home 7 Birthday Experiences in Denver

By Emily Drez

If your child has had several birthday parties already (the ones with DIY decorations and dozens of little ones running around the room you will eventually have to clean), you may be looking to do something a little different for their next birthday. Instead of a birthday party, consider a birthday experience! Birthday experiences are still parties, but they are less about the sugar highs and gifts and more about memorable experiences with friends and family. Here are some places in Denver that will be a whole lot of fun for the birthday child.

Top Golf

Golfing at Top Golf is a great experience for beginners and pros alike. Rather than standing outside at a golf course underneath the hot sun, Top Golf’s three-story hitting bays are climatecontrolled and feature TVs, complimentary clubs, free wifi, self-scoring balls, a bar, and a restaurant. You can even order food and drinks from your bay! If you don’t want to play, you can hang out at the rooftop terrace or mezzanine lounge, or you can sit back in the comfortable booth at your station and see who scores the highest. topgolf.com

Archery Games Denver

It’s more than just shooting at targets! Archery Games Denver, suitable for ages seven and up, is an “archery dodgeball” experience during which two teams will battle each other with bows and foam-tipped arrows on a massive playing field. Your group will play one of seven games after a quick practice round–no archery experience required! The game is completely safe, designed not to leave any marks or bruises, and masks will be provided to protect your eyes. archerygamesdenver.com

Kids Wonder

Let the birthday kid take on the world at Kids Wonder, a children’s play center perfect for little ones from six months to six years old. The facility’s “Lil’Town” has a home, school, grocery store, cafe, fire station, construction zone, theater, and a vet where your child can play pretend while learning important skills. If you’re celebrating a toddler’s birthday, there is a toddler-safe area with small climbers, slides, and playhouses. There are also inflatables for children ages three to six years old. While no outside food or drinks are allowed, there are healthy snacks available for those who need to recharge. kidswonder.net

American Paintball Coliseum

American Paintball Coliseum is Denver’s best destination for paintball, laser tag, and airsoft fields. Friends and family can battle it out in the obstacle-filled indoor paintball fields, hit bullseyes while axe throwing, run through a one-of-a-kind laser tag field, and more. Airsoft would be perfect for those who prefer not to get hit with paintballs. americanpaintballcoliseum.com

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Take your birthday experience to the extreme at Sky Zone! Whether you want to compete against friends and family or swing on your own, everyone is guaranteed to enjoy this experience. You’ll be soaring to new levels on the zipline, trapeze, and silks, or you can shoot hoops at SkySlam or play a game of Ultimate Dodgeball. Then, swing by the birthday child’s favorite restaurant for dinner and dessert. skyzone.com

Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus

Do some birthday exploration at the Children’s Museum! Children ages eight and under are invited to play and learn on their own terms in four kid-friendly exhibits: investigate, imagine, explore, and create. Here, you’ll learn the secrets behind bubbles, save the day at the fire station, go on adventures in Joy Park, learn about food and nutrition, and so much more. Your birthday child will surely appreciate this gift of learning and want to go back again and again. mychildsmuseum.org

Denver Zoo

Your birthday experience will be a certified wild time at the Denver Zoo. You’ll get to make new furry, feathery, and scaly friends; get up close and personal with the giraffes; visit the animal hospital; and maybe even have an animal encounter while you’re there. As an extra birthday gift, you could book an experience at the Zoo such as feeding and petting the stingrays, an immersive 4-D experience, and an adventure with the lorikeets. Visit their website for events that may be happening during your visit. denverzoo.org

For The Grandparents

Grandparents can gift experiences to their grandchildren as well! Instead of buying them the latest and greatest toy, here are some things you can do together:

• Teach them a new skill (baking, building, crocheting, fishing, etc.)

• Take them to lunch and a movie

• Go to the theater

• Do an activity together such as hiking or swimming

• Take a day (or weekend) trip to the nearest city you’d like to visit