There’s always a reason to enjoy the great outdoors in the Mile High City. Thankfully, fall brings its own unique opportunities for preschoolers and their families to have adventures in beautiful natural spaces.
With so many options to choose from, The Gardner School created this list of our top seasonal activities that young children and their families can enjoy together.
Adam’s Apple Orchard and Country Store
Located in Ault, Adam’s Apple Orchard and Country Store offers families the chance to explore their orchard by foot or jump on their free hay wagon ride. You can also purchase fall favorites like fresh apples, homemade jams, jellies, apple butter, and more in their Country Store!
Anderson Farms
Enjoy a day of classic fall activities at Anderson Farms. Children will enjoy taking a ride on the barrel train, walking through the corn maze with mom and dad, climbing on the tire mountain, and jumping aboard a wagon for a ride to the pumpkin patch. Before heading home, make a stop at the fire pit for roasted marshmallows and DIY s’mores.
Boettcher Concert Hall
Promising a “good time for every little monster and their mummy,” Halloween Spooktacular! is presented by the Colorado Symphony at Boettcher Concert Hall. Come listen to this concert that features songs from movies, television, and more. Attendees are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes for even more fun! The symphony typically puts on a variety of Halloween-inspired concerts throughout the month, so be sure to check their calendar for a full list of events.
Colorado Kids Ranch
Spend a fun-filled day at the Colorado Pumpkin Patch. Located just 35 minutes from South Denver at Colorado Kids Ranch, the 40-acre farm has a variety of activities preschoolers and their families can do together, including large outdoor games, steer head roping, and feeding a pig. Before you go, shop for a pumpkin sourced from the best pumpkin growers in the world!
Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms
Celebrate fall with the entire family at the Chatfield Farms Pumpkin Festival. Explore the 10-acre pumpkin patch, wind through the corn maze, ride on hay rides, and enjoy a host of activities for children. The most adorable concept is the free pumpkin daycare, where your pumpkin will be taken care of while you attend the rest of the festival.
Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street
Take a walk through Glow at the Gardens for hundreds of locally farmed, hand-carved illuminated pumpkins. Costumes are encouraged while enjoying the larger-than-life jack-o-lanterns and “hoards of gourds” that light up the night sky. While there are some spooky illusions, props, and sound effects, they are limited to specific areas so that families with littles can plan a not-so-scary stroll.
Dinosaur Ridge
Fall is a perfect time to be outdoors, so why not include a prehistoric lesson on dinosaurs while you’re at it? Dinosaur Ridge is the nation’s #1 dinosaur tracking site and home to the world’s first stegosaurus discovery. Touch model dinosaurs and fossil formations at the Discovery Center, or stay close to the gift shop to participate in a simulated dino dig!
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
See all the colors of fall at Golden Gate Canyon State Park. Listed as one of 10 Great Places to See Fall Colors in Colorado by KDVR/ FOX 31, the state park is less than 30 miles from Denver. Use the day trip as a hands-on opportunity to teach your preschoolers about the seasons and why leaves change colors.
Authentic Learning Experiences in Every Season
The Gardner School offers an engaging curriculum for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers for families in the Denver area. Our caring teachers encourage children’s curiosity while supporting a strong educational foundation. To learn more about our preschool, contact us to set up a tour.