14 minute read
Favorite Kids Camps & Lessons
Park slide: Denver Parks & Recreation; Art girl: artSpark Creative Studio.
SKI RESORT FOR
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FAMILIES Tie
WINNERS:
Keystone Resort Just 90 minutes from Denver, this resort aims to bring out the playful nature of everyone in the family. In addition to the popular ski slopes and ski and ride school, Keystone is filled with winter activities like snow tubing, sleigh rides, and mountaintop tours in a snowcat. keystoneresort.com
Winter Park Resort At this kid-friendly resort, families have their pick of seven territories spanning four mountains with award-winning terrain. There’s also tubing, snowshoeing, ice-skating, and scenic snowcat tours. After a day on the slopes, nosh on premium food in the village. winterparkresort.com
Others in Top 3: Breckenridge Ski Resort, Eldora Mountain
COLORADO
MOST UNIQUE PLAYGROUND
WINNER: Paco Sanchez Park Denver Named after former state representative and radio station owner Paco Sanchez, this 30-acre park filled with multigenerational activities will entertain for hours. The many unique play opportunities include a 30-foot covered climbing tower, rubber hills, and a super-fast concrete slide. Don’t miss the hanging seesaw swing—it can catapult its occupants sky high if you get the timing right. There are also plenty of swings, spring toys, and spinners. denvergov.org Others in Top 3: LuBird’s Light Playground, Philip S. Miller Park
camps & lessons
DAY CAMP
WINNER: Dream Big Day Camp dreambigdaycamp.com Others in Top 3: Renaissance Adventures, Silicon STEM Academy
OVERNIGHT CAMP
WINNER: Camp Chief Ouray campchiefouray.org Others in Top 3: Camp IdRaHaJe, Sanborn Western Camps
STEM CLASS OR CAMP
WINNER: Silicon STEM Academy siliconstemacademy.com Others in Top 3:Mad Science of Colorado, MindCraft Makerspace
SPECIAL NEEDS CLASS OR CAMP
WINNER: Hopkins Education Services hopkinseducationservices.com Others in Top 3: Adam’s Camp, Feel the Tie Beat Dance, Parallel Play
DANCE LESSONS
WINNER: Littleton Contemporary Dance Center littletondancecenter.com Others in Top 3: Dual Star Academy of Dance, Park Hill Dance Academy
ART/CRAFT STUDIO OR MAKER SPACE
WINNER: artSpark Creative Studio artsparkcreative.com Others in Top 3: Craftsman & Apprentice, MindCraft Makerspace
MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTION
WINNER: Okinawa Dojo by Karate Bros karatebros.com Others in Top 3: Colorado Budokan, Enshin Karate
SKI OR RIDE LESSONS
WINNER: Winter Park Ski and Ride School winterparkresort.com Others in Top 3: Copper Mountain Ski & Ride Tie School, Eldora Mountain Ski & Ride School, Keystone Ski & Snowboard School
TUMBLING OR GYMNASTICS LESSONS
WINNER: Bounce Gymnastics bouncegymnasticsco.com Others in Top 3: Dardano’s School of Gymnastics, TaDa Gymnastics Studio
food & drink
KID,S BIRTHDAY CAKE AT A LOCAL BAKERY
WINNER: Cake Crumbs Bakery & Café Park Hill No matter what theme your child dreams of for their birthday celebration (dogs in space?), Cake Crumbs Bakery & Café can turn it into a spectacular centerpiece cake or cupcakes. What’s on the inside will also delight, with a delicious selection of cake flavors including vanilla funfetti and vanilla/chocolate marble, and a wide selection of fillings and frosting flavors. cake-crumbs.com
COLORADO
LOCAL BURGER
WINNER: Park Burger Highlands, Hilltop, Platte Park, RiNo This Denver favorite is the burger diner experience for everyone in the family. The menu honors the classic American trifecta of burger, fries, and a milkshake, but caters to more than the beef eater. Bison, veggie, and turkey options are available, as well as gluten-free and whole wheat buns. Fries come in potato, sweet potato, and truffle-Parmesan, or go with the house-made kettle chips with a side of blue cheese sauce. And all the ingredients are fresh, high-quality, and locally sourced when possible. parkburger.com
Others in Top 3: Tie 5280 Burger Bar, Bob’s Atomic Burgers, Cherry Cricket
Others in Top 3: Gateaux, Mermaids Bakery
LOCAL BAKERY
WINNER: Tokyo Premium Bakery Platte Park Blink and you might miss the minimalist entry to this Japanese- style bakery on South Pearl Street, but the delicious pastries and lattes are worth the search. The sugar twisted donut and fruit sandwich are sure bets for any kid, or let them sample global flavors like matcha cream and red bean paste in pastries. Order yourself a Houjicha latte (hot or iced), and opt for oat milk to perfectly pair with the toasted flavor. tokyopremiumbakery.com
Others in Top 3: Devil’s Food Bakery, Moxie Bread Company
FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
WINNER: Steuben,s Uptown North Capitol Hill Friendly service in a casual, welcoming atmosphere is just the beginning of what has made this Denver restaurant a favorite spot for a relaxed family meal for 16 years. The elevated diner-style menu brings together classics like pot roast and burgers with regional favorites from around the U.S. like lobster rolls. The kids menu is loaded with pleasing brunch and dinner choices, accompanied by crunchy veggies, fresh fruit, a choice of side, and a dessert. steubens.com
Others in Top 3: Bird, The Original
LOCAL ICE CREAM OR FROZEN YOGURT
WINNER: Yogurt Brothers Westminster This frozen yogurt shop offers 16 soft-serve varieties (cake batter and cookies and cream are customer favorites), as well as 64 toppings from kiwi to cookie dough. Find lots of dietary-restricted options (all clearly labeled) in addition to frozen yogurt cookie sandwiches and dog yogurt. Eat outdoors or inside, where a digital display posts recent local high school sports scores. yogurtbros.com
Others in Top 3: Glacier Homemade Ice Cream & Gelato, Sweet Cow
LOCAL PIZZA
WINNER: Via Baci Modern Italian Kitchen & Bar Lone Tree You could make an argument that there is a time and place for chain pizza delivery—kids parties, for example. But for a family night out when pizza is the main event, taste matters, and Via Baci really delivers. Tucked into a busy shopping area, it serves up wood-fired pizza, pasta, salads, beer, wine, and cocktails. A kids menu ($5 to $7) keeps things affordable. Grab a pizza kit to go and watch a video of Chef Mike to learn how to stretch pizza dough like a pro. viabaci.com
Others in Top 3: Kaos Pizzeria, Virgilio’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar
MOST DELICIOUS LOCAL DOUGHNUT
WINNER: Donutsville Bakery and Café Westminster A small, quiet shopping plaza houses this sparkling clean donut shop with drive-through and dine-in options. Choose from 28 doughnut varieties, including the popular Double Decker—a glazed and chocolate combo, pressed together. Customers can also enjoy kolaches, bagels, sandwiches, boba, smoothies, and coffee. instagram.com/donutsvillebakery
Others in Top 3: Berkeley Donuts, The Donut House
LOCAL SHOP FOR A COFFEE RUN
WINNER: Stella,s Gourmet Coffee & Such Platte Park There is no shortage of coffee shops around town, but this friendly neighborhood meetup spot has stood the test of time. Great coffee, tea, iced drinks, and bakery items are only part of the draw. Creative, friendly baristas welcome you like a regular. Grab a coffee to go or relax on the patio of the converted house that will give you all kinds of classic Denver-in-the-'90s vibes. stellascoffee.com
Others in Top 3: Dirt Coffee Bar, Logan House Coffee, Monk & Mongoose Coffee Co.
Tie
FOOD HALL FOR FAMILIES
WINNER: Stanley Marketplace Aurora The food offerings and casual, family atmosphere at this food hall and shopping space make it easy to please grownups and kids alike. Comfort food spots like Rosenberg’s Bagels, Comida, and Denver Biscuit Co. comingle with a taste of something new at Maria Empanada, Churreria De Madrid, and Misaki at Stanley. It’s also a great stop for a snack at Sweet Cow Ice Cream or Sweet Gold Juice Co. stanleymarketplace.com
Others in Top 3: Edgewater Public Market, Milepost Zero at McGregor Square
MEAL DELIVERY/MEAL PREP SERVICES
WINNER: Supper Bell Metro Denver This hometown meal delivery service from award-winning Denver chef Frank Bonanno makes it easy to put a freshly made meal, created with many locally and organically sourced ingredients, on the table. The weekly menu offers entrees, full family meals, kids meals, desserts, and even breakfasts that just need to be reheated. supperbell.com
education
CHILDCARE
WINNER: Cadence Academy Preschool Broomfield cadence-education.com Others in Top 3: Hope Montessori Academy Thornton, Iliff Preschool
SPECIAL NEEDS RESOURCE OR ORGANIZATION
WINNER: Hopkins Education Services hopkinseducationservices.com Others in Top 3: GiGi’s Playhouse Denver, The Rise School of Denver
FOREIGN LANGUAGE SCHOOL
WINNER: Global Village Academy gvaschools.org Others in Top 3: Escuela de Guadalupe, French American School of Denver
PRIVATE SCHOOL
WINNER: Denver Christian School denverchristian.org Others in Top 3: Aspen Academy, Montessori Academy of Colorado
COLORADO
SPOT FOR A FAMILY PICNIC
WINNER: Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre Morrison The iconic concert amphitheater at Red Rocks Park is a destination for millions of music lovers from all over the world. But locals know that the natural wonders in this park make it a picturesque place for a quiet family picnic as well. On event days, opt for a late breakfast or lunch picnic before the park closes at 2 p.m. When there isn’t an event, add on a hike and enjoy an evening picnic as the sun sets behind the mountains. redrocksonline.com
Others in Top 3: City Park, Washington Park
PRESCHOOL
WINNER: Denver Christian Preschool denverchristian.org Others in Top 3: Cadence Academy Broomfield, Iliff Preschool
services & shopping
LOCAL TOY STORE
WINNER: Timbuk Toys Littleton, Lowry, University Hills Since 1993, Denver-founded Timbuk Toys has supported the important (and fun!) job of stoking a child’s imagination and development. The broad selection of toys sold from the three store locations and online help kids grow in cognitive, sensory, and physical development. Even if there isn’t a toy on the shopping list, it’s worth a weekly stop for storytime, magic, puppetry, and balloon animals with Mr. Paul. timbuktoys.com
Others in Top 3: Beyond the Blackboard, Grandrabbit’s Toy Shoppe
BIRTHDAY PARTY ENTERTAINMENT
WINNER: Kids Wonder Centennial Unlimited opportunities to climb, bounce, and imagine make this Centennial play center top kids’ lists for birthday parties. Easy party planning puts it at the top of mom’s list. Choose the Great Party option, which gives up to eight kids time for open play, celebration in a special party area, and cupcakes or donuts. Level up to the Super Party or Awesome Party for a bigger group or more food options. kidswonder.net Others in Top 3: Renaissance Adventures, Sticky Fingers Cooking School
RESALE SHOP FOR CHILDREN,S CLOTHES
WINNER: Once Upon A Child Arvada, Aurora, Centennial, Littleton The Once Upon a Child stores around metro Denver are brimming with gently used kids clothes in a variety of sizes and styles. And at up to 70 percent off retail prices, it's easy to save on the clothes shopping budget. Bring in your child’s outgrown clothes (and shoes, toys, and baby gear) and you can get cash on the spot for more shopping. onceuponachild.com/home
Others in Top 3: Just Between Friends local sales, Kid to Kid
LOCAL MATERNITY OR BABY BOUTIQUE
WINNER: Broomtail Bonnie Brae Step into this three-year-old boutique that’s just a short jaunt from Old South Gaylord Street in Denver, and it’s a sure thing you will find a swoon-worthy baby outfit or shower gift. Select from a curated collection of items from boutique brands. Kids will love the chance to play in the fort at the back of the store or snuggle into one of the worn leather chairs with a book. broomtailkids.com
Others in Top 3: Mountain Cub Tie Children’s Shop, Pitter Patter Children’s Boutique, Real Baby
SPOT FOR MOM OR DAD TO TREAT THEMSELVES
WINNER: TallGrass Aveda Spa & Salon Evergreen Evergreen Most busy parents dream of a quiet room or meditation space, even if only for an hour. This spa, set among the pines and meadows near Evergreen, is filled with serene spaces (including an actual “Quiet Room”) to indulge in treatments for weary bodies and minds. Drop the keys to mom’s taxi at the front desk and settle in for a body, face, nail, or hair treatment, or a full- or half-day spa package. tallgrassspa.com Others in Top 3: St. Julien Hotel & Spa, The Woodhouse Day Spa
ESTATE PLANNING/ FAMILY LAWYER
WINNER: Hardin Waldrip Law Greenwood Village As a parent, it’s vitally important to create a plan that ensures your children and all that you’ve worked for are protected in case the unthinkable happens. Helpful, knowledgeable attorneys are key to making the estate planning process efficient and pleasant. The attorneys at Hardin Waldrip Law have decades of experience in helping families with a variety of assets and needs. A collection of articles and FAQs on their website also helps decode some common legal terms and situations. hardinwaldriplaw.com
Others in Top 3: Burnham Law, Pamela Maass The Law Mother
services & shopping
PRE/POSTNATAL MASSAGE
WINNER: The Wellness Center Glendale While an expectant mom is caring for the new little one growing inside, it’s important that she finds someone to support her well-being. The prenatal massage services offered at The Wellness Center aim not only to reduce pregnancy discomfort, but also to enhance the physiological and emotional wellbeing of mom and baby. After baby arrives, mom can continue self-care through massage, chiropractic, acupuncture, and naturopathic services from a team of highly-trained and experienced practitioners. wellnessdenver.com
Others in Top 3: Belly Bliss, Mountain Mama Massage
FAMILY-FRIENDLY MALL OR SHOPPING AREA
WINNER: Stanley Marketplace Aurora Whether shopping for a gift, home decor, or a boutique outfit, Stanley Marketplace is a friendly place for parents to shop with kids in tow. The not-your-typical mall stores serve the Earth conscious (Zero Market), the fashion forward (Billy Goat & the Gosling, June Ruby, and Sterre), and the generous gifter (Trunk Nouveau, Poppy & Pine). Time at Tattered Cover Kids, MindCraft Makerspace, or one of the regular events hosted at the marketplace is a great way to reward little shoppers. stanleymarketplace.com
Others in Top 3: Park Meadows Mall, South Pearl Street, Southlands Shopping Center
Tie
FARMERS MARKET FOR FAMILIES
WINNER: South Pearl Street Farmers Market The Platt Park neighborhood, south of Washington Park, boasts historic South Pearl Street, an area of boutiques, restaurants, and neighborhood events popular with families, including the Sunday farmers’ market. For decades the market has provided everything from local veggies and bread to sauces and wine, all with a backdrop of live music and the sizzle from food truck grills. southpearlstreet.com Others in Top 3: Parker Farmers Market, Southlands Farmers Market
PLACE TO VOLUNTEER AS A FAMILY
WINNER: Clothes to Kids of Denver Since 2008, Clothes To Kids has provided free school clothing to students from low-income or in-crisis families in a store-like setting. With an organized and informative list of volunteer projects on the website, it’s easy for families to find a way to lend a hand. When families come to shop, volunteers make shoppers feel welcome and safe. Teens in grades nine to 12 can volunteer by sorting clothing that comes in; grades five to eight are encouraged to help off-site by hosting clothing drives or bringing in donations. clothestokidsdenver.org
Others in Top 3: A Precious Child, Project Angel Heart
health & wellness
HOSPITAL OR HEALTH CLINIC
WINNER: Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children rockymountainhospitalforchildren.com Others in Top 3: Children’s Hospital Colorado, Rose Medical Center
DENTIST
WINNER: Kids Choice Dental/All About Kids Dental mykidschoicedental.com Others in Top 3: Highlands Pediatric Dentistry, Wash Park Pediatric Dentistry
ORTHODONTIST
WINNER: All About Braces/ Colorado Orthodontics aabraces.com Others in Top 3: Cronin & Czarnik Orthodontics, Reed Orthodontics
PEDIATRICIAN
WINNER: Southeast Denver Pediatrics southeastdenverpediatrics.com Others in Top 3: Colorado Kids Pediatrics, Step By Step Pediatrics
OPTOMETRIST
WINNER: Kids Choice Vision/ Bright Eyes Vision brighteyesvisioninc.com Others in Top 3: Colorado Family Eye Centers/Children’s Eye Physicians, North Park Vision Center
URGENT CARE
WINNER: CareNow Urgent Care carenow.com Others in Top 3: NextCare Urgent Care, PediaClinic Convenient Care Clinic
BIRTH CENTER
WINNER: Rose Medical Center healthonecares.com/locations/rose/ Others in Top 3: Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center, Sky Ridge Medical Center
MIDWIFE OR DOULA
WINNER:
Heather O'Meara Certified Nurse Midwife at UCHealth uchealth.org/provider/heather-omeara-cnm/ Others in Top 3: Terri Burleson at Colorado Caring Doulas; Lena Winkler at Guiding Doula
FAMILY THERAPY/ COUNSELING
WINNER: Tracey Andrews westsidebehavioralcare.com Others in Top 3: Birch Psychology, Thrive Couple & Family Counseling Services
PEDIATRIC CHIROPRACTOR
WINNER: RejuvInnate Family Chiropractic rejuvinnatechiropractic.com Others in Top 3: Atlas Chiropractic of Denver, Be Chiropractic
more reader favorites
We gave readers a chance to tell us about any other favorites they loved. Here are a few of their suggestions.
FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER
WINNER: Brittani Chin Photography brittanichinphotography.com
PEDIATRIC PHYSICAL THERAPY
WINNER: Progress Through Play ptpdenver.com
CHILDREN,S BOOKSTORE
WINNER: Second Star to the Right secondstartotherightbooks.com
MUSIC LESSONS
WINNER:School of Rock schoolofrock.com/location
TOT MUSIC CLASS
WINNER: Rocky Mountain Aardvarks rockymtnaardvarks.com/about-us/ locations/
BEST PLACE TO ICE SKATE
WINNER: Evergreen Lake evergreenrecreation.com/224/IceSkating-and-Hockey
