Best Things to Do in Colorado With Kids (Rafting, Zip Lining & Hiking)

If you’re planning a trip and wondering what are the best things to do in Colorado with kids, the short answer is: this is a destination built around outdoor adventure rather than typical attractions.

That can either work really well — or feel a bit unclear — depending on what your kids enjoy. This guide is for families with school‑aged children who want a clear, experience‑led view of:

• fun things to do in Colorado with kids

• the best outdoor activities in Colorado for families

• and what actually works day‑to‑day on a trip

Quick Answer: What Are the Best Things to Do in Colorado With Kids?

The best experiences in Colorado aren’t theme parks or structured attractions — they’re outdoor, active and hands-on.

For us, the highlights were:

• white water rafting in Colorado

• zip lining through the Rockies

• easy mountain hikes and scenic drives

That mix of adventure and exploration is what makes Colorado such a strong family-friendly destination, especially in summer. Colorado formed part of a wider road trip for us from Denver to Mount Rushmore and back through the Rockies, which meant we saw both sides of the experience — the slower scenic parts and the more active adventure days.

In this guide, we’ll break down the best Colorado attractions for kids, including:

• outdoor activities around Idaho Springs

• family-friendly hikes and scenic routes around the Colorado Rockies

• and practical ways to plan your days so they actually work with kids

Where relevant, we’ve included the tours and activities we used or considered. These may be affiliate links, but we only recommend experiences we’ve tried or would confidently book again — with the aim of helping you plan a trip that feels exciting, not overcomplicated.

White Water Rafting in the Idaho Springs

White water rafting is one of the most memorable things you can do in Colorado with kids — and it’s often where families start asking: is it actually suitable, and is it worth the cost?

The answer, from our experience, is yes — if you choose a beginner-friendly route.

There are several rivers in the Rockies that offer family-friendly rafting trips, designed specifically for first-time rafters. These are guided, well-managed, and structured in a way that makes them feel exciting without being overwhelming for school-aged kids.

We went rafting on Clear Creek near Idaho Springs, and it ended up being one of the standout days of the trip. The rapids were fun enough to feel like a proper adventure, but the whole experience felt controlled and easy to follow — which made a big difference with a child.

If you want to plan the same experience, this is the rafting tour we used and would recommend:
→ Book the Clear Creek white water rafting experience (family-friendly option)

If you’re still deciding whether rafting is right for your family (age limits, safety, what it actually feels like), this breaks it down clearly:
→ White Water Rafting in Colorado with Kids: Is It Safe & Worth It?

Zip Lining Through the Mountains

Zip lining is another activity that works really well with school‑aged kids — but like rafting, the real question is: what is it actually like, and is it worth doing as a family?

From our experience, it’s one of those activities that looks more intimidating than it feels in reality.

Flying across mountain valleys gives you incredible views you wouldn’t otherwise get, but once you’re on the course, it feels structured and controlled rather than extreme. The guides manage all the technical elements, which makes it very accessible — even for beginners.

We did this in Idaho Springs, and it ended up being one of those “highlight” moments of the trip. After the first line, any nerves disappeared, and it quickly became more about the views and the fun than the height.

If you want to plan the same experience, this is the zip lining tour we used and would recommend:
→ Book the Idaho Springs zip lining experience (family-friendly option)

If you’re still unsure about whether it’s suitable for your child or how it actually feels, this breaks it down properly:
→ Zip Lining in Colorado With Kids: Our Honest Experience

Exploring Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most famous natural areas in the United States and offers plenty of opportunities for families to explore nature.

Popular activities include:

• short scenic hikes

• wildlife spotting

• scenic mountain drives

• picnic stops with dramatic views

Children often enjoy spotting animals such as elk, marmots and deer, which are commonly seen in the park.

If you're planning a visit, Rocky Mountain National Park with Kids: Practical Guide explains how families can explore the park with children, including where you can find free access.

Scenic Drives Through the Colorado Rockies

Some of the best experiences in Colorado happen simply by driving through the mountains.

The Colorado Rockies are full of scenic roads that pass through forests, mountain passes and small towns. These drives make it easy for families to enjoy the landscape while stopping frequently for short walks or viewpoints.

For families travelling with children, these scenic drives break up longer journeys and help keep road trips interesting.

Hiking Family-Friendly Trails

Colorado offers many hiking trails that are suitable for families with school-aged children. Instead of long or technical routes, many families choose shorter trails that offer scenic views and manageable distances.

Typical family hikes include:

• forest walks

• lake trails

• short mountain viewpoints

Because of Colorado’s altitude, it’s often best to start with easier hikes on the first day of the trip while everyone adjusts to the elevation.

Visiting Small Mountain Towns

One of the nicest aspects of travelling through Colorado is the chance to visit small mountain towns.

Places such as Georgetown, Estes Park and Idaho Springs offer relaxed environments where families can:

• walk around historic streets

• stop at local cafés or diners

• explore small shops

• enjoy scenic surroundings

These towns provide a slower pace between outdoor adventures and are ideal for relaxing evenings during a road trip.

Combine Colorado with a Road Trip to Mount Rushmore

Colorado works particularly well when combined with other destinations in the western United States.

During our own trip we:

• flew from the UK to Denver

• drove north to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota

• returned through the Colorado Rockies

This combination of iconic landmarks and outdoor adventure created a varied and engaging trip for our child. You can see how this route works in Planning a Family Road Trip from Denver to Mount Rushmore to Colorado from the UK.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Colorado with Kids?

Most families travelling from the UK visit Colorado during summer, when hiking trails and outdoor activities are fully accessible. Summer offers warm daytime temperatures and cooler evenings in the mountains, which makes exploring far more comfortable than some hotter US destinations.

If you're planning a trip, When Is the Best Time to Visit Colorado with Kids? explains what each season offers. If you're preparing for a similar trip, What to Pack for a Family Road Trip in America (From a UK Perspective) explains what families should bring for comfort on longer journeys.

Final Thoughts

Colorado offers a type of family travel experience that is very different from typical city breaks or theme park holidays.

Instead of crowds and queues, children spend their time exploring mountains, rivers and forests. Activities such as rafting, zip lining and hiking make the destination particularly engaging for school-aged children, while scenic drives and mountain towns provide plenty of opportunities to relax between adventures. For families who enjoy active travel and nature, Colorado can easily become one of the most memorable parts of a US trip.

plan your family road trip

If you’re planning a Colorado family road trip (and perhaps considering Mt Rushmore), these guides will help you pull everything together:

About Plan Family Escapes

We’re a UK-based family sharing real, experience-led travel guides based on trips we’ve taken with our school-age son Joshua across destinations like Lapland, Turkey and India.

Everything we share is based on what we’ve personally experienced — with honest advice on what actually works when travelling with kids, focusing on making family travel easier, more comfortable and genuinely enjoyable.