Kid Friendly Vail, Colorado

Awesome playground in Vail at Lionshead

Awesome playground in Vail at Lionshead

“What Is There To Do With Kids In Vail?” Is Vail, Colorado family-friendly?

Vail doesn’t always conjure up the image of happy families skipping through Vail Village. If your kids are not old enough to ski or you are looking for options when they are not skiing these suggestions will help you get dialed in to the family-friendly Vail scene. Most weekends there is something going on in Vail. During the winter season they offer free live music with big name acts, fireworks, tree lighting, and lots more. Check the Vail Events Calendar for details of what’s coming up.

Vail is our family’s favorite ski mountain. Sure there are tons of mountains to ski in the mountains of Colorado, but Vail gives us lots of diverse terrain, a great park and pipe area, back bowls, trees, groomers and lots more to entertain everyone in the family! The food is expensive and buying a ticket at the counter is very expensive indeed. Last weekend it was $165 for the day for adults which is not so family-friendly, but if you think ahead and get a pass it’s a great spot for the family.

Skiing is the obvious option for families in Vail, but I want to point out the other fun things to do in Vail with your family as a day off or after skiing.

Playgrounds:

  • Our favorite is the pirate ship playground in Vail Village. This is located just to the left of the Gondola, right at the base of the slope, through Vail Village. This ship is great year around and you will always see kids playing on it rain, snow or sun.
  • Another option is the funky playground at Lions Head, located just above the ice skating rink.

Other Things To Do:

  • Ice Skate at Solaris. Kids and adults can have fun skating all day and into the night at this cool skate rink close to Vail Village.
  • Ice Skate at Lions Head. Located in Lions Head Village at Vail, this is another fun ice rink for the whole family.
  • Adventure Ridge. This is family fun on the mountain where you can choose snow mobile riding, serious sledding, bungee jumping, and XXX. Expensive, but a blast for the kids!
  • Bol. This is high tech, over the top, bowling at its best. Kids and adults have a blast here. Reserve a lane ahead of time. You can order pizza, drinks, lane side. Expensive, but very entertaining.
  • Fuzzywigs candy store. This is always a fun place to take the kids. This is just in Vail Village.
  • The Vail Library. This is an under utilized resource for families. With programs like Toddler and Preschooler Story Time, Après-Ski Puppetry, games, art projects, and wifi, the Vail Library is a chill and fun place for all kinds of kids. Free.
  • Colorado Ski Museum. If your kids are old enough to appreciate the history of skiing and snowboarding the museum has some great displays and videos showing the 10th Mountain Division and the progression of the sports of skiing and snowboarding. Free.
  • Cinnebistro. Dine and watch at the Cinnebistro at Solaris just outside of Vail Village. Kids love it! It’s not cheap, but the memories last of being served right at your seat in a movie theater. Moderate to Expensive.
  • Take a Walk Along The River. Take a walk along the river in Vail Village. There are beautiful statues, ice carvings, and lots to look at. Free.
  • Vail Events Calendar. This calendar from Vail.com gives you the scoop on upcoming events and activities on and around the mountain. Most events are free. http://www.vail.com/events/event-calendar.aspx

Vail is a super fun family destination. Ski. Skate. Play. Watch a Movie. Learn. Bowl. Sled. Have fun!

#Vail #Colorado #Family #Vacation #Kids #Children

Boulder Family Events: December 27, 2013 to January 2, 2014

fireworks

Family-Friendly Boulder area events for the next week are right here! It’s a quiet week here in Boulder. Enjoy some sweet down time!

Friday, December 27

Saturday, December 28

Sunday, December 29

  •  Check the lights on the Boulder Courthouse on the Pearl Street Mall.

Monday, December 30

  • Winter Skate in Louisville. Enjoy the old fashion fun of skating. Now through February 2014.
  • FREE Horse Drawn Carriage Rides in Downtown Louisville. Starting at the Ice Rink. Noon to 3pm.
  • Kids Eat FREE: Larkburger & Cafe Mexicali 

Tuesday, December 31

Wednesday, January 1

Happy New Year!

Thursday, January 2

  • Toddler Time at the Main Boulder Library. Children 18 to 36 months are welcome to enjoy a fun story time. 10:15am. 

#getoutside #free #parenting #boulder #colorado #thanksgiving

Boulder Family Events: December 20 to December 26, 2013

Sweet Little Library outside at BCSIS/High Peaks Elementary Schools

Sweet Little Library outside at BCSIS/High Peaks Elementary Schools

Family-Friendly Boulder area events for the next week are right here!

Friday, December 20

Saturday, December 21

Happy Winter Solstice!

  • Bilingual Spanish/English Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Storytime in both English & Spanish. 10:15am at the Main Boulder Library.
  • ATOMS and Lego Holiday City Building Workshop. To celebrate the holiday season and share the joy of playing with ATOMS, we are turning our headquarters into a themed, open workshop space for anyone to come and build! They provide a free opportunity for anyone to come into our Boulder, CO office and build holiday creations with ATOMS. Our combined efforts will create an entire North Pole Village that moves, lights up, shakes, and pops! December 21 [10am to 4pm] & December 23 & 24 [4pm to 7pm].
  • 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.
  • Last Day for St. Nick on the Bricks. Head to the Pearl Street Mall if your kids would like to visit with Santa. Fridays and Saturdays from today through December 21. 11am to 2pm

Sunday, December 22

  • Celebrate the Winter Solstice at The Starhouse up Sunshine Canyon has a family-friendly celebration planned and all families are invited! They will have crafts, snacks and stories to welcome the longest day of the year. Cost is $30/family or less for individual tickets. Click link for more details.
  • ATOMS and Lego Holiday City Building Workshop. To celebrate the holiday season and share the joy of playing with ATOMS, we are turning our headquarters into a themed, open workshop space for anyone to come and build! They provide a free opportunity for anyone to come into our Boulder, CO office and build holiday creations with ATOMS. Our combined efforts will create an entire North Pole Village that moves, lights up, shakes, and pops! December 23 & 24 [4pm to 7pm]

Monday, December 23

  • ATOMS and Lego Holiday City Building Workshop. To celebrate the holiday season and share the joy of playing with ATOMS, we are turning our headquarters into a themed, open workshop space for anyone to come and build! They provide a free opportunity for anyone to come into our Boulder, CO office and build holiday creations with ATOMS. Our combined efforts will create an entire North Pole Village that moves, lights up, shakes, and pops! Today [4pm to 7pm]
  • Winter Skate in Louisville. Enjoy the old fashion fun of skating. Now through February 2014.
  • FREE Horse Drawn Carriage Rides in Downtown Louisville. Starting at the Ice Rink. Noon to 3pm.
  • Kids Eat FREE: Larkburger & Cafe Mexicali 

Tuesday, December 24

  • Lap Babies at the Main Boulder Library. Babies birth to 12 months can enjoy storytime!10:15am

Wednesday, December 25

Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 26

  • Toddler Time at the Main Boulder Library. Children 18 to 36 months are welcome to enjoy a fun story time. 10:15am. 
  • Storytime at the George Reynolds Branch Library. Come one, come all to South Boulder’s branch library for a storytime. 2pm.

#getoutside #free #parenting #boulder #colorado #thanksgiving

Boulder Family Events: December 13 to December 19, 2013

IMG_3571

Family-Friendly Boulder area events for the next week are right here!

Friday, December 13

Saturday, December 14

Sunday, December 15

  • Nature for Kids & Parents: Oh Deer!  Hike into the forest with Debora Martin, Early Childhood Educator/Volunteer Naturalist and imagine we are a herd of deer.  Play a game, sing a song, learn a magical story, then continue to prance, stroll, and play like deer while exploring their habitat. Make an antler headband to take home! Meet at the Lehigh Street entrance to Shanahan Ridge (map search 1903 Lehigh, where Lehigh and Lafayette Streets intersect) for an easy hike.  Ages 5 and up.
  • Timberline Handbell Ensemble Holiday Concert at the Main Boulder Library. Back by popular demand! This family friendly special event that celebrates the season and ring in the new year. Timberline Handbell Ensemble strives to broaden the appreciation of the art of handbell ringing in the Denver Metro area by providing excellent concerts and education for diverse audiences. 3pm.

Monday, December 16

Tuesday, December 17

Wednesday, December 18

Thursday, December 19

#getoutside #free #parenting #boulder #colorado #thanksgiving

Get Ready, Get Set: Screen Free Week Is Coming…

SFW-logo-with-2013-date-and-website

Screen Free Week is coming up, April 29 through May 5, 2013. This is the nationally organized week dedicated to getting us all to turn off electronics and commit to play, read, create, and get physically active!

But wait, how could we get along in this world without our multiple gadgets and screens? How many times do you find yourself just checking that last email as you are trying to rush your kids out the door? Let’s take this week and power down! Let’s roll model how to be present and unplug!

I was excited to hear that the City of Lafayette’s Bob Berger Recreation Center is offering kids K-12 a free week pass to the Rec Center if they register and commit to go screen free. More information and to register for the FREE REC CENTER WEEK PASS here.

screenfreeweek

Want more information on how to go screen free? Ideas for homes, schools, and communities can be found at screenfree.org. http://screenfree.org or visit them on Facebook.

Giveaway: Win a Pair of Tickets to the Boulder Opera’s Production of Cinderella La Cenerentola

BoulderOperaCinderella2013

We love give aways! Read on to see how you can win a pair of tickets to this production of Cinderella La Cenerentola. The giveaway is over 4/21, so get your chance to win–see details below.

The Boulder Opera Company is bringing Boulder their first installment in their Children’s Series: Cinderella–La Cenerentola. This is a humorous take on the classic tale, set to upbeat melodies and modern twists.

The Boulder Opera says: Cinderella goes to the ball, bracelets are exchanged instead of glass slippers, mistaken identities make for hilarious escapades, and the quick paced action will make this hour-long show fly by in seconds!

  • Showtimes: Thurs, 4/25 at 10:30am; Saturday, 4/27 at 11:00am & 2:00pm; & Sunday 4/28 at 12:00pm and 3:00pm.
  • Location: Nomad Theater, Boulder
  • Detailed Info: boulderoperacompany.com

Here is your chance to win a pair of tickets to one of these shows! How do you win?

Giveaway Rules: 

1. Leave a comment HERE [Why you want to go. What you may have heard about the production. Really anything you are thinking about taking your child to see this show.]

2. Head to Facebook and “Like” Boulder Families [if you haven’t already].

We will draw a name on Sunday April 21, 2013. Good luck, these shows look super fun!