guides

5 & Under Guide: Local Fun for Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers

Things to Do in and near Douglas County with Young Children

May 25, 2023

When my family and I moved to Douglas County, I had an active 2-year-old and was pregnant with my second child. I had learned that a variety of early childhood experiences is important to a child's brain development — and getting out of the house regularly was essential to my sanity.

Back then, Macaroni KID didn't exist yet, and I had difficulty finding fun activities for my children and me to do together. This list of things to do and places to go in and near Douglas County was designed with your little one in mind. I hope it helps you fill your days with smiles, bonding time, learning experiences, and fun memories!

Take your time as you visit each location and explore with all your senses. Teach your child to observe the world. Let your child teach you to slow down and appreciate the things that have lost their wonder for you. Talk about your experiences and discover together your child's interests and natural talents.


The 5 & Under Guide is brought to you by:
Hardin Waldrip Law PLLC
Call (303) 741-4949 to learn about their complimentary childcare powers of attorney.





FIRST THINGS FIRST...

✅ Check the Macaroni KID Douglas County calendar every morning for things to do. Use the drop-down box to search by age or category.

Subscribe to our free weekly e-newsletter, so you never miss a thing!

✅ Download and print our free "Let's Play" cards to make it easy to set up a playdate when your child makes a new friend.


CLASSES

Kids' Zone (Parker Recreation Center, Parker): Parker Parks and Recreation offers a variety of affordable Kids' Zone classes and events for ages 18 months to 6 years, designed to enrich your child's life and grow healthy self-esteem. Classes encourage motor development, creative expression, or social skills in a non-competitive, nurturing environment.

Pre-K Performing Arts Classes (PAA Colorado, Highlands Ranch): PAA offers a variety of performing arts classes for students as young as 3 years old. Classes operate on a 15-week semester schedule, and students may enroll at any time. There is a Shareformance at the end of the semester so you can see everything your shining star learned.

Preschool Chef (Flour Power Kids Cooking Studios, Highlands Ranch): Themed weekly classes are a fun way for you and your child to participate in hands-on kids cooking class sessions while learning recipes to try at home. Your Lil' Chef will gain skills that are designed to appeal to the abilities of most children. Tuition includes recipe handouts to take home and all supplies.

STEAM Discovery Series (PACE Center, Parker): Explore themed hands-on activities that promote growth and creativity through sensory play and a social environment. Designed for ages 2 to 6 with a parent, classes focus on engineering, arts, math, and music concepts.

Tunes for Tots (Private Studio in Highlands Ranch): Discover joy through music! In these high-energy classes, parents and children sing songs, play with instruments, dance, learn about melody and rhythm, interact with other kids, and develop imaginative play.


ENTERTAINMENT

Family Discovery Series (PACE Center or Schoolhouse Theater, Parker): Families are invited to discover at Parker Arts and experience new forms of arts, culture, and science through one-hour performances intended for families with young children.

Seedlings (Lone Tree Arts Center, Lone Tree): Through interactive, guided play, this family program is designed to engage parents and young children in arts, culture, and science. Guest performers and presenters include educators from local museums, popular entertainers, and more.


INDOOR PLAY

Douglas County Libraries (multiple locations): Douglas County Libraries' playscapes are museum-quality, interactive indoor spaces designed to give children a break from technology and inspire imaginative play and self-guided learning. DCL provides the pieces to spur the imagination, and kids create their own play. It's the perfect place to get the wiggles out before or after storytime.

The Kids Landing (Castle Rock): This new aviation-themed indoor playspace offers a large custom-designed play structure complete with a wave slide, spiral slide, enclosed climbing feature, net bridge, maze, accessible tubes, and more! They even have a soft-play one-of-a-kind life-sized mock airplane.

Little Monkey Bizness (Parker): Kids under 8 years old can go monkey around in a jungle of fun with inflatable jumps, slides, and obstacle courses. There is a special "crawler" area designed for children under 2. Plus, it has a cafe and coffee bar!

Play Street Museum (Highlands Ranch): This adorable indoor play area designed for ages 8 and younger offers a safe and imaginative space for self-directed play. Pint-Sized Playtime, specifically for 3 and under, is a great opportunity to let your little ones discover, imagine, and explore with other kiddos their age and a great way to meet other parents with young children.

Sky Zone (Parker): Stop in on Saturday mornings for Little Leapers, a time for your little ones to discover the joy of being active, bouncing under their parent's supervision, and without the big kids' interference.


OUTDOOR FUN

Crafty Critters, Nature Play Dates, & More (Backcountry Wilderness Area, Highlands Ranch): Early childhood programs in the Backcountry give your child a special place in nature, some tools to build and create, and the freedom to explore! Experienced early childhood nature instructors will guide you and your child into the magic of nature play.

Junior Ranger Program (Roxborough State Park, Littleton): Families can spend time together and learn about nature as they discover the many wonders of Roxborough State Park. Ages 3-6 can earn a Certificate of Completion in one visit or continue on for their Junior Ranger Badge. Find the current quarter's events on our calendar (search "Roxborough" or "Junior Ranger") or download the latest edition of Roxborough Rambles from the CPW website.

Parks & Playgrounds (multiple locations): Let them get dirty! We are so lucky to live in Colorado, where the sun shines brightly most days — even through the winter. We have a parks and playgrounds section in our directory and are adding more parks every week:


This guide is brought to you by:
Hardin Waldrip Law PLLC
(303) 741-4949

Hardin Waldrip Law is a boutique estate and business planning law firm. We assist individuals and families with creating planning documents that fit their unique goals, such as:

  • last will and testaments
  • trusts
  • powers of attorney
  • appointment of guardianships
  • business entities
  • purchase and sale agreements
  • marital and cohabitation agreements

If you have kids, now is the time to plan to ensure that their inheritance is protected and that a guardian is named to care for them in your absence.

Ask about their complimentary childcare powers of attorney to give you peace of mind while you travel or are busy at work!

Call (303) 741-4949 or visit   www.hardinwaldriplaw.com to learn more. Connect on Facebook and Instagram too!