Cheap and Fun Things To Do With Kids In Denver During Spring & Summer! ($10 or less!)

Denver has gotten expensive. That's not a hot take — anyone who's lived here for more than a few years has felt it. So when spring rolls around and the kids are bouncing off the walls, the pressure to find something to do without spending $200 on a family outing is real. I put together a list of activities around Denver that come in at $10 or less per person, and a few of them are completely free.

Start With What's Already Here

The Denver Art Museum at 100 W 14th Ave Pkwy is one of the first places I point families toward, and it's worth knowing that kids under 18 get in free. Adults pay more, so it's not a perfect budget option for two parents plus kids, but the kids themselves get full access to one of the better art museums in the region. While you're in that part of downtown, the Big Blue Bear at 750 14th St is one of those weird Denver landmarks that's technically free to walk up to and photograph. My kids thought it was strange and great, which is about the right reaction. It's a 40-foot bear peering into the Colorado Convention Center, and yes, it's exactly as ridiculous as it sounds.

The Santa Fe Arts District Is Underrated for This

A lot of people drive through the Santa Fe Arts District and don't stop, which is a mistake. The Museo de las Americas at 861 Santa Fe Dr has rotating exhibitions focused on Latin American art and culture — admission is low, and the experience is genuinely engaging for older kids. D'art Gallery Denver at 900 Santa Fe Dr and Walker Fine Art at 300 W 11th Ave are both free to walk into and worth 20-30 minutes if your kids can handle a gallery setting. No pressure, no ticket counter. The Arturo Garcia Art Gallery on Morrison Road is a similar situation — small, free, and connected to a neighborhood that most visitors never see.

If You're Heading East Toward the Airport

This one surprises people. The Gaylord Rockies Resort out in Aurora at 6700 N Gaylord Rockies Blvd is not what you'd expect from a resort near the airport. The lobby alone is worth a stop — it's a massive atrium with mountain views built into the architecture, and you don't have to be a guest to walk around. The Copper Table there is a solid meal option if you're already in the area, and Danico Brewing Company at 18490 E 66th Ave is nearby for parents who want a local beer while the kids wind down. Neither of these are free, but they fit into a low-cost day if you're pairing them with free activities.

Denver Botanic Gardens Is Worth Planning Around

The Denver Botanic Gardens at 1007 York St charges admission, but it's one of those places that earns it. Spring and summer are when it actually makes sense to go — the gardens are at their best from around May through August, and kids who normally couldn't care less about plants tend to find things to look at here. Check the website before you go because they run community events and discount days that can bring the cost down. It's also an easy place to spend two or three hours without feeling rushed.

A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Go

Parking in the Santa Fe Arts District can be annoying on weekends when First Friday events are happening, so a weekday visit is easier. The areas around the Gaylord Rockies have straightforward parking. If you're doing a downtown day with the Denver Art Museum and the Big Blue Bear, the 16th Street Mall area is walkable once you park, so factor that in. Most of these spots are available through the spring and summer months, with some events running specifically May through August.

If your family has a few hours and a tight budget, the combination of the Denver Art Museum, a walk through the Santa Fe Arts District, and a stop at the Botanic Gardens makes for a genuinely good day. The kids will have actual things to talk about on the way home, which is more than I can say for some of the pricier options around town.