Fall is probably the best time of year to set off on an outdoor adventure with your kids and one of the best places to do it is Colorado. With school in full swing and the weather still not too cold. There’s no time like now to enjoy fall activities. Kids will surely love picking their own pumpkin to be carved for Halloween or bushels of apples that you will together turn into yummy apple pies and sauces. Events all over Colorado celebrate the gifts that fall brings. Here’s a list of family-favorites to get you started.
Farmers Markets in Colorado with Kids
Located all over the state of Colorado, farmers markets are a staple fall activity to do with your kids. There’ you’ll find seasonal fruit and vegetables, as well as fresh meat and eggs, local honey and all sorts of home-baked goods for everyone’s taste. There are also many stalls with authentic local goods such as hats, artsy photography, hand-made jewelry and art. Some markets are open year-round while others don’t begin till May or early June so you should research the options and find the one open for your fall getaway with the kids.
U-pick farms
Apple picking is one of the most popular fall activities in Colorado that you can do with your kids. Kids love the sense of accomplishment when back home, the apples they picked get to be made into home-made apple pies or sauce. Some of the farms where you can try your luck at apple picking are Colon Orchard in Canon City, Happy Apple and Third Street Apples in Penrose, and Orchard Valley Farms and Markets in Paonia.
Anderson farms, Erie
This farm is an absolute must-visit farm on your trip to Colorado. Located in Erie, you’ll see the big pumpkin silo as you get off the highway 52 and approach the farm. At the farm, your kids will get the chance to run through corn and rainbow mazes, pet the animals and climb the tire mountain, ride the pedal cars, play on the playground, take a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch, and the best part is that it’s all for free.
Sunflower Farm, Longmont
Sunflower Farm in Longmont emphasizes nature, children and animals, especially during their Sunflower Farm fest.Then, the kids get the chance to see free-roaming turkey, peacocks and guineas, sit on a giant John Deere tractor, try out tire swings, discover treehouses, old airplanes, play in sandboxes and many more. One thing you need to bear in mind is that no food or beverages are served so you’ll need to pack your picnic basket when you book your tickets in advance.
Bee Hugger & Ya Ya Apple Orchard and Farm, Longmont
While still in Longmont, save time and combine a visit to the Bee Hugger and Ya Ya Apple Orchard and Farm. Both locations offer a day of adventure filled with apples, honey, apple cider, animals and lots of fall activities. There’s a wide sunflower field that hides spooky surprises and if you love getting scared even more, visit the haunted VW bug yard at the Bee Hugger.
7th Generation Farm, Louisville
October family fun wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the 7th Generation Farm in Louisville that boasts the name “the best pumpkin picking farm in Boulder Country”! This is a local, family-run farm with lots of fall activities for the kids, from U-pick pumpkins to exploring mazes, petting animals or enjoying a tractor ride.
Denver Botanic Gardens & Denver Zoo, Denver
Visiting Denver Botanic Gardens is a great way to experience fall as a family and it offers two excellent locations – one on York Street and the other in Chatfield Farms in Littleton. Both locations are unique in their own way and offer fun fall activities. For instance, at Chatfield Farm, there’s a 7-acre corn maze with lots of twisting paths and bridges to explore and a 10-acre pumpkin farm where the kids can pick their perfect pumpkin for Halloween.
On Friday and Saturday nights in October, the Denver Zoo organizes Enchanted Hollows: Bigfoot Festival where families can discover two events – the Harmony Hill Bigfoot Festival and the Woodland Hollow. There will be attractions and activities for both the kids and adults alike so the entire family is sure to have a fantastic time whether it’s enjoying in an immersive art walk at the Woodland Hollow, playing a game of corn hole and creative pumpkin carving.
Colorado in fall offers an abundance of activities you can enjoy doing with your kids, from spending time outdoors hiking, picking apples and pumpkins to just enjoying a leisurely walk through parks and botanical gardens or the Zoo. Whatever you plan to do, make sure you include some of the suggestions from this list, rent a free transfer car, and create unforgettable memories as a family!
