Each engaging, educational Abrakadoodle art workshop, camp, or party introduces children to different materials and art-making techniques. Lessons never repeat, and every child leaves each class with a new piece of framed art.

Classes are held at locations in Aurora, Castle Rock, Centennial, Cherry Hills, Englewood, Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Littleton, and Parker for different age groups. Additional information about classes and locations is available online.

Birthday parties: Abrakadoodle books parties for children ages three through 12, and can also bring the party to you. Select an art activity; materials and a teacher are provided.

Summer camps: Half-day art camps are offered for ages three through 12, in partnership with Crayola. Children are grouped by age and introduced to a wide variety of materials and techniques, including sculpture, mosaics, collage, and paint.

Each engaging, educational Abrakadoodle art workshop, camp, or party introduces children to different materials and art-making techniques. Lessons never repeat, and every child leaves each class with a new piece of framed art.

Classes are held at locations in and around Boulder for different age groups. Additional information about classes and locations is available online.

Birthday parties: Abrakadoodle books parties for children ages three through 12, and can also bring the party to you. Select an art activity; materials and a teacher are provided.

Summer camps: Full-day and half-day art camps are offered for ages three through 12, in partnership with Crayola. Children are grouped by age and introduced to a wide variety of materials and techniques, including digital photography, mosaics, collage, and paint.

Academy Stables offers horseback riding lessons, week-long horse camps, parties with horses, pasture rides, and lots more.

Kids can be the hero of a mythic quest during Adventure Quest programs offered throughout the Denver/Boulder metro areas. Since 1995, AQ has provided kids with the opportunity to solve mysteries and riddles, swashbuckle with foam swords, and even negotiate peace treaties. For more information, visit RenaissanceAdventures.com, or call (303) 786-9216.

City of Lakewood outdoor pool.

Whether it's for a catered private event, children's birthday party, school field trip, boy or girl scout outing, church outing, or Harvest Fest (pumpkin patch and corn maze), Anderson Farms has plenty to offer. The family farm is an oasis in the middle of development and expansion of the front range.

Animals are available to pet. Bring a group of kids (great for school field trips) and their lunches and have a picnic on the available tables. Kids can also play in the Kiddie Korral.

Andre's Amazon Reptiles brings live non-venomous reptiles (snakes, lizards, and turtles) to your location for birthday parties and other events. Participants have the opportunity to learn about the animals in a fun and entertaining manner - and, in some cases, even touch and/or hold the animals.

Animal Creations is a traveling stuffed animal workshop that "builds imagination, while kids build their own special animal friend." Kids can hand stuff an animal of their choice, wish on a wish star, decorate a
T-shirt, and fill out a birth certificate. Many high quality animals and outfits are available to choose from.

The Bob L. Burger Recreation Center is a testament to a smaller community's ability to successfully build a great recreation center. The facility includes:

A Leisure Pool which is irregularly shaped and ranges in depth from 0 to 3 1/2 feet deep. Water temperature in the low 90's makes play especially enjoyable for tots and seniors. Features of this pool include a large rock waterfall, raindrops, bubble mattress, vortex, small waterslide and three rocking squirt toys.

The rectangular Lap Pool is 25 yards long, 6 lanes wide to accommodate competitive swimming and lap swimming.

The Swim Channel/Splashdown Pool is a channel seven feet wide and 150 foot long that winds around and connects with itself to create a constant flowing "Lazy River". The island created by the channel contains a splash down pool for a 20 foot high, 150 foot long water slide. Special features include inner tube rides, fountain spray and a static swim area where a nozzle in the wall can be adjusted by a swimmer to allow them to stay in one place and swim against the current. Whirlpool, Steam and Dry Sauna: are provided between the aquatics area and locker rooms. These features are co-ed.

Raquetball courts, exercise rooms, circuit equipment and free weights are also available. As well as an indoor track that is 1/16 of a mile and overlooks the pool, fitness, and gym areas of the center.

The recreation center is housed on 20 acres of parkland. The multi-use land features a 4-field youth sports complex, an inline hockey rink and the city's outdoor classroom. The recreation center, the sports complex and the outdoor classroom provide the community a wonderful focal point for great family recreation.

The city of Dushanbe, Tajikistan presented Boulder with the Teahouse to celebrate the establishment of sister city ties between the two cities. From 1987 -1990, more than 40 artisans in several cities of Tajikistan created the decorative elements of the Teahouse, including the hand-carved and hand-painted ceiling, tables, stools, columns, and exterior ceramic panels.

Tea is served daily. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance. Children's birthday parties can also be scheduled, starting at $9.95 per child for a basic package. The Teahouse also has a complete breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu, as well as appetizers.

Just North of Boulder you'll find "The Rez". Boulder Reservoir is a wonderful oasis offering swimming, boating, boat rentals, picnic areas, and fishing.

Season passes may be purchased at any city recreation center or at the Iris Center, 3198 Broadway.

Full service YMCA facility. Includes a gym, indoor track, full cardio and weight training equipment, program rooms, childcare program, aerobics studio, and a lap pool.

City of Lakewood outdoor pool.

The City of Lakewood recreation center includes an indoor pool, gymnasium, indoor jogging track, cardio and weights, racquetball/walleyball, Pilates reformers, and more.

As you can probably tell from the 85-foot pink tower outside, Casa Bonita is a roller coaster ride of a restaurant, and the food is completely beside the point. The kids might drop by the table to take a bite or two, and maybe they'll sit down long enough to watch a cliff diver do his thing, or pay attention to the sheriff's shootout with Black Bart. But mostly they'll be exploring the caverns and the mine and Black Bart's hideout.

The inside of Casa Bonita is designed to look like a Mexican Village at night, and the assorted dining areas include the Plaza, Poolside, Caverns, Gold Mine, and Silver Mine. If you can finesse a table with a good view of the faux cliffs (where the cliff diving and shoot-outs happen), you'll be all set. But you will have to arrive early!

Even if you can't really see the cliffs, kids will be distracted by the mariachi band, puppet shows, magicians, dancers, flame jugglers, and the refugee gorilla who goes by the name Chiquita. And there's even an arcade!

The restaurant offers all-you-can-eat beef or chicken dinners (raise the little flag on your table and more food will be almost instantly delivered), and a special Little Amigos menu for kids (starting at about $3). It even offers a Gringo menu if Mexican food's not your thing.

Ask about birthday party packages.

The City of Lakewood facility includes two full wood basketball/volleyball courts, a multipurpose gym, sport training room, rock climbing wall (limited hours), locker and shower facilities, circuit and free weight area, cardio-theater, racquetball/wallyball courts, saunas, a fitness pool, outdoor in-line hockey rink, and more.

CircleYAcres brings the fun of ponies to any event - parties, parades, church picnics, daycares, schools, corporate events, fairs, festivals, and parks. No yard is too small.

Cook Recreation Center includes an outdoor pool, gym, weight room, cardio, aerobics, arts and crafts, pottery/kiln, game room, computer lab, billiards, dance, meeting space, and a kitchen.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best party/playspace for teens in Denver, and essentially an upscale, indoor carnival, Dave & Buster's has it all, from zillions of arcade games (older kids are drawn to the Million Dollar Midway), to redemption ticket games littler kids can play for prizes. There are also a couple restaurants to provide energy for those marathon gaming sessions.

You'll find pinball machines, simulated race games, virtual adventures, batting cages, pool tables, and laser tag. Kids can even sign up for billiards tournaments and shuffleboard.

The DaVinci Center for Creative Arts offers programs in Suzuki and traditional piano, private and group voice classes, dance, art, acting, Spanish singing, guitar (jazz and classical), and martial arts. Creation Workshops culminate in theatre/musical productions, showcasing original student compositions.

Summer Camp programs and birthday party packages are also available.

This is a hands-on, living museum, and a perfect spot for kids who dream of being heroes one day, or who just want to spend a little time appreciating this line of work.

The Denver Firefighters Museum building was originally home to Fire Station No. 1; in 1909, it was one of the biggest stations in the area and housed three stables and a hay loft (remind the kids that engines came later, and imagine racing to a fire behind a team of horses!).

Kids can lean inside the trucks and other vehicles for a look at the dashboard controls, try on a firefighter's helmet, and slide down the fire pole - which is a smaller, safer, version of the original.

Birthday party packages are available.

Memberships for kids start at $12; Families can join for $36 and up.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best Day Camp for little kids in Denver, the Denver Zoo is one of our favorite attractions in the metro area. Nearly 4,000 different animals, representing over 700 species, fill the various "neighborhoods" at the Denver Zoo. Amur leopards, king cobras, black rhinos, coral reef fish, elephants, zebras, vampire bats, gorillas, raptors... it's all happening at the zoo.

Our favorite spot: Tropical Discovery, where the kids like to pretend they're Indiana Jones-type explorers. The jungle habitat is truly magical, with waterfalls, a spooky (but not too spooky) cave, and even a temple ruin.

Wander along the tropical riverbank to a mangrove swamp - and spectacular coral reefs - where fresh-water and marine fish, and exotic turtles, swim in the 2,250-gallon azure pool. The cypress swamp and marsh lead to the world's largest indoor Komodo dragon habitat before exiting through the Discovery Center.

Predator Ridge is an example of what accredited zoos nationwide are trying to achieve - larger, more naturalistic, and educational exhibits. Beautifully landscaped habitats house 14 African species of mammals, birds, and reptiles including two prides of lions.

Primate fans can explore seven acres of monkey business, where tree-dwelling creatures have a habitat four stories high in open-air wire mesh tents while visiting Primate Panorama.

The Gates Wildlife Conservation Education Center houses classrooms and meeting rooms, and the Wild Encounters outdoor amphitheater, designed for wildlife presentations, is located immediately outside the Gates Center.

The Safari Shuttle ($2.50 for adults and $1.50 for children and seniors - once you've paid, you can ride all day!), can be a lifesaver when little feet have had enough. The open-air electric vehicle tours the Zoo paths at regular intervals. Tickets may be purchased at all Zoo gift shops. (Operates from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, weather permitting.)

The Pachyderm Park features a special ride of its own: the Denver Zoo Pioneer Train costs $1 per person and offers exotic views of primates, rhinos, elephants, plus the scenic Downtown Denver skyline! The natural gas-powered train runs daily, weather permitting.

Little ones who long to ride the animals might settle for a turn on the Endangered Species Carousel (also $1 a ride), which features hand-carved wooden replicas of a polar bear mom and cubs, giraffes, okapis, and baby gorillas, among other beasts.

For a unique birthday party experience check out the Zoo. Parents can sit back and let the Zoo staff do all the work, with a "Wild" themed birthday party, or be in charge of all the fun, with a Zoo-It-Yourself party - flexible packages are available to accommodate most needs. Remember, no balloons, streamers, stickers, straws, glitter, or confetti are allowed inside the Zoo. Bring a cake or take advantage of cupcakes, ice cream, and drinks for $5pp. Call 303.376.4842 to reserve your party.

The Hungry Elephant Cafeteria and the Pronghorn Gift Shop are open daily and located near the main entrance. Seasonal snacks and specialty gifts (like safari outfitters) are also located throughout the Zoo. Checks, Visa, and MasterCard are accepted.

Age-appropriate Summer Camp Programs that include hands-on activities, animal visits and observations, crafts, games, stories, projects, and zoo tours. Campers also enjoy nutritious snacks and receive a t-shirt.

Membership is $70 for Family level. Join online and receive a discount.

The rec center features a 25-meter, 3-lane swimming pool, on-site babysitting services, cardio and strength equipment, a fitness studio, gymnasium, leisure pool with lazy river, running track and many other amenities. Party rooms are also available.

The Downtown Aquarium, formerly the nonprofit Colorado's Ocean Journey, provides guests the opportunity to not only view lots of fish and underwater wildlife, but also plenty of ecosystems and animals that depend on the oceans and rivers for survival. Exhibits include North America, Desert, Wharf, Rainforest, and more.

The facility is owned and operated by Landry's Seafood Restaurants, so it should come as no surprise that the centerpiece of the venue is the Aquarium Restaurant, where guests are seated around a 150,000 gallon aquarium. Since Landry's acquired the facility in 2003, the attraction has taken on a decidely "for profit" feeling. Visitors follow a predetermined path through the exhibits and virtually any activity (and there are several), other than simply viewing the resident critters, has an extra charge associated with it.

Birthday party packages are available. Contact 303.561.4444 for information. charm since the Landry's acquisition, we love the Summer Camps and School Vacation Day Camps that run throughout the year, paticularly the Marine Biologist for a Day and Zoologist for a Day camps, where kids get to work behind the scenes. Programs typically include age appropriate activities, such as crafts and animal visits, and center around the animals living at the aquarium. Visit the website for scheduling and registration information.

Annual memberships are available; family memberships start at $125.

The Erie Community Center has something for everyone in the 63,000-square foot facility.

Aquatics offerings include a lap pool, a leisure pool with play features, a whirlpool, a 2-story figure-8 pool slide with splash tank, the lazy river, and an outdoor water feature and spray area.

Guests can also take advantage of a gymnasium, fitness areas on two levels, climbing walls, an indoor running track, racquetball courts, a child care facility with adjacent outdoor playground, an indoor playground, and a teen room. Multi-purpose community rooms feature attached proofing kitchen for catered events and parties.

A 100-foot long indoor City of Aurora pool.

Flatirons Equestrian Center offers many quality services such as full care boarding, riding lessons, horse training, schooling shows, camps, clinics, birthday parties, and an on-site tack shop.

Wheely big fun for kids on the move, Forney is all about how humans get from point A to point B, and everywhere in between. Its collection of over 500 exhibits began with antique cars, but soon expanded to include vehicles of all kinds.

Besides gorgeous autos, kids thrill to see the trains (including the famous Union Pacific Big Boy), planes, bikes, and buggies. Meeting rooms are available as party rooms.

City of Lakewood outdoor pool.

Glitz & Glam Celebrations brings professional stylists to your home or venue to provide hairstyling and manicure parties for all types of celebrations. Cosmetologists provide fancy hairstyles and updo's, satisfying every girl's dream for the perfect party.

Aerobics, weights, running track, walleyball courts, raquetball courts, swimming pool, and more.

The City of Lakewood Green Mountain Recreation Center includes an indoor pool, jogging facility, cardio and weights, raquetball/walleyball, outdoor tennis courts, and a gymnasium.

The H2O'Brien Pool is the Town of Parker's outdoor pool facility, featuring two 182' water slides, a waterworks play structure, a spray garden, sprays and geysers, a circulation and lap pool, a concession area, and a shade pavilion.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best haircut for big kids in Denver, Jack & Jill Children's Salon is a full-service salon exclusively for kids and tweens, featuring haircuts, fun hair-dos, professional ear piercing, and jeweled manicures and pedicures.

The onsite specialty gift shop carries children's hair care products, hair accessories, jewelry, and many great gifts.

Four party packages are designed to pamper guests to perfection. Themes include Prima Ballerina, Royal Princess, Karaoke Pop-Diva, or Spa Girl.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best haircut for big kids in Denver, Jack & Jill Children's Salon is a full-service salon exclusively for kids and tweens, featuring haircuts, fun hair-dos, professional ear piercing, and jeweled manicures and pedicures.

The onsite specialty gift shop carries children's hair care products, hair accessories, jewelry, and many great gifts.

Four party packages are designed to pamper guests to perfection. Themes include Prima Ballerina, Royal Princess, Karaoke Pop-Diva, or Spa Girl.

Lamont Does is an outdoor pool and park for the City of Lafayette. Available for party rental.

Learning Adventure Center offers Imagine Tomorrow computer classes for kids, integrating sophisticated technology concepts, such as email and the internet, in an age-appropriate way. Classes allow students to advance at their own pace; when class ends, children have access to online software activities that correspond to the current lesson.

Classes are small, only six to 10 kids per two teachers, allowing lots of personal attention as kids move ahead at their own pace. Parents even receive a password to log online at www.imaginetomorrow.com to review the lessons learned that day, and download the age-appropriate software activities for reinforcement at home.

Summer camps and birthday party packages are also available.

Lilley Gulch Rec Center and Pool is part of the Foothills Park and Recreation District in Littleton. The Rec Center includes a 25-meter indoor pool, gymnastics center, cardio and weight room, wellness room, raquetball courts, and more.

Hold a birthday party here and take advantage of any of the facilities available. You'll likely have to share with the general public, however.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best haircut for little kids in Denver, LolliLocks provides children's haircuts, hairstyling, manicures, ear-piercing, birthday parties, and more in a unique salon setting that features colorful character cutting chairs and a special play area, plus a product boutique stocked with hair products, accessories, jewelry, bath, and gift items.

The Cherry Creek North location features a private LolliParty Parlour for a unique all-inclusive, themed birthday party celebration. Choose from four themes with hair and nail services, crafts, dress-up, cake, keepsake photos, and more.

Appointments may be made online at www.lollilocks.com, or by calling the salon.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best haircut for little kids in Denver, LolliLocks provides children's haircuts, hairstyling, manicures, ear-piercing, birthday parties, and more in a unique salon setting that features colorful character cutting chairs and a special play area, plus a product boutique stocked with hair products, accessories, jewelry, bath, and gift items.

The Cherry Creek North location features a private LolliParty Parlour for a unique all-inclusive, themed birthday party celebration. Choose from four themes with hair and nail services, crafts, dress-u