Aspen Kids Summer Fun

Beat the boredom blues in Aspen, Colorado this summer! Explore the outdoors, meet new friends, challenge yourself and have fun. Family fun in Aspen is everywhere you look.

THINGS TO DO

Go rafting, go swimming, go hiking, go biking! Go on a horseback ride through the Colorado wilderness. Go hot air ballooning! Go shopping in Aspen’s one of a kind boutiques or discover art in Aspen’s art museum or fine galleries.

Swimming/Boating
Spend the day relaxing at Sylvan lake. You might think that the water is too cold to swim, but your kids won’t even notice. It’s possible to rent canoes and kayaks to take on to the lake. Make sure that everyone wears life jackets and has some basic instruction before heading out into the open water. Boating in general is a fabulous way to spend a family vacation day in Aspen. If your kids really get the hang of paddling, challenge them to a race or create an obstacle course.

Rafting
A great follow up to boating on a lake is rafting down the Roaring Fork river! There are several guide services to choose from, and some of them cater specifically to families. Some of Aspen’s rafting companies take your kids on a relatively mellow float trip while you conquer some of Colorado’s biggest, scariest rapids. Then they’ll bring your kids to meet you for a riverside cookout.

Hiking/Photography
Aspen is a great place to introduce your kids to photography. Encourage them to capture the perfect image of a wildflower. Challenge them to take a series of shots that will show a panoramic view of Colorado’s beautiful scenery. Photography can make day hiking with kids seem more like an adventure and less like exercise. And best of all, the pictures will help to create lasting memories of your family vacation!

Kid Programs
Need a break? Many of the Aspen’s tour guides offer fun activities for kids. There are also many day camps, nature programs and sport programs that your kids will love. Just make sure to sign up well in advance.

Dining
When you’ve exhausted yourself and your kids are running low on fuel, Aspen offers a fine array of dining choices. Call ahead for reservations to avoid hunger-related crankiness. Even Aspen’s best restaurants welcome family dining and will often even provide kid-friendly choices.