Denver: Top 3 Picks for Kids This Fall

This past weekend was the girls’ fall break from school, so it really feels like we’re in the midst of the season now! Over the past four days we’ve really laid it on thick with all the quintessential things. We managed to attend the Fall Festival at Anderson Farms, out in Erie, Colorado, hit up the girls’ favorite park — Paco Sanchez Park — for a Mom/daughter date with Lotte, get in lots of outdoor time for scootering and bike riding and check out the Halloween decorations at the Denver Zoo, pick up some supplies from the local library for a marathon afternoon of Halloween movie watching.

Day 1: Anderson Farms Fall Festival

Thursday was Day 1 of the girls’ fall break, and we met up with my cousin and her three cuties at Anderson Farms for their fall festival. This place was awesome, and I have a feeling that it’s a pretty good thing we went on a weekday (tickets are cheaper on weekdays, too!). I imagine weekends might be a madhouse. But we got lucky, and on a random Thursday there were no lines for things like duck races, hay rides, bouncy castles, corn mazes, barrel rides and so much more.

I have truly never seen such fun pumpkin displays, except for The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in the Hudson Valley.

There was a long and spooky corn maze for adults, and then this shorter, kid-friendly version for the littles.

Ask me how much I wanted to jump on these inflatables?!

The tractor ride out to the pumpkin patch was definitely a big hit!

And … the best part … they were already picked! At our usual pumpkin patch (which I still love), you have to cut the pumpkins yourself, which can sometimes be tricky.

Grace took her pumpkin picking very seriously.

It was the first time this little one visited a pumpkin patch and, as no surprise to anyone, she rocked it!

One of these things is not like the other.

Chris enjoyed this ride as much as the kids, I think.

Day 2: Paco Sanchez Park

On Friday, Lotte and I stole away from the rest of the crew for a bit to visit a park that Chris had introduced the girls to, but that I had never been to before. According to their website, “the giant 1950s microphone-inspired tower heralds the horizon, but the built-in play value is what really makes this park honoring local radio DJ Paco Sanchez truly extraordinary.”

Well, no kidding … take a look at this place!

I won’t lie — the first time Lotte started doing stuff at the playground I had a quick momentary thought of, “Can she handle this?!” I mean I’m her Mom, I worry, okay!?

I quickly learned that she was more than capable, though, and it was so amazing watching her climb, swing, run and slide.

I love some good family time, of course, but it’s also awesome to get away with just one girl every so often.

One quick note: If you do come here, the playground is recommended for kids from five to 12, but of course it’ll be up to you decide if your kid is ready for the dexterity that all the play equipment requires.

Day 3: Boo at the Zoo!

On Saturday, we met up with one of Grace’s preschool friends to check out the Halloween decorations at the zoo. We didn’t actually spend a lot of time paying attention to the animals, but the kids had a great time together, and it was so lovely getting to know Judah’s parents a bit better, too. Plus, the zoo is always one of our favorite spots around Halloween!

The “strolley,” as we lovingly call our foldable Radio Flyer, turned out to be quite the draw!

It’s become a tradition to hit up the train (which only lasts about five minuets, if that) while we’re at the zoo, and Judah was happy to oblige.

The girls had their first Carousel ride (at this particular zoo, at least) AND their first fruit roll-up on this trip! Not a bad day …

This guy was certainly creepy, but Em didn’t seem to mind!

Cheryl Lock

Cheryl Lock is a former magazine, newspaper and website editor turned full-time freelance writer. She has worked on staff at the Daytona Beach News-Journal, More and Parents magazines, as well as for Learnvest, the leading women’s financial website. Her work has also appeared in Newsweek, Forbes, Ladies’ Home Journal, the Huffington Post, AOL Travel and more.

Cheryl was born in Nuremberg, Germany and grew up moving around every few years as an Army brat. The urge to travel has been with her her whole life. While she calls New York City home, Cheryl makes it a priority to travel as much as possible throughout the year. Some of her favorite places include Iceland, the Great Barrier Beef, Cabo, Rome, Calabria and Munich, although she hopes to never stop exploring. Cheryl blogs about her travel adventures (and what’s happening in and around New York City) at Weary Wanderer.