Share This Post

Activities / Children / Colorado Livin' / Creative Corner

So, if you’re interested in activities in NW Denver….

Summer is upon us. Eeek!

As a parent, my excitement about the open-ended days of summer is tempered with dread. Don’t get me wrong: I love hanging with my kids. But sometimes… well, sometimes Mommy is Too Boring. (Not to mention bored to tears at the thought of playing yet another round of Spiderman vs. The Green Goblin.) Finding opportunities for my boys to get their ya-yas out with other little people will be essential for our summertime sanity.

There are plenty of week-long summer camps out there, but my 5-year-old is the sort of kid who needs time to get acclimated to a new environment. That means stringing together several one-week summer camp classes isn’t ideal. And as self-employed parents, we can be flexible with our schedules. So we’ve decided to pepper our summer with a mix of ongoing classes and “drop-in” activities.

When I finally started to investigate our options, I was surprised—and thrilled—to discover just how many possibilities are out there. In case you’re still looking for things to do with your little ones this summer, consider these:

For the artistically-inclined:

Bluebird Arts  offers weekly classes for kids 18 months – 5 years. Painting with flowers and sculpting with mud in the Garden Crafts class? How fun is that?!

The Arvada Center runs ongoing classes on painting, ceramics, music, theater or dance. Most begin in mid-June and last for 6-8 weeks. For kid-specific classes, check out the “Art Start” options on the Arvada Center’s class
page
.

The Performing Arts Academy of Lakewood at The Edge Theater Company  delivers acting classes for both young children (4-7) and youths (8-11).

There are two fun options available through the Chicano Humanities and Arts Council . Kid’s Art Saturdays on the third Saturday of every month, and the Summer Kid’s Classes on Thursday mornings which feature artmaking, stories, and snacks. Save by signing up for several classes at once, or drop in when the mood strikes.

If burning off excess energy is in the cards:

Right here in Jefferson Park, Yoga for Young Warriors offers yoga classes for kids as young as 6 weeks on up to 10 years—and even a class for the whole family. The schedule at the Eliot Street Studio changes from month-to-month, so check the schedule before you go.

At 5280 Gymnastics, let your kiddo’s inner gymnast free! The studio in Wheat Ridge offers multiple classes throughout the week for boys and girls of all ages. And according to the office staff, there are usually more class openings during the summer than at other times of the year—so this could be an ideal time to sign up if you want to give it a try!

My boy is just barely too young to take advantage of the lessons for 6- to 12-year-olds at Denver Judo. Luckily, kids as young as 3 ½ can learn the basics of karate in the Little Dragons program at Seo’s Martial Arts  in Arvada. Lessons are offered Monday-Saturday, and students are expected to attend twice a week.

What would summer be without swimming?

Lessons are available through Denver Parks and Rec at both Ashland Rec Center (720-865-0500) and Scheitler Rec Center (720-865-0640); registration for summer lessons opens on May 31.

I’ve also heard from many a mom that the lessons at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center on Kipling are fabulous—and often easier to sign up for.

And if your child, like mine, needs a bit more one-on-one attention to master the water? Consider lessons through Infant Aquatics.

A little further afield, there are also plenty of opportunities for the kids to explore the natural world this summer.

Through the Lookout Mountain Nature Center in Golden, we can learn about owls… bobcats and mountain lions… native plants… stars and constellations… and more.

Down near Chatfield, the Audobon Society of Greater Denver makes programs available for both little people and their families. Check out the “Little Fledglings” for fun, bird-themed activities for your 3- to 6-year-olds!

The National Wildlife Refuge at Rocky Mountain Arsenal is open Tuesday through Sunday. There’s a new Visitor’s Center, over 12,000 acres of reclaimed shortgrass prairie, and special nature programs for kids 2-5 on the first and last Tuesday of every month.

Looking at all these opportunities for fun, I think we’ll survive our summer just fine. Maybe we’ll even have time for a few rounds of board games!

___

The Highlands Mommies are monthly contributors at Mile High Mamas. Guest blogger Leanne Silverman, Highlands mother of two, is a freelance wordsmith (www.anderink.com) and one of the bargain-hunting mamas behind the Greater Highlands Local Deal Book (www.localdealbook.com).

Mile High Mamas
Author: Mile High Mamas

Share This Post

2 Comments

  1. Also check out Safe Splash Swim School now open at 120th and Sheridan inside the 24 hour fitness (membership to 24 hour fitness not required). Warmer water, Great instructors and staff!!! Call 303-799-1885 to register or register online at http://www.safesplash.com

  2. How about a Mom and Kids Fitness Class! It’s a great way to get some exercise, get your kids moving too and to connect with you kids and have some fun. Offered every Friday in June- August 19 9:00-9:45 at Morse Park (20th and Carr) for only $5/family! I am a licensed social worker with 10 years experience working with families and kids and a certified personal trainer.

Leave a Reply