55 Ideas for Family Fun

happenings

Our Picksmarch

Opener: The Original Harlem Globetrotters.

1

Harlem Globetrotters

The Original Harlem Globetrotters bring ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry, and unique family entertainment. March 12. 1STBANK Center, Broomfield. Ball Arena, Denver. harlemglobetrotters.com

2

The Story Pirates

This group of tale-telling comedians are searching for a different kind of treasure: the wildest stories provided by kids in the audience, which they’ll adapt into a comedy performance. March 1. The PACE Center, Parker. parkerarts.org

3

National Coin & Money Show

See more than $100 million of historic, rare money, plus educational seminars, a children’s treasure trivia game, and Young Collectors Corner. March 10-12. The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs. money.org 5 Passport to Culture: Fiesta CO Fiesta Colorado Dance Company demonstrates how Mexican folkloric dance embodies rich artistic manifestations of culture and tradition. A sensory-friendly show with lowered volume and lights on is available. March 13. Lone Tree Arts Center, Lone Tree. lonetreeartscenter.org

4

B—The Underwater Bubble Show

Bubblelandia is full of characters including a juggler in a huge plastic ball, plus the use of soap bubbles in multiple artistic ways. March 31. Newman Center for the Performing Arts, Denver. newmancenterpresents.com

Yoga: JGI/Jamie Grill /Getty Images. Pha rohs: DenverMuseum Of Nature & Science. St. Patrick's: Denver St. Patrick’s Day Para de. Mime: Magic Circle Mime Co. Clyfford Still: Torch Media.

6

Little University: Yoga

Connect with your little one through a series of mindfulness activities, fun stretches, and relationship-building partner poses. A representative from the Denver Preschool Program will also provide information about affordable preschool. March 16. Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzalez Branch Library, Denver. denverlibrary.org

7

Egypt: The Time of Pharaohs

Visit the distant past, exploring the myths and realities of ancient Egyptian culture through more than 350 original artifacts, detailed models, multimedia overlays, films, and interactive elements. Through Sept. 5. Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver. dmns.org

8

Denver’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Get your green on and join the masses downtown where an eclectic festival winds its way from Coors Field toward Union Station and back. Brass bands, bagpipes, and step dancers fill the event with cheery St. Patrick’s Day spirit. March 12. Union Station neighborhood, Denver. denverstpatricksdayparade.com

9

Magic Circle Mime Co.—The Mozart Experience

A mischievous street musician works through opportunities and dilemmas to evolve into an accomplished modern-day Mozart. March 6. Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver. tickets.coloradosymphony.org Kids are wowed when they see Clyfford Still’s giant canvases, popping colors, and lively patterns.

10

Clyfford Still, Art, and the Young Mind

How does a young mind interpret abstract art? That’s the question that guided the latest exhibition at the Clyfford Still Museum in Denver. In partnership with schools and early childhood centers across the Front Range, museum staff worked with kids ages six months to eight years to pull together a gallery of artwork that shows the aesthetic preferences of early learners.

Using Still’s work as a basis for study, this exhibition investigates the visual development of infants and young kids through five themes: high contrast, pattern, scale, recognizable imagery, and bright, highly-saturated colors. Gallery text reveals how children in the community responded to these themes in the pieces.

This exhibition intends to break down the idea that abstraction is too complex for young children; rather, it focuses on the rich benefits of art museum experiences in kids' lives.

NEED TO KNOW: The Clyfford Still, Art, and the Young Mind exhibit is on view from March 11 to August 7; open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $10, free age 17 and under and members. clyffordstillmuseum.org

Make way for the littlest parade floats you’ve ever seen; small artworks on wheels are on display at Dairy Block Alley during the Petite Parade, March 6.

FREE

to do today

SPECIAL NEEDS SPANISH/ESPAÑOL

2Wednesday

Little University: Creature Meet and Greet 10:30-11am. Meet three live animal ambassadors and learn about their habits from friends at Nature’s Educators. For preschoolers and younger with caregivers. Register online. Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales Branch Library, Denver. denverlibrary.org

3Thursday

Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival

March 3-6, Screenings and special event times vary. Colorado’s only Asian and Asian American Film Festival returns in person this year; it will highlight the power of filmmaking within Asian communities. $65 All-Access Pass includes 10+ screenings, two community conversations, and three special events; see website for individual screening ticket costs. Sie FilmCenter, Denver. coloradodragonboatfilmfestival. eventive.org

VISIT OUR DIGITAL CALENDAR FOR MORE EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

4Friday

The Music of Queen with Your Colorado Symphony

March 4 and 5, 7:30pm. Celebrate the immortal music of Queen as Brody Dolyniuk and his rock band join the Colorado Symphony to perform songs from the albums A Night at the Opera, Sheer Heart Attack, Classic Queen, Jazz, News of the World, A Kind of Magic, The Works, and others. $15-$89, $10 age 12 and under. Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver. tickets.coloradosymphony.org

5Saturday

Family Discovery Series: Tall, Tall Tales by Milibo Art Theatre 10am. Slue Foot Sue, Pecos Bill, and Paul Bunyan join forces to save the planet, but they need the audience’s help to make it happen. Enjoy inventive storytelling and physical comedy designed to engage your kids in the arts. All ages. $10, free age 2 and under. The Schoolhouse, Parker. parkerarts.org

6Sunday

Petite Parade Noon-3pm. Celebrate a Mile High Mardi Gras by building a creative float, starting with a shoebox base. Each float must be pulled on wheels, and no larger than two feet long by two feet wide and shorter than three feet tall. Enjoy entertainment from Denver’s Handsome Little Devils performance artists, plus live music. Prizes will be awarded for Most Original Float, Best Team Theme, Best Family Float, and Funniest Float. Registration required for participation. Dairy Block Alley, Denver. dairyblock.com

7Monday

Ballet Folklorico 8:30pm. Enjoy the exuberant movement of Latin folkloric dancers as they show off intricate choreography, vibrant costumes, and culture, set to live music. All ages. $35-$90. Paramount Theatre, Denver. paramountdenver.com

8Tuesday

Seedlings: World Drumming and

Dance 9:30am and 11am. Journey around the world with your child to learn about drums and dancing from diverse cultures. Try different drums in this interactive musical adventure combining geography, arts, and culture. $3. Lone Tree Arts Center, Lone Tree. lonetreeartscenter.org

The Upstanders Anti-Bullying Discussion 6-7:30pm. Watch a documentary about resilience and the power of connection to end bullying. Then join parents and Boulder-based psychotherapist, Deb Rubin, for a group discussion. Registrants can view the film on their own, virtually, two days prior to the group event. Virtual Event. bouldercountryday.org

10Thursday

Tie-Dive Into Color Workshop 5:30-7pm. Fashionista and color-loving kids can create their own wearable art with this workshop. They’ll learn how to design and tie-dye clothing, and how to package and promote them for customers. Ages 6-14. Register online. $10. Young Americans Center for Financial Education and Young Americans Bank, Denver. yacenter.org

Dancing with the Stars: Live! On Tour 7:30pm. This version of Dancing with the Stars has a lot in common with its TV iteration; enjoy watching celebrity guests from the series as well as some fan-favorite dance routines performed right in front of you and the family. $39-$129. Paramount Theatre, Denver. paramountdenver.com

11Friday

Celtic Mania March 11 and 12, 7:30-9:30pm. Denver Brass is warming up for their annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Enjoy Celtic dance, brass, bagpipes, hammered dulcimer, and an Irish tenor. $30-$49 adult, $12-$20 youth. Newman Center for the Performing Arts, Denver. denverbrass.org

12Saturday

Just Kidding Livestream Concert: Elena Moon Park and Friends 9-10am. Voyage to East Asia and around the globe as Elena Moon Park and Friends perform re-imagined children’s music, folk songs, and original tunes in a variety of languages. Virtual Event. symphonyspace.org

Wonderful Waterfowl 9-11am. Search for waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) and help your little one learn about the bird’s adaptations. Kids can participate in reading stories, play, and exploration. Ages 1-4. Registration required by March 9. $1 adult, $7 ages 1-17; $9 daily or annual Colorado State Parks Pass required for entry. Bird Conservancy’s

Woman shopping: Just Between Friends. Mrs. Krishnan: Newman Center For Performing Arts. Environmental Learning Center, Brighton. birdconservancy.org

Disney Princess—The Concert

March 12 (Bellco Theatre), March 13 (Lincoln Center); 7:30pm. Acclaimed stars sing favorite Disney Princess songs and share their exclusive, hilarious, and heartfelt behind-the-scenes stories from their time portraying princesses on the stage and screen. Audience members are encouraged to dress up in royal attire. Age 6 and up. $39-$135. Bellco Theatre, Denver and The Lincoln Center, Fort Collins. bellcotheatre.com, lctix.com

15Tuesday

Firehouse Tales for Tots: Stop, Drop, and Roll 10am. Head to the Little Squirts Square with your kids to listen to a reading of Stop, Drop, and Roll by Margery Cuyler. Included with admission: $9 adult, $7 ages 2-12, free under age 2 and members. Denver Firefighters Museum, Denver. denverfirefightersmuseum.org

Low Sensory Afternoon 3-5pm. During quiet afternoons, experience the Butterfly Pavilion’s exhibits in a way that meets the needs of your family. All ages. Registration is recommended, but walk-ups may be available. $10 adult, $6 youth; $6 adult member, $4 youth member. Butterfly Pavilion, Westminster. butterflies.org

16Wednesday

Parenting Strategies: Healthy

Sleep Habits 6:30-7:30pm. Nicole Double, a certified pediatric sleep consultant, will share advice to help your family return to sleeping well; whether it’s trouble getting to bed or staying in bed. Bring questions. For parents and caregivers of children age 5 and under. Register online. Virtual Event. arapahoelibraries.bibliocommons.com

18Friday

Special Olympics State Basketball Tournament

March 18-20, 8am-4pm. Cheer on athletes or volunteer to help Special Olympics Colorado's State Basketball Tournament happen. Find details online. Colorado Academy Athletic Center, Denver. specialolympicsco.org Enjoy 50 to 90 percent off retail price on gently used clothes and toys for kids of all ages, during the Just Between Friends Consignment Sale, March 24-27.

19Saturday

ShamROCK Stampede

8:30am-12:30pm. Elevate your celebration of St. Paddy’s Day with a family-friendly walk/run and Irishthemed festival that also raises funds for organizations that help veterans, first-responders, and others manage PTSD and mental illness. Participate in a Lucky 7K, a 3.3K, or a 1K Kid’s ShamScram. Proceeds benefit the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Live Free Association, and Colorado Fallen Hero Foundation. $35-$45 adult, $25-$35 age 17 and under (free 1K race). Douglas County Event Center, Castle Rock. runtochangelives.org for child tickets. Colorado Convention Center, Denver. sportsexpos.com

Bollywood Dance Workshop for

Kids March 24 and 30, 4-5pm. Learn some Bollywood dance moves with teaching artist Deepali Lindblom. Ages 5-12. Register online. Virtual Event. arapahoelibraries.bibliocommons.com

Just Between Friends Aurora Consignment Sale March 24 and

25, 9am-7pm; March 26, 9am-4pm; March 27, 9am-2pm. Find many of the supplies you’ll need for your kids at this large consignment sale—more than 20,000 square feet of merchandise. All ages. Free tickets online, $5-$20 priority shopping. Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, Aurora. aurora.jbfsale.com

26Saturday

Junior Naturalist: Get Ready, Get Set, Let’s Hike! 1-3pm. Families can spend time together as they discover the wonders of Roxborough State Park. Join Naturalists Sally Anderson and Alex Stockon to learn principles of hiking awareness and techniques to “Know Before You Go” through fun activities and a hike. Kids can earn a certificate of completion in one visit or continue on for their Junior Ranger Badge or Junior Naturalist Patch (ages 3-12). Registration required. Free, $10 day vehicle pass.

22Tuesday

Mrs. Krishnan’s Party March 22 and 23, 7:30pm. Step into the back room of Mrs. Krishnan’s convenience store where garlands decorate the ceiling, music flows, and food simmers on the stove. This intimate show, where the audience is seated on the stage, has the actors interacting with the patrons in an unfolding drama and celebration of life. All ages. $20-$50. The Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts, Denver. newmancenterpresents.com Roxborough State Park, Roxborough. roxboroughliving.com

28Monday

Day at the DAM 9am-3pm. This program invites kids to spend school days off at the museum exploring galleries, discussing, and creating art in Creative Hub classroom spaces. Registration required. Included with admission: $10-$13 adult, free age 18 and under. Denver Art Museum, Denver. denverartmuseum.org

30Wednesday

Reducing Waste and Saving on Groceries 5-6pm. Learn how to save up to $1,800 on groceries, discover what can be recycled curbside in Denver, and find out how to successfully compost your food scraps. Join the City & County of Denver food waste and waste reduction experts for an interactive workshop. Age 18 and up. Register online. Virtual Event. denverlibrary.org

24Thursday

International Sportsmen’s Expo

March 24 and 25, noon-7pm; March 26, 10am-6pm; March 27, 10am-4pm. Get geared up for Colorado’s many outdoor experiences, particularly hunting and fishing. Don’t miss the expo’s Youth Fair, hosted by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, which educates and inspires future outdoor enthusiasts. Find tickets online. $16 adult, see online Neighbors Mrs. Krishnan and James come together in an intergenerational friendship through a house party; audience members are invited, too!

ongoing events

Creative Time for Youth Wed, 4-5:30pm. Encourage your child to speak their truth with other youth; have them join Art from Ashes facilitators and community members for creative time with writing and art prompts, followed by pizza. Age 12 and up. Register online or drop in. Art from Ashes, Denver. artfromashes.org

Karate Kickers Wed, 4pm. GiGi’s Playhouse Karate Kickers curriculum focuses on the development of balance, coordination, discipline, focus, attention, wellness, and confidence through the basic foundational movements of karate and martial arts. Age 8 and up. Register online. Virtual Event. gigisplayhouse.org

Pig! Pig! March 1-31. Fri-Sun, 10am-4pm. National Pig Day is March 1; say hello to the Four Mile Historic Park resident Kunekune pigs, Antigone and Clover, and learn more about the intelligent and kind creatures. Then, make a swine-themed craft. Included with admission: $8 ages 18-64, $6 ages 7-17, free age 6 and under and members. Four Mile Historic Park, Denver. fourmilepark.org

Play, Read, and Fun Bilingual

Storytime Through May 28. Sat, 10:1510:45am. Read, sing, dance, and play different games with a native Spanish speaker, finding bilingual Spanish and English words hidden around the park. Event subject to weather, see online for updates. Holiday Park, Boulder. calendar.boulderlibrary.org

Rainbow Alley Drop-In Wed (ages

10-13) and Thu (ages 14-17), 4-7pm. Rainbow Alley programming is a safe, brave space where LGBTQ+ youth and their allies find support and acceptance. Activities, community building, referrals, and resources are all offered in a welcoming environment. The Center on Colfax, Denver. lgbtqcolorado.org

Social Justice Writing

March 5-26. Sat, 3:15-4:45pm. Budding change-makers will learn how to merge activism with creative writing in this four-week workshop. Students will participate in creating protest poem posters and t-shirts, social justice zines, and a short story. Ages 11-13. Register

Stretch and breathe alongside dense foliage and colorful butterflies at the Butterfly Pavilion.

online. Lighthouse Writers Workshop, Denver. lighthousewriters.org

Spanish/English Class for Kids with Ms. Denise Through

May 25. Mon (Spanish), Wed (English); 10-10:30am. Join Ms. Denise’s energetic and engaging Spanish class, or English class for kids age 10 and under. The lessons are available to the public for seven days after the live stream. // Únanse a esta enérgica y divertida clase de español o inglés con Ms. Denise. Para niños de 0 a 10 años. Estas lecciónes estará disponible al público durante siete días después de la transmisión en vivo. Virtual Event. calendar.boulderlibrary.org

Beijing Winter Fest Through March 13.

Sun-Mon and Wed-Fri, 10am-5pm; Sat, 9am-6pm. Get inspired by the athletes competing at the Beijing Winter Olympics and test your indoor curling and hockey slap shot skills at interactive areas of the Olympic Museum. Don’t miss daily themed winter games. All ages. Included with admission: $19.95 adult, $11.95 ages 3-12, free age 2 and under. United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum, Colorado Springs. usopm.org

Frida: Immersive Dream March 3-

May 30. 9am-11pm; times vary by day. Dive deep into the art and life of Frida Kahlo, the beloved 20th century Mexican artist best known for self-portraits and pieces inspired by her native country. The exhibition features some of the artist’s iconic works—brought to life—in 500,000 cubic feet of digital art. $40 and up. Lighthouse ArtSpace, Denver. immersive-frida.com

Saturday Train Rides Through

Sept. 3. Sat, 10am-3pm. Enjoy an afternoon at the Colorado Railroad Museum, complete with a loop around the property’s 15-acre Rail Yard (a 15-20 minute ride). Museum admission plus: $4 adult, $2 ages 2-17, free under age 2 on a ticketed adult’s lap. Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden. coloradorailroadmuseum.org

Voces Vivas: Stories from the Latino Community in Boulder County, Past and Present Through

Feb. 2023. Sun-Mon and Wed-Sat, 9am-5pm. This exhibit honors the early Boulder County Latino families and their histories. The story includes tragedies, celebrations, and monumental movements. La comunidad was guided by tradition, faith, and a lust for life. Included with admission: $10 adult, $8 ages 5-17, free under age 5 and members. Museum of Boulder, Boulder. museumofboulder.org

Without a Home in Aurora Through

May 29. Tue-Fri, 9am-noon and 1-4pm; Sat and Sun, 11am-4pm. Housing insecurity is a key issue facing Aurora, and to build a wider understanding of people who are often overlooked, misunderstood or unheard, staff at the Aurora History Museum engaged in an oral history project on the streets of the city. The stories collected are being presented in the museum’s newest exhibit, Without a Home in Aurora. Virtual flip-book available. Aurora History Museum, Aurora. auroragov.org

Family Make and Take: Leprechaun

Gardens March 11, 6:30pm; March 12 and 13, 10am and 1pm. Discover the legend of the leprechaun as you and your child design and create a miniature garden to attract the mischievous friends. Age 5 and up. Registration required. $15 per project, $12 member.

Denver Botanic Gardens York Street, Denver. botanicgardens.org

Rainforest Yoga Sat, 8-9am. Slow down your mind and body. This class provides a nature-centric yoga experience surrounded by exotic plants and butterflies. All skill levels welcome. Age 13 (with a guardian) and up. Registration required. $10, $8 member. Butterfly Pavilion, Westminster. butterflies.org

Spring Break Day Camps March 2125. 9am-4pm. Kids can explore the wildness of the animal world and learn how innate behaviors help creatures survive and thrive. Have your camper dress comfortably with closed toe shoes and pack a sack lunch and snacks. Grades 1-6. Registration required. $65.75 per day, $60.75 members. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs. cmzoo.org

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Through March 19. Sat, 1pm; additional 11am shows on March 5, 12, 16, 19. A family of friendly bears in the forest and a curious, mischievous girl meet. Watch this old story performed with a new twist. $12. Miners Alley Playhouse, Golden. minersalley.com

Famed images from Frida Kahlo’s collection “paint” the walls in Frida: Immersive Dream, March 3-May 30. Petite Musique: The Story of

Peter Rabbit March 7 (Longmont Museum), 8 (Broomfield Auditorium), 21 (Hinkley High School), 22 (Brighton Armory Performing Arts Center), 29 (Northglenn Recreation Center); 10am and 11:30am. Featuring a 16-piece orchestra and a bilingual (English/Spanish) narrator who will incorporate storytelling, singing, and dance, this program is designed to introduce children to the orchestra through a musical telling of the story of Peter Rabbit. Age 7 and under. $5 per student with adult, financial assistance available. Various locations around Denver and the Front Range. coloradosymphony.org

The Spitfire Grill March 3-April 3. FriSun; Mon, March 21; 7:30pm. Percy, a young woman with a complicated past, is looking to start a new life in a small Wisconsin town. She finds work at a rundown diner and, through her force of determination, optimism, and love, Percy is able to revitalize the grill and, in turn, the community. This folksy musical will get your toes tapping. Content warning: brief discussion of physical abuse. $18-$25. Parsons Theatre, Northglenn. phamaly.org

Spotlight

Carefully selected and often independently-made games, puzzles, and toys fill the shelves at PlayForge and inspire creative workshops.

Play By Your Own Rules at PlayForge

It’s a store! It’s a school! It’s a playground! PlayForge in Downtown Littleton boasts thousands of games and toys, plus a makerspace and classroom where they offer STEMfocused educational programming for children and adults.

“At PlayForge, customers buy games, make games, and play-test their creations with the creative community they foster,” Jesse Stommel, PlayForge’s co-owner, says. Stommel, a teacher of 22 years, runs the shop with partner Joshua Lee, a former alternative energy engineer. Their daughter, five-year-old Hazel, is proud to be the play-tester and “store manager.”

On Thursdays in March, PlayForge will be offering Open Lab Nights with a different focus each week: 3D Modeling and Printing, Miniatures Painting, Laser Cutting and Etching, and Leather Work. Participants will be introduced to new tools and techniques and are encouraged to experiment. For example, they’ve chosen equipment like the Glowforge 3D printer so that folks can have an idea, create it in simple software on an iPad, and manufacture it all within about one to two hours.

“Every class is different in our space, because participants bring their imaginations, and each person comes to the space with different interests and abilities,” Stommel says.

In addition to Open Lab Nights, which are offered throughout the year, PlayForge hosts weeklong day camps for kids ages six to 12 in the summer. They also hold regular game nights, including Dungeons & Dragons for middle schoolers and Pokémon for new players. If you want to play on your own, they have a large game library—pop in and try something out or reserve a table for $5 per player.

NEED TO KNOW: Open Lab Nights are scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. on March 3, 10, 24, and 31. See their website for each night’s recommended ages. The registration fee is $20 per night, which includes basic materials. playforgegames.com

fresh mindset

I think we could all be more understanding and forgiving of our shortfalls. We all, regardless of ability, have things that make us feel insecure and inadequate, but how we handle those obstacles is what matters. I choose grace and positivity.

JULIE STAMM is the author of Some Days: A Tale of Love, Ice Cream, and My Mom’s Chronic Illness. Stamm, who lives in Denver with her partner, son, and two dogs was inspired to write the book after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.