Tag Archives: Trails

Top Family-Friendly Bike Rides in Boulder

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smba2

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

  1. 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!
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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:

Upcoming Bike Event: kids bike day

Kids Bike Day at Community Cycles, May 11, 2013

Boulder Family Events: November 9 to November 15, 2012

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A Little Lending Library

Special Events This Week: Fossil Family Day, CU Wizards, Bach for Kids, FamilySong Storytime at the library, Bilingual English/Spanish and English/French Storytime @ the Boulder Library

Friday, November 9

Saturday, November 10

  • CU Museum of Natural History; Fossil Family Day: My What Big Teeth You Have!
  • CU Wizards Whispers and Bangs!
  • Bach for Kids at the WOW Museum. An engaging program for kids of all ages and the whole family features a Boulder Bach Festival trio consisting of violin, flute, and cello performing Bach’s music to illustrate harmony, melody, and polyphony. The audience participates in the program. Free. All ages. 11:00am.
  • Saturday Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Free. 10:15am.
  • FamilySong Storytime at George Reynolds Branch library [11:00am] and Meadows Branch Library [3:00pm]. Free. All ages.
  • Boulder Farmer’s Market.  8:00 to 2:00pm. 13th Street between Arapahoe & Canyon Blvd. 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] Check out Art Stop which provides FREE guided art activities for kids on Saturdays during the Farmer’s Market. I have heard that they have a space where you can throw a cup at the wall. Kids love it! 8:00am to 2:00pm. All ages

Sunday, November 11

  • 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, November 12

Tuesday, November 13

Wednesday, November 14

Thursday, November 15

  • Musical Storytime with Alice and Melanie. Head to the Main Boulder Library for an interactive music and story experience. Free. All ages. 10:15am
  • Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Free. 10:15 to 11:30am.
  • Toddler Time @ Main Boulder Library. Toddlers (18-36 months) and caregivers explore language and books in a fun and intimate setting. Programs include rhymes, songs and books as well as time for free play and informal discussion of early childhood development. Attendance limited to toddlers up to 36 months of age; no older children please. Free. 10:15 to 11:30am.
  • Parents with Infants Support Group at Parenting Place. Free. Newborn to 9 mos. 10:30 to Noon.
  • Girls Night Out to benefit Parenting Place. Get a group of your girlfriends together to shop and eat for a great cause. Purchase ticket ahead of time by clicking here.
Upcoming Family Events:
November 16:
November 17: $5 admission day at the Butterfly Pavillion
November 18: Switch on the Holidays 5:00pm 1300 block of Pearl Street
November 19: FREE Day at the Denver Zoo
November 23: St. Nick on the Bricks 11:00am to 2:00pm at 1301 Pearl Street
December 1: Lights of December Parade 6:00pm Downtown Boulder
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 me at Boulder4Families@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook.
#families #free #Boulder #events #boulderfamilies #getoutside #November 

Boulder Family Events: November 2 to November 8, 2012

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Special Events This Week: LEGO Club, Pearl Street Stampede, FREE DAYS at the Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Zoo, Boulder History Museum + Denver Art Museum, Nutcracker Storytime @ the Boulder Bookstore, Bilingual English/Spanish and English/French Storytime @ the Boulder Library, 

Friday, November 2

Saturday, November 3

  • FREE Day at the Denver Art Museum
  • Nutcracker Storytime with the Boulder Balletat the Boulder Bookstore. Join the ballerinas of the Boulder Ballet for a great storytime. Free. All ages. 11:00am.
  • French/English Storytime. Join this great bilingual reading. Free. 10:15 to 11:00am
  • Saturday Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Free. 10:15am.
  • Boulder Farmer’s Market.  8:00 to 2:00pm. 13th Street between Arapahoe & Canyon Blvd. 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] Check out Art Stop which provides FREE guided art activities for kids on Saturdays during the Farmer’s Market. I have heard that they have a space where you can throw a cup at the wall. Kids love it! 8:00am to 2:00pm. All ages

Sunday, November 4

Monday, November 5

Tuesday, November 6

Wednesday, November 7

Thursday, November 8

  • LEGO Club at the George Reynolds Branch Library. Do you like LEGOs? Do you like stories? Then you’ll love LEGO club at the George Reynolds Branch Library! Join us 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. Free. 4:00 to 5:30pm.
  • Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Free. 10:15 to 11:30am.
  • Toddler Time @ Main Boulder Library. Toddlers (18-36 months) and caregivers explore language and books in a fun and intimate setting. Programs include rhymes, songs and books as well as time for free play and informal discussion of early childhood development. Attendance limited to toddlers up to 36 months of age; no older children please. Free. 10:15 to 11:30am.
  • Parents with Infants Support Group at Parenting Place. Free. Newborn to 9 mos. 10:30 to Noon.
Upcoming Family Events:
November 10:
November 17: $5 admission day at the Butterfly Pavillion
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 me at Boulder4Families@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook.
#families #free #Boulder #events #boulderfamilies #getoutside #October #November

Boulder Family Events: October 26 to November 1, 2012

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Thinking Halloween? Info on Halloween Events & Pumpkin Patches around Boulder click here. 

Special Events This Week: Halloween Bash, Super Science Saturday at NCAR, Magic Wand Making Workshop, Trick or Treat Train, Apple Tasting and Pumpkin Decorating at WOW!, Monster Bash at Grandrabbits, & the Munchkin Masquerade.

Friday, October 26

Saturday, October 27

  • Super Science Saturday at NCAR. This is super fun for the whole family!
  • Magic Wand Making Workshop at the Boulder Arts & Crafts Gallery. This sounds really sweet! Free for the first 60 kids. 12:00 to 3:00pm.
  • Trick or Treat Train at the Colorado Train Museum
  • Apple Tasting with Chef Ann Cooper at the WOW! Museum. Join the Food, Family, Farming Foundation’s School Food Project and Chef Ann Cooper for a fun and interactive food program! Celebrate the Fall season, learn about healthy food and fall produce, and sample a variety of apples! Free with museum admission. All ages. 2:00 to 3:00pm.
  • Pumpkin Decorating at WOW! Museum. Decorate a pie pumpkin with paints and glitter. Pumpkins generously donated by Whole Foods Marketing in Superior. Pumpkins available while supplies last. Free with museum admission. All ages. 11:00 to 2:00pm.
  • Saturday Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Free. 10:15am.
  • Boulder Farmer’s Market.  8:00 to 2:00pm. 13th Street between Arapahoe & Canyon Blvd. 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] Check out Art Stop which provides FREE guided art activities for kids on Saturdays during the Farmer’s Market. I have heard that they have a space where you can throw a cup at the wall. Kids love it! 8:00am to 2:00pm. All ages

Sunday, October 28

  • Monster Bash at Grandrabbit’s Toy Shoppe. Free. 11:00 to 1:00.
  • Trick of Treat Train at the Colorado Train Museum
  • 7th Annual Kappa Halloween House. This is a family friendly Halloween event with face painting, crafts, cupcake walk, storytelling, trick-or-treating, and much more. 12:00 to 4:00pm. 1134 University, Boulder. $5/child. For more information click here.
  • 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, October 29

Tuesday, October 30

  • Jeepers Creepers!!! Join naturalist Jennelle Freeston for a short evening hike for kids ages 4 and up, to explore a few critters and creatures like spiders, snakes, and bats that give people the willies. Bring a flashlight and dress up in costume if you like. Location information will be given at registration. Follow this link to register online.  6:00 to 7:15 pm

Wednesday, October 31

Thursday, November 1

  • Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Free. 10:15 to 11:30am.
  • Toddler Time @ Main Boulder Library. Toddlers (18-36 months) and caregivers explore language and books in a fun and intimate setting. Programs include rhymes, songs and books as well as time for free play and informal discussion of early childhood development. Attendance limited to toddlers up to 36 months of age; no older children please. Free. 10:15 to 11:30am.
  • Parents with Infants Support Group at Parenting Place. Free. Newborn to 9 mos. 10:30 to Noon.
Upcoming Family Events:
November 2: FREE Day at the Denver Botanic Gardens
November 3: FREE Day at the Denver Art Museum
November 5: FREE Day at the Denver Zoo
November 17: $5 admission day at the Butterfly Pavillion
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 me at Boulder4Families@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook.
#families #free #Boulder #events #boulderfamilies #getoutside #October #November

Boulder Family Events: October 19 to October 25, 2012

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Thinking Halloween? Info on Halloween Events & Pumpkin Patches around Boulder click here. 

Special Events This Week: Archaeology Family Day, McGuckin’s Apprentice Series: Halloween Decor, Hanging Out with Bats, Family Dance Planet, + Nature for Kids and Parents: Family Scavenger Hunt

Friday, October 19

Saturday, October 20

  • Archaeology Family Day at CU’s Museum of Natural History. Join the museum staff to learn more about how archaeology is everywhere. Interactive activities for the whole family. Free. All ages. 10:00 to 4:00pm.
  • French/English Storytime with Marie. Enjoy bilingual storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Free. All ages. 10:15 to 11:00am.
  • McGuckin’s Apprentice Series – Halloween Décor. Young and old come in to carve and decorate pumpkins (while supplies last), see creative decoration ideas, and be inspired to make your own festive décor! Free. All ages. 1:00 to 4:00pm.
  • Hanging Out With Bats. Join Boulder County Open Space to learn more about these mysterious flying mammals. Ages pre-school through elementary school. Free. 1:00 to 2:30pm. Register ahead of time to get location.
  • Saturday Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Free. 10:15am.
  • Family Dance Planet. Fun, family event and dancing for everyone. The third Saturday of the month. Cost: $17 for the whole family. All ages. 10:00 to Noon.
  • Homedepot Builder’s Club for Kids. Stop into the Boulder store and your child can make something. Free. All ages. 9:00am to Noon.
  • Boulder Farmer’s Market.  8:00 to 2:00pm. 13th Street between Arapahoe & Canyon Blvd. 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] Check out Art Stop which provides FREE guided art activities for kids on Saturdays during the Farmer’s Market. I have heard that they have a space where you can throw a cup at the wall. Kids love it! 8:00am to 2:00pm. All ages
  • Teen Reads Week Author Extravaganza at the Boulder Bookstore. This special evening is held to celebrate Teen Reads Week and includes teen authors Emily Hainsworth (Through to You), Donna Cooner (Skinny), Tiffany Schmidt (Send Me a Sign), and Brenna Yovanoff (The Space Between).

Sunday, October 21

  • Nature for Kids & Parents: Fall Scavenger Hunt with City of Boulder’s Open Space & Mountain Parks crew. Take a hike in the woods with Debora Martin, Early Childhood Educator/volunteer naturalist. You will color-hunt through the meadow and into the ponderosa pines, play games and use our senses for a scavenger hunt!  Meet at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage.  Ages 6 and up. 1:00 to 3:00pm.
  • 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, October 22

Tuesday, October 23

  • What’s a family to do on Tuesday? Take your kids to the pumpkin patch! Pumpkin Patch Info here.

Wednesday, October 24

Thursday, October 25

Upcoming Family Events:
October 26:
October 27:
October 28:
October 31:

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 me at Boulder4Families@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook.

#families #free #Boulder #events #boulderfamilies #getoutside #October

Boulder Family Events: October 12 to October 18, 2012

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Thinking Halloween? Info on Halloween Events & Pumpkin Patches around Boulder click here. 

Special Events This Week: CU Wizards: Magic of Chemistry!, Fire on the Mountain Hike, Wildbear Enchanted Forest, FREE Day at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Celebrate Autumn Storytime/Hike at Chautauqua, & FREE Day at the Colorado Railroad Museum.

Friday, October 12

Saturday, October 13

  • CU Wizards: Magic of Chemistry! Come in costume [if you want] and learn about the magic of chemistry at the University of Colorado. Geared for grades 5 to 9, but everyone is welcome! Free. 9:30am.
  • Saturday Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Free. 10:15am.
  • Fire on the Mountain. Join Boulder County Open Space for a 1 mile hike on Bald Mountain to observe the impacts of fire on the environment. All ages. Free. 10:00 to Noon.
  • Boulder Farmer’s Market.  8:00 to 2:00pm. 13th Street between Arapahoe & Canyon Blvd. 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] Check out Art Stop which provides FREE guided art activities for kids on Saturdays during the Farmer’s Market. I have heard that they have a space where you can throw a cup at the wall. Kids love it! 8:00am to 2:00pm. All ages
  • Comic Book Classroom at WOW! Museum. Learn the art and mechanics of story telling along side local illustrators and authors. Dress in costume. Door prizes. Free with museum admission. 11:00 to 1:00.
  • Wildbear’s 12th Annual Enchanted Forest. Join Wildbear at Mud Lake Open Space where families and children of all ages can meet forest creatures and learn about their natural habitats. Buy tickets. All ages. Noon to 8:00pm.

Sunday, October 14

  • FREE Day at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
  • 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, October 15

Tuesday, October 16

  • Bilingual English/Spanish Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Free. 10:15am. All ages.
  • Lap Babies at the Main Boulder Library. Babies (birth-12 months) and their caregivers explore language and books in a fun and intimate setting. Programs include rhymes, songs and books as well as time for free play and informal discussion of early childhood development. Attendance limited to babies up to 12 months of age; no older children please. Free. 10:15 to 11:30am.

Wednesday, October 17

  • Wednesday Storytime @ Main Boulder Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing.
  • Cruisers & Crawlers @ Main Boulder Library. Crawlers and beginning toddlers (9-24 months) explore language and books with their caregivers in a fun and intimate setting. Programs include rhymes, songs and books as well as time for free play and informal discussion of early childhood development. Attendance limited to crawlers and beginning toddlers up to 24 months of age; no older children please.10:15 to 11:30am. Free.
  • Family Garden Story and Song Time with Kristin at Barnes and Nobles. Free. All ages. 1:00pm.
  • Celebrate Autumn: Story Time and Children’s Hike Naturalist Ellen Orleans leads story time at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage. Kids join in the fun with animal noises, sound effects, and the color of the week. Afterwards, we’ll take off for a kid-friendly hike. Free. Geared towards 3 to 6-year-olds. 9:30 to 10:30am.

Thursday, October 18

  • Musical Storytime with Alice & Melanie. Sing songs, listen to stories, move your bodies, have fun! Free. 10:15 to 11:00am.
  • Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Free. 10:15 to 11:30am.
  • Toddler Time @ Main Boulder Library. Toddlers (18-36 months) and caregivers explore language and books in a fun and intimate setting. Programs include rhymes, songs and books as well as time for free play and informal discussion of early childhood development. Attendance limited to toddlers up to 36 months of age; no older children please. Free. 10:15 to 11:30am.
  • Parents with Infants Support Group at Parenting Place. Free. Newborn to 9 mos. 10:30 to Noon.
Upcoming Family Events:
October 20:
  • McGuckin’s Apprentice Series – Halloween Décor from 1-4 pm
    Young and old come in to carve and decorate pumpkins (while supplies last), see creative decoration ideas, and be inspired to make your own festive décor!

October 26:

October 27:
October 28:

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 me at Boulder4Families@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook.

#families #free #Boulder #events #boulderfamilies #getoutside #October

Trip Review: Bike Riding With Kids Along South Boulder Creek Trail to Bobolink Trail

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Yesterday we got out for a really fun bike ride with the kids along the South Boulder Creek Trail. I think this one is appropriate for most ages as long as your child is steady on dirt paths. The ride started at Marshal Road right off of Broadway heading South out of Boulder. There is plenty of parking along the road. The South Boulder Trail connects to the Bobolink Trail as it heads under South Boulder Road. Both trails are relatively flat, meandering at times, but generally perfect for most kids.

The ride started with both of my kids begrudgingly getting on bikes. But really as soon as they hit the trail they forgot about their initial feelings and cruised along. We headed out along the wide dirt path and meandered over bridges, under a road, along agricultural land with cattle, along South Boulder Creek and the beautiful trees lining the creek, & checked out some cute prairie dogs [kept our distance]. The kids had a great time! We stopped as often as we wanted along the creek for them to throw rocks, climb trees, or walk along the irrigation pipes. The whole path is a playground.

I will definitely be adding this trail to my Top 5 Bike Rides for Kids in Boulder!

Ride Details

Distance: 2 miles along South Boulder Creek Trail to the connection with Bobolink [out and back]. If you take the trail all the way to Bobolink Trailhead add 1.5 miles from the tunnel under South Boulder Road.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate [only because it is all on dirt trail, so some biking proficiency is helpful]

Website: Bobolink/South Boulder Creek Trails

#bike #Boulder #kids #trails #getoutdoors #Colorado

Boulder Family Events: October 5 to October 11, 2012

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Special Events This Week: Breyer Horse Day, Take-A-Kid Mountain Biking at the Valmont Bike Park, FREE Day at the Denver Art Museum, Star Wars Reads at the Boulder Bookstore, FREE Day at the Boulder History Museum, Pearl Street Stampede, & LEGO Club

Friday, October 5

Saturday, October 6

  • Take A Kid Mountain Biking with Avid 4 Adventure. Bike instruction for kids at the Valmont Bike Park [Full]. Other bike friendly vendors, free kids bike helmets, and much more. This should be a fun day!
  • French/English Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Enjoy a special story hour in both English and French. Free. 10:15 to 11:00am.
  • Ghost Stories. Get ready for Halloween and join local storyteller Linda Batlin for some (not too scary) stories of ghosts and mysterious creatures sure to send a tingle down your spine. Free. George Reynolds Library 11:00am. Meadows Library 3:00pm.
  • FREE Day at the Denver Art Museum. All day. All ages.
  • Breyer Horse Day at Grand Rabbits in Boulder. Enjoy mini-horses and much more. Free. All ages. 10:00 to Noon.
  • Star Wars Reads Day at the Boulder Bookstore. Free. Stories, games, food, etc… 4:00 to 6:00pm.
  • Saturday Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Free. 10:15am.
  • Boulder Farmer’s Market.  8:00 to 2:00pm. 13th Street between Arapahoe & Canyon Blvd. 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] Check out Art Stop which provides FREE guided art activities for kids on Saturdays during the Farmer’s Market. I have heard that they have a space where you can throw a cup at the wall. Kids love it! 8:00am to 2:00pm. All ages

Sunday, October 7

  • FREE Day at the Boulder History Museum.
  • Nature for Kids & Parents: Coyote Tales. A chorus of yaps, whines, barks and howls: these musical sounds can be heard at any time of the day or year.  Hike in Coyote Country to howl and learn why coyotes can adapt to just about any region of North America!  Meet at the Lehigh Street entrance to Shanahan Ridge (map search 1903 Lehigh Street in Boulder, where Lehigh and Lafayette Streets intersect). Free. Ages 6 and up. 1:00 to 3:00pm.
  • 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, October 8

Tuesday, October 9

  • Children’s Storytime at George Reynolds Branch Library. Free. 10:15am. Ongoing event.
  • Bilingual English/Spanish Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Free. 10:15am. All ages.
  • Lap Babies at the Main Boulder Library. Babies (birth-12 months) and their caregivers explore language and books in a fun and intimate setting. Programs include rhymes, songs and books as well as time for free play and informal discussion of early childhood development. Attendance limited to babies up to 12 months of age; no older children please. Free. 10:15 to 11:30am.

Wednesday, October 10

  • Wednesday Storytime @ Main Boulder Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing.
  • Cruisers & Crawlers @ Main Boulder Library. Crawlers and beginning toddlers (9-24 months) explore language and books with their caregivers in a fun and intimate setting. Programs include rhymes, songs and books as well as time for free play and informal discussion of early childhood development. Attendance limited to crawlers and beginning toddlers up to 24 months of age; no older children please.10:15 to 11:30am. Free.
  • Family Garden Story and Song Time with Kristin at Barnes and Nobles. Free. All ages. 1:00pm.
  • Pearl Street Stampede. Get out and cheer on the CU Buffs, listen to band music, and hang out with your family on Pearl Street. It’s great FREE family fun! The kids love it!
  • FYI: Boulder Farmer’s Market Weds: No Longer Happening 

Thursday, October 11

  • Celebrate Nature through storybooks with naturalist Ellen Orleans. For this special story hour, we will walk up the Chautauqua Meadow trail, making stops along the way to listen to picture books read out loud. Meet at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage. Ages 3 to 6. Free.
  • LEGO Club at the George Reynolds Branch Library. Got a LEGO loving kid? Do they like stories? Then they’ll love LEGO club at the George Reynolds Branch Library! Whether you’re a great LEGO builder, or a first timer, this is the place for you.
  • Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Free. 10:15 to 11:30am.
  • Toddler Time @ Main Boulder Library. Toddlers (18-36 months) and caregivers explore language and books in a fun and intimate setting. Programs include rhymes, songs and books as well as time for free play and informal discussion of early childhood development. Attendance limited to toddlers up to 36 months of age; no older children please. Free. 10:15 to 11:30am.
  • Parents with Infants Support Group at Parenting Place. Free. Newborn to 9 mos. 10:30 to Noon.
Upcoming Family Events:
October 14:
  • FREE Day at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science

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 me at Boulder4Families@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook.

#families #free #Boulder #events #boulderfamilies #September #October

Trip Review: Valmont Bike Park

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Valmont Bike Park is amazing! Really, truly, amazing! Right here in Boulder we have a world class bike park that offers terrain for ALL rider levels. I love watching the confluence of hardcore riders and kids on wheel-less bikes all riding near each other. All getting along. I even saw a dad with a child in a pack on his back riding some relatively technical rides. Refreshing!

The Valmont Bike Park is located East of Foothills Parkway on Valmont Road [3160 Valmont Road, Boulder]. There are trails for every level here or if your little one is ready for some play time they can take a break at the kids’ area. There is a climbing structure and spinning seats as well as a solid surface that makes it easier for little ones to bike around. All the trails are marked so you know what you are getting into. XS, S, M, L, XL. I know you get the idea. The kids get it too. They quickly learn what level feels comfortable and they can look for the signs that show them which route to take. What I cannot emphasize enough is that this is a space designed for everyone. Go as a whole family, no matter the range of biking abilities in your group.

The Valmont Bike Park does not offer pads at every turn. Your kids are not roped up. And there are a lot of places to test your boundaries. But this place WILL inspire confidence in your kids. I even went over a wooden bridge I would normally not touch. I have to be honest, I was following my emboldened 8 year old and I just couldn’t not try.

Take some time to interact with this incredible resource in our Boulder community. Bring a picnic and stay for a good long time. I know you will love it. The Valmont Bike Park website. Or visit them on Facebook.

Boulder Family Events: September 28 to October 4, 2012

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Special Events This Week: Pearl Street Stampede, Smithsonian Museum Live! FREE Day, FREE Day at the Denver Botanic Gardens, Monday Milk & Cookies at Becoming Mothers, & Piccadilly Circus

Friday, September 28

  • Friday Children’s Storytime at the Main Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing activity.
  • Pearl Street Stampede. Get out and cheer on the CU Buffs, listen to band music, and hang out with your family on Pearl Street. It’s great FREE family fun! The kids love it!

Saturday, September 29

  • Smithsonian Museum Live! FREE Day at many local museums/attractions. You do need to visit the website and download the free tickets. Here is a sample of free venues: Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, & Toys, Denver Botanic Gardens, Boulder History Museum, and many more.
  • Saturday Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Free. 10:15am.
  • Boulder Farmer’s Market.  8:00 to 2:00pm. 13th Street between Arapahoe & Canyon Blvd. 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] Check out Art Stop which provides FREE guided art activities for kids on Saturdays during the Farmer’s Market. I have heard that they have a space where you can throw a cup at the wall. Kids love it! 8:00am to 2:00pm. All ages

Sunday, September 30

  • Nature for Kids & Parents: Coyote Tales. A chorus of yaps, whines, barks and howls: these musical sounds can be heard at any time of the day or year.  Hike in Coyote Country to howl and learn why coyotes can adapt to just about any region of North America!  Meet at the Lehigh Street entrance to Shanahan Ridge (map search 1903 Lehigh Street in Boulder, where Lehigh and Lafayette Streets intersect). Free. Ages 6 and up. 1:00 to 3:00pm.
  • 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, October 1

Tuesday, October 2

  • Children’s Storytime at George Reynolds Branch Library. Free. 10:15am. Ongoing event.
  • Bilingual English/Spanish Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Free. 10:15am. All ages.
  • Lap Babies at the Main Boulder Library. Babies (birth-12 months) and their caregivers explore language and books in a fun and intimate setting. Programs include rhymes, songs and books as well as time for free play and informal discussion of early childhood development. Attendance limited to babies up to 12 months of age; no older children please. Free. 10:15 to 11:30am.
  • Piccadilly Circus at the Longmont Fairgrounds. 4:40 and 7:30pm showings.

Wednesday, October 3

  • Wednesday Storytime @ Main Boulder Library. 10:15 to 11:00am. Free. Ongoing.
  • Cruisers & Crawlers @ Main Boulder Library. Crawlers and beginning toddlers (9-24 months) explore language and books with their caregivers in a fun and intimate setting. Programs include rhymes, songs and books as well as time for free play and informal discussion of early childhood development. Attendance limited to crawlers and beginning toddlers up to 24 months of age; no older children please.10:15 to 11:30am. Free.
  • Family Garden Story and Song Time with Kristin at Barnes and Nobles. Free. All ages. 1:00pm.
  • Boulder Farmer’s Market. 4:00 to 8:00pm. 13th Street between Arapahoe & Canyon Blvd. 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] Check out Art Stop which provides FREE guided art activities for kids on Saturdays during the Farmer’s Market. I have heard that they have a space where you can throw a cup at the wall. Kids love it! 4:00 to 8:00pm. All ages.
  • Piccadilly Circus at the Longmont Fairgrounds. 4:40 and 7:30pm showings.

Thursday, October 4

  • Storytime at the Main Boulder Library. Free. 10:15 to 11:30am.
  • Toddler Time @ Main Boulder Library. Toddlers (18-36 months) and caregivers explore language and books in a fun and intimate setting. Programs include rhymes, songs and books as well as time for free play and informal discussion of early childhood development. Attendance limited to toddlers up to 36 months of age; no older children please. Free. 10:15 to 11:30am.
  • Parents with Infants Support Group at Parenting Place. Free. Newborn to 9 mos. 10:30 to Noon.
Upcoming Family Events:
October 6:

October 7:

  • FREE Day at the Boulder History Museum.

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 me at Boulder4Families@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook.

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