Spring and Summer Ideas for Preschool Kids and Toddlers in Denver

Searching for ideas for preschool kids to keep them busy this spring and summer? We have you covered. Check out our list of local family-friendly attractions and educational activities that you and your little one will enjoy.

Nearby Family-Friendly Attractions For Preschool Families

Explore a world of culture and fun with your child at one of Denver’s many museums. Denver Art Museum, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Denver all offer free general admission on select days throughout the year during Free Days. Check out other participating museums and upcoming free days.

Denver families are invited to attend the Día del Niño celebration on Sunday, April 26 at the Denver Art Museum. Families can enjoy free general admission, live music, dance performances, and so much more. We’re excited to announce that we’ll have special guest readers who will read in both English and Spanish. Every child who attends will receive a free copy of the book in both languages, while supplies last.

Starting in May, families can hop aboard the historic Denver Trolley and enjoy a scenic ride along the riverfront with stops at the Downtown Aquarium and the Children’s Museum of Colorado. Round-trip tickets are $7 for youth ages 12 and up and adults, $3 for children ages 4-11, and FREE for children 3 and under. Learn more about the Denver Trolley.

Summer Camps and Programs for Preschool Kids 

Even though your little one may soon be out of the classroom, there are plenty of opportunities for them to have fun and learn while socializing with others.

Dream Big Day Camp in Denver has sessions lasting 1, 2, or 3 weeks for 4-year-olds. They also offer optional mini-day camp sessions where preschoolers can experience half days (8:30 am-12:30 pm) of summer camp, which is great for kids who still benefit from an afternoon nap. Children can enjoy a variety of physical and creative activities in an engaging and inclusive environment. Learn more about Dream Big Day Camp including upcoming summer sessions and rates.

Colorado Academy offers several programs for Denver children throughout the summer. The academy’s Sunshine Day Camp is a great opportunity for 4-year-olds to enjoy daily projects, arts and crafts, splash activities, and more on a campus facility specifically designed for preschoolers. Learn more about Colorado Academy Summer Programs including dates and registration information.

Spring Ideas and Local Happenings at Denver Public Library 

Enjoy an afternoon of fun at the Denver Public Library. Many local branches offer special events and activities for all ages.

Beat the heat and enjoy stories, songs, and other activities with your little one during Denver Public Library’s Storytimes, held weekly at varying local branches. While you’re there, check out Denver Public Library’s Little University programming. Little University provides early learning activities for children from birth through preschool. You may even see Denver Preschool Program at an upcoming Storytime or Little University!

Check out upcoming story times, Little University programming, and other Denver Public Library events.

Fun and Affordable Summer Activities for Preschool Kids

Summer fun and learning can happen right at home! There are many affordable activities for your little one to enjoy indoors or outdoors.

Get your little one moving and learning with a scavenger hunt adventure! Whether it’s in the backyard or inside the home, your child is sure to have a blast searching for the objects on their list. Outdoor hunts can teach about animals and nature, while indoor hunts can cover shapes, colors, and patterns. Explore more scavenger hunt ideas!

Turn some of the items your child finds on their scavenger hunt into a meaningful craft. Pine cones and popsicle sticks make great bird feeders. Your child will have fun spreading peanut butter on their craft items and rolling it in birdseed for a homemade decoration the birds are sure to enjoy. Hang your DIY feeder from a tree branch and have your child watch the different birds that come to visit.

Encourage your child to get creative with outdoor art! Let them decorate rocks with washable paints, stickers, and glitter. They can also trace, paint, or glue leaves together for a nature-inspired collage. It’s a fun way for them to explore nature, textures, and more through arts and crafts.

Keep the learning going on rainy days with fun indoor activities. Turn a cardboard box into a spaceship, or create bowling pins from recycled plastic bottles for a round of indoor bowling. Set up an obstacle course in the living room and watch as your preschooler demonstrates their problem-solving skills and fine motor skills. Read our blog post, “Spring Activities For Preschoolers: Art Activities, Field Days, and More!” and this piece from Good Housekeeping,  “45 Fun Indoor Activities for Kids Who Are Stuck Inside.”

Apply for DPP Preschool Tuition Credits Year-Round!

Considering preschool for your 4-year-old? Denver Preschool Program tuition credits are available to ALL families, regardless of income, that live within the City and County of Denver and have a 4-year-old enrolled in a participating preschool program in the year before kindergarten. Apply for DPP tuition credits.