Top Family-Friendly Bike Rides in Boulder

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Boulder Families

Photo Credit: SMBA

Boulder is a bike town. No doubt. My son is riding with Singletrack Mountain Bike Adventures [SMBA] and were we in for a surprise when we showed up. The kids on the team have nicer bikes than my husband and me combined. Really. 10 year olds with really nice full suspension bikes. But that’s okay, they are getting out to ride together and that is what counts [fancy bikes and all!]. Here are some of Boulder’s top bike rides for kids.

Top Bike Rides for Kids

Valmont Bike Park: Ride the fun trails, try some bowls, learn to ride the stairs, take the downhill courses. The best part about this park [other than it is free] is that it has something for everyone!
Marshall Mesa: This is a tame ride on some rolling terrain. There is some uphill and some downhill, but they are easily walkable if necessary. There are many options here. There are also interpretive signs along the way showing how this area was a coal mining site and the fires that burned here in the past. This ride can be good for many ages and abilities.
Boulder Valley Ranch/Boulder Reservoir: This is great for kids because it is relatively flat, gets them close to a working ranch, and does go by a few ponds. It is open and exposed, so in the mid-day this may not be the best option. This has seemingly endless options for extending the ride for older kids.
Harlow Plats Park: This South Boulder gem has a 1 mile look as well as a shorter loop. It also has a wonderful lake, Viele Lake. Then there is a park for after ride play. Great for young kids!

Boulder Biking Resources:

Boulder Mountain Bike Alliance
GO Bike Boulder [map your route around Boulder]
Community Cycles [non-profit working to support bike culture in Boulder. Buy a bike here. Fix a bike here.]

Upcoming Bike Event:

Kids Bike Day at Community Cycles, May 11, 2013

Boulder Family Events: April 26 to 28, 2013

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Boulder Families

I think spring has sprung here in Boulder, Colorado. Hopefully! There are so many great things going on this weekend! I hope your family has a joyous weekend. Please do share your plans or other fun things going on around town here [comment here] or on our Facebook Page.

Friday, April 26

Live Alpacas at the UMC at CU. An educational experience for audiences of all ages! Meet, greet, photograph and learn about the huacaya (pronounced wah-KI-ah) alpaca. The alpacas are a sustainable animal with even their manure going back to the garden and pasture as an outstanding fertilizer. Meet some of the cutest creatures, live near the fountain on the CU Campus. Free. 2:00 to 5:00pm.

Saturday, April 27

Tulip Fairy & Elf Parade on Pearl Street Mall. Bring your sweet ones down to join in this hugely popular event. Kids love it. Parents love it. There are many different activities and productions during the event. It’s just fun! Free. 3:00 to 6:00pm.
Wake the Bears Concert with Jeff Kagan and Paige Doughty featuring hilarious nature songs for children. There will also be an official from the Colorado Division of Wildlife to remind us what to do if we see a bear, lion or coyote in the wild. He will have a mustache. Free. 4:00 to 4:45pm on Pearl Street Mall.
La Cenerentola [aka: Cinderella] is the current Boulder Opera kids production. This is a short, 1 hr, production that has been highly anticipated. It should be a great show!
Prairie Saga Puppet Show at the CU Museum of Natural History. Bring your family to explore animals that live in the ground. The Prairie Saga Puppet Show will take you through a day in the life of a prairie dog colony. We will have real specimens and a hands-on activity to round out your museum experience. Free. 1:00pm.
Shakespeare Storytime with the Boulder Ballet. Bring your children to enjoy Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” with one of Boulder Ballet’s dancers! They’ll get to meet the delightful Puck, played by Melissa Heslep, hear her read the classic story, enjoy her beautiful costume and toe shoes, and even dance with her and the other kids! Free. 11:00am at Barnes & Noble.
Boulder Farmer’s Market. Meet your farmers, do some artwork, get some lunch. There is always so much going on at the market! 8:00am to 2:00pm.
FREE Day at BMoCA. Join them all day to delight in their exhibits or stop by during the Farmer’s Market for a fun kids craft.

Sunday, April 28

Spring Heritage Days at Walker Ranch. Bring your family up to really learn what it was like to be a homesteading family. This historical enactment is a great event for families. There are hands on opportunities and fun demonstrations. I think this is one of the best events of the year in Boulder!
La Cenerentola [aka: Cinderella] is the current Boulder Opera kids production. This is a short, 1 hr, production that has been highly anticipated. It should be a great show!
FREE Day at the Denver Art Museum. The Art Museum has something for everyone! Even kids enjoy this museum and there are always rotating hands on exhibits.

Boulder Family Events: April 5 to April 11, 2013

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Boulder Families

Life size LEGO car!

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Friday, April 5

FREE Day at the Denver Botanic Garden’s–Chatfield.
Boulder Dinner Theater’s Kids Kabaret Presents: The Differentest School of All. Children’s play performed based on Dr. Seuss book ‘Hooray for Diffendoofer Day’. This fun and whimsical show focuses on creative ways to teach and learn. Showtimes are mid-day, Weds to Sunday through April 12, 2013. Kids ages 3 to 10. Tickets are just $8.00 each.
Friday Children’s Storytime at the Main Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.

Saturday, April 6

Opening Day of the Boulder Farmer’s Market. This is always a great time for the whole family. Veggies, baked goods, prepared foods, music, flowers and so much more. 13th Street between Arapahoe and Canyon. 8:00am to 2:00pm.
FREE Day at the Denver Art Museum.
Library Concert Series: SoundHouse Creative Music Making for the Whole Family. This is an interactive day of creative music making for families led by international workshop leader and cellist Heather Truesdall. Dust off your instruments and warm up your voices, grab your parents or children, and gather at the Boulder Public Library for an exciting day of music making! Throughout the day you will explore voices and instruments and together create an original piece of music. Open to musicians and non-musicians of all levels, abilities, and styles. Free and open to parents and children ages 8 and up. 1:00pm to 5:00pm.
French/English Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. 10:15am.
BMoCA [Boulder Museum of Contemporary Arts] FREE Day. This is a surprisingly kid friendly space! We loved the one where you threw cups against the wall. See what’s happening at this local Boulder museum.
Boulder Dinner Theater’s Kids Kabaret Presents: The Differentest School of All. Children’s play performed based on Dr. Seuss book ‘Hooray for Diffendoofer Day’. This fun and whimsical show focuses on creative ways to teach and learn. Showtimes are mid-day, Weds to Sunday through April 12, 2013. Kids ages 3 to 10. Tickets are just $8.00 each.
McGuckin’s Hardware: Learn to Build a Cold Frame. Build one of your own and start your veggies early this year. I saw the sample cold frame and it looks great! 1:00pm.

Sunday, April 7

Boulder JCC’s KidStuff Sale. Get some great used clothing at this free event. No charge to enter. Cash only. 9:00am to Noon.
Nature for Kids & Parents: Is it Spring Yet? The air warms, the ground thaws, the trees reawaken. Did you know that some male birds signal spring and the coming mating season by getting dressed up? Play games and explore the signs of spring on a scavenger hunt with City of Boulder’s Open Space & Mtn. Parks. Meet at Chautauqua Ranger Cottage for a hike. Ages 6 and up. 1:00 to 3:00pm.
Boulder History Museum FREE Day. A great museum of families. They usually offer some hands on programs for kids too.
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.”
Boulder Dinner Theater’s Kids Kabaret Presents: The Differentest School of All. Children’s play performed based on Dr. Seuss book ‘Hooray for Diffendoofer Day’. This fun and whimsical show focuses on creative ways to teach and learn. Showtimes are mid-day, Weds to Sunday through April 12, 2013. Kids ages 3 to 10. Tickets are just $8.00 each.

Monday, April 8

Monday Milk & Cookies Club at Becoming Mothers. Meet other moms and discuss concerns. Free. 11:00am.
Monday Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. 10:15am.
Rise and Shine Storytime @ Barnes & Noble. 9:30am. Don’t forget the fun train table

Tuesday, April 9

Grandrabbits’ Play Day. There is always a new theme Free. Children 2 to 7. 11:00 to 11:45am.
Storytime at the George Reynolds Branch Library. Join librarians for an interactive storytime. 10:15am.
Lap Babies at the Main Boulder Library. Bring your babies to hear stories. 10:15am.
Bilingual Storytime: English/Spanish at the Main Boulder Library. Everyone welcome.10:15am.

Wednesday, April 10

Wednesday Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Enjoy books, songs and more at weekly storytimes for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Storytime at the Meadows Branch Library. 10:15am.
Cruisers and Crawlers at the Main Boulder Library. Bring your little cruisers and crawlers to listen to some compelling stories and engage in fun activities. Please not older siblings. 10:15am.
Boulder Dinner Theater’s Kids Kabaret Presents: The Differentest School of All. Children’s play performed based on Dr. Seuss book ‘Hooray for Diffendoofer Day’. This fun and whimsical show focuses on creative ways to teach and learn. Showtimes are mid-day, Weds to Sunday through April 12, 2013. Kids ages 3 to 10. Tickets are just $8.00 each.

Thursday, April 11

LEGO Club at the George Reynolds Branch Library. Love LEGOs? Do you like stories? Then you’ll love LEGO club at the George Reynolds Branch Library! Join this ongoing club on the 2nd Thursday of every month for a LEGOextravaganza. If you’re a great LEGO builder, or a first timer, this is the place for you. 4:00 to 5:30pm.
The Shape of Nature: Children’s Story Time and Hike. We enjoy nature even more when we remember to look closely. Join naturalist Ellen Orleans at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage for picture books celebrating the many shapes of our natural world. Your children can join in with foot stomping, hand gestures, and sound effects as well as a kid-friendly hike. Please wear shoes that can get muddy. Bring water and a snack if you like. 3 to 6 year-olds. 10:00 to 11:00am.
Thursday Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Storytime for all children. 10:15am
Toddler Time at the Main Boulder Library. Bring your toddlers for fun, interactive storytime. 10:15am.
Boulder Dinner Theater’s Kids Kabaret Presents: The Differentest School of All. Children’s play performed based on Dr. Seuss book ‘Hooray for Diffendoofer Day’. This fun and whimsical show focuses on creative ways to teach and learn. Showtimes are mid-day, Weds to Sunday through April 12, 2013. Kids ages 3 to 10. Tickets are just $8.00 each.

Please let me know of any upcoming events that should be listed here. I am happy to include your free, low cost or unusual event in Boulder Family listing of weekly events. You can reach Boulder Families here or visit us on Facebook.

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Bolder Families

Travel & Adventure for the Whole Family!

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Top Family-Friendly Bike Rides in Boulder

Boulder Family Events: April 26 to 28, 2013

Boulder Family Events: April 5 to April 11, 2013

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