Denver has long been one of our favorite places to visit. There are few cities that we come back to over and over again but Denver is definitely one! Denver is such a kid-friendly city and traveling to Denver with kids can be so much fun for everyone!

After traveling to Denver with kids so many times, it was past time to compile all of our favorite kid friendly restaurants and kid friendly things to do into a kid-friendly Denver travel guide!

If you love coffee, check out our favorite Denver coffee shops!

Kid-Friendly Places to Eat:

Denver is so full of great food options. From coffee shops with impeccable vibes to reimagined food courts full of every option you can think of, Denver is not lacking in great food! Denver also has a ton of kid-friendly restaurant options. Eating great food with our kids is one of our favorite kid-friendly things to do! Here are some of our favorite kid friendly restaurants!

Denver Central Market:

This is at the top of our list for a reason! The Denver Central Market is always a stop for us (sometimes more than once). Imagine the concept of an old school mall food court but with fresh and modern restaurants and seriously incredible cocktail options. This place is a dream if you’re traveling in a group because there is something for everyone! From pizza (one of the best we’ve ever had) to seafood and everything in between, this place is worth a visit.

If you’re traveling to Denver with kids who have a wide variety of likes and dislikes, Denver Central Market is a great kid-friendly restaurant option because there is something for everyone!

Denver Biscuit Company:

Sometimes referred to as DBC by the locals, you’ve got to try this place out if you have a love for a perfectly made biscuit. This kid-friendly restaurant has been a huge hit with our kids too! It’s laid back and the main food item served is biscuits, so you really can’t go wrong!

Bacon Social House:

Bacon Social House specializes in breakfast and brunch dishes with a focus on bacon, and it’s kind of unreal in the very best way. The menu includes items such as bacon-wrapped shrimp, bacon-wrapped meatloaf, and bacon-wrapped chicken, as well as a variety of sandwiches, omelets, and pancakes that incorporate bacon. If your kids like bacon, this is an awesome kid-friendly restaurant option for everyone!

Olive and Finch:

Olive & Finch is known for its delicious food, made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, as well as its cozy atmosphere and friendly service. It’s always one our breakfast stops! The atmosphere at Olive & Finch is warm and inviting, with a rustic, farmhouse-inspired décor. The café also has a large outdoor seating area, which is a popular spot during the warmer months.

Heading to Denver on a quick 3 day weekend? Check out our 3 Days in Denver Travel Guide!

Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Denver:

Denver has so many fun things to do, it’s hard to narrow it down to our favorites! Traveling to Denver with kids is such a great option because there are so many family-friendly things to do, there! Here are our favorite kid-friendly Denver activities!

Colorado Rockies Baseball Game:

If you visit during Baseball season, this is a must-do! Even if you aren’t huge baseball fans, we think it’s worth making it to a Rockies game. Coors Field is picturesque, with the Rocky Mountains in the background. We only made it through a few innings before we headed out with the kids but we had a ton of fun eating ball-park food and rooting for the Rockies! If you’re traveling to Denver with kids in the summer, going to a Rockies game is a must!

Denver Zoo:

The Denver Zoo is a popular attraction located in Denver, Colorado. It’s home to over 4,000 animals representing more than 700 species, including many that are rare or endangered. The zoo covers 80 acres and offers visitors the opportunity to see animals from around the world, including African lions, Asian elephants, and American bison. It also offers a variety of educational programs and events, such as behind-the-scenes tours and animal encounters. If you’re looking for kid-friendly Denver activities, the zoo will be about hit for everyone!

Downtown Aquarium:

The Denver Aquarium is a public aquarium located in Denver, Colorado, United States. It is home to over one million gallons of water and thousands of animals, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

The Denver Aquarium also has a touch tank where visitors can touch and interact with sea stars, sea urchins, and other sea creatures, as well as a shark exhibit with a walk-under tunnel, allowing visitors to get a close-up view of these majestic animals. Visitors can also enjoy the aquarium's 4D theater and a interactive animal shows, where they can learn more about the animals and their habitats.

Free Things to do:

Now that we’ve traveled to Denver with kids a few times now, we have found a good number of free kid-friendly activities! Here are some of our tried and tested favorite free kid friendly things to do!

Tattered Cover Book Store:

The Tattered Cover Book Store is known for its wide selection of books, knowledgeable staff, and unique atmosphere. The store was founded in 1971 and has grown to become one of the most popular and well-respected bookstores in the city. The Tattered Cover is not just a bookstore but also a community space where people come together to share their love of literature!

We escaped to Tattered Cover on a cold snowy day and it was a great option for a free indoor activity for the kids. It’s got a super cool atmosphere and that bookstore smell you can’t help but love. If you find yourself needing a break from the weather or just wanting to spend a bit of down time together, Tattered Cover is a great free kid friendly Denver activity!

Confluence Park:

Confluence Park is situated at the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek and features a variety of recreational opportunities such as hiking, biking, fishing and picnicking. It has a playground, basketball court, and a disc golf course. The park has also been designated as an official point on the Cherry Creek Trail, which offers a scenic path for running, walking, and biking. The park is also a popular spot for kayaking and rafting, which makes it a fun spot for kids to hangout and watch adventure-seekers taking on the river!

City Park:

City Park is a huge urban park located in the middle of Denver. The park is one of the largest in the city, covering over 330 acres. The park has a large lake, a boathouse, playgrounds, picnic areas, and a variety of sports facilities, including a golf course, tennis courts, and a swimming pool. It’s the perfect place to let the kids run and enjoy a picnic or an afternoon snack! On a nice day, the park is full of dogs and their owners, which adds extra fun for the kids!

Union Station:

As far as free kid friendly activities go, Union Station should be top of your list! Union Station is a historic transportation hub located in Denver, Colorado. The station was built in 1881 and is a designated National Historic Landmark. It is the main railway station and intermodal transit hub in Denver. Union Station is also a popular destination for visitors and locals alike, offering a variety of events and activities throughout the year, including live music, food truck festivals, and holiday markets!

If you go in the summer, bring a change of clothes for the kids and let them enjoy cooling off in the Union Station Fountains! It’s full of tons of good fun and unexpected activities, like shuffle board tables and the Terminal bar, which is full of yummy cocktails! This is by far one of our favorite free kid friendly activities!

Denver is a great city and is clearly one of our favorites! Traveling to Denver with kids can be so much fun! I hope this Denver travel guide gave you a good start to an incredible trip to Denver with your kids! Check out our Santa Fe Travel Guide!

Denver Travel Guide: Kid-friendly restaurants and kid-friendly things to do