Category Archives: Families

Boulder Families Events: April 27 to May 4

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BOULDER FAMILIES EVENTS: APRIL 27 to MAY 3

Listed here are some great family events. Most are free. They are all opportunities to be together as a family and engage your kids of all ages.

Have a fantastic week!

Friday, April 27

  • Children’s Storytime at the Main Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.
  • Family Game Night. Meadows Branch Library. 4:00 to 6:00pm. Fun for the whole family!
  • Lego Kids Fest @ The Colorado Convention Center. All ages. Tickets for the event are sold out for the first session Saturday. Check for ticket availability.

Saturday, April 28

  • Tulip Fairy Parade: Pearl Street Mall, Boulder. Parade starts at 3:00 p.m. at the 1300 block of Pearl Street. Pre-parade tunes courtesy of Jeff Kagan and Paige Doughty, face-painting, coloring and other children’s activities. The parade will be led by Boulder’s very own Tulip Fairy, accompanied stilt-walkers from Frequent Flyers and your tiny tulip fairies and elves. A performance of Waking the Bear courtesy of Open Space & Mountain Parks.
  • Boulder Farmer’s Market. 8:00 to 2:00pm. 13th Street between Arapahoe & Canyon Blvd. Map. Great opportunity for families to purchase locally grown produce, eat delicious food, listen to live music and so much more! A Boulder kids’ favorite.
  • The Spot (bouldering gym) Family Instructional Day. The whole family climbs for $25, including shoes. This is a great deal! Go check out this well known bouldering gym with your family & see if climbing is a sport the whole family can enjoy. Make reservations to ensure space.
  • Beatlemania Family Day at the CU Natural History Museum. Hands on exploration of our natural environment. All ages. Free. 1:00 to 4:00pm.
  • Children’s Storytime at the Main Library. All ages. Free. 10:15 to 11:00am. Ongoing activity.
  • Family Dance Party. This is a first time event but sure to be a big hit. Organized by local children’s music instructor. 2 free tickets at the website. For more info click here.

Sunday, April 29

  • Fishin’ Fun! Join Boulder’s OSMP to learn about fishing techniques, equipment, and places to go fishing in and around Boulder. They provide equipment. Ages 6+. 9:00 to 11:00am. Call for reservations 303-441-3440.
  • Walker Ranch Homestead Spring Days. All ages. Free. 10:00 to 4:00pm. A great opportunity to learn about homesteading at this historical reenactment. I love this event!!!
  • Denver Art Museum is FREE today in honor of Dia de Los Ninos. All day. Free.

Monday, April 30

Tuesday, May 1

  • Children’s Storytime @ George Reynolds Branch Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.
  • Lap Babies at the Main Boulder Library. Babies up to 12 months explore books & stories with their caregivers. No older children, please! Free. Ongoing activity.

Wednesday, May 2

  • Nature Kids: Critters, Crafts, Songs & Fun for kids who love the outdoors. All ages. 10:00 to 11:30. Chautauqua Community House. Tickets are for sale–$10/adults & $5/kids up to 10.

  • Children’s Storytime @ Meadows Branch Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.

    • Cruisers & Crawlers @ Main Boulder Library. 10:15 to 11:30am. 9 to 24 months. Ongoing.

    • Discovery Days at the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center. Ages 2 to 5. Low cost [$3.50 to $4.50/child]. Drop-in sessions: 9:00 to 10:15, 10:15 to 11:30, 12:30 to 2:00.

    • Barnes & Noble Storytime. Ongoing activity. 10:00am.

    • Gymboree Storytime @ Barnes and Noble. Stories, movement and more. Ongoing activity. 1:00pm.

      Thursday, May 3

      Grandrabbits Playdate. 10:30 to 11:15am. Ages 2 to 6. Free. Ongoing activity

    • 50 Free Things To Do This Summer!

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    Here is a great list of 50 FREE things to do this summer in the Denver/Boulder area. Most of them are family friendly. Some will surprise even those of us who have lived here for a long time. Others will just be a reminder of things we have been wanting to do, or places we want to revisit–maybe now with kids. No need to pay. Just go. Have an adventure. Try something new. Have fun! What else is should we add to this list?

    The FREE list includes:

    • Art Fairs

    • Exhibits
    • Concerts
    • Attractions
    • Tours
    • Day Trips

    I would add:

    • Boulder Farmer’s Market

    • Band on the Bricks
    • Live music at 29th Street Mall
    • Pearl Street [playing at the fountain, on the animal statues, at the rocks]

    Here’s the link to 50 FREE Summer Things To Do!

    A big thinks to http://www.denver.org and @iknowdenver!

    Happy Earth Day! and What to do on Earth Day in Boulder…

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    This is a day to focus on Mother Earth. How can we help our children become great stewards of the Earth? Great lovers of nature? Explorers & people who ask the important questions about how we will leave the Earth for their children and then next 7 generations or more?

    One year we went around our neighborhood and picked up trash and put it in our red wagon. We were all amazed at how quickly we filled the wagon in a neighborhood that didn’t appear to have much trash laying around. Another year we went on a long hike with friends. What do you do to celebrate Earth Day with your family?

    Listed below: 1) Things to do in Boulder on Earth Day, 2) Some nature blogs to check out, and 3) A link to the Osprey Webcam so you can spy on those amazing birds [2 eggs].

    What to do around Boulder on Earth Day:

    • Denver Museum of Nature & Science SCFD FREE DAY. Celebrate Earth Day all day with DMNS.

    • Denver Botanic Gardens’ SCFD FREE DAY.
    • 11th Annual Wild Earth Day sponsored by Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center. All ages. 11:00 to 4:00pm. FREE. Scientific speakers, animal demonstrations, and much more.
    • Nature For Kids and Parents: Celebrate Earth Day!. All ages. 1:00 to 3:00pm. Free. Earth is home to billions of people and also home to millions of species of animals and plants.  We can learn to use less and share resources so that wildlife habitats aren’t decreased or disrupted. Join the OSMP for an easy hike starting at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage.
    • Earth Day Concert: Nature & Songs. Children and parents can join OSMP’s Jeff Kagan, Mark Wesson and Paige Doughty for an Earth Day concert of children’s music, nature education and fun! Music will be appropriate for children ages 3-8 but all ages are welcome! Meet at the Sunrise Amphitheater on Flagstaff Mountain (map here).

    • Wanted: Nature Detectives. 4:00 to 5:00pm. Ages 5 and up. Can you solve a mystery? Search for clues?  Who are they, and how to they do it – the feathered, furred, 6-legged and green beings who live on Flagstaff Mountain?  Are you an investigator who can help us explore these

      Photo - Flagstaff Nature Center

      questions? Flagstaff Nature Center (map here). The Flagstaff Nature Center will be open 1:00 to 5:00pm on Earth Day.Don’t miss the exhibits, fun activities and animal mounts in the Nature Center! Follow this link to learn more about the Nature Center.

    Here are some Nature Blogs you might like.

    Boulder County Open Space’s Osprey Nest Webcam. Take a live look at these amazing birds. There are 2 eggs in the nest!

    How did you spend your Earth Day?

    Boulder Family Events: April 20 to 26, 2012

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    Listed here are some great family events. Most are free. They are all opportunities to be together as a family and engage your kids of all ages.

    don’t forget that earth day is this sunday, april 22nd.

    Have a fantastic week!

    Friday, April 20

    • Discovery Days at the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center. Ages 2 to 5. Low cost [$3.50 to $4.50/child]. Drop-in sessions: 9:00 to 10:15, 10:15 to 11:30, 12:30 to 2:00.

    • Children’s Storytime at the Main Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.

    • Family Game Night. Meadows Branch Library. 4:00 to 6:00pm. Fun for the whole family!

    • “Give It Up Pajamas” is a rewriting of the Merchant of Venice presented by Imagination Makers. All ages. Free. Main Boulder Library. 7:00 to 7:50pm. Followed by a cookies and milk reception.

    Saturday, April 21

    • Children’s Peace Garden Earth Day Celebration. Ages 4 to 10. Free. 10:00 to 3:00pm. Hands on activities for kids as well as music.

    • Children’s Storytime at the Main Library. All ages. Free. 10:15 to 11:00am. Ongoing activity.

    • Meet Mr. Bones at George Reynolds Branch Library. Free. All ages. 11:00am.
    • Meet Mr. Bones at Meadows Branch Library. Free. All ages. 3:00pm

    • Boulder Farmer’s Market. 8:00 to 2:00pm. 13th Street between Arapahoe & Canyon Blvd. Map. Great opportunity for families to purchase locally grown produce, eat delicious food, listen to live music and so much more! A Boulder kids’ favorite.

    • Boulder Museum of Contemporary Arts [BMOCA] provides FREE guided art activities for kids on Saturdays during the Farmer’s Market. 8:00am to 2:00pm. All ages.

    • Dia Del Nino: Celebrating Traditions of Mexico at BMOCA. All Ages. Free. Hands on activities and events. 11:00 to 1:00pm.

    • Family Day at CU Museum of Natural History: April is “Beetlemania” Month. Kids with BeetlesAll ages. Free. 1:00 to 4:00pm. Explore the size, shape, color, habitat, taste and behavior of beetles, the most diverse specie on earth! Learn what links all 400,000 species together and sing some Beatles songs as well!

    Sunday, April 22 [Earth Day!]

    • Denver Museum of Nature & Science SCFD FREE DAY. Celebrate Earth Day all day with DMNS.
    • Denver Botanic Gardens’ SCFD FREE DAY.
    • Nature For Kids and Parents: Celebrate Earth Day!. All ages. 1:00 to 3:00pm. Free. Earth is home to billions of people and also home to millions of species of animals and plants. We can learn to use less and share resources so that wildlife habitats aren’t decreased or disrupted. Easy hike starting at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage.
    • Earth Day Concert: Nature & Songs. Children and parents can join OSMP’s Jeff Kagan, Mark Wesson and Paige Doughty for an Earth Day concert of children’s music, nature education and fun! Music will be appropriate for children ages 3-8 but all ages are welcome! Meet at the Sunrise Amphitheater on Flagstaff Mountain (map here).

    • Wanted: Nature Detectives. 4:00 to 5:00pm. Ages 5 and up. Can you solve a mystery? Search for clues? Who are they, and how to they do it – the feathered, furred, 6-legged and green beings who live on Flagstaff Mountain? Are you an investigator who can help us explore these

      Photo - Flagstaff Nature Center

      questions?Flagstaff Nature Center (map here).

    • The Flagstaff Nature Center will be open 1:00 to 5:00pm on Earth Day.
      Don’t miss the exhibits, fun activities and animal mounts in the Nature Center! Stop by and meet our naturalist volunteers. Follow this link to learn more about the Nature Center.

    • Go Club for Kids & Teens at the Main Boulder Library. 2:00 to 5:30pm. Ages 5 and up. Free. “Learn to play the ancient and mysterious game of Go.”

    Monday, April 23

    Tuesday, April 24

    • Children’s Storytime @ George Reynolds Branch Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.
    • Lap Babies at the Main Boulder Library. Babies up to 12 months explore books & stories with their caregivers. No older children, please! Free. Ongoing activity.
    • Discovery Days at the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center. Ages 2 to 5. Low cost [$3.50 to $4.50/child]. Drop-in sessions: 9:00 to 10:15, 10:15 to 11:30, 12:30 to 2:00.
    • Open Space Story Hour. 1:00 to 2:00pm. All ages. 1 – 1:30 pm Nature-themed Story Books & 1:30 – 2:00 Five-Senses Discovery Hike! Gather at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage. Our “Five-Senses Discovery Hike” encourages everyone to look, listen, smell and touch as we experience the outdoors.

    Wednesday, April 25

    • Children’s Storytime @ Meadows Branch Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.

    • Cruisers & Crawlers @ Main Boulder Library. 10:15 to 11:30am. 9 to 24 months. Ongoing.

    • Discovery Days at the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center. Ages 2 to 5. Low cost [$3.50 to $4.50/child]. Drop-in sessions: 9:00 to 10:15, 10:15 to 11:30, 12:30 to 2:00.

    • Barnes & Noble Storytime. Ongoing activity. 10:00am.

    • Gymboree Storytime @ Barnes and Noble. Stories, movement and more. Ongoing activity. 1:00pm.

    Thursday, April 26

    Upcoming Events:

    • Tulip & Elf Parade April 28 @ 3:00pm

    • Boulder Ballet’s Mother’s Day performance of Cinderella. Tickets sell out. More info here.

    Boulder Family Events: April 13 to 19, 2012

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    Listed here are some great family events. Most are free. They are all opportunities to be together as a family and engage your kids of all ages.

    Have a fantastic week!

    Friday, April 13

    • Discovery Days at the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center. Ages 2 to 5. Low cost [$3.50 to $4.50/child]. Drop-in sessions: 9:00 to 10:15, 10:15 to 11:30, 12:30 to 2:00.

    • Children’s Storytime at the Main Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.

    • Family Game Night. Meadows Branch Library. 4:00 to 6:00pm. Fun for the whole family!

    Saturday, April 14

    • Fishin’ Fun! Join OSMP’s Vijay Viswanathan for a two-hour fishing excursion. Equipment provided. 9:00 to 11:00am. Program is wheelchair and kid-friendly. Call 303-441-3440 for the location and to make your reservations.  Ages 6 and up.

    • Children’s Storytime at the Main Library. All ages. Free.

    • Boulder Farmer’s Market. 8:00 to 2:00pm. 13th Street between Arapahoe & Canyon Blvd. Map. Great opportunity for families to purchase locally grown produce, eat delicious food, listen to live music and so much more! A Boulder kids’ favorite.

    • Boulder Museum of Contemporary Arts [BMOCA] provides FREE guided art activities for kids on Saturdays during the Farmer’s Market. 8:00am to 2:00pm. All ages.

    • Cool Moves!, an African dance, hip hop and salsa experience for families. Performances and audience participation led by Malang Diatta’s African Dance Troupe, Streetside Studios, & SalsaKo dancers. Canyon Theater at the Main Boulder Library. 11:00 to 1:00pm.

    • Family Day at CU Museum of Natural History: April is “Beetlemania” Month. Kids with BeetlesAll ages. Free. 1:00 to 4:00pm. Explore the size, shape, color, habitat, taste and behavior of beetles, the most diverse specie on earth! Learn what links all 400,000 species together and sing some Beatles songs as well!

    • FAM. Day at the Movies @ Boulder History Museum. Take part in hands on activities based on their current exhibit: Hollywood, Colorado. All ages. Free with admission to the museum.

    • CU International Festival 2012. Experience cultures, food samples, performances. Free. All ages. Glenn Miller Ballroom. 4:00 to 10:00pm.

    Sunday, April 15

    Monday, April 16

    Tuesday, April 17

    • Children’s Storytime @ George Reynolds Branch Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.
    • Lap Babies at the Main Boulder Library. Babies up to 12 months explore books & stories with their caregivers. No older children, please! Free. Ongoing activity.
    • Discovery Days at the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center. Ages 2 to 5. Low cost [$3.50 to $4.50/child]. Drop-in sessions: 9:00 to 10:15, 10:15 to 11:30, 12:30 to 2:00.
    • WOW Museum Discovery Days. Be a scientist and discover all there is about Our Animal Friends. Free with admission.

    Wednesday, April 18

    Thursday, April 19

    Globetrotting Kids: Check Out These Kids’ Blogs About Traveling

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    National Geographic Kids is supporting kids to blog about their experiences on their Around The World family trip. Way to go National Geographic. I am SO jealous! For some interesting reading check out these two kids’ blogs:

    National Geographic is such a great resource! My kids pour over it when it arrives and invariably there is an article & certainly photos that capture their curiosity. When I was researching stories about traveling with kids I found some great resources at National Geographic:

    Boulder Family Deals: SCFD Free Museum/Arts/Gardens Days List

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    Some of the big museums and locations in Denver offer FREE Days throughout the year! Take a look, make a plan, and take advantage of a FREE day for the family. The Scientific and Cultural Facilities District [SCFD] funds FREE Days at the following locations throughout the year:

    ***Click here for a list of FREE Days***

    I will include the FREE Days in the weekly Boulder Family Events as they come up. The upside of these FREE Days is that–well, they are free. On the other hand they are often busy! Either way I would love to hear how it went if you go. I hope you enjoy!

    Boulder Family Deals

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    • Free Kids Cocoa at Peet’s: Mamasource coupon for a FREE kids hot cocoa. Good through April 12, 2012. Get the coupon here.
    • 15% Off at Playfair Toys: Off your entire purchase through April 15, 2012. And 20% off on all Melissa and Doug products. Just mention that they have a coupon on their website.
    • Boulder Loft Playdates Deal: $13 for 2 play admissions, 2 beverages and 2 baked goods at the Boulder Loft Playdates from Livingsocial. Here’s the link.
    • One-Year Subscription to Ranger Rick, Big Backyard, or Wild Animal Baby from National Wildlife Federation for only $10. See this Livingsocial deal here.
    • Get Local Deals at Best of My Town. These are great deals on many, many local businesses you already frequent [e.g., Abo’s, Ozo Coffee, Tandoori Grill, etc.]. They are organized by location. Click on your location or check out the deals at a few locations: Boulder Deals, Lafayette Deals, Louisville Deals, Longmont Deals
    • Boulder B.Cycles is offering free day passes on April 21 & 22. More details here.
    • 2 Free Tickets Family Dance Planet: Sign up now to receive 2 free tickets to this fun upcoming dance event on April 28, 2012. You can purchase additional tickets.

    Boulder Family Events: April 6 to 12, 2012

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    Listed here are some great family events. Most are free. They are all opportunities to be together as a family and engage your kids of all ages. This week is packed, especially april 7, with some great events! Have a fantastic week!

    Friday, April 6

    • Discovery Days at the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center. Ages 2 to 5. Low cost [$3.50 to $4.50/child]. Drop-in sessions: 9:00 to 10:15, 10:15 to 11:30, 12:30 to 2:00.
    • Children’s Storytime at the Main Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.

    Saturday, April 7

    • French/English Storytime at the Main Library. All ages. Free.

    • Boulder Farmer’s Market. 8:00 to 2:00pm. 13th Street between Arapahoe & Canyon Blvd. Map. Great opportunity for families to purchase locally grown produce, eat delicious food, listen to live music and so much more! A Boulder kids’ favorite.

    • Denver Art Museum. All ages. Free admission all day. Ongoing: free the first Saturday of each month.

    • Family Day at CU Museum of Natural History: April is “Beetlemania” Month. Kids with BeetlesAll ages. Free. 1:00 to 4:00pm. Explore the size, shape, color, habitat, taste and behavior of beetles, the most diverse specie on earth! Learn what links all 400,000 species together and sing some Beatles songs as well!

    • CU Wizards: Hope for a Broken Heart! 9:30 to 10:30am. All ages are welcome, but aimed at grade 5 through 9. The CU Wizards program brings the joy of science to young people. Cristol Chemistry 142 on the CU-Boulder campus

    • Open Space Story Hour! 1:00 to 2:00pm. All ages. Free. City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks. 1 – 1:30 pm Nature-themed Story Books, 1:35 – 1:55  The Hunt for Spring Hike, 2:00 – 2:30  More Nature-themed Story Books.

    • Flagstaff Mountain Bouldering Tour with Open Space and Mountain Parks. All ages. 10:00 to 12:00pm. Free. Learn about the Flagstaff Mountain bouldering formations, where the bouldering problems are, and enjoy a beautiful day out. Meet at the first overhang parking area. See link above for more details.
    • Grand Rabbits 36th Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Free. At Boulder store. 10:00 to 2:00pm.
    • Elks Club Easter Egg Hunt. All ages. 11am. 3975 28th Street, Boulder. Call to get more information 303.442.5003.

    • Boulder Valley Church of Christ Egg Hunt. All ages. 2:00 to 4:00pm. 270 76th Street, Boulder.

    Sunday, April 8

    • Go Club for Kids & Teens at the Main Boulder Library. 2:00 to 5:30pm. Ages 5 and up. Free. “Learn to play the ancient and mysterious game of Go.”

    • Red Lion 3rd Annual Egg Hunt. Open to the public and guest. Ages 2 to 12. Free.

      1:30 to 2:30pm. Every child finds eggs and trades them for prizes and treats.  Please call 303-443-5882 or email Tina Mueller at info@redlionrestaurant.com for more information.

    Monday, April 9

    • Boulder Folders– Origami Creation Group at the Main Boulder Library. 6:30 to 9:30pm. Ages 10 and up or experienced younger folders. Free. They provide paper & instruction.

    • Children’s Storytime @ Main Boulder Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.

    Tuesday, April 10

    • Read to the Dog at Meadows Branch Library. All ages. Free. 3:30 to 5:30pm. To participate please call the library ahead of time at 303-441-4390.

    • Children’s Storytime @ George Reynolds Branch Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.

    • Lap Babies at the Main Boulder Library. Babies up to 12 months explore books & stories with their caregivers. No older children, please! Free. Ongoing activity.

    Wednesday, April 11

    Thursday, April 12

    Calling Nature Detectives: A Free, Fun, and Self-Guided Opportunity on Boulder County Open Space

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    Get the kids outside and allow them to become Nature Detectives. Kids 11 and under will love becoming Nature Detectives! This program is an entertaining and engaging way to foster the love of nature in your children of all ages. You do not need special equipment or knowledge, just your children & their natural curiosity. The Boulder County Nature Detectives program includes Mystery Guides to many Boulder County Open Space properties and provides:

    Once your child has completed three [3] Nature Detective programs they receive a prize. The more programs they complete the more prizes they collect.

    The Nature Detectives program is free and available at the following trailheads. Caribou Ranch, Mud Lake, Betasso Preserve, Agricultural Heritage Center, Heil Valley Ranch, Carolyn Holmberg Preserve at Rock Creek Farm, Meyers Homestead Trail at Walker Ranch, Pella Crossing Lake, & Walden Ponds. For more information on the Nature Detectives program & downloadable click here. Or for more information you can call 303-678-6201.

    Good job, Boulder County, putting together Nature Detectives! I love the way you are engaging children in the outdoors! What other creative programs are there in Boulder like this one?