Winters in Boulder are mild, thank goodness, but every once in a while, there comes a day or two that defy the norm. The temperatures drop down below freezing and the cold gusts of wind kick up.
It’s days like that you’d rather not venture out with children in tow. How do you find family-friendly activities in Boulder when the winter sets in –and stay warm?
If you have to head out (before cabin fever sets in), here are a few warm options for leaving your house and hanging out somewhere else…inside…with your children out and around Boulder.
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Public library– An often-overlooked choice, these community hubs can be found all over town. In addition to storytime and customized children’s reading areas, there are special events scheduled, everything from puppet shows to author meet & greets. And let’s not forget all those books. You’ll still be cold, but at least you’ll have a book.
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Play – Owned by Grandrabbit’s Toy Store and situated right next door, this space hosts classes and parties, with open play hours daily, lots of age-appropriate toys and plenty of space for small ones to move around.
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WOW Lafayette Children’s Museum – This gem of a museum is located in the heart of Lafayette. There are interactive exhibits, an art room and lots of activities for little hands to figure out.
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Butterfly Pavilion – Located just down US 36, the Butterfly Pavilion is home to thousands of invertebrates, along with a tropical rain forest and a shortgrass prairie. Four indoor exhibit halls give visitors access to over 1200 butterflies from all over the world. This amazing place is open year round and on your birthday, admission is only $1. Fun fact: when it opened in 1996, the Butterfly Pavilion was the first non-profit stand alone insect zoo in the US.
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Museum of Natural History at CU – This museum is on the University of Colorado campus and is easily accessed by bus. It features rotating exhibits in five different halls with cultural artifacts and regional pieces of art. There are monthly events for the family that stress learning together and the importance of the scientific method. Hands-on exploration is the key to fun at this museum.
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ABC Kids Climbing – ABC has over 7200 square feet of climbing problems for the whole family. What better way to build trust between siblings than rapelling one another? ABC has open gym for the family on Sundays and then an additional session on Wednesday mornings for preschoolers. Classes and camps are also available, for those kids showing the desire for more vertical-scaling fun. This will definitely keep the little ones warm.
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JCC Tumble Room – There’s an entire room dedicated to toddlers and their tumbling ways. For $5, you can spend hours teetering and tottering, or crawling over and on, large pieces of soft foam. It really doesn’t get better than this for wee ones just learning to walk. The tumble room is inside the Jewish Community Center and is only open a few days a week.
Don’t despair the next time it’s chilly outside. There are plenty of options in the Boulder area that offer heat, opportunities for socialization and plenty of fun. Skip the cabin fever and save your sanity — warm, winter family fun in Boulder is waiting!
