Douglas County, Colorado

Things to Do with Kids in Douglas County

Parks, family events, paint nights, pumpkin patches, and free outings — the kid-friendly guide to Castle Rock, Parker, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, and Castle Pines.

By Connor Tien, DougCo Social

Outdoors & playgrounds

Parks & Playgrounds

Browse Douglas County parks and playgrounds by town.

Easy Hikes & Camping

Kid-friendly trails and campgrounds within a short drive.

Guided Nature Programs

Free and low-cost nature walks and outdoor programs.

Family events & things happening now

Family Events Calendar

All-ages events across the county, updated weekly.

Backcountry Outdoor Movies

Summer movie nights under the stars in Highlands Ranch.

Douglas County Fair & Rodeo

Rodeo, carnival, animals, and fair food each summer.

Make & play

Kids & Family Paint Nights

Guided paint sessions the whole family can do together.

Pickleball Courts

Where to play — a great one for older kids and families.

Farmers Markets

Free to wander, with music, treats, and kids’ activities.

Seasonal family fun

Pumpkin Patches & Halloween

Corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and trick-or-treat events.

Holiday & Tree Lightings

Starlighting, markets, and winter family events.

Holiday Markets

Free to browse all season long.

Want the whole picture? See everything to do in Douglas County or the free things to do guide.

Things to Do with Kids — FAQ

What are the best things to do with kids in Douglas County?

Parks and playgrounds in every town, the Backcountry Wilderness Area (outdoor movies, animal programs, easy trails), family events on the calendar year-round, farmers markets, family paint nights, the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo in summer, and seasonal staples like pumpkin patches in fall and tree lightings in winter. The sections above group them by type.

What free things can families do in Douglas County?

Plenty — free summer concerts, farmers markets, park and playground days, library story times and programs, First Fridays, and hiking on open-space trails. See our Free Things to Do guide for the full list.

What is there to do with kids indoors on a cold or rainy day?

Douglas County Libraries branches run free kids’ programs, and the directory lists indoor play, museums, and family restaurants. Check the family events calendar for indoor programs scheduled that week.

What is there to do with kids this weekend?

Check our This Weekend page and filter the events calendar for family events — both update weekly with kid-friendly options across Castle Rock, Parker, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, and Castle Pines.

Family plans, sorted every week

We round up kid-friendly events and things to do across Douglas County. Join 11,000+ locals.

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