. Thu-Sun, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Scarecrows, pumpkin painting, a petting zoo, two bale mazes, oh my! Pick out that perfect pumpkin for carving, or corn stalks, straw bales, and gourds to up your decor game. $15, $5 age 65 and older, free age 2 and under. Flat Acres Farm, Parker. 303-805-1038. flatacresfarm.com

Four Mile Park Pumpkin Harvest Festival

Oct. 2-4. Fri-Sat, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. When you think autumn, you might think pumpkin patch, crafts, live music, and tasty treats. Find all those and more at Four Mile Historic Park's old-fashioned fun festival. Snag tickets for a 90-minute experience online. Members have exclusive access to a free preview night on Oct. 1. $15, free age 3 and under. Four Mile Historic Park, Denver. 720-865-0800. fourmilepark.org

Fritzler Farm Park Fall Days

to slather on toast and remember your good times. $10-$13, free age 3 and under. Colorado Pumpkin Patch, Monument. 719-799-6708. coloradopumpkinpatch.net

Through Oct. 31. Fri-Sun, hours vary by day The Fritzler Family celebrates its 20th year offering more than a dozen attractions—add them to the family fall fun to-do list! Check out their corn maze, sunflowers (new this year), giant patch, pumpkin cannon, rides, food, and more. High touch items will be sanitized after every use, common areas will comply with social distancing, and hand washing stations will be available. Find tickets online. $14.95-$17.95 entry includes most activities, free age 2 and under. Fritzler Farm Park, La Salle. 970-737-2141. fritzlerfarmpark.com

Corn Maze at Chatfield Farms

Happy Apple Farm

Giggle and wiggle your way through Anderson Farms' large corn maze.

Anderson Farms Fall Festival

Through Oct. 31. Daily, hours vary Get lost in Colorado's longest-running 25-acre corn maze. Anderson Farms offers dozens of pumpkin, squash, and gourd varieties ripe for the picking. Enjoy delicious concessions, let your little one visit farm animals and play on the Kiddie Korral Playground, or challenge someone to a race on the pedal karts. Find tickets and operation updates online. $12, free age 3 and under. Anderson Farms, Erie. 303-828-5210. andersonfarms.com

Bartels Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze

Through Nov. 1. Daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Pick a day, any day, to come up to the Bartels farm for harvest fun. They celebrate an 11th annual pumpkin patch this year with opportunities for picking, a punkin chunkin pumpkin launch, farm animal encounters, a kids' mini straw maze, and a hand-carved corn maze. Hand sanitizer and wash stations will be available, and masks required on the grassy area if busy. Free parking and entry, $1$5 produce and activities. The Bartels Farm, Fort Collins. 970-493-3853. thebartelsfarm.com

Colorado Pumpkin Patch

Through Oct. 31. Mon-Tue, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Wed-Sun, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Take part in much more than a picking patch; the whole family will love gathering around large outdoor games, a petting zoo, a small kids maze, and more. Take home a jar of pumpkin butter

Through Oct. 31. Fri-Sun, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Wind your way through seven acres of corn at Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms 20th anniversary corn maze. Take a peek at the routes above the cobs via 15-foot tall illuminated bridges. Younger maze explorers, under the age of 10, are welcome to explore the mini-maze. Round out the fall festivities with a pumpkin purchase. Purchase tickets online and wear your mask that covers your nose and mouth, Halloween masks and costumes aren’t permitted. $10-$12 adult, $6-$8 ages 3-12, free age 2 and under. Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms, Littleton. 720-865-3500. botanicgardens.org

Through Oct. 31. Thu-Sun, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. There are pounds and pounds of pumpkins to pick at this farm and orchard. Sniff your way over to find apple cider donuts on the weekends and Applewood smoked barbecue brisket and pulled pork each Saturday and Sunday till 3 p.m. Pets welcome. Free admission. Happy Apple Farm, Penrose. 719-429-6300. happy-apple-farm.business.site

Cottonwood Farm Pumpkin Patch

Through Oct. 31. Daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Gear up for a gourd time! This family farm invites you to their land any day of the week. Find a corn and straw bale maze, visit farm animals, and view their big tractors. Preorder options available for pumpkins and squash you can take home. Find updated information on hours, tickets, and activities online. Don't forget a mask. $5 admission Sat and Sun, free on weekdays and for children under 5. Cottonwood Farms, Lafayette. 720-890-4766. cottonwoodfarms.com

Chatfield Farms' foothill-adjacent location is a beautiful setting for fall fun.

October 2020 | ColoradoParent.com

Girl with Pumpkin:Osborn Farm. Tractor: Jackie Walls.

Lone Creek Farms Fall Festival

Through Nov. 1. Fri-Sun, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. It's a giant, farm-themed playground over at Lone Creek's festival where you'll find swings, zip lines, pedal carts, mine cart rides, and animals from chickens to goats and donkeys. Pick a pumpkin and grab an apple cider donut. Tickets online. $19.95, $16.95 seniors and military, free age 3 and under. Entry includes most activities. Lone Creek Farms, Franktown. 303-800-1243. lonecreekfarms.com

Mazzotti Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch

Through Oct. 31. Sat-Sun, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Take a spin around this real working farm where you’ll find a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, corn maze, and scarecrow building activity. $40 per scarecrow, materials provided. $12, free age 2 and under. Mazzotti Farms, Hudson. 303-536-4089. mazzottifarms.com

Miller Farms Fall Harvest Festival

Through Nov. 15. Daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Peek into the agricultural process behind the food on your family table. Celebrate harvest season on the farm where you can take a tractor ride with stops along the way to pick vegetables—load a wagon full for $40. Become one with the corn while navigating a maze through the stalks. Enjoy a picnic meal and don't forget to snag a pumpkin for home decor. Social distancing, sanitizing, and mask wearing will be maintained. $25 age 14 and up, $15 ages 4-14, free age 4 and under. Miller Farms, Platteville. 970-785-6133. millerfarms.net/fall-festival

Miners' Pumpkin Patch

Oct. 10-24. Sat, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Support the Western Museum of Mining and Industry while having a great time on a 27acre campus; head to the Miners' patch and enjoy a hay maze, pumpkin picking, photo props, gold panning, and live entertainment. Social distancing will be observed. Find tickets online. $10 admission includes all activities and a pumpkin. Western Museum of Mining & Industry, Colorado Springs. 719-488-0880. minerspumpkinpatch.com

Osborn Farm Pumpkin Patch

Through Oct. 31. Daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Step onto the Osborn Farm grounds to find a field full of pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, and straw bales, all available for picking and purchasing. Open every day until good weather or stock runs out. Hay rides are offered on Saturdays and Sundays. Free parking and admission; produce prices vary. Dogs are allowed on leash. Bring a mask for checkout. Osborn Farm, Loveland. 970-541-1212. osborn.farm

Colorado Parent | October 2020

TOP: Explore varieties of pumpkins and other autumn harvest items at the Osborn Farm. BOTTOM: Come for the gourds, stay for themed activities at Miner's Patch.

Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch Pumpkin Carnival

Oct. 3-31. Sat-Sun, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Pull up to this patch ready to pet animals, ride carnival rides, make your way through a hay maze, and of course pick pumpkins. Rides are geared towards kids ages 3 to 7. Masks are required and social distancing will be maintained. $1-$10 per activity. Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch, Longmont. 303-776-8688. rockymtnpumpkinranch.com

Wishing Star Farm Pumpkin Patch

Through Nov. 1. Daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Make El Paso County’s largest petting zoo your playground this fall. Visit the animals, enjoy rubber duck races, pedal carts, ride the hay wagon, and picnic with your own food or concessions from the farm store. $10, free age 2 and under. Wishing Star Farm, Ellicott. 719-244-7252. wishingstarfarm.com

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October 2020 | ColoradoParent.com

Four Weeks of Halloween Fun Treats, crafts, and activities for your family to enjoy this fall. By Kara Thompson

alloween canceled? Now thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a scary thought for kids. Never fear! No matter what this month brings, or which events are put on hold, you can still dream up a spooktacular month of fun. This week-by-week guide steps you through wickedly cute crafts, thrilling activities, and drool-worthy recipes. Follow along and you may just end up mummy of the year.

Halloween calendar: Getty Images.

Colorado Parent | October 2020

WEEK ONE

The Colors of the Season: Orange and Black Kick off the month with a trip to the pumpkin patch and bring pops of bright orange into your home. Set aside an evening to decorate your own no-carve pumpkins while you snack on licoricelegged spider cupcakes.

Kick off the month with a trip to the pumpkin patch and bring pops of bright orange into your home. Set aside an evening to decorate your own no-carve pumpkins while you snack on licoricelegged spider cupcakes.

DO: Pick Out Pumpkins

Hooray! Several farms around the Denver metro area are open to the public and ready for picking (find our list starting on page 24). After you’ve picked and brought home your favorites, extend their life by following these helpful tips. 1. LEAVE SOME STEM When picking your own pumpkins, be sure to leave on about three to six inches of stem. “Pumpkins without stems tend to rot quicker as

the wound allows bacteria to enter the interior of the fruit,” says Larry Vickerman, the director at Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms. 2. WAIT TO CARVE Pumpkins deteriorate quickly after carving, so if you’re hoping they’ll still be fresh on Halloween, it’s best to wait until the day before to carve. If you have room, Vickerman suggests refrigerating carved pumpkins until you’re ready to set them out for Halloween. 3. PREVENT MOLD To keep mold from creeping up on your carved pumpkins, Vickerman says smearing petroleum jelly on the interior and around cut surfaces can help.

MAKE: Three No-Carve Pumpkins

Pumpkins on table, doodles and background: Getty Images. Craft pumpkins and food: Heather Gott.

These adorable gunk-free pumpkin designs make for easy crafts—and festive porch pals!

Ghostly Messages Cover a pumpkin with chalkboard spray paint then write scary or funny notes on it each day to entertain the kids.

Fuzzy Monster Friend Make a friendly, furry monster by wrapping wired faux fur (Creatology Fuzzy Craft Stem) all around your pumpkin. Add a pair of googly eyes and share your new friend.

EAT: Spider Cupcakes

A much cuter version of an unwanted creepy crawler. YOU WILL NEED: • One bag chocolate chips • One package chocolate sandwich cookies • One package black licorice or licorice laces • One package Wilton Candy Eyeballs • A dozen of your favorite cupcakes (with or without frosting) DIRECTIONS: 1. Melt chocolate chips in a pot over low heat on your stovetop, stirring frequently. 2. Place a cooking rack over a parchmentlined baking sheet and lay your cookies on the rack. 3. Once the chocolate chips are melted, spoon the chocolate over each cookie. 4. Place candy eyeballs on each cookie before the chocolate hardens. 5. Cut black licorice into thin strips that are about 3.5 to 4 inches in length. Then, place four pieces on each side of your cupcakes. 6. Set the cookies on top of the cupcakes and serve.

Star-Studded Pumpkin Add some shine to Halloween night by pushing silver star brads (Recollections Silver Star Brads) into an uncarved pumpkin.

October 2020 | ColoradoParent.com

Creepy Critter

WEEK TWO

The Monster Mash-Up Get your house dressed up for the holiday by decking it out with its own wacky door decor. Then, treat your family to monstrously fun cookies.

Friendly Frank DO: Have a Door Decorating Contest

Rally your neighbors to compete in a halloween door decorating contest. Make your own invites, score sheets, and rules, then leave them in envelopes on your neighbors’ front porches. Hold the judging at night. Dress up and walk through your neighborhood with flashlights while you record your scores.

Candy Loot MAKE: Eerie Door Decor

Tempt Halloween revelers with a sweet display or prove that Frankenstein really isn’t such a grump with the clever door designs shown above. Find full instructions at ColoradoParent.com.

EAT: Monster Dip Cookies

Serve up these kooky treats to give off major monster and alien vibes. YOU WILL NEED: • One package chocolate sandwich cookies • One bag Vibrant Green Wilton Candy Melts • One package Wilton Candy Eyeballs

Colorado Parent | October 2020

3. Dip cookies halfway into the candy melt mixture, then place on a parchment-lined plate or baking sheet. 4. Add candy eyeballs to each cookie before the candy melt dries. 5. Let sit for about 10 minutes before eating— and dunk in milk for extra goodness!

Balloons, food, doors: Heather Gott.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Microwave green candy melts in a microwavesafe container at 50 percent power for one minute. Remove from the microwave and stir. 2. Continue microwaving at 50 percent power in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each set until completely smooth and melted.

WEEK THREE

Movie Thrills and Chills Halloween is drawing near! Appease your little house spirits with a Halloween film festival, featuring your favorite seasonal flicks. You can even make and invite your very own ghost guests!

DO: Watch Spooky Movies

Gather your crew for a wicked night of movie marathon fun. These family-friendly picks are available to stream and rent now, so get ready to cozy up and enjoy a frightfully festive night in. WHAT TO STREAM The Little Vampire (Netflix) Curious George: A Halloween Boofest (Hulu) Monster Family (Netflix) Spooky Stories (Netflix) Room on the Broom (Netflix) Spookley the Square Pumpkin (Netflix) Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (Netflix) The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (Disney+) WHAT TO RENT Hocus Pocus (Amazon Prime) Casper (Amazon Prime) Halloweentown (Amazon Prime) The Addams Family (Amazon Prime) Monster House (Amazon Prime or YouTube Movies) Spooky Buddies (YouTube Movies) Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas (Amazon Prime or YouTube Movies) Goosebumps (Amazon Prime)

EAT: Mummy Popcorn

Upgrade your movie snacks with drizzled white chocolate, colorful sprinkles, and loads of peeping eyes. YOU WILL NEED: • One bag popcorn • One bag pretzel sticks • One bag Wilton White Candy Melt • One package small Wilton Candy Eyeballs • Sprinkles of choice

MAKE: Ghost Balloons

Ghosts like movies too! Blow up white balloons and add ghostly faces with a black permanent marker. Tie these creepy attendees to chairs or door knobs, or tuck them in between couch cushions to make your movie night just a bit more eerie.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Microwave popcorn following the instructions on the bag, then divide between individual serving bowls.

2. Mix pretzel sticks into the bowls. 3. Microwave white candy melts in a microwave-safe container at 50 percent power for one minute. Remove from the microwave and stir. 4. Continue microwaving at 50 percent power in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each set until completely smooth and melted. 5. Using a fork, slowly drizzle white candy melt over the popcorn and pretzel mixture. 6. Add small candy eyeballs and sprinkles throughout the bowls, then serve.

October 2020 | ColoradoParent.com

WEEK FOUR

The Final Haunt It’s almost time to put on your costumes—but first, give your fam a good scare by hosting a hair-raising haunted house. These final ideas are easy to pull off on short notice (and with a budget in mind).

DO: Host a Haunted House

Get your family in full-on fright mode before Halloween weekend by setting up your own haunted house. These handy tips will help you pull off a spine-chilling night. 1. CREATE BLANKET FORTS Mimic the feel of entering a real haunted house by using tables and blankets or sheets to set up forts throughout your house. Cover the floor with fake spider webs or weave it throughout the entrances to give each fort a frightful feel. 2. SET UP SCARY STATIONS Put mushy, slimy, sticky food in big bowls. Blindfold or tell your child to close their eyes as they reach their hands into each concoction. Make up gross names for each bowl, like spider eyes (olives), monster guts

(gummy worms), or witch hair (soggy spaghetti). Then, have them guess what each item really was. 3. PLAY THE RIGHT MUSIC Chilling music turns up the scare factor. Pick a haunted house playlist from YouTube—you can even find the soundtrack from Disney’s The Haunted Mansion!

MAKE: Spider Web Trap

Create a creepy entryway for your haunted house with just a few supplies. YOU WILL NEED: • Two bags of 10-foot spider web • One bag of spider rings • One package clear thumb tacks DIRECTIONS: 1. Using clear thumb tacks, secure spider web to a doorway. 2. Tuck spider rings into the thickest parts of the web.

EAT: Ghost Milkshakes

End your gruesome night (and cool off those fears!) with these refreshing milkshakes. YOU WILL NEED: • One carton vanilla ice cream • One can whipped cream • One quart milk • Large Wilton Candy Eyeballs • Sprinkles of choice DIRECTIONS: 1. Thaw vanilla ice cream for about five minutes. 2. Put eight scoops of ice cream and two cups of milk in a blender. Blend until smooth. (If the consistency is too thick, add a little more milk; if it’s too thin, add a little more ice cream.) 3. Dip the rims of 4 cups in the ice cream carton to get them sticky, then dip each rim in your favorite sprinkles. 4. Pour a portion of the blended milkshake mixture into each cup, top with whippedcream swirls, and add candy eyes. Milkshakes, web: Heather Gott.

Colorado Parent | October 2020

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Early Early Learning Learning Center Center Showcase Showcase | October | October 20202020 | 33 | 33

Pediatrician and baby, mother and doctor: Getty Images.

FINDING THE RIGHT DOC FOR YOUR BABY

Consider these points when starting the search for a pediatrician. By Christa Melnyk Hines

uring your baby's first year, you’re going to be spending quite a bit of time with your child’s healthcare provider. Take steps before your baby arrives to choose a doctor who you feel comfortable with and trust. When should you start the process? Anywhere between one and three months before your due date is an ideal time to start shopping around for a pediatrician or a family physician. Try not to wait until the last minute. “Once you go to the hospital, there’s a lot going on. You’ll be seeing a lot of doctors. You’ll be going through labor. It’s not something you want to decide off-the-cuff,” says pediatrician Aaron Mayer. When you arrive at the hospital to deliver your baby, you’ll be asked who you’ve selected for your child’s primary care doctor. They will then notify your baby’s physician, who will provide a physical examination of your infant within 24 hours after delivery.

Colorado Parent | October 2020

Pediatrician or a family physician? Both practitioners are trained to provide quality healthcare for your family. Your choice will most likely boil down to personal preference and the rapport you have with a particular physician. Here are the primary differences between the two types of physicians: A family practice doctor is trained to provide healthcare to individuals at all stages of life, from newborn to senior. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, family physicians train for three years in real-life clinical settings and are trained in all areas of medicine ranging from pediatrics and internal medicine to obstetrics. Physicians should be board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and licensed in the state in which they practice. A pediatrician specializes in childhood conditions, diseases, and treatment for patients from newborn to age 18. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), following medical school, a pediatrician-in-training

completes three or more years of courses focused entirely on pediatrics. Seek a pediatrician who is licensed and has obtained the designation of Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP). This means they are board certified in pediatrics and adhere to the AAP’s standards and guidelines. Where to begin? “Honestly, I think consulting with friends and family is probably best. If your friends like their doctor, you are likely to find a good fit with them as well,” says pediatrician Kallie Foss.

HOT TOPICS

Many people, including physicians, have strong opinions about issues like breastfeeding and circumcision. Choose a physician who will support you or at least respect your personal views regarding issues that are important to you.

Make sure the recommended physicians are part of your health insurance network. Also check out area hospital websites, which often feature doctors who are nearby and accepting new patients. Schedule a prenatal visit. Once you’ve got a list of two or three physicians, call and schedule a prenatal visit to help you get a feel for their personality and office environment. While some physicians may prefer to do a phone consultation, a face-to-face appointment can help you get a sense of the office and nursing staff. Are they courteous, warm, and helpful? What is the overall feel of the clinic? Is it kid-friendly, clean, and welcoming? “You don’t really know if the physician’s personality meshes with your family unless you speak with them in person,” Mayer says. “It’s important to do prenatal visits to see if the way they act, the way they treat you, and the environment of the clinic fits with what you want for your family.” Make a list of questions. Now that you have prenatal appointments lined up, consider what issues are most important to you. For example, you might ask: • Who will see my baby in the hospital? • How soon after we leave the hospital should we see you? • What is the schedule for well-child checks and immunizations? • What can I expect during well-child checks? • How long are the typical wait times at appointments? • How do you handle after-hours calls? • Which urgent care do you recommend? • What’s your availability for last minute appointments? • What kind of acute care do you provide? • Are you open to natural methods/ supplements for certain health conditions? • Can you diagnose learning disabilities? • Will you give me suggestions for child discipline and behavior, if I ask?

“If you’re having a boy, you might want to also ask about circumcision,” Foss says. “It would also be good to let the doctor know if you have had any complications during the pregnancy that may affect baby after he or she is born.” Evaluate the visit. After the appointment, reflect on how you felt about the doctor and the practice, and discuss it with your partner or trusted loved one. • Were your most pressing questions and concerns addressed? • Did you feel comfortable? • Did the doctor support or respect your opinion regarding issues that matter to you? • Did you feel listened to? • Did you feel rushed? • What was the office and support staff like? • What was the clinic environment like? • Was the location convenient? Need to break-up? If over time, you become dissatisfied with your child’s physician or you need to switch providers

due to changes in insurance or a relocation to a new community, make sure you have your child’s medical records, including immunization records, transferred to the new physician that you select. Most of all, take the time to partner with a healthcare practitioner who will listen to your concerns, offer sound advice and options, and provide quality, compassionate healthcare throughout your child’s development. You’ll feel more supported and well-informed as you go about the business of raising a healthy, thriving youngster from babyhood and beyond. Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines and her husband are the parents of two boys. She is the author of Confidently Connected: A Mom's Guide to a Satisfied Social Life.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

healthychildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics) familydoctor.org (American Academy of Family Physicians)

FREE BABY LED WEANING® AND WELLNESS CONSULTATIONS Are you wondering if your little one is on track developmentally? Our consultations are complimentary! We can help you determine if you are on the right track.

DR. LEAH FOREMAN

Pediatric Occupational Therapist and Caregiver Coach

NURTUREDPEDS.COM LEAHFOREMAN.OT

October 2020 | ColoradoParent.com

Denver’s Top Pediatricians 2020

For more than 25 years, 5280 Publishing has asked physicians in the Denver area whom they would trust to treat themselves or a loved one. The following 72 pediatricians—in 23 specialties— were nominated by their peers this year.

Colorado Parent | October 2020

illustration: Getty Images.

NOTE: Each listing includes the physician’s name, the hospitals at which the physician has privileges, the doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital address, and the best phone number to call for an appointment. Full listings, including information about how many years each physician has been on the Top Doctors list, are available at coloradoparent.com/top-doctors/

Top Pediatricians 2020

Child Abuse Pediatrics

Pediatric Dermatology

CHILDREN’S, DENVER HEALTH

ST. JOSEPH, GOOD SAMARITAN, CHILDREN’S

Harvey A. Arbuckle

Antonia Chiesa

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6919 Jennifer Kelloff 11215 Huron St. Westminster 80234 303-338-4545

2045 Franklin St. Denver 80205 303-338-4545 Anna Bruckner

CHILDREN’S, UNIVERSITY

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-8445 Elizabeth Swanson

Complex Pediatric Otolaryngology

AURORA, RMHC

John Bangiyev

12645 E. Euclid Drive Centennial 80111 303-493-1910

RMHC

2055 High St., Suite 110 Denver 80205 303-301-9019 Kenny H. Chan

Pediatric Emergency Medicine

CHILDREN’S, PARKER

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-8501 Jeremy D. Prager

Joseph A. Grubenhoff CHILDREN’S

Denver Metro-Area Hospitals

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6888 Taylor McCormick

DevelopmentalBehavioral Pediatrics

Because of space restrictions, we abbreviate the names of some area hospitals in the listings. Below are our abbreviations and the official names as well as their health care systems. If applicable, we provide the names of some surgical centers in the listings; however, they are not included below.

CHILDREN’S

Aurora – THE MEDICAL CENTER OF AURORA—HEALTHONE

Aristides Maniatis

Castle Rock – CASTLE ROCK ADVENTIST HOSPITAL—

7336 S. Yosemite St., Suite 200 Centennial 80112 720-420-3636 Sunil Nayak

CHILDREN’S, UNIVERSITY

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-8501

Sandra L. Friedman 13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6630 Robyn Nolan 7701 Sheridan Blvd. Westminster 80003 303-338-4545 Ann Reynolds CHILDREN’S

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6630 303-338-4545

Pediatric Anesthesiology David Barclay

ST. JOSEPH, PRESBYTERIAN/ST. LUKE’S, SKY RIDGE

2045 Franklin St. Denver 80205 303-338-4545 Jessica Meyers Husum

ST. JOSEPH, SKY RIDGE, PRESBYTERIAN/ST. LUKE’S

Denver Health – DENVER HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER SCL HEALTH

Parker – PARKER ADVENTIST HOSPITAL—CENTURA HEALTH Presbyterian/St. Luke’s – PRESBYTERIAN/ST. LUKE’S RMHC – ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN AT PRESBYTERIAN/ST. LUKE’S MEDICAL CENTER—HEALTHONE

Sky Ridge – SKY RIDGE MEDICAL CENTER—HEALTHONE

David Brumbaugh

St. Joseph – SAINT JOSEPH HOSPITAL—SCL HEALTH

CHILDREN’S

Swedish – SWEDISH MEDICAL CENTER—HEALTHONE

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6669 Jason S. Soden

University – UCHEALTH UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO HOSPITAL—UCHEALTH

CHILDREN’S, UNIVERSITY

10099 Ridgegate Parkway, Suite 300 Lone Tree 80124 303-860-9933 Marco Pinder

CHILDREN’S

Pediatric Gastroenterology

Rose – ROSE MEDICAL CENTER—HEALTHONE

2045 Franklin St. Denver 80205 303-338-4545

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6820

CHILDREN’S

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6128

MEDICAL CENTER—HEALTHONE

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6820 David J. Miller

Shannon Buckvold

RMHC, SWEDISH, SKY RIDGE

8200 E. Belleview Ave., Suite 510E Greenwood Village 80111 303-783-3883 Philip Zeitler

Good Samaritan – GOOD SAMARITAN MEDICAL CENTER—

777 Bannock St., Pavilion A Denver 80204 303-436-6000 Ryan Wilson

Pediatric Cardiology

RMHC, SWEDISH, SKY RIDGE

Children’s – CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL COLORADO

D. Dunbar Ivy

ST. JOSEPH, SKY RIDGE, CHILDREN’S

Pediatric Endocrinology

CENTURA HEALTH

2045 Franklin St. Denver 80205 303-338-4545 Lee Stein

DENVER HEALTH

777 Bannock St., Pavilion A Denver 80204 303-436-6000

CHILDREN’S

Pediatric Critical Care Medicine

CHILDREN’S

RMHC, SKY RIDGE

CHILDREN’S, DENVER HEALTH

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 303-724-8393 Claudia Kunrath

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6820

CASTLE ROCK, RMHC, SKY RIDGE

10465 Park Meadows Drive Lone Tree 80124 303-790-1515

Todd Carpenter 13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 303-724-8393 Eva Grayck

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6669 Theodore Stathos

Pediatric Hematology & Oncology Carrye Cost

CHILDREN’S

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6672

DENVER HEALTH, CHILDREN’S

790 Delaware St., Pavilion C Denver 80204 303-436-6000

October 2020 | ColoradoParent.com

Top Pediatricians 2020

Lia Gore

CHILDREN’S

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6672 Brian S. Greffe CHILDREN’S

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6672 Julie Zimbelman

RMHC, PRESBYTERIAN/ST. LUKE’S, SKY RIDGE

2055 High St., Suite 340 Denver 80205 303-832-2344

Pediatric Hospital Medicine Jennifer Reese CHILDREN’S

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-5070 Barry Seltz CHILDREN’S

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-5070

Pediatric Infectious Diseases James T. Gaensbauer

CHILDREN’S, DENVER HEALTH

Pediatric Pulmonology Robin Deterding

CHILDREN’S, UNIVERSITY

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6181 Monica J. Federico

CHILDREN’S, DENVER HEALTH

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6181 Oren Kupfer CHILDREN’S

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6181 Scott Sagel

Mindy A. Banks RMHC

2055 High St., Suite 270 Denver 80205 303-301-9010 Margret Bock CHILDREN’S

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6263 Danielle E. Soranno CHILDREN’S

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6263

Pediatric Pathology Jennifer Black

CHILDREN’S, UNIVERSITY

CHILDREN’S

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6714

Jennifer Betz 859 S. Fourth St. Brighton 80601 303-338-4545 Joseph A. Craig

CHILDREN’S

Pediatric Transplant Hepatology

Brian M. Bagrosky CHILDREN’S

CHILDREN’S, DENVER HEALTH

7600 Shaffer Parkway Littleton 80127 303-338-4545 Noah Makovsky

CHILDREN’S, UNIVERSITY

1746 Cole Blvd., Suite 150 Lakewood 80401 303-914-8800 Jaime Stewart

Job Chacko

Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine

CHILDREN’S

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6669

CHILDREN’S

Pediatrics

4318 Trail Boss Drive Castle Rock 80104 303-338-4545 Regina O. English

Amy G. Feldman

2045 Franklin St. Denver 80205 303-338-4545 Lisa A. Niebergall

RMHC, PRESBYTERIAN/ST. LUKE’S

CHILDREN’S

ROSE, PRESBYTERIAN/ST. LUKE’S, CHILDREN’S

2975 Roslyn St., Suite 100 Denver 80238 303-399-7900 Jay Markson CHILDREN’S

1601 E. 19th Ave., Suite 6400 Denver 80218 303-839-7200 Nicholas G. Cost

1625 Marion St. Denver 80218 303-830-7337 Laura Newberry 10168 Parkglenn Way Parker 80138 303-338-4545 Sonja O’Leary

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-3926

3955 Steele St. Denver 80205 303-436-6000

Pediatric Urology RMHC

CHILDREN’S

DENVER HEALTH

CHILDREN’S

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-2806 Aaron Powell CHILDREN’S

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-2806 Pamela Wilson

CHILDREN’S, UNIVERSITY

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-2806

Pediatric Rheumatology Robert Fuhlbrigge CHILDREN’S

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6132 Jennifer B. Soep CHILDREN’S

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6132

Pediatric Surgery Denis D. Bensard

DENVER HEALTH, CHILDREN’S

700 Delaware St., Davis Pavilion Denver 80204 303-436-6000

Colorado Parent | October 2020

illustration: Getty Images.

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6714 Mark A. Lovell

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6571

Pediatric Radiology

Susan Apkon

Pediatric Nephrology

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-3926

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6571 Shikha S. Sundaram

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6072 Sarah Parker 13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6072

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6571 David Partrick

CHILDREN’S, UNIVERSITY

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6181

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6541

CHILDREN’S

Duncan T. Wilcox

CHILDREN’S

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6669 Fritz Karrer

13123 E. 16th Ave. Aurora 80045 720-777-6981 Kevin B. Messacar CHILDREN’S

Jennifer L. Bruny

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

2020 TOP

P E D I AT R I C I A N PROFILES Nothing is more important to a parent than raising a healthy, happy child and choosing the right doctor for your child can be a challenge. In this special section, you will find those 2020 Top Pediatricians who have chosen to share more information with you about their practice and expertise. Read on to learn more about this group of top notch medical professionals!

T O P P E D I AT R I C I A N P R O F I L E S 2 0 2 0

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Well Care and Flu Vaccines Are Important. Especially During a Pandemic. Life certainly looks different these days, but well care visits are still one of the most important aspects of your child’s health. Make sure your child is healthy, growing properly, and up-to-date on vaccinations including the flu vaccine, now available in our offices and more essential than ever before. We’re working to ensure the safety and health of your kids with different hours and entrances for well and sick kids, in-office screenings, mask requirements, rigorous sanitation practices, and virtual visits for some health concerns. Let’s work together to protect our children in every way that we can. Call to schedule.

e Flu Vaccin le b a Now Avail y Call Toda

Call 303-699-6200 www.advancedpediatricassociates.com Centennial | Aurora | Parker | Central Park

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C O L O R A D O P A R E N T. C O M

O C TO B E R 2020

VISIT COLORADOPARENT.COM TO READ THE LATEST ISSUE

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Dr. Aristides K. Maniatis is honored to have been selected as a Top Doc for the fifth consecutive year (2016-2020). He leads an outstanding team at RMPE, including Dr. Michaela Koontz and Mako Sather, CPNP. Dr. Maniatis attended Harvard Medical School and completed his pediatrics residency and pediatric endocrinology fellowship at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Dr. Koontz completed her pediatrics residency and pediatric endocrinology fellowship at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital of Case Western Reserve University. Both Dr. Maniatis and Dr. Koontz are doubleboard certified in pediatrics and pediatric endocrinology. Mako Sather completed her post-master’s program at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (UCHSC). She is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and insulin pump trainer. Dr. Maniatis is an Assistant Clinical Professor at UCHSC, serving as a clinical preceptor for physician assistant students. He is a national key opinion leader on growth disorders and has been the national spokesperson for Growth Awareness Week (2018-2020). He also lectures and has published extensively. RMPE is also involved in clinical research including a type 1 diabetes epidemiology study, multiple phase 3 trials in long-acting growth hormone, and a phase 4 trial in hypophosphatasia bone disease.

T O P P E D I AT R I C I A N P R O F I L E S 2 0 2 0

P E D I AT R I C E N D O C R I N O L O G Y

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY A R I S T I D E S M A N I AT I S , M D, FA A P Colorado Parent Top Pediatrician 2020 Member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Endocrine Society, Pediatric Endocrine Society, and American Diabetes Association 5

Partnering with the Colorado Department of Public Health, RMPE also provides the initial consultation for all babies in Colorado and Wyoming with an abnormal newborn screen for congenital hypothyroidism.

7336 South Yosemite Street Suite 200 Centennial, CO 80112 720.420.ENDO (3636) WWW.RMPEDENDO.COM

RMPE sees inpatients at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, Skyridge, and Swedish. We have two locations (Centennial and Firestone) and offer Saturday hours. RMPE also has enhanced COVID-19 safety measures to ensure that everyone in our clinic stays healthy. O C TO B E R 2020

C O L O R A D O P A R E N T. C O M

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T O P P E D I AT R I C I A N P R O F I L E S 2 0 2 0

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C O L O R A D O P A R E N T. C O M

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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Calendar OCTOBER

Our Picks For Little Ones

LITTLE BEAR’S STORYTIME OCT. 14 See page 47

For Kiddos

Royal Gorge: Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. Little Ones: Scott Dressel-Martin.

CREEPY CAMOUFLAGED CREATURES OCT. 30 See page 51

For Tweens

PHAMALY’S BIG NIGHT: THE SHOW MUST GO ON! WEBATHON OCT. 18 See page 50

OCT.

Discover bounties of treats, games, pumpkins, and entertainment at the Royal Gorge Boo at the Bridge, Oct. 24.

For Teens

Boo at the Bridge 4-7:30pm. Raise the drama and delight of Halloween by taking your trick-or-treaters to the thousand-foot plunging Royal Gorge. You’ll find vendors with candy, plenty of pumpkins, entertainment, and games, not to mention health and safety measures such as one-way foot traffic, mask wearing, and extra handwashing stations. Royal Gorge Bridge, Cañon City. royalgorgebridge.com

SECOND WIND WALK/RUN OCT. 3 See page 46

October 2020 | ColoradoParent.com

Calendar | October

Walk: Second Wind Fund.

Calendar What’s Inside SPECIAL FAMILIES

47 MOVIE MOMENTS

SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS

WHERE THE KIDS ARE

ONGOING EVENTS

52 HEADS UP! Events may change after publication deadline. Please phone ahead to confirm important information.

Get listed! Items to be considered for the monthly printed calendar must be received at least six weeks before the month of publication. Email event information to calendar@coloradoparent.com. Information cannot be accepted by phone. See our calendar online at ColoradoParent.com and use it to post your own events at any time.

Walk wherever you are and join a community raising funds and awareness for youth suicide prevention and treatment, Oct. 3.

1 THURSDAY

Just Between Friends Denver Sale Oct. 1-4, times vary. Shop for everything you need for kids at 50-90% off retail. Bring your mask and bags. Find entry tickets online. Free-$30 entry. National Western Events Center, Denver. denver.jbfsale.com

Just Between Friends Loveland/ Fort Collins Oct. 1-3, 9am-7pm;

3:30-4pm. Learn about and explore your senses by testing them with things you’d find in Colorado nature. Stick around to learn more about hiking in the parks with kids. All virtual programs have automated voice to text captioning available. Ages 0-5. Register online. denverlibrary.org

Oct. 4, 9am-2pm. Shop from this large consignment sale including clothing, toys, furniture, strollers, books, games, puzzles, and more. Take your reusable bags and wear a mask. Free-$10 admission depending on the day. Outlets at Loveland. loveland.jbfsale.com

2 FRIDAY

Seedlings: Piece by Piece 9:15am,

Art in Nature: Watercolors

10:30am, and 1pm. Learn what features a plant needs to grow and survive in Colorado. Discover how you can use leaves, roots, flowers, and stems to build your own picture of a plant. Ages 2-6. Registration required. Adults and children age 3 and older are required to wear a mask. One adult per child is admitted free of charge. $8-$10 toddler/preschooler, $5 additional adults and non-participating siblings, free non-participant age 3 and under. Denver Botanic Gardens York Street. See Where the Kids Are, page 50.

Civic Center Eats 11:30am-1:30pm lunch, 5:30-7:30pm dinner. Enjoy the last day of the season for this local food truck roundup. Follow roped entrances and exits, wear a mask, and settle your picnic in a socially-distanced circle. Truck schedules and menus, as well as an option to preorder, are online. Denver Civic Center Park, Denver. civiccentereats.com

VIRTUAL Virtual Little University: Senses in Nature

Colorado Parent | October 2020

Just Between Friends Denver Sale See Oct. 1. Just Between Friends Loveland/ Fort Collins See Oct. 1.

6-7:30pm. Explore nature through watercolors, crayons, pencils, and sculpture. Participants will immerse themselves in nature in a whole new way, and leave with a masterpiece. Reservations required. Age 6 and up. $5. Senac Creek Nature Center, Aurora. auroragov.org

Olde Town Arvada Telescope Night 8:30-10:30pm. Stop by the Olde Town Square for some night sky viewing with telescopes. All ages welcome. Masks required. Canceled if inclement weather. Olde Town Square, Arvada. arvada.org/explore

3 SATURDAY

Just Between Friends Denver Sale See Oct. 1.

Just Between Friends Loveland/ Fort Collins See Oct. 1. Fall Fest at YMCA of the Rockies 9am-7pm. Take your family through a delightful array of fall activities including pumpkin painting, s’mores, crafts, hay rides, line dancing, and more at the YMCA’s Dorsey Museum and Mootz Family Craft and Design Center. Maskwearing and appropriate distancing required. YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park. ymcarockies.org/activity-guide VIRTUAL Second Wind Walk/ Run Walk or run for the Second Wind

Fund, which helps youth at risk for suicide obtain treatments and services without financial or transportation barriers. Options available for a 5K or 1 mile race for all ages. Donations and peer-to-peer fundraising are encouraged. $25-$30 registration, free age 6 and under. thesecondwindfund.org VIRTUAL Colorado Dragon Boat Festival Virtual Experience

9am. Colorado Dragon Boat, a nonprofit with a mission to build understanding between diverse Asian Pacific American (APA) communities and the general public, hosts the largest dragon boat festival in the United States each year. This time, they’ll go online with the main event. The livestreamed program will open on Oct. 3 but will be available to rewatch until Oct. 17. Register online. cdbf.org

Nature Nerds Family Club 10:30am-noon. Gather your curious kiddos

Ducks: Getty Images.

Calendar | October

and take note of what’s going on in nature; join a workshop with the Butterfly Pavilion. Get your pressing questions answered and take home a craft! Best suited for families with children ages 4-10. Register online. $6-$14 adults, $4-$6 ages 2–12, includes admission to Butterfly Pavilion. Butterfly Pavilion. See Where the Kids Are, page 50.

Shopping Extravaganza Social Distance Style 10am. Shop for a cause while enjoying discounts, activities, and prize drawings. Ticket proceeds go to a local nonprofit organization of your choice, including African American Youth Leadership Conference, 4 Paws 4 Life, HopeKids, and more. Ticket buyers will select a 30-minute time slot to check in for the event and will follow physical distancing guidelines. $20 admission. Outlets at Castle Rock, Castle Rock. outletsatcastlerock.com

VIRTUAL Inaugural Rubber

Duck Race 10am-noon. There’s no bad seat to this athletic event for yellow floaty friends. Join the virtual action from home and cheer your sponsored duck(s) to victory. Proceeds benefit the Dave Stone Scholarship, which helps graduating high school seniors in Erie. $10 for one duck, $25 for three. eriechamber.org

4 SUNDAY

Just Between Friends Denver Sale See Oct. 1. Just Between Friends Loveland/Fort Collins See Oct. 1. VIRTUAL Home Sweet

Home Concert Series 4pm. Opera Steamboat along with Boys and Girls Club and Integrated Community, bring families arias, musical theater, and spirituals all through the fall.

Performers include Nicole Heaston Lane (American Soprano), Raquel Winnica-Young (Argentinean MezzoSoprano), Paulina Villarreal (Mexican Mezzo-Soprano), and more. Register online. operasteamboat.org

children are welcome to attend one or multiple sessions. The class size is limited. Ages 3-5. Register online. aspenacademy.org

Watershed Walks 1-3pm. Do you know what a riffle, run, and pool look like in the flow of a stream? Find out with this naturalist program. Learn about the important role these areas have in maintaining wildlife and healthy waterways. Reservations required. Age 8 and up. Red Tailed Hawk Park, Aurora. auroragov.org/things_to_do

11:30am-12:20pm. Join Special Olympics Colorado for their Hall of Fame celebration including phenomenal athlete speakers and benefitting more than 18,000 athletes and Unified partners. Free, suggested donation. specialolympicsco.org

VIRTUAL Special Olympics Virtual Hall of Fame

8 THURSDAY

Colorado Railroad Museum Free Day 9am-5pm. Take in this

6 TUESDAY

Homeschool Investigations: The Science of Taste 9:15am, 10:45am, and 1pm. Test your tastebud-hypotheses on fruits and vegetables, learning the botanical anatomy of produce. Use your sense of smell, sight, and touch to enrich the eating experience. This hour-long program is designed to engage both adults and children through garden exploration. Families with kids ages 7-12. Register online. $8, $6 member. Denver Botanic Gardens York Street. See Where the Kids Are, page 50.

7 WEDNESDAY

VIRTUAL Little Bear’s Storytime & STEAM Oct. 7, 14,

and 28, 9:30am. Join Aspen Academy via Zoom for this free and engaging storytime where children participate in fun STEM/STEAM challenges based on beloved stories. Parents and

1880-era inspired small town railroad depot, that doubles as an educational museum. Learn about locomotives and hop into a vintage passenger car for an optional train ride behind Golden City & San Juan Diesel Engine No. 4. Free admission, $4 adult and $2 child train ride. Colorado Railroad Museum. See Where the Kids Are, page 50.

Munchkin Market Oct. 8, 5-8pm; Oct. 9, noon-8pm; Oct. 10, 9am-2:30pm. Check out this major consignment sale of gently used children’s items to meet all your needs. A portion of the proceeds from the sale help fund the MOPS program in Woodland Park. Cash, checks, and all major credit cards accepted. Register to consign at utepassmops.org/ consignors. Free admission, prices vary. Woodland Park Community Church, Woodland Park. utepassmops.org

Special Families VIRTUAL IDEA/ Section 504: The Laws that Protect Our Children Oct. 16, 9:30am-12:30pm. Join Bright Futures Academy and Familias Hispanicas Unidas Por Autismo for a workshop that will help you understand what IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and Section 504 means to your rights and the rights of your child with disabilities. Open to parents, guardians, adoptive parents,

siblings, family members, and other who want to learn. Register online. brightfuturesadvocacyllc.com VIRTUAL Neurodiverse Dungeons & Dragons Club Fri, 6-8pm. Games Worth Playing presents an open adventure in Dungeons and Dragons available to all abilities and levels. Newcomers welcome, veterans can bring a character no higher than level 3. $5 Email ndttrpg@gmail.com for the link. Ages 8 and up. facebook. com/autismcommunitystore

VIRTUAL Project Independence Transition Webinars Oct. 8-Nov. 5. Thu, 6pm. Join the THRIVE Center for this multisession seminar on how families can gain employment, college, transportation, community resources, and more for their child with a disability. There’s a youth only webinar (ages 14-21) and parent only webinar. Register online. thrivectr.org VIRTUAL Virtual Grupo de Apoyo: Aurora Oct. 2,

12:30-3:30pm. The Aurora Life Group is a support group for parents with children, youth, and adults with different abilities or special needs. Join El Groupo Vida online. elgrupovida.org VIRTUAL Virtual Grupo de Apoyo: Broomfield Oct. 17, 12:30-3pm. The Broomfield Life Group is a support group for parents with children, youth, and adults with different abilities or special needs. Join El Groupo Vida online. elgrupovida.org

October 2020 | Colorado Parent

Calendar | October

6-7:30pm. Dine and discuss online the ways Boulder Food Rescue has shifted during the pandemic and how community needs have changed in the wake of COVID-19. Enjoy the community’s company as well as a cooking demo from chef Jessica Shah, a short documentary viewing, and music from Mono Verde Collective.

Movie Moments

Boy: Jen Harris.

VIRTUAL Virtual Potluck with Boulder Food Rescue

Spanish interpretation available. boulderfoodrescue.org

Fireside Chat: Native American Music 6:30-7:30pm. Music is used in Native American communities to share stories, education, and culture. Enjoy live demonstrations of traditional drumming and singing, taught by Bluff Lake Educator Jacob Reta. Bluff Lake Nature Center, Denver. blufflake.org

Just Between Friends Broomfield/Brighton Oct. 8-11,

Aircraft Carrier: Guardian of the Seas Through Feb 17. Showings every hour on the half hour. Stop in the Wings Over the Rockies theater for a short documentary about the mission of naval aviation. Learn how the modern U.S. carrier and the personnel conducting flight operations are key to success in defending the world’s oceans. Included with museum admission. Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. See Where the Kids Are, page 50.

times vary. Shop for everything you need for your kiddos ages birth through teen. Find aisles of gently used or even new clothes, toys, shoes, gear, sports equipment, and more. Get free tickets online. Walk-ins are welcome, but there are limited numbers of shoppers allowed at a time to promote social distancing. Free-$30 admission. Adams County Fairgrounds, Brighton. broomfield.jbfsale.com

Munchkin Market See Oct. 8.

17-18, 11am-7pm. Visit Denver’s premier open air marketplace featuring local arts and crafts, clothing, jewelry, antiques, furniture, food, and music. Vendor prices vary. Skyline Park, Denver. coloradoevents.org

Coffee & Cars Littleton Car Show and Movie Night Oct. 21, 7:30pm. Have a classic car, a hot rod, unique, old or new car? Join the Coffee and Cars Littleton group for a drive-in. Behind The Scenes will offer pizza and alcohol for purchase. Register online for limited spots. Behind The Scenes Tap House, Littleton. facebook.com/ coffeeandcarslittleton

St. Philip ELC Consignment Sale Oct. 9, 9:30am-8pm; Oct. 10,

Otter Weekend at Downtown Aquarium Oct. 10-11, 11:15am-4pm.

8am-1pm. Find clean, top quality, new and used children’s clothing for all seasons in addition to baby equipment and furniture, toys, books, DVDs, bikes, and outdoor equipment/toys. Proceeds will be used for building and properties/ playground updates, scholarships, teacher continuing education, and additional student programs. $1 admission, prices vary. St. Philip Lutheran Church, Littleton. stphilipelc.org

Otter enthusiasts are invited to learn about playful otters and participate in themed activities at the Downtown Aquarium. Activities are free with admission. Private meet and greets with the cute animals are also available for purchase. $23.50 adult, $22.50 senior, $17.50 children, free age 2 and under; $150 meet and greet up to six people. Downtown Aquarium. See Where the Kids Are, page 50.

10 SATURDAY

11 SUNDAY

Journey to Space 3D Through Nov. 5. Showings daily, 1pm and 4pm. In the past half century, humans have punched through the stratosphere, walked on the moon, and lived continuously in orbit. In the coming decades, our unquenchable curiosity will take our species beyond the cradle of Earth to touch the face of another world. Strap in for the next giant leap. Next stop ... Mars! Museum admission plus $7 adult, $6 youth and senior, free age 3 and under. Denver Museum of Nature & Science. See Where the Kids Are, page 50.

9 FRIDAY

Just Between Friends Broomfield/Brighton See Oct. 8.

Young story and STEAM enthusiasts can get their fill with Aspen Academy’s virtual Little Bear program on Oct. 7, 14, and 28. required. Age 5 and up. $15. Majestic View Nature Center. See Where the Kids Are, page 50.

Urban Market Oct. 10-11 and

Just Between Friends Broomfield/Brighton

through activities, experiments, and outdoor exploration. Topics include leaf changing and animal adaptation and migration. Reservations required. Ages 6-10. $2 per session. Senac Creek Nature Center, Estes Park. auroragov.org/things_to_do

13 TUESDAY

Homeschool Investigation: What’s on Your Plate 9:15am, 10:45am, and 1pm. Learn the why behind the parent adage: “Eat your fruits and veggies, they’re good for you.” Participants will learn about nutrients, vitamins, and colorful phytochemicals through hands-on activities. This hour-long program is designed to engage both adults and children together through garden exploration. Families with kids ages 7-12. Register online. $8, $6 member. Denver Botanic Gardens York Street. See Where the Kids Are, page 50.

14 WEDNESDAY

VIRTUAL Little Bear’s Storytime & STEAM See Oct. 7.

(Continued on page 50)

See Oct. 8.

Munchkin Market See Oct. 8. St. Philip ELC Consignment Sale See Oct. 9. Not-So-Spooky Nature Painting 10:30-11:30am. Let your little artist paint a seasonal scene in this instructor led, outdoor step-bystep tutorial. Register online. Masks

Colorado Parent | October 2020

Urban Market See Oct. 10. Otter Weekend at Downtown Aquarium See Oct. 10. Senac Scientists Oct. 11 and 18, 1-2:30pm. Explore the amazing natural wonders and scientific mysteries around the Aurora Reservoir

HOT TIP Indigenous Peoples' Day Oct. 12. Colorado is home to Ute, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Apache, Pueblo, Shoshone, and other nations. Take a moment to honor the peoples’ stewardship of the land. Go to the Ute Indian Museum in Montrose or the Tesoro Cultural Center in Morrison to learn more.

Día de los Muertos: Longmont Museum. Glow at the Gardens: Scott Dressel-Martin.

Calendar | October

Seasonal Celebrations

HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS Boo at the Bridge See page 45. Boo at the Zoo Oct. 1-31, times vary. The Denver Zoo extends its Halloween bash to a whole month this year. They’re also starting new traditions including themed areas and activities that will bring your child’s favorite animal stories and fairy tales to life. Enjoy new seasonal menu items, including adult beverages; there will be no candy trick-or-treating. Guests are encouraged to come in costume and wear a mask. Denver Zoo. See Where the Kids Are, page 50. VIRTUAL Downtown Boulder’s Munchkin Masquerade Oct. 14-31. The annual masquerade march down Boulder’s Pearl street goes virtual this year, offering Halloween activities, coloring sheets, and more starting midOctober and continuing through a special Halloween live-stream concert. boulderdowntown.com

Fall Flannel Festival Oct. 18, 10am-2pm. Dairy Block and Denver Milk Market present this free community event filled with festive activities for all ages: live music, balloon artist, urban pumpkin patch, art kits for kids, and more. Registration and masks required. Strict social distancing guidelines will be followed. Sanitization stations will be available throughout the event and traffic will flow up the Dairy Block Alley from the 18th Street entrance. Dairy Block Alley Denver. dairyblock.com

Parker Porch Parade Oct. 22-31. Spruce and spook up Parker’s streets by decorating your front porch, yard, patio, or balcony for Halloween. The Town of Parker will produce a virtual map with locations of registered porches so you can plan a walk or drive around the community to share in the celebration. There’ll be fantastic works of creativity, smiles, and prizes. Town of Parker. parkeronline.org VIRTUAL Pee Wee Art: Happy Haunting Oct. 28, 9am-4pm. Take home a delightfully spooky craft kit for your preschooler to enjoy at home. The Curtis Center for the Arts will provide the supplies and instruction video, follow along online to create a Halloween masterpiece. Register online. Pick up only, no delivery. Curtis Center for the Arts, Greenwood Village. greenwoodvillage.com

Pumpkins on Parade Oct. 2325, 6-9pm. The harvest season and Halloween are not complete without pumpkin carving. Enter a free community carving contest at The Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins. All ages are welcome to come by to see hundreds of pumpkins and gourds arranged artistically across the campus. Kids under 12 will take home a candy-free goodie bag. Costumes encouraged. Find tickets online. The Gardens on Spring Creek, Fort Collins. fcgov.com/gardens/pumpkins The Shadows of Sleepy Hollow Oct. 3-30. 45-minute tours every Sat,

6-9pm (Fri on the last weekend). Take a walking tour of Downtown Englewood that tells the tale of Ichabod Crane through shadow puppetry. JParker Arts and Katy Williams Design are proud to present this outdoor, immersive, and stylistic retelling of a classic ghost story. They’ll use nouveau-style Shadow Puppetry in a family-friendly, ADA compliant, and COVID-19 adapted format. Timed tickets with limited group sizes will allow for appropriate social distancing, and mask-wearing is required. $10$20. Downtown Englewood. facebook. com/katywilliamsdesign/events Trick or Treat Train Oct. 24-25, 10am-4pm. Roll through the Colorado Railroad Museum for a “not too spooky” train ride and family-friendly and socially-distant activities. Visit the Haunted Railcar and the Olde Railroaders Silly Graveyard. Enjoy live entertainment and tasty treats from local vendors, and get photos with the family in front of decorated historical locomotives and railcars. Masks are required for Museum entry, and must be worn indoors, aboard trains, and whenever proper social distances cannot be maintained. $10 adult, $5 ages 6-17, free age 5 and under. Train rides additional $4 adult, $2 ages 6-17, free age 5 and under Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden. coloradorailroadmuseum.org

DíA DE LOS MUERTOS VIRTUAL Día de los Muertos Calavera Vignettes Oct. 4 and 11, 1-2pm. Celebrate Día de los

Glow at the Gardens Oct. 19-25, 5:30-9:30pm. Have a gourd time at the Gardens walking through the scenic campus filled with luminous jack-o’-lantern displays. Live performances with musicians, dancers, and performing artists will liven up the dark night. Bring your face mask and keep a mummy’s arm-length away from other attendees. Denver Botanic Gardens York Street. See Where the Kids Are, page 50.

Visit The Longmont Museum online or in person for a variety of Dia de los Muertos artful celebrations, Oct. 2 through Jan. 9.

Muertos by creating skeleton scenes. Vignettes, or small dioramas, tell a humorous story in just one glance. Model your own out of clay while learning the history behind the holiday. Register for this two-session course with Bemis School of Art. Ages 16-adult. $60, $45 FAC member. artschool.csfineartscenter.org Día de los Muertos Celebration Oct. 2-Nov. 2. Celebrate Day of the Dead with Denver Botanic Gardens by visiting the York Street grounds where altar showcases will be on display. Or, head online to find activities, El Virtual Mercado, and the gardens’ first short film competition. Create a short film that illustrates what Día de los Muertos means to you and submit it by Friday, Oct. 2. Find tickets and activity information online. Denver Botanic Gardens York Street. See Where the Kids Are, page 50. Día de los Muertos Exhibition Oct. 2-Jan. 9, 2021. The Longmont Museum hosts a large and longstanding series of exhibitions and programs for this holiday. Visit the main gallery to see community ofrendas (altars) and the artwork of renowned Colorado artist Tony Ortega. Celebrate online with the live streamed opening ceremony (Oct. 1) featuring a live performance by Grupo Azteca Tlahuitzcalli and conversations with altar builders. Enjoy cultural music and dance performances in a local talent showcase (Oct. 4), and paint rocks while learning the history and significance of the calavera (skull) (Oct. 29). $8 adults, $5 students/ seniors Ages 3 and under and members free Longmont Museum, Longmont. longmontcolorado.gov VIRTUAL Ofrendas: Offerings of Hope Oct. 1-Nov. 2. Join the Latino Cultural Arts Center for a celebration of loved ones that have passed on, including an honoring of the losses we face in the era of COVID-19. Ofrendas preserve and advance both the ancient and modern traditions of Día de los Muertos. Find handmade altar-kits, and contributions of Denver artists and artisans from Mexico and Peru. Tune in to weeklong programming. lcac-denver.org/ ofrendasofferingsofhope

October 2020 | Colorado Parent

Calendar | October

Where the Kids Are

The following locations are referred to frequently in the calendar. Annual passes are available at many venues. Note: Check websites for the latest health and safety information.

Aurora History Museum

Walk-ins are now welcome. Masks are required. 1326 Tremont Pl., Denver. denverfirefightersmuseum.org

Tue-Fri, 9am-4pm. No more than 10 visitors will be allowed inside the museum at any one time. Reserve tickets for a 1 hour and 20 minute visit. 15051 E. Alameda Denver Museum of Miniatures, Pkwy., Aurora. auroragov.org/things_to_do/ Dolls and Toys Fri-Sat, 10am-4pm, Sun 1pm-4pm. $5 adult, $4 child and aurora_history_museum senior, free age 3 and under. Purchase advance tickets to walk the gallery; Butterfly Pavilion Daily, 9am-5pm. wear a mask and follow social distance $13 adult, $11 seniors, $9 ages 2-12, guidelines. 830 Kipling St., Lakewood. free under age 2. Timed-tickets reserved dmmdt.org online are required in addition to face coverings. 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster. Denver Museum of Nature & butterflies.org Science Daily; 9am-5pm, open until 9 p.m. on Fridays. $18.95 adult, $15.95 Children’s Museum of Denver senior, $13.95 ages 3-18, free age 2 and at Marsico Campus Thu-Sat, under. Purchase timed tickets online 9am-3pm. Three 90-minute play sessions for $2 off each admission. Face masks each day. $12 ages 1 and 60+, $14 ages required. The Coffee Lab and TRex 2-59, $1 Explorer Pass, free for members Cafe will offer prepackaged food and and under age 1. Reservations and face beverages. 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver. coverings required. Only The Art Studio, dmns.org Joy Park, and Water exhibits are open, toys and props are available for check-out Denver Zoo Daily; 8:30am-7pm Sunplay. Grab-and-go food from the cafe Wed, 8:30am-9pm Thu-Sat. $20 adult, $17 is available. 2121 Children's Museum Dr., senior, $14 child ages 3-11, free age 2 and Denver. mychildsmuseum.org under. Reserve timed tickets online. All purchases on the campus are cashless, CU South Denver Temporarily and pathways are one-way. 2300 Steele St., closed. Denver. denverzoo.org Denver Art Museum Daily, Downtown Aquarium Daily, 10am-5pm. $10-$13 adult, $8-$10 senior, 10am-8pm. $23.50 ages 12-64, $22.50 military, and college student, free age 18 senior, $17.50 ages 3-11, free age 2 and and under. Timed tickets reserved online under. The 4D theater will not be available are required along with face coverings, until further notice. 700 Water St., Denver. social distancing, and hand washing. downtownaquarium.com The cafe and coat check are currently closed. 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., Denver. Four Mile Historic Park Fri-Sun, denverartmuseum.org 10am-4pm. $5 ages 18-64, $4 senior and military, $3 ages 7-17, free age 6 and Denver Botanic Gardens York Street Daily, 9am-5pm. $15 adult, $11.50 under. Small groups with timed tickets. Special hours reserved for high-risk senior and military, $11 ages 3-15 and populations: Friday 10am-noon. 715 S. student, free age 2 and under. Reserve Forest St. Denver. fourmilepark.org tickets online, wear masks, maintain social distance. Mordecai Children’s History Colorado Center Daily, Garden is closed. 1007 York St., Denver. 10am-5pm. $14 adult, $12 senior, $10 botanicgardens.org ages 16-22 and student, $8 ages 5-15, free age 4 and under. Timed tickets Denver Botanic Gardens for purchase online. Face coverings Chatfield Farms Daily, 9am-5pm required.1200 Broadway, Denver. (entrance gates close at 4:30pm). $7 historycolorado.org/history-colorado-center adults, $5 seniors and students, free members and children 12 and under. Littleton Museum WedThe Children’s Play Area is closed. 8500 Sat, 10am-3pm. Walkways will be open W. Deer Creek Canyon Rd., Littleton. and the farm’s livestock will be available botanicgardens.org for viewing, but the historic buildings will not be open and no interpretive Denver Firefighters Museum programming will be presented. Call to Tue-Sat, 10am-4pm. $9 adult, $8 senior, make a reservation. 6028 S. Gallup St., military, and student, $7 ages 3-12 Littleton. littletongov.org/museum and firefighters, free age 2 and under.

Colorado Parent | October 2020

Longmont Museum Tue-Sat, 9am-3pm. $8 adults, $5 students/seniors, free 3 and under and members. Handson areas of the Museum, including the third floor Longs Peak Room treehouse, will remain closed at this time. longmontcolorado.gov/departments/ departments-e-m/museum

Lookout Mountain Preserve and Nature Center Temporarily closed.

Majestic View Nature Center Closed for walk-in visitors, online tickets for limited in-person programs available. 7030 Garrison St., Arvada. arvada.org/nature

Museum of Boulder 9am-5pm Sun, Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat; 9am-8pm Wed. $10 adults; $8 seniors, youth, students; free children under 2 and members. Masks required, and finger cots available for hands-on activities. Find admission tickets online. museumofboulder.org

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center open Wed-Sun, 9am-4pm. Grounds open daily 6:30am-6:30pm. 6550 Gateway Rd., Commerce City. fws.gov/refuge/rocky_ mountain_arsenal

University of Colorado Museum of Natural History Temporarily closed.

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm; Sun, noon-4pm. $16.95 ages 17-64, $12.95 senior and military, $12.95 ages 4-16, free age 3 and under. Two-hour time limits and guest capacity. Face coverings required. Simulators are closed. 7711 E. Academy Blvd., Denver. wingsmuseum.org

WOW! Children’s Museum Tue, Thu, Sat; 10am-noon, 1pm-3pm. $5 adult, $10 child, free members and under 1. Reserve a timed ticket online, admission is capped at 50 total. Each family will use an individual WOW! Pack of items. Costumes and some fabric exhibit pieces have been removed. Bring a water bottle, and leave food and snacks in the car or at home. 110 N. Harrison Ave., Lafayette. wowchildrensmuseum.org

VIRTUAL Pee Wee Art: Pumpkin Portraits Oct. 14,

9am-4pm. Introduce your preschooler to the arts while celebrating the harvest season. Order a take-home kit from the Curtis Center for the Arts and follow along with a how-to video appropriate for artists ages 3-5. Register online. Pick up only, no delivery. Curtis Center for the Arts, Greenwood Village. greenwoodvillage.com/art

17 SATURDAY

Urban Market See Oct. 10. VIRTUAL Fort Collins Walk to Defeat ALS 2020

10am. Have the whole family join this movement, choosing your start line and destination during this mini-walk and virtual picnic with the ALS Association Rocky Mountain Chapter. Mini-walk boxes, special for you and your team, will be sent to each team prior to walk day experience. Sign up for free. webco.alsa.org

Constellations and Cocoa 7:30-9:30pm. Take in the night sky with a cup of cocoa in-hand and a picnic dinner. Bring your own blanket or camp chairs to sit on as astronomers teach the constellations of the winter sky. Masks required of guests ages 3 and up. Bring a mug, as this event is zero-waste. $8-$12. Backcountry Wilderness Area, Highlands Ranch. hrcaonline.org

18 SUNDAY

Senac Scientists See Oct. 11. Urban Market See Oct. 10. VIRTUAL Phamaly’s Big Night: The Show Must Go On! Webathon 7pm. Phamaly

Theater Company, whose mission is to be a creative home for theater artists with disabilities and upend conventional narratives, is hosting its annual fundraiser virtually. Enjoy their tongue-in-cheek homage to the Jerry Lewis Telethon, featuring music, comedy, and eclectic acts featuring your favorite Phamaly performers and some special guests. All ages welcome. RSVP online. Free, donations encouraged. phamaly.org

Calendar | October

Snake: Majestic View Nature Center. Phamaly's Big Night: Michael Ensminger Photography.

28 WEDNESDAY

30 FRIDAY

VIRTUAL Little Bear’s

VIRTUAL Creepy Camouflaged Creatures 4:30-5:30pm. Learn

Storytime & STEAM See Oct. 7. Seedlings: The Creepy Crawly Garden Oct. 28-29, date and time vary by age group. Get up close with strange, silly, and unusual plants and animals that live in a garden. Ages 18 months to 6 years, see online for age groupings. One adult per child is admitted free of charge. Register online. $8-$10 toddler/preschooler, $5 additional adults and non-participating siblings, free non-participant age 3 and under. Denver Botanic Gardens York Street. See Where the Kids Are, page 50.

how animals make their costumes of camouflage, and show off your own costume on Zoom with the Majestic View Nature Center. Register online. Ages 4-8. $5. arvada.org

Moonlight Hike 6pm. Snag a spot to join the Naturalists for an evening hike at Roxborough State Park. Call the park to confirm availability: 303-973-3959. Age 8 and up. $8 per hiker, $9 vehicle entrance fee. Roxborough State Park Visitor Center, Roxborough. cpw.state.co.us

Full Moon Hike Oct. 30, 6:30-

29 THURSDAY Tune in to the Big Night Webathon to support Phamaly Theater Company, Oct. 18.

19 MONDAY

Creature Creations Oct. 19 and 26, 4:30-6pm. Create colorful creatures out of clay! Participants will learn the basics of handbuilding and slab construction in addition to sgraffito and embossing techniques. They’ll also glaze their finished wacky creatures. Register online. $50. Curtis Center for the Arts, Greenwood Village. greenwoodvillage.com/art

21 WEDNESDAY

Seedlings: Prairie Plants Oct. 21-22, date and time vary by age group. Get into those Colorado grasses, and discover what native grass seeds need to keep growing into their unique colors, textures, and sizes. Take seeds home and care for your own plot. Ages 18 months to 6 years, see online for age groupings. Registration required. One adult per child is admitted free of charge. $8-$10 toddler/ preschooler, $5 additional adults and non-participating siblings, free nonparticipant age 3 and under. Denver Botanic Gardens York Street. See Where the Kids Are, page 50.

23 FRIDAY

Little Naturalists 9:3010:30am. Join the Senac Creek

Nature Center with your little ones for puppets, interactive activities, and discovery time on the Aurora Reservoir trail. Registration required. Age 5 and under, inclusive to all abilities. Senac Creek Nature Center, Aurora. auroragov.org/things_to_do

24 SATURDAY

Seedlings: The Creepy Crawly Garden See Oct. 28. VIRTUAL Date Night: Supernatural 8pm. Cozy up

together, grab a mug of tea or pumpkin spice latte, then join the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s Dr. Erin Baxter, curator of Muggle Studies and the Dark Arts, to commune with the moon and nature as you celebrate the turning of the seasons. Adults only. dmns.org

8pm. Let the light of the moon guide your way through the Backcountry Wilderness Area in Highlands Ranch. Take in the night using all your senses, and learn from a naturalist about how humans and animals see in the darkness versus the daylight. Age 7 and up. Register online. $7-$10. Backcountry Wilderness Area, Highlands Ranch. hrcaonline.org

31 SATURDAY

Find Halloween events on page 49, or visit ColoradoParent.com for a regularly updated list.

VIRTUAL Storytime Campfire 6-7:30pm. Fire up the

grill, stove, oven, microwave, or fire pit to toast your perfect marshmallow, then squeeze in for storytime with the Majestic View Nature Center online. All ages welcome. Register online. arvada.org/nature

25 SUNDAY

VIRTUAL Healthy Baby Summit 2020 Oct. 25- 26, times vary. This year’s

Virtual Healthy Baby Summit will help new and expecting parents as well as pre and postnatal professionals discuss research, trends, barriers, and solutions to support maternal and infant health, equity, parenting, and peer support. Tracks: Oct. 25, new and expecting parents. Oct. 26, pre and postnatal professionals. $40-$120. rmchildren.org

26 MONDAY

Creature Creations See Oct. 19.

Compare your Halloween costume to the camouflage of animals at Majestic View Nature Center, Oct. 30.

October 2020 | Colorado Parent

Calendar | October

Ongoing Events VIRTUAL Dome to Home

NATURE PROGRAMS AND CLASSES

Denver Zoo’s Stingray Cove Through Oct. 31. This new interactive exhibit gives visitors a chance to touch and feed an array of stingrays and sharks while they swim carefree in a state-of-the-art habitat. Tickets for Stingray Cove available onsite only. $5 plus admission. Denver Zoo. See Where the Kids Are, page 50. VIRTUAL Walk for the Canal

Through Oct. 10. Set a distance-based goal and walk, run, ride, skip, or scoot to support the High Line Canal trail. Get pledges for your miles and get moving outdoors. Funds will be used to plant much-needed trees along the trail. Register online. Donation-based. highlinecanal.org CLASSES, CLUBS, AND PROGRAMS Amaryllis Kids Yoga Sat, 9-9:45am. Kids enjoy yoga as an imaginative experience that helps them connect with their minds and bodies. Teacher Kendra, a doctor of pediatric physical therapy, engages kids in a holistic practice designed to build flexibility, strength, and confidence. Ages 4-11. First class is free. Yoga mats provided. $10$15 sliding scale. Amaryllis Therapy Network, Denver. amaryllistherapy.net VIRTUAL CAMP@HOME

with UNICEF Kid Power

Young do-gooders can log on to UNICEF’s Kid Power programming to find more than 75 short videos guiding them in sports, crafts, cooking, campfire songs, and more. They’ll be inspired to play and build skills on-screen then go make an impact off screen. kpop.ukp.io

Wed, 1pm. Join Fiske Planetarium’s Dome to Home virtual planetarium fall series. Each Wednesday, catch a unique science exploration video live on their YouTube channel. Each episode includes hands-on activities. colorado.edu

Exploring Acrylics for Teens Mon, 4-6pm. Through the medium of acrylic paint, teens can explore how to blend brilliant colors, experiment with brushwork, and compose their own painted creations. Register online. $75. Curtis Center for the Arts, Greenwood Village. greenwoodvillage.com/art

Falltastic Paintings for Kids Tue, 4:30-6pm. Fall into the new season by creating a series of paintings based on your changing surroundings. Each week will feature different art materials including canvas, watercolor paper, wood, and a pumpkin. Register online. $25. Curtis Center for the Arts, Greenwood Village. greenwoodvillage.com/art VIRTUAL Family Fridays with Rachel Barton Pine

Fri, 10:30am. Dive deep into violin music history and enjoy expertly played compositions with Rachel Barton Pine. Each week, she’ll cover a different theme such as American fiddling, classical guitar renditions, and pioneers in the art of violin. The 20-minute free weekly show streams live on Facebook (facebook.com/ RBPviolinist) and YouTube (youtube. com/user/RachelBartonPine). facebook.com/rbpviolinist

Connect with the artsy and sometimes wacky way of nature through cartoon creation. Learn fun drawing and storytelling skills along the way in this eight-week course. Register online. Ages 6-12. $63. Majestic View Nature Center. See Where the Kids Are, page 50.

Kids Art Nite First Fri, 6-8pm; third Sat, 5-7pm. It’s an Open Studio Nite at artSPARK every first Friday and third Saturday. Kids grades 1st-5th can enjoy self-led creative experiences while parents enjoy a relaxing evening out. $35. artSPARK, Littleton. artsparkcreative.pike13.com

Kids Wonder Friday Family Nights Second Fri, 5-7pm. Enjoy pizza, beverages, and play time. Reserve your 6-foot family table the Wednesday prior. Limited space available. Large one topping pizza $15, two toppings $18, child and adult beverages available. $12 child, $8 additional children, one free adult, $5 additional adults. Kids Wonder, Centennial. kidswonder.net VIRTUAL Metro Caring’s Kidz in the Kitchen Second and

fourth Wed, 4:30-6:30pm. Families with first through fifth graders, log on to this community cooking platform with Metro Caring. Learn quick and healthy tips while making new friends. Participants are eligible to schedule an additional grocery trip at Metro Caring’s market. Register by contacting LHand@metrocaring.org. metrocaring.org

Try your hand at depicting nature through cartoons, Oct. 7 through Nov. 18.

Colorado Parent | October 2020

Do you have opinions? Join the Middle Grade Book Club, a safe space for youth ages 8-13 to read and discuss books before they’re published. Meetings are typically held on a Sunday at the end of the month via Google Meet. Sign up for the newsletter to receive each month’s date and link. secondstartotherightbooks.com

VIRTUAL Not So Straight On Til Morning Third Sat, 3-4pm.

Join Second Star to the Right’s LGBTQ+ Book Club. Enjoy conversation about queer and trans representation in Young Adult books, and suggest titles to read throughout the year. secondstartotherightbooks.com

Observational Drawing for Kids Fri, 4:30-6pm. Nurture your child’s interest in art through observational drawing. In this after-school program participants will take a threedimensional object and learn how to turn the object into a two-dimensional drawing. Register online. Ages 9-12. $50. Curtis Center for the Arts, Greenwood Village. greenwoodvillage.com/art VIRTUAL Out for Health Virtual Resource Fair Oct. 1-31.

The Center on Colfax’s annual health fair has moved online this year. For the whole month, check out the resources gathered by The Center and learn more about health care providers in your area that are dedicated to providing welcoming, safe environments for the LGBTQ community to find care. lgbtqcolorado.org VIRTUAL Prenatal Yoga Days and times vary. Ease tensions, strengthen your body/mind/heart, and find joy in this amazing time in your life. Join the mama’hood online for a guided breath-work, centering, asanas, sounding, and relaxation. Be prepared to share authentically from your heart in a one of a kind community of women. Open to all levels and stages of pregnancy. Donation-based. themamahood.com

Print Making for Kids Thu, 4:30-6pm. Learn how to make unique marbled monoprints (one of a kind painted prints) and collographs (cardboard prints). A new technique will be explored each week. Register online.

Cartoons: Majestic View Nature Center.

Nature Cartooning Wed, 5:30pm.

VIRTUAL Middle Grade Book Club Last Sun, 2-3pm.

VIRTUAL CU Wizards

Oct. 31, 9:30am. The CU Wizards program presents a free monthly show to entertain and inform children about the wonders of science. Join professors at the university for interactive presentations hosted online via Zoom. All ages welcome. Topics for the remainder of 2020 include the physics of sound, the science of perception, gravity, and air. colorado.edu

VIRTUAL Kaleidoscope Season

Dates and times vary. Ovation West Performing Arts presents a fall lineup of favorite Broadway songs performed by Denver actors and brought to you at home, online. Catch any one or all five of the events closing out the year. Songs include “Infinite Joy,” “All That Jazz,” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Find tickets and schedules online. $18 single viewer, $32 two or more viewers. ovationwest.org

Frida Kahlo: Gerardo Suter.

Calendar | October

$50. Curtis Center for the Arts, Greenwood Village. greenwoodvillage.com VIRTUAL Reading with River Second Wed, 4-6pm. Second Star

to the Right bookseller and educator Alethea is joined by licensed therapy dog River for a relaxing morning storytime to help kiddos practice their reading skills as the gentlemanly River listens and soothes any read-aloud nerves. secondstartotherightbooks.com VIRTUAL Roots of Our Identity

Sat, 11am-noon. Dig deeper into the history of Halloween and how it’s become the holiday it is today. Then, use watercolor, ink, and research to conduct search into your own identity. Join the Bemis Art School for this threeweek course online. Ages 12-16. See website for registration and a supplies list. $105, $90 FAC member. artschool. csfineartscenter.org VIRTUAL Story PlayTime

with Mr. Paul Wed, 10:30-11am.

Timbuk Toys has brought Story PlayTime with Mr. Paul to young audiences for four years. Now, they bring the fun to Facebook Live every Wednesday morning, engaging kids in song, magic, stories, juggling, slap-stick silliness, and puppetry. facebook.com/timbuktoys VIRTUAL Tick Tock Book Club Last Thu, 6:30pm. For parents

busy with kids, pets, school, work, and after-school activities, this book club offers quick-read explorations. Discover the power of a 200-page and under novel. Join Second Star to the Right Books the last Thursday each month. secondstartotherightbooks.com VIRTUAL Virtual Discovery Days: Transportation, Tractors, & Machines Wed-Fri,

10:30-11am and 12:30-1pm. Discovery Days encourages children ages 2-6 and their caregivers to learn together through monthly, live virtual crafting and storytime sessions. Register online for the craft kits, and receive your invitation to drop-in to the virtual events. $45, $40 members. longmontcolorado.gov VIRTUAL Well-Read Black Girl Book Club Second Mon,

6:30pm. The goal of the Well-Read

Black Girl Book Club is to “support diverse voices and emerging writers of color.” This group includes Black women, non-black allies, adults, and tweens/teens. Most books read/ discussed are adult-level but there are a few young adult titles mixed in. secondstartotherightbooks.com MUSEUM MEANDERINGS

Citizenship: A Practice of Society Through Feb. 14, Daily, times vary. Head to the Museum of Contemporary Art for this politicallyengaged display of works from more than 30 artists and organizations. The pieces date only so far back as 2016, and are responses to news events as well as art world trends. $10 adult, free age 18 and under. MCA Denver, Denver. mcadenver.org

Colorado Backyard 9am-5:30pm. Enjoy indoor play structures, live animals, a virtual reality experience, and a rotating exhibit area. Connect with unique invertebrate habitats in Colorado’s ecosystems, including those in your backyard. Reserve entry tickets online. Butterfly Pavilion. See Where the Kids Are, page 50. VIRTUAL Director’s

Storytime and Craft Third Tue, 10-11am. Get together with other young train enthusiasts for stories with a railroad theme, followed by a craft. Find the virtual program on YouTube: youtube.com/user/CORailroadMuseum. coloradorailroadmuseum.org

Dogs! A Science Tail Through Jan. 1, 2021. Find out how dogs see, hear, and smell their surroundings while testing your own skills. Identify the connection between humans and dogs, and how these pets strengthen communities. Finally, test your popculture knowledge during a game of "Jeopawdy!" Find tickets for the museum including this exhibit online. $6-$9 plus museum admission, free age 2 and under. Denver Museum of Nature & Science. See Where the Kids Are, page 50.

Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism Oct. 25-Jan. 18, 2021. Take a journey through internationally renowned artists’ works of painting and photography to

See Denver Art Museum’s new exhibit featuring Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and other Mexican art icons, Oct. 25 through Jan. 18. gain an understanding of the Mexican national identity and creativity post1920 revolution. Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Lola Alvarez Bravo, and more are featured at the DAM. Denver Art Museum. See Where the Kids Are, page 50.

Hecho en Colorado Cafecitos

quest by humanity and artists to understand physical light in the natural world as well as metaphorical, spiritual, and divine representations of light. Included with admission. Denver Art Museum. See Where the Kids Are, page 50.

Through Jan. 8, 2021. Fri, 9am. History Colorado welcomes guests to join curated intimate tours of the Hecho en Colorado exhibit. Groups of 10 or less will gather for some coffee and socialization followed by a guided tour from the founder of the Latino Cultural Arts Center and exhibit curator, Adrianna Abarca. The exhibit features art from Chicano, Mexican, and Native artists from across the state. $12. History Colorado Center. See Where the Kids Are, page 50.

Playzeum Explore the Playzeum

Nature Connects Art With Lego Bricks Through Oct. 31.

Women Behaving Badly

Denver Zoo, home to nearly 3,000 animals and 450 species, will add more creatures in still-life Lego form. The Nature Connects Art with Lego Bricks exhibit returns to the zoo for the first time since 2015, featuring more than 15 life-size creations by artist Sean Kenney. Included with admission. Denver Zoo. See Where the Kids Are, page 50.

The Light Show Through Mar. 7.

exhibit featuring a rainbow forest of musical steps, curiosity cabinets, and more imaginative ways to play. Young ones will discover ageappropriate opportunities to develop cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills. The exhibit is built with pre-kindergarten to 8-year-olds in mind. $10 adults, $8 seniors, youth, and students, free members and children under 2. Museum of Boulder. museumofboulder.org

Through Feb. 28, 2021. 10am-5pm. Find watercolor, photography, news clippings, and text highlighting women who’ve made history. Denver artist Adri Norris, who created the exhibit, says she hopes people see themselves in the stories and consider how to think differently about women in general. $14 adult, $12 senior, $10 student, $8 child, free age 4 and under and members. History Colorado Center. See Where the Kids Are, page 50.

See the exhibit that focuses on the

October 2020 | Colorado Parent

Roundup

Train: Railroad Art by Scotty, Georgetown Loop.

A Fresh View of Fall

Ride the rails along the Georgtown Loop this fall.

This year, view the changing season from a different perspective. By Courtney Johnson

hile taking a scenic drive or a hike are two of the most popular ways that families take in the fall beauty, Colorado offers a variety of options to witness the changing seasons.

ALL ABOARD FOR FALL Colorado rail companies offer spectacular fall tours onboard comfortable railcars, with COVID precautions in place. Passengers can view changing oaks and aspens while riding in open air cars or enclosed dining cars, depending on the class of train ride you reserve. Check out Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge, Georgetown Loop Railroad, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, and the Royal Gorge Railroad.

CAST YOUR WAY INTO AUTUMN Whether you tie a fly or use a rod and reel, the fall is the perfect time to catch fish. The Kokanee salmon are spawning while trout and pike are in abundance. The Cache la Poudre River, South Platte, Eleven Mile Reservoir, and most mountain streams and lakes offer both great fishing and beautiful scenery. Remember to consult the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Fishing brochure to find regulations and tips.

Colorado Parent | October 2020

SADDLE UP When in Colorado, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perhaps nothing that represents the spirit of the old west like a horseback ride. With trails in every area of the state, the view from horseback offers a different vantage point than on foot. Saddle up this fall for a chance to see the leaves at Meeker Park Stables in Allenspark, YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Over the Hill Outfitters in Durango, or Aspen Wilderness Outfitters.

ABOVE THE TREES Beyond viewing the splendor of fall color from 1,000 feet above the ground, floating along in a hot air balloon gifts riders with spectacular sunrises and early morning animal activity. Soar high over the Front Range, Continental Divide, or Steamboat Springs with companies like Fair Winds, Wild West Balloon Adventures, and Grand Adventure.

Local family gets help to buy adaptive bicycle for their son with rare disability.

Aurora VFW opens doors, receives another check from Denver7 Gives.

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:.....,.

Family receives new van and restored hope after contacting Denver7 Gives.

Colorado family finishes home for son with disability with help from community.

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