This weekend your kids can enjoy some recurring events that they may have missed out on last weekend, such as the Denver Coliseum Mineral Fossil, Gem & Jewelry Show and the Day Out with Thomas event. If they want to celebrate the beginning of the Fall season and many different cultures and heritages, you can visit one of many Fall festivals listed.
Do your kids love art? Check out the CherryArts Festival at Stanley, let them create their own Guatemalan Worry Doll at Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys or make a creative arty mess at Denver Public Library.
Is your child’s stuffy “sick”? He’s in luck! Take him to the special Teddy Bear Clinic at Denver Zoo!
Or maybe all of these events are already making you feel a little tired before walking out the door. You can kick back for a couple of hours at the cinema and watch The Fantastic Mr. Fox at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and you even don’t have to feel guilty about it because the event celebrates author Roald Dahl’s 100th birthday and Tattered Cover Book Store are coming along too… so its educational! These plus many more…
Psst… If you want a sneak peek at all the upcoming Fall festivals for this season, check out our recent guide listing Fall, Pumpkin and Harvest Festivals!
What to do with Kids in Denver this Weekend September 16 – 18, 2016
Events listed in chronological order
Denver Coliseum Mineral, Fossil, Gem & Jewelry Show
Photograph courtesy of ©Denver Coliseum Mineral, Fossil, Gem & Jewelry Show
When: Friday, September 16th through Sunday, September 18th, 2016
Where: Denver Coliseum, 4600 Humboldt St, Denver, CO 80216
Time: 10am – 6pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
The Denver Coliseum Mineral, Fossil, Gem & Jewelry Show features fine mineral specimens, agates, fossils, dinosaurs, meteorites, gems, hand-made jewelry, crystals, metaphysical, gold, silver, copper, interior decor, native American items, amber with insect inclusions, turquoise, rubies, emeralds, beads, petrified wood, artisan jewelry boxes, rough, tools, supplies, and so much more.
Items are priced from $1 to $1 million. This is where museums come to shop and gift shops buy their inventory.
Downtown Boulder Fall Festival
Photograph courtesy of ©Downtown Boulder
When: Friday, September 16th through Sunday, September 18th, 2016
Where: Pearl St & 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302
Time: Sept. 16th: 5pm – 10pm; Sept. 17th: 11am – 10pm; Sept. 18th: 11am – 5pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
The 29th Annual Downtown Boulder Fall Fest is a three-day fall festival that features arts & crafts, live music, food vendors, more than 100 vendors selling home goods, fine craft, art, ceramics, skin care, children’s and adult fashion, leather goods, jewelry, pet goods, and artisanal food.
The Downtown Boulder Fall Festival features a Fall Fest Children’s Activities area, sponsored by Eldora Mountain Resort, with attractions that include an obstacle course, climbing wall, giant slide, bounce house, jousting, and hamster balls, as well as the Fairies Face Painting booth.
1830s Rendezvous & Spanish Colonial Art Market
Photograph courtesy of ©Tesoro Cultural Center
When: Saturday, September 17th & Sunday, September 18th, 2016
Where: The Fort, 19192 Highway 8, Morrison, CO 80465
Time: 10am – 5pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
The 1830s Rendezvous & Spanish Colonial Art Market, produced by Tesoro Cultural Center, is a day in the Old West.
Historical interpreters will demonstrate their wares, like trade silver, moccasins, beaver skin hats and buckskin period dress. They will walk guests through day-to-day skills from the 1830s, such as brain-tanning, primitive fire building, rope braiding, blacksmithing and scrimshaw. Oral history and music were very important to the culture of this era, and will fill the courtyard of The Fort, transporting guests back in time.
Teddy Bear Clinic | Denver Zoo
Photograph courtesy of ©Denver Zoo
When: Saturday, September 17th, 2016
Where: Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St, Denver, CO 80205
Time: 10am – 4pm
Cost: Admission
Ages: All Ages
The Denver Zoo is hosting its 3rd Annual Teddy Bear Clinic, in partnerships with the Children’s Hospital Colorado, this Saturday. Bring your stuffed animals and their kid caretakers can walk around the Zoo to different stations where volunteers and staff will provide “medical” procedures for stuffed animals while educating young guests about healthy habits.
Guests will also learn about the excellent care zookeepers and veterinarians provide the animals at the Zoo and get to meet Elbert, the Zoo and Children’s Hospital Colorado’s mascot, at the Zoo’s Explore the Shore Play Area.
CherryArts Festival at Stanley Marketplace
Photo Credit: ©Liz Levy. Photograph courtesy of ©CherryArts Festival at Stanley
When: Saturday, September 17th & Sunday, September 18th, 2016
Where: Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St, Aurora, CO 80010
Time: Sept. 17th: 10am – 7pm; Sept. 18th: 10am – 5pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
CherryArts Festival at Stanley Marketplace will feature national art and local flavor, and will include a national juried art show with more than 90 exhibiting artists in 14 categories, including ceramics, mixed media, digital art, photography, metalworks and drawing. In addition to the artists, visitors will enjoy children’s activities at the Creation Station, interactive art installations, food trucks and live entertainment.
Create Station Highlights: Happy Ladybug Early Learning Center with play dough activity and a 3 technique watercolor activity, the Lighthouse Writers Workshop an activity using wooden leaves of the Poetree, the Downtown Aurora Visual Arts (Sunday Only) with leaf rubbings and watercolor postcards and CherryArts Art Activities which include mask making, paper Piñatas, a collaborative mural and more!
Psst… Check out our featured article for this event!
Parker Oktoberfest
Photograph courtesy of ©Parker Oktoberfest
When: Saturday, September 17th through Sunday, September 18th, 2016
Where: O’Brien Park, 10795 Victorian Dr, Parker, CO 80138
Time: Sept. 17th: 10am – 8pm; Sept. 18th: 10am – 5pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
The 11th Annual Parker Oktoberfest, Presented by the Colorado Council of Arts, Science & Culture (CASC) and the authentic German brewing company Erdinger, attracts more than 20,000 visitors each year, and is a family-friendly event!
Parker Oktoberfest is focused on authentic German heritage and features a children’s art and craft area, inflatable and interactive games, kid and adult contests, vendor booths, a German Baby Attire Competition, German bands, face painting, a Rocktoberfest Concert for ages 9 to 16, Midway games, German food and beer (adults only) and much more.
Celtic Harvest Festival Edgewater
Photograph courtesy of ©Celtic Harvest Festival Edgewater
When: Saturday, September 17th through Sunday, September 18th, 2016
Where: Citizens Park, W 22nd Ave, Edgewater, CO 80214
Time: Sept. 16th: 10am – 9pm; Sept. 17th: 11am – 5pm
Cost: Adults $5, Children (0-12) Free
The Celtic Harvest Festival Edgewater celebrates some of the best in Celtic music, dancing, history and art. Travel back in time as you stroll through the Renaissance Scots and Living History Association‘s village, watch sword fighters, weavers, wool spinners, metalsmithers and leather workers.
The festival will also include the Calling of the Clans bonfire, the Kids Korner tent full of activities, games, storytelling and an authentic Punch & Judy puppet show, roving story-teller and a bouncy castle, and a Celtic Vendor Market, farmer’s market and more.
Let’s Play with Hervé Tullet | Denver Public Library
Photograph courtesy of ©Denver Public Library
When: Saturday, September 17th, 2016
Where: Denver Public Library, 10 W 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver, CO 80204
Time: 10am – 12pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
The Denver Public Library is welcoming author and artist Hervé Tullet, known for his wildly popular books, “Press Here!, “Mix it Up!, and “Let’s Play,” will read and lead a large-scale, collaborative art workshop for kids and families. Tattered Cover Bookstore will have books on hand to buy and have signed by the author. All ages welcome.
Psst… Dress to get messy!
Roald Dahl’s 100th Birthday: Fantastic Mr. Fox & Party | Alamo Drafthouse Cinema & Tattered Cover
Photograph courtesy of ©Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
When: Saturday, September 17th, 2016
Where: 7301 S Santa Fe Dr, Littleton, CO 80120 Screening: Alamo Drafthouse/Party Tattered Cover Book Store
Time: Fantastic Mr. Fox Screening 11:15am; Party 1pm
Cost: $5
Purchase tickets at: bit.ly/FantasticMrFoxAlamo
Ages: Children ages 3+
Join the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and Tattered Cover Book Store in celebrating Roald Dahl’s 100th birthday! The screening of Fantastic Mr. Fox will take place at Alamo Drafthouse followed immediately by a party at Tattered Cover Aspen Grove.
Psst… Bring your ticket from Fantastic Mr. Fox to Tattered Cover Aspen Grove for 20% off any one Roald Dahl title!
Day Out with Thomas the Tank Engine
When: Saturday, September 17th & Sunday, September 18th, 2016
Where: Colorado Railroad Museum, 17155 W 44th Ave, Golden, CO 80403
Time: 8:30am – 5pm
Cost: $20-25 plus tax for ages 2 and up. Purchase tickets at: bit.ly/DayOutWithThomasCO
Ages: All Ages
Thomas the Tank Engine will be chugging into the Colorado Railroad Museum and invites little engineers to team up with him for a day of family fun at Day Out with Thomas: The Ready, Set, Go Tour 2016. This fun-filled event offers children and their families the opportunity to take a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, star of the popular Thomas & Friends™ series. In addition, they will meet Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway and enjoy a day of Thomas-themed activities.
Psst… Read our featured article for this event!
The Colorado Horse Park Fall Family Festival
Photograph courtesy of ©The Colorado Horse Park
When: Saturday, September 17th, 2016
Where: The Colorado Horse Park, 7522 S Pinery Dr, Parker, CO 80134
Time: 11am – 4pm
Cost: Free
The Colorado Horse Park Fall Family Festival is a special family-friendly fun festival with the park’s horses and allows you to enjoy all of the equestrian action right from the course while you watch competitors tackle the challenging terrain of their newly designed cross-country track.
The festival will include food vendors, kids activities, a craft beer tent, and more.
Lochbuie Fall Festival
When: Saturday, September 17th, 2016
Where: Co Rd 37, Willow Dr, Lochbuie, CO 80603
Time: 11am – 10pm
Cost: Free
The Lochbuie Fall Festival features live Music, vendors, food, adult beverages, free kids zone, pony rides, petting zoo, bouncy houses, barrel train rides, Loch Nellie 5k and fireworks at dusk.
Guatemalan Worry Dolls | Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys
Photograph courtesy of ©Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys
When: Saturday, September 17th, 2016
Where: Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys, 1880 N Gaylord St, Denver, CO 80206
Time: 1pm – 2pm
Cost: $8 – $10
Purchase tickets at: bit.ly/2GuatemalanWorryDollWorkshop
Ages: Children ages 6+
Learn how to make your own Guatemalan Worry Doll at the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys and discover the legend behind their existence. Students will use wooden clothespins and string to create a customized doll.
Oktoberfest Celebration | Highlands Ranch
Photograph courtesy of ©Highlands Ranch Community Association
When: Saturday, September 17th, 2016
Where: Highlands Ranch Town Center, 9344 Dorchester St, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
Time: 2pm – 10pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Oktoberfest Celebration, presented by Highlands Ranch Community Association, is a family-friendly community wide event that will kick-off with a 5K will continue with an authentic German cultural event. The celebration will feature German food, music, great biers from Paulaner (adults only), live music, games, rides and inflatables, a magician and balloon artist and Dachshund Races.
Curious George Party | Second Star to the Right Children’s Books
Photograph courtesy of ©Second Star to the Right Children’s Books
When: Saturday, September 17th, 2016
Where: Second Star to the Right Children’s Books, 4353 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212
Time: 2pm – 3pm
Cost: $2 per Child or Free with Purchase of a Curious George Book
Ages: All Ages
Second Star to the Right Children’s Books is celebrating Curious George’s 75th birthday with special treats, giveaways and the grand prize of Curious George to the child guessing the closest number of banana candies in the jar.
Psst… Second Star to the Right Children’s Books was recently named one of the 10 Best Denver Local Book Stores!
Hop, Skip & a Jump Start | Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
Photograph courtesy of ©Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
When: Sunday, September 18th, 2016
Where: Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, 2121 Children’s Museum Dr, Denver, CO 80211
Time: 7:30am – 11:30am
Cost: 5K “Wait For Me” $32; Mini Meet “Wait For Me” $16
Register at: bit.ly/HopSkipJumpStart
Ages: All Ages
The Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus is hosting this weekend the Hop, Skip & a Jump Start event this Sunday! This event is the perfect race for every member of the family. With a stroller-friendly 5K, Kid Course, Toddler Trot, Infant Crawl and Expo, it’s a great way to show how fun a healthy lifestyle can be.
Pugs in the Park | Colorado Pug Rescue
Photograph courtesy of ©Colorado Pug Rescue
When: Sunday, September 18th, 2016
Where: Central Park, 8801 M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Denver, CO 80238
Time: 11am – 4pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Visit Central Park in the Stapleton neighborhood in Denver this Sunday and meet Colorado Pug Rescue‘s adorable pug dogs! Colorado Pug Rescue is a licensed, all volunteer, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the welfare and quality of life of homeless pug dogs.
Buffalo Bill’s Western Roundup
Photograph courtesy of ©Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave
When: Sunday, September 18th, 2016
Where: Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave, 987 1/2 Lookout Mountain Rd, Golden, CO 80401
Time: 12pm – 4pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Celebrate the end of another summer with Buffalo Bill’s Fall Roundup at Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave! Throughout the afternoon the Museum will highlight the skills and knowledge of our volunteers, provide craft and hands-on activities for kids, and offer an abundance of photo opportunities.
Meet Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley. Learn how a civil war cannon works. Shake hands with Native Americans and learn about their culture.