Bring your littles and feel like a kid again
Updated: June 2, 2026
The Pikes Peak Region promises adventure for those of all ages, little ones included.
This itinerary is a great fit for families with kids, ages 10 and below. And don’t worry about ever being bored – adults often enjoy these activities even more than the kids do!
We recommend the Great Wolf Lodgeand Flying Horse Resort & Club, both of which are great options for families. Great Wolf Lodge is designed with kids in mind – everything from the dining choices to the expansive indoor waterpark! Flying Horse Resort & Club features a Kids’ Cabin for on-site childcare and an Aquatics Center that includes a water slide and young children’s splash pad. There are plenty of additional hotels and resorts with family-friendly amenities to consider.
Browse all lodging options and categories here.
Kids can be picky eaters, so the casual and family dining options in our region are often the most popular for families with tots in tow.
If pasta is a safe bet for your littles, try Red Gravy. Kids craving nachos? Nacho Matrix is one of the best. A little bit of everything? ViewHouse Colorado Springs should work well with plenty of options for even the pickiest eaters. And don’t forget dessert (the most reliable form of calorie intake for kids!). Hit up the MilkShake Factory or Mary’s Mountain Cookies, we promise you won’t regret it.
Browse all dining options and categories here.
AM: Visit Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
PM: Go to the Space Foundation Discovery Center
A trip to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – the #2 Best Zoo in the U.S. (according to the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards) – is an absolute must. This historic, 100-year-old zoo is a favorite for visitors and residents alike. You can really get up close and personal with the animals, including brushing the goats, walking among the wallabies and everyone’s favorite, hand-feeding the giraffes! Wear durable shoes and prepare for hills – though the paths are fully paved and work well for strollers and wagons. You can also purchase tickets for a shuttle that can take you to the top of the zoo and view all the exhibits on your walk back down.
After a morning zoo visit, a lunch break and perhaps a nap for the kids (and you), spend the afternoon getting inspired by all things about space and astronauts at the Space Foundation Discovery Center. Kids can get hands-on experience with 3D printing, drones, rovers and more as the entire family learns about incredible advancements in space exploration.
AM: Explore the North Pole – Santa’s Workshop
PM: Tour the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center
What’s better than being a kid on Christmas morning? Being a kid any day (May-December) at the North Pole – Santa’s Workshop! For 70 years, this magical amusement park has brought holiday cheer to families right at the base of Pikes Peak. The North Pole has rides for all ages, including infant-friendly ones – plus sweet treats, village shops and photos with Santa himself. Please note that during peak days over the holiday season, online hourly reservations are required with tickets released weekly.
When you’re done being holly jolly, trek over to the nearby Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center in Woodland Park. This museum features fossils from North America’s cretaceous period including aquatic life, pterosaurs and dinosaurs. There are also live views of a working paleontology lab where technicians are actively working on freeing and restoring fossils.
Before you head out of the area, you might want to check out the Pikes Peak Pickle Shack and Pikes Peak Rock Shop – both popular stops for the kids!
AM: Bug out at the May Natural History Museum
PM: Practice your swing at Adventure Mini Golf
Got a kid that loves staring at creepy crawlies? Bring them to the May Natural History Museum! Open seasonally from May-October, this place has delighted guests for 75 years. Kids always love seeing the 7,000+ specimens, including beetles, spiders, scorpions, butterflies, moths and more – all perfectly preserved. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the beautiful grounds of the museum.
In the afternoon, head to Adventure Mini Golf for a fun outing. With four different 18-hole courses, you can make it a quick stop or stay a while and try them all. The “Story Land” course is perfect for kids, featuring animals, unicorns and cartoon favorites.
We’d probably end the day grabbing a sweet treat from the MilkShake Factory, but we’ll leave that up to you.
AM: Touch stingrays at Jungle Reef Aquarium
PM: Play at the Manitou Springs Penny Arcade
PM: Explore Downtown Manitou Springs
The fun isn’t over ‘til it’s over! A newer addition to the area, Jungle Reef Aquarium is a great stop where kids can enjoy interactive experiences. Touch stingrays and see birds, reptiles and aquatic creatures of all kinds.
Later, head to the Manitou Springs Penny Arcade. This place is like stepping into a time capsule and experiencing your own childhood all over again. From Skee-ball to pinball, Pac-Man, horse derby and a nostalgic candy selection, you can’t go wrong.
After playing, explore the great shops, restaurants and parks in Downtown Manitou Springs.
If you’re looking for some fun local happenings to inspire the timing of your trip, check out these signature Pikes Peak Region events!
July 11 — 18, 2026
Come on out to the El Paso County Fair — a whole week packed full of fun entertainment, fair rides…
February 14, 2026
Learn about our majestic state mammal and spot them in their natural habitat.
September 5 — 7, 2026
Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off is the biggest hot air balloon festival in the state of Colorado – and…
October 3 — 18, 2026
Celebrate all things STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) with 16 days of activities and events at this engaging…
February 14 — 22, 2026
The Cripple Creek Ice Festival is one of the most exciting times of the year in historic Pikes Peak Region.
Looking for even more? Check out these resources to plan additional days in the Pikes Peak Region. And don't forget – you can always use our AI chatbot Penny in the bottom righthand corner to further assist you in your trip planning.
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