The Denver Library, located in Downtown Denver, could be one of the most impressive libraries in the country. With multiple floors and 540,000 square feet of space, the Denver library is known for it’s extensive collection of items. In 2010, the library had over two million items in it’s database. The library has a very large Western History collection that includes photographs, manuscript archives, and cataloged books. Besides for it’s downtown location, the library also has twenty-three branches and a bookmobile program. The library is perfect for children of all ages. There’s a section for children and teens. Also, there is a separate section including books written in Spanish as well as an African American Research Library. The resourcefulness of the library doesn’t stop at the library itself though! The library’s website also offers homework help as well as information for parents and teachers.

If you live in Denver or plan on visiting soon, a unique and fun activity to do with young children is to take a visit to the Denver Firefighters Museum. Located in downtown Denver, this nonprofit institution greets more than 20,000 visitors each year. The museum is a dream for any young child hoping to one day fight fires! In the Main Floor Gallery, kids will get to look at all the big gear firefighters have to wear everyday and learn about the history of firefighters. The boot prints on the floor will lead you to hands-on activities that include sliding down a firefighter pole, climbing in a fire truck, and touching real firefighting tools. As you venture to the Second Floor Gallery, you will learn what it’s like to actually live like a firefighter in a fire station. Finally, the Children’s Gallery, designed especially for families, is an educational experience for children as they learn how to prevent fires through performances and activities put on by the museum.

A great outdoor activity for you and the kids is a day trip to the Denver Zoo. The Denver Zoo is a 80-acre zoo in City Park of Denver. Bear Mountain, the zoo’s most historic exhibit, is home to grizzly bears, Asiatic black bears, and coati. The next exhibit, Primate Panorama is a 7 acre home to apes and other large primates. At Predator Ridge, you and your family will find a representation of an African savanna. You can watch lions, hyenas, and African wild dogs roam the exhibit. And finally, the most popular exhibit, the Toyota Elephant Passage, was once the largest elephant habitat in the world. It houses up to 12 elephants and has more than 2 miles of trails for the animals. The coolest part is that the exhibit is powered by a biomass gasification system, meaning all the animal waste and human trash in the park is converted into usable combustible gas. This has reduced the zoo’s landfill contribution by more than 90 percent! So not only will you be spending a great day with the family but you will also be helping the Earth!