55 Ideas for Summer Family Fun

happenings

Our Picksjuly

Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus.

1

Joy Park Free Night

The 60,000 square feet of outdoor interactive installations that make up Joy Park and Adventure Forest will stay open after hours with free admission. July 15. Reservations Required. Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, Denver. mychildsmuseum.org

3

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

Asian and Asian American heritage is front and center with this festival complete with performers and vendors at a scenic park. July 23 and 24.Sloan,s Lake Park, Denver. cdbf.org

2

Lavender Festival

Thousands of lavender plants plus live music, food, products from local growers and artisans, and plenty of space for kids to explore makes this a charming outdoor experience. July 16 and 17. Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms, Littleton. botanicgardens.org

4

Pop Culture Classroom at Fan Expo Denver

Educational programs at Fan Expo Denver offer students, educators, families, and fans of all ages a deep exploration of comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming. July 1–3. Colorado Convention Center, Denver. popcultureclassroom.org

5

Cherry Pie Celebration

This annual celebration serves up slices of cherry pie, ice cream, coffee, and lemonade (for purchase). Enjoy live music, vendor booths, and children’s activities between treats. July 16. Peters Park, Loveland. thelovelandmuseum.org

Fab les: TDC Photography. Salida Circus: The Lincoln Center. Art in the Park: Curtis Center for the Arts. Tea: Paul Horton. Fourth of July: Getty Images.

6

Front Range Fables

This trio of fantastical tales, based on historic events from the Pikes Peak region, will entertain, educate, and foster empathy. Creative activities provided during breaks. July 2, 9, 16, 23. Locations in Colorado Springs. fac.coloradocollege.edu

7

Salida Circus: The Lost Circus

Acrobatics, juggling, and audience participation draws families into the magic of this interactive circus show. July 6. The Lincoln Center Lawn, Fort Collins. lctix.com

8

Art in the Park

Each program in this summer series introduces participants to a different art medium and technique through projects with themes such as Crazy Flamingo and To the Beach! Through Aug. 2. Silo Park, Greenwood Village. greenwoodvillage.com

9

Summer Tea Luncheon

Hot tea and cold lemonade, sandwiches, scones, and sweets are on the menu, followed by a tour of a historic country estate. Through July 29. Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, Colorado Springs. rockledgeranch.com

10

Fourth of July Celebrations

It’s time to break out your stars and stripes! In addition to annual fireworks displays, these events light up the holiday weekend.

Celebrate with Arts in the Park, listening to symphonic classics including Jessie Montgomery’s Soul Forceand music from Star Wars and Harry Potter performed by the Boulder Symphony. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. July 4, 7 p.m. $5–$10.

Boulder Bandshell. thedairy.org The Arapahoe Philharmonic presents Stars and

Stripes Forever, a performance of patriotic and movie favorites the whole family can enjoy. Food, drinks, music, and fireworks are part of the program. July 3, 8 p.m. $35 adult, $10 youth age 12 and under; $15 per household livestream. Breckenridge Brewery,

Littleton. arapahoe-phil.org

The spirit of friendly competition is on display at this 1800s Independence Day special. Watch an old-fashioned baseball game—played with wooden bats, no gloves, and slow pitches—between the

Littleton Rough & Readies and Colorado Vintage

Base Ball Association teams. Kid competitions include sack races and three-legged races. July 2, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Free.Littleton Museum. littletongov.org

Witness a re-enactment of a Revolutionary War encampment and hear the Declaration of Independence being read at this Family Fourth event. Honest Abe will read the Gettysburg Address. Enjoy carnival games, bring a picnic, or support a local food truck. July 4, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $8 adult, $4 youth ages 6–17, free age 5 and under. Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site,

Colorado Springs. rockledgeranch.com

Enjoy a fun-filled day of music, crafts, historical re-enactors, and live demonstrations at the Four Mile

Independence Celebration. The Denver Concert

Band will play, blacksmiths will forge works of art, chefs will share their secrets to wood-fired cooking, and plush pigs will be ready to race. July 2, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $10 adult, $8 youth, free age 6 and under and members. Four Mile Historic Park, Denver. fourmilepark.org

Pack your blankets and lawn chairs, and set up for

Parker Stars and Stripes Forever, featuring a concert and carnival. Low-cost activities include a tot train, face painting, and bungee jumping, plus food vendors.

In lieu of fireworks, this year’s celebration will conclude with a 150-drone light show. July 4, 6–10 p.m. Free entry, $10 parking; $10 All American Pass (upgrade).

Salisbury Park, Parker. parkeronline.org

Celebrate the Platte River Waterway during the CrossCurrents River Festival, July 9.

FREE

to do today

SPECIAL NEEDS SPANISH/ESPAÑOL

1Friday

Cultural First Friday: Frida Kahlo Celebration 5-9pm. Celebrate Frida Kahlo, the famous Mexican artist and activist. Enjoy shopping amongst local artist vendors, try a food truck, and get inspired by the exhibition. Museo de las Americas, Denver. museo.org

2Saturday

Bluff Lake Bird Walk 8-10am. Join birding experts on a walk around Bluff Lake to learn about species that call the natural area home. All ages. Registration required. Bluff Lake Nature Center, Denver. blufflake.org

VISIT OUR DIGITAL CALENDAR FOR MORE EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

3Sunday

Family Concert: Tubby the Tuba 11am. The vaudeville-inspired musical storyteller group Really Inventive Stuff uses comedy, props, and interaction to refresh beloved musical classics and enchant audiences of all ages. Their Tubby the Tuba concert follows the adventures of a red polka-dot yo-yo, a dapper bullfrog puppet, and a small piece of ribbon. $10. Chautauqua Auditorium, Boulder. coloradomusicfestival.org

4Monday

Rock-It Run 6:30am. Start your Fourth of July holiday with a familyfriendly run series, including a 5K, half marathon (with relay option), and 1K Little Rock-It Run. Enjoy a free post-race concert, one free food item, and one free beer for adults. 5K: $45 adult, $35 youth age 17 and under; half marathon: $60 adult, $50 youth age 17 and under; free 1K. Douglas County Fairgrounds, Castle Rock. runtochangelives.org

6Wednesday

Lost at the Farm Noon-2pm. Get lost at the farm as you enjoy a performance by Top Hogs, talented pigs that educate and entertain with their stunts and tricks. The farm adventure also includes a bounce house and twisty balloons. Ages 5-12. Registration required. Sheridan Library, Denver. arapahoelibraries.bibliocommons.com

8Friday

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in Concert July 8

and 9, 7:30pm; July 10, 1pm. In a battle between good and evil forces of the wizarding world, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in Concert brings the series’ final chapter to the big screens at Boettcher Concert Hall. The Colorado Symphony plays the score by Alexandre Desplat live. $38$103. Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver. tickets.coloradosymphony.org The Enchanted Bookshop July 8,

1pm and 6pm; July 9, 2pm. Dress as your favorite storybook character and laugh along with this comedy in which famous characters come to life to save the owner of a bookshop. Actors are performers ages 9-18 in BackStory’s Youth Theatre company. All ages. $10 adult, $5 youth ages 3-17, free age 2 and under. Broomfield Auditorium, 3 Community Park Road, Broomfield, backstorytheatre.org

9Saturday

CrossCurrents River Festival Noon-8:30pm. Live music, food, water sports, and a kids’ zone await at this celebration of Denver’s Platte River waterway. Confluence Park, Denver. thegreenwayfoundation.org

Double Feature: Kaluoka’hina & Laser Galactic Odyssey 1-2pm. Enjoy a full dome show, geared towards younger audiences, paired with a fun laser show. Kaluoka’hina: The Enchanted Reef follows young sawfish Jake and his paranoid pal Shorty in an adventure to restore the magic of the endangered Kaluoka’hina. Laser Galactic Odyssey includes popular music like the “Imperial March” from Star Wars, “Never Say Never” by Justin Bieber, and more. Age 4 and up. $12, $8 youth. Fiske Planetarium, Boulder. colorado.edu

Olde Town Arvada’s Second Saturdays 5-10pm. Listen and dance to bands on two stages, enjoy food and drinks, and take the young ones to the kid’s zone to keep the whole family entertained. Age 3 and up. Free entry, vendor prices vary. Olde Town Arvada, Arvada. oldetownarvada.org

10Sunday

Interactive Fairytale Theatre 3-4pm. Adult performers from BackStory Theatre will improvise a variation of Jack and the Beanstalk with help from the audience. Stick around afterward for Summer Saturday festivities. Ideal for preschool and kindergarten ages, but fun for the whole family. Brunner Farmhouse, Broomfield. backstorytheatre.org

Friendship Circle Basketball

Party 3-4:30pm. Join families in the special needs community and volunteers with Friendship Circle for an active gathering complete

Bird: Bluff Lake Nature Center. FoCo Flava: The Lincoln Center. with sports and snacks. All ages. Friendship Circle, Greenwood Village. friendshipcirclecolorado.com

12Tuesday

Destination Discovery: Super

Heroes July 12, 2:30pm; July 16, noon. Support the development of your child’s fine motor skills, gross motor skills, social skills, and language through purposeful play and peer interaction. This program also brings families together to share experiences and build relationships. All ages. Registration required. GiGi's Playhouse, Lakewood. gigisplayhouse.org

13Wednesday

Foco Flava 10am. Watch, and groove along, as a collective of dancers of various styles and all ages celebrate Hip Hop culture. The Lincoln Center Lawn, Fort Collins. lctix.com

16Saturday

Schweiger Ranch Nature Walk: Bison Before Settlers 8:30-10am. Learn about bison that roamed the land before settlers arrived, and get a summer stroll in nature too. Age 8 and up. Registration required. Schweiger Ranch, Centennial. schweigerranch.org

Beginner Disc Golf Class 9am-5pm. Join Dave Warner, a local disc golf enthusiast, to learn the basics of the game and play a nine-hole round on the course.Registration required. Free, state park pass required. The Meadows Disc Golf Area Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado Springs. cpw.state.co.us

Latino Conservation Fiesta 10am-2:30pm. Environmental Learning for Kids, a leadership development and outdoor recreation program for underserved youth, is hosting Latino Conservation Week’s kick-off event, Fiesta en Denver. Celebrate community, nature, and connection while enjoying food, music, and outdoor activities for all ages. RSVP to Sam Gilmore at sgilmore@elkkids.org. Montbello Open Space Park, Denver. elkkids.org

4EverFit4KIDZ!™ Noon-1pm. This program provides children playful ways to shake out their wiggles and move to create the foundation of their neurological systems. Ages 5-12. Schlessman Family Branch Library, Denver. denverlibrary.org

Campfire Series: El Vaquero, America’s First Cowboy 6-7:30pm. This presentation shares the origins and development of cowboy culture in the American West, describing the roles of the Spanish and Mexican vaquero in the establishment of traditional cowboy and ranching practices; demonstrations of bullwhip cracking and rope tricks are included. Schweiger Ranch, Lone Tree. schweigerranch.org

Watch a dancers as they explore Hip Hop culture, on July 13. Learn about the bird species who call Bluff Lake Nature Center home, July 2.

20Wednesday

Western Heritage Show 10am-2:30pm. Celebrate National Day of the Cowboy, with the Westernaires’ Red and White division horseback drill teams, exciting specialty acts, and interactive experiences for everyone. Bring a lunch to enjoy at the shaded picnic area and don’t miss the petting zoo and face painting. Registration required. Fort Westernaire, Golden. westernaires.org

23Saturday

Navigation Skills for Families 9am-noon. Bring the family to learn navigation techniques, then practice your skills by hiding “treasures.” Trade maps with other participants to find the treasure they’ve hidden. Age 8 and up. Registration required. $20 per family, all supplies included. Majestic View Nature Center. Arvada, majesticviewnaturecenter.arvada.org

24Sunday

Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act Celebration

10:30am-12:30pm. This event will engage families with hands-on art making activities to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of the ADA. Includes free admission to the Museum. Clyfford Still Museum, Denver. clyffordstillmuseum.org

28Thursday

Buffalo Bill Days Event schedules

vary, see event website for details. This event dates back to the 1940’s and includes a parade, classic car show, muttin’ bustin’ for kids, and an arts and crafts festival. Parfet Park, Golden. goldenbuffalobilldays.com

30Saturday

NoCo Urban Homestead Tour 8am-2pm. Peek into the backyards of inspiring Northern Colorado homesteads. Learn about self-sustaining lifestyles that include growing produce, raising bees and backyard animals, and re-purposing materials. Tour proceeds benefit the Gardens on Spring Creek and Loveland Youth Gardeners. Registration required. $20 age 12 and up, $5 youth ages 5-11, free age 4 and under. The Gardens on Spring Creek, Fort Collins. fcgov.com

Family Fun Day + Horse Show 10am-2pm. Bring your family and friends out to the ranch for a day of activities, food, and a horse show. Hayrides, ranch tours, games, and giveaways are included. Proceeds benefit the horse rescue mission and kids’ mental health programs. $5. Zuma’s Rescue Ranch, Littleton. zumasrescueranch.com

ongoing events

Arapahoe County Fair July 28,

4pm-midnight; July 29 and 30, noon-midnight; July 31, noon10:30pm. Find some good old fashioned family fun at the 116th annual Arapahoe County Fair. Enjoy unlimited carnival rides, fireworks, rodeos, main stage concerts, a petting farm, tractor pulls, public competitions, and 4-H exhibits. $20, free youth under 36 inches in height; free parking. Arapahoe County Fairgrounds and Event Center, Aurora. arapahoecountyfair.com

Cherry Creek Arts Festival July 1

and 2, 10am-8pm; July 3, 10am-6pm. Join thousands of community members in an interactive art walk and shopping experience on the streets of Cherry Creek North. A Creation Station offers family-fun activities, including crafts led by Museo de las Americas, Denver Preschool Program, and Children’s Art School, among others. Music, food, and drinks are on site. Free entry and activities, vendor prices vary. Cherry Creek North, Denver. cherrycreekartsfestival.org Colorado Black Arts Festival July 8-10. Turning up the volume on African American arts and culture, this fair welcomes folks to four stages to enjoy Brazilian and Caribbean drum and dance performances; to the Visual Arts Row where professional and budding artists showcase and sell their works; and to the Children’s Pavilion where the entire family can learn and create. The Boogaloo Celebration Parade puts drill teams, step teams, youth groups, and social groups at the center of it all in an exciting street celebration. Free entry, vendor prices vary. City Park West Denver, 21st and York Streets, Denver. colbaf.org

Evergreen Summerfest 10am-5pm. Live music, a children’s craft area, fresh food, and a beer and cocktail garden round out an art and entertainment experience in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Summerfest is known for bringing together a dedicated art-buying crowd and artist vendors. Free entry, vendor prices vary. Buchanan Field, Evergreen. evergreenarts.org Rides on the Tebo Train Mon-

Fri, 9:30-11am. Chug along the outdoor Pearl Street Mall with your child age 10 and under in this 100 percent electric train. No registration required. Pearl Street Mall, Boulder. boulderdowntown.com

Rooftop Rodeo 7pm nightly show. This weeklong event is packed full of professional riding and interactive events for the whole family. Pros compete, and visitors are invited to join the fun through experiences such as Behind the Chutes, a tour of arena equipment. The parade on July 7 includes appearances from rodeo royalty, bands, floats, and trick riders making their way through downtown Estes Park. Free parade; $25 adult, $17 youth ages 3-12 general rodeo

Join the scavenger hunt at Bluff Lake Nature Center throughout the summer. Jump on board the electric Tebo Train for a weekday ride around the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder.

admission. Granny May Arena, Estes Park. rooftoprodeo.com

Bluff Lake Quest 3.0 Ongoing.

Daily, sunrise to sunset. Get out there and enjoy 1.5 miles of trails while discovering new nature facts. Download a scavenger hunt guide online or pick one up at the nature center kiosk. As you solve each clue, you’ll collect different colored beads found in canisters along the trail. Bluff Lake Nature Center, Denver. blufflake.org

Orvis 101 Demo Fly Fishing Class

July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30. 10-11:30am. Get a quick introduction to fly fishing with a qualified instructor. Learn how to set up a rod, basic fly casting, tying flies, and some basic terminal tackle. Children welcome to participate with an accompanying adult. Front Range Anglers, Denver. frontrangeanglers.com

Summer Low Sensory

Mornings July 30, 8am. Experience the Denver Botanic Gardens without the crowds. York Street gardens will open early for those who wish to connect with plants in a quiet, restful atmosphere. Explore on your own and

Dancers: Christopher Duggan. Outdoor movies: Northglenn Arts. learn more about other sensory based programming the Gardens offers like Sensory Processing and Autism Resource Kits. Registration required. Denver Botanic Gardens York Street, Denver. botanicgardens.org

CSU Spur Terra Through Dec. 31. Ongoing. Mon-Sat, 9am-5pm. The STEAM education complex for all ages, CSU Spur, opened its second public building, Terra. Check out earth-related interactive elements such as a K-12 Agriculture Discovery Center, food lab and teaching kitchen, and rooftop greenhouses. All ages. CSU Spur, Denver. csuspur.org

Aly & The Genie July 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16; 7pm. July, 9, 10, 16, and 17; 2pm. July 7, 8, 14, and 15; noon. Based on the popular fable of Aladdin and Jinn, this dance-filled play takes place in a present-day world and is specially geared towards children and youth. It’s a magical tale where ambitions collide with empathy, and greed wages war with dreams. $15 adult, $10 youth. The Vintage Theatre, Aurora. vintagetheatre.org

Fantastic Family Theatre July 1,

15, 22, 29. 6:30pm. Young actors in BackStory Theatre’s summer class programs present short shows every week (either two 15 minutes shows in a night, or a single 20-minute show) that introduce young audiences to theater. Enjoy snacks and get inspired to make up your own stories. All ages. $5. Broomfield Auditorium, Broomfield. backstorytheatre.org

Vail Dance Festival July 29-Aug. 9.

Event schedule varies; July 30, 10am Tiny Dancer Tea Party. Get inspired by artists who perform ballet, modern, African American, and Latin street styles of dance at a high level. This gathering celebrates creative choreography and the impact music and movement have on people. A Tiny Dancer Tea Party for kids ages 4 to 7 includes crown and tiara decorating, a dance session, meetand-greets with festival dancers, and snacks. $50 Tiny Dancer Tea Party (one adult and one child), $10-$135 most events. Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater and Avon Performance Pavilion, Vail. vaildance.org

The Servant of Two Masters July 29

and 31, 2pm; July 29 and 30, 7pm. This modern adaptation of Goldoni’s classic comedy, played by actors ages 12 to 18, follows Clarice, whose dreams of marrying her love are shattered when the man she was originally promised to seemingly returns from the dead. Unbeknownst to anyone, the resurrected one is really his sister in disguise, determined to settle her brother’s debts and find her own love. Things go awry as more characters enter the tale with their own plans. All ages. $13-$15. Parsons Theatre, Northglenn. northglennarts.org

The Vail Dance Festival, July 29-Aug 9, inspires creativity through all kinds of dance and movement.

Spotlight

Cozy up on your own patch of grass for a family-pleasing movie night under the summer stars.

Movies Under the Stars

Summer evenings are made sweeter by adding a little movie magic to the mix. Grab your blankets and lawn chairs and head out to these family films screened under the stars.

Backcountry Outdoor Movie

Series: Enjoy cinema favorites on the giant screen in a dark, open-air theater. Pack a picnic dinner and bring your favorite movie snacks. Proceeds benefit the Backcountry Conservation and Education Fund. Showing this month: UP, How to Train Your Dragon, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Jurassic Park, Shrek, and School of Rock. Showings on Fri. through Sept. 1; additional shows on July 16 and Sept. 1; 8:30 p.m. $25 per car (not a drive-in, bring a blanket or lawn chair). Backcountry Base Camp, Littleton. hrcaonline.org

Northglenn Summer Movie

Series: Gather on the grass area and grab a bite from food trucks before the flick begins. Showing this month: Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Sing 2, and Encanto. Free. Through July 27; Wednesdays, dusk. Northglenn Arts Festival Lawn, Northglenn. northglennarts.org Pictures on the Plains: Spend a family night enjoying free popcorn, glow sticks, lawn games, and movie-themed activities such as bounce houses, obstaclecourses, and special treats. Showing this month: Frozen. July 7; 5:30 p.m. themed activities, 7:30 p.m. movie. $5, free age 2 and under. Arapahoe County Fairgrounds and Park, Aurora. arapahoecountyfair.com

Outdoor Summer Films:

Bring your own blankets and lawn-chairs for pre-film entertainment and concession sales that benefit the historic Theatre. Showing this month: The Greatest Showman and Sing 2. July 8 and 22, additional dates Aug. 5 and 19; 7 to 11 p.m. Free, donations suggested. Historic Elitch Theatre, Denver. historicelitchtheatre.org

Arvada’s Movies Around Town:

Grab a blanket and some popcorn and join neighbors at a park to enjoy free movies on a giant inflatable movie screen. Showings: Soul. July 15, 7 p.m. Additional dates: Aug. 19 and Sept. 16. Free. Various locations in Arvada. arvadafestivals.com Movies & Music in the Park: The series will kick off with an evening celebrating Latinoculture with a special performance by the Studio Colombia International Dance Group, music by Denver-based El Javi, and a screening of Disney’s Encanto this month. July 15, 7 p.m. music, 8:30pmmovie. Additional dates: Aug. 12 and Sept. 9; Free. Parfet Park, Golden. cityofgolden.net Film on the Rocks: The classic summer series returns, featuring live musical performances followed by movies screened under the stars at the iconic event venue. Showing this month: The Sandlot and The Greatest Showman. July 18 and 25, 7 p.m. pre-show, 8:30 p.m. movie. Additional dates: Aug. 1 and 15; $16. Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, Morrison. redrocksonline.com

fresh mindset

Being in the Air Force is one of the best things I have done for myself and my daughter. Just as I have grown as a leader in the Air Force, I have also grown as a parent. I believe leadership and parenting have many similarities. Both are about creating an atmosphere that brings out the best in people.

LORI HODGE is a mother of an 11-year-old daughter and a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force. She comes from a family dedicated to military service and was recently assigned to the Space Training and Readiness Command in Colorado Springs.