Denver gets about 300 sunny days a year — but when a storm rolls in off the mountains, you need a plan. Here are the best indoor and weather-proof options when it's wet outside.
---
The Best Rainy Day Picks
Immersive Gamebox - 9+CO Denver
360-degree projected game worlds where kids are physically inside the action. Sessions run 30–60 minutes — book the right length for your group. Great for older kids and teens who love gaming. Located at 9+CO with food options in the building, which makes it easy to make a full afternoon of it.
Activate Westminster
Tech-driven active game rooms — laser mazes, timed reaction challenges, LED climbing walls. Kids physically run and compete. Best for ages 8+. Book online ahead of time; sessions fill up on rainy weekends. Wear athletic shoes — you'll genuinely sweat.
Freyer - Newman Center
The art and science education hub at Denver Botanic Gardens. Fully climate-controlled. Rotating exhibits blend science and creativity. Part of the Botanic Gardens campus — one admission covers indoor and outdoor areas, but on a rainy day the indoor spaces are the draw. Check the events calendar for family programming.
Kids Empire Aurora City Place
Large indoor play venue with foam structures, slides, ball pits, and themed zones. Grip socks required — bring your own. Rainy days drive traffic here; book online or arrive early on weekends.
Spark the Senses Indoor Playground
Sensory-focused indoor play. Good for younger kids and those who do better in calmer environments than a standard trampoline park. Memberships available for regular visitors.
Denver Botanic Gardens: Morrison Discovery Center
Hands-on nature exploration space for younger children — touching, building, exploring with natural materials. Closed Sundays. Part of the Denver Botanic Gardens campus; check hours before going.
Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory
A warm, humid glass dome packed with tropical plants. On a cold, rainy Denver day, walking into this dome feels like a vacation. The giant Victoria amazonica water lily pads are a hit with kids. Included with the main Botanic Gardens ticket.
Go Bonkers
4.8-rated indoor playground in Aurora — one of the most consistently praised in the metro. Multi-level climbing structures, slides, and interactive zones. Sunday hours limited (12–6pm). Socks required. Located near the Aurora Mall with dining options nearby.
Tumble Haus
Indoor gymnastics-style play space. Good for younger kids who need to climb and tumble. Memberships available.
Museum of Illusions
Forced perspective rooms, infinity mirrors, anti-gravity chambers. Self-paced — spend as long as you want in each room. Good rainy afternoon option when you want something different from a play gym.
SweetPlay Greenwood Village
Indoor play in Greenwood Village. Good south Denver option on a rainy day.
Kids Dig
Fossil dig experience. Curious 6–12 year olds find the excavation process genuinely absorbing — a rainy day activity that doesn't feel like a rainy day fallback.
Kids Wonder
Indoor exploration play. Check current pricing online.
Kids Empire North Glenn
North Glenn location of the Kids Empire chain. Check kidsempire.com for current pricing.
Slick City Action Park
Indoor waterless slide park — body slides, tube slides, loop slides. Book timed entry online; early slots are cheaper and rainy weekends fill fast.
Lava Island
Indoor play venue. Check current pricing and hours online.
The Bounce Place Colorado Mills
Located at Colorado Mills. Admission ~$14–$18 per child; adults typically free or minimal. Good option if you're already in the Lakewood area.
BOUNCE AND PLAY
Local bounce venue; more affordable than national chains. Check current pricing.
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
Climbing walls, dodgeball courts, and foam pits beyond standard trampoline areas. Buy passes online for 10–15% off; weekday rates are lower.
Malibu Jack's Thornton
Go-karts, mini golf, laser tag, arcade. Activity packages beat individual pricing. A full rainy day option without leaving the building.
Boondocks Food and Fun - Parker
Go-karts, laser tag, mini golf, and a full food court. Some attractions are outdoors — factor that in if it's actively raining. Parker is south of Denver.
---
Rainy Day Logistics
Book the night before if rain is forecast. Activate Westminster, Slick City, and Immersive Gamebox all fill up on rainy weekends. Don't arrive and hope.
Best one-stop rainy day: Malibu Jack's Thornton. Food on-site, multiple activities, fully indoor. You can make a full day without leaving the building.
Best budget rainy day: Go Bonkers ($50–$80 for 2 kids with adults often free or nominal). 4.8 rating, genuinely great indoor playground. Kids Empire is close behind at a similar price point.
Best for curious kids: Kids Dig. It's not an obvious rainy day pick but a 9-year-old who likes fossils will spend 2 hours there without complaint.
Botanic Gardens rainy day: The Boettcher Conservatory alone is worth the admission on a cold, rainy Denver day. Combined with the Freyer-Newman Center and the Morrison Discovery Center, you've got a 3-hour indoor visit across one beautiful campus.