It may not be officially summer, but the weather says otherwise, and many of our families are heading outdoors. With COVID on the decline in our community, many northern Colorado events are resuming this year. Entertain the whole family this summer with these kid-friendly things to do (listed for each city in order of start date):
FORT COLLINS
Monday Outdoor Series at Old Town Library
When: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. every Monday this summer
Where: Old Town Library Park
Details: Take part in this music-focused, multicultural learning program every Monday this summer. Participation is free, but registration is required, and events fill up in advance. Register online here.
Council Tree Storytime on a Blanket
When: every Monday from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., weather permitting
Where: CSU Environmental Learning Center
Details: This 20-30 minute outdoor storytime is designed for kids birth to 6 years old. Bring your own blanket to sit on with the kids, dress for the weather, and bring your water bottles. Social distancing and safety guidelines will be enforced including face masks for participants ages 2 and older. Space is limited to 25 people and registration is required for each individual.
Music and Movement in the Park at Old Town Library
When: every Wednesday from 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Old Town Library
Details: Space is limited and registration is required for this 25 minute outdoor storytime, taking place every Wednesday this summer. Weather permitting, be ready to move, dance, read and stretch outside in Library Park! Bring your own blanket or yoga mat. Social distancing and safety guidelines will be enforced. Face masks for participants ages 2 and older are required. Please register child(ren) and caregiver separately.
Harmony Storytime Outdoors at Harmony Library
When: every Wednesday from 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Harmony Library
Details: Space is limited and registration is required for this 20 min. outdoor storytime happening every Wednesday this summer! Please register child(ren) and caregiver separately.Bring your own blanket to sit on. Social distancing and safety guidelines will be enforced. As of April 16, 2021, masks and physical distancing will be required by all participants age 11 and older during this program. No more than 9 people will be present at the program. Program requirements are subject to change as CDC and County guidelines are updated. Additional instructions will be sent by e-mail to those registered prior to the program.
Read and a Walk Storytime
When: Fridays, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Where: CSU Environmental Learning Center
Details: Poudre Libraries is excited to be partnering with Colorado State University’s Environmental Learning Center (ELC) for this special storytime and optional walk. This 20-30 minute outdoor storytime is designed for kids birth to 6 years old together with an adult. Please check the events calendar for cancellation updates due to weather or other safety concerns. Bring a blanket and water bottle and be prepared to move, dance, and sing!
You are invited to participate in the FREE guided walk with staff from CSU’s Environmental Learning Center from 10:00 – 11:00. You will need to provide your name and contact information with CSU on-site should you join them!
Fort Collins Farmers Market
When: Wednesdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: 1001 E. Harmony Road (Ace Hardware parking lot)
Details: Stop by and support local farmers and businesses! We will have local produce, plants, honey, bread, seasonings, marinades, sweets and pastries, soap, coffee, milk, tortillas and chips, and much much more!
Bee Family Farm Summer Tours
When: Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Bee Family Centennial Farm Museum
Details: A farm/museum tour exploring one family’s experience surviving on the high plains of Colorado. Cost is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $3 for kids (cash and credit cards accepted). That includes trolly rides, museum tours, visiting all the young and old farm animals, and access to all the different hands-on activities. More information here.
Summer Movie Clubhouse at Cinemark
When: Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m., June 16 – August 4
Where: Cinemark 16 Fort Collins
Details: Enjoy safe and exciting big-screen entertainment for just $1.50* per ticket for each movie, every Wednesday at 9:30 am. Save even more with $1 off deals on kids’ snack packs, large popcorns, and large drinks during Summer Movie Clubhouse showtimes. View this summer’s movie schedule here.
Fort Collins Food Truck Rally
When: Tuesdays, June 1 – September 14, from 5:45 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. or until trucks sell out
Where: Fort Collins City Park
Details: Gather for live music and a selection of local food trucks Tuesday evenings at Fort Collins’ City Park.
June Story Stroll – VAMOS! Let’s Go Eat
When: June 1-30
Where: downtown Fort Collins
Details: From June 1 – 30, while you walk around downtown, you can read “¡Vamos! Let’s Go Eat” by Raúl the Third” which is about Little Lobo, a Mexican American, and Bernabé, his dog, gather tacos, frutas picadas, cuernos, and more and deliver them to los luchadores preparing for Lucha Libre 5000.
Fort Collins Foodie Walk
When: 3rd Friday of each month from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., starting June 18
Where: downtown Fort Collins
Details: The Fort Collins Foodie Walk features 12 of Old Town’s finest culinary shops, as they stay open late on the 3rd Friday of each month for interactive showcases, seasonal flavors, and exciting taste experiences! Learn more at downtownfortcollins.com.
Fathers’ Free Day at Global Village Museum
When: June 19, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Global Village Museum
Details: In honor of Father’s Day on Sunday, June 20, fathers will enjoy free admission to the Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures on Saturday, June 19, from 11 am to 5 pm. A fun and whimsical exhibit — Magical and Mythical Animals in Human Imagination — is showing in the Main Gallery. For more information, visit globalvillagemuseum.org or call 970-221-4600.
First Friday Art Walk
When: first Friday of every month; July 2, August 6
Where: downtown Fort Collins
Details: First Friday Art Walk is a monthly self-guided walking tour that celebrates creativity, culture, and community in Downtown Fort Collins on the first Friday of each month from 6 – 9 pm. From fine to funky, First Friday Art Walk showcases a spectrum of artistic styles to entertain and engage amateurs and art aficionado of all ages, interests and backgrounds. More info here.
LOVELAND
Outdoor Storytime
When: Thursdays at 10 a.m. from June 3 – July 29
Where: Loveland Public Library
Details: Join us outdoors for stories, music, fingerplays, and fun! Runs from June 3rd – July 29th. Pre-registration is HIGHLY recommended as participants will be limited. Registration begins one week in advance.
City of Loveland Mobile Recreation Trailer
When: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays all summer
Where: See details
Details: The City of Loveland’s Mobile Recreation Trailer brings free play to children around Loveland.
Picnic & Play schedule:
- Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. @ Eagle View Park
- Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. @ Osborn Park
- Thursdays, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. @ Seven Lakes Park
Tots in the Park schedule:
- Thursdays, 9 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. @ Namaqua Park
Metro Summer Kids Movies at Metrolux Theaters Foundry
When: Wednesdays at 2 p.m.
Where: The Foundry Metrolux
Details: All seats are $2 and no booking fee. $10 kids’ package available at dine-in theatres – includes ticket and lunch. For a list of movies click here!
Metro Summer Kids Movies at Metrolux Theaters Centerra
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m.
Where: Promenade Shops at Centerra
Details: All seats are $2 and no booking fee. $10 kids’ package available at dine-in theatres – includes ticket and lunch. For a list of movies click here!
City of Loveland Farmers Market
When: Sundays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: Old Fairgrounds Park
Details: Meets weekly on Sundays for food, fun and more.
Summer StoryWalk Foote Lagoon
When: every day, June 1 – July 31
Where: Foote Lagoon
Details: Available all day every day from June 1st-July 31st. Read “The Day the Crayons Quit,” written by Drew Daywalt & illustrated by Oliver Jeffers, as you take a stroll around the Foote Lagoon.
One Sweet Summer – Kids on the Plaza
When: Wednesdays, June 9 – August 11 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: The Foundry Plaza
Details: Play in the splash pad fountains, enjoy activities with artists, the Loveland Public Library, and City of Loveland Parks & Recreation and more!
Movies on Main at Centerra
When: June 25 and July 30
Where: Promenade Shops at Centerra
Details: Movies on Main is a free outdoor summer movie series hosted in the Main Plaza, in between Bent Fork and Build-A-Bear. Live music, Promenade Pop-Up Shops, and Giveaways start at 6:30PM. Movie starts at sundown, 8:30PM. FREE popcorn and cotton candy will be available, while supplies last.
- 6/25 – Moana
- 7/30 – Spiderman – into the Spider-verse
Bilingual Colors Storytime
When: June 29, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Where: Loveland Public Library
Details: Colors are all around us, come and see what some of those beautiful colors are and where we see them while enjoying reading books and singing songs in English and Spanish! Pre-registration is highly recommended as space will be limited. Click here to register beginning one week in advance.
Los colores están a nuestro alrededor, vengan y vean cuáles son algunos de esos hermosos colores y dónde los vemos mientras disfrutamos leyendo libros y cantando canciones en inglés y español.
Wednesday Concerts the Foundry
When: Wednesdays, July 7 – August 25, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Where: The Foundry
Details: Come downtown for an eclectic music lineup featuring local talent, good food and craft breweries. View lineup here.
Kids Day at Centerra
When: July 7, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: Promenade Shops at Centerra
Details: Come enjoy a fun day of crafts, games, prizes, sweet treats, and more.
Summer Concert Series at Foote Lagoon
When: Thursdays, July 29 – August 19 from 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Where: Foote Lagoon
Details: Join us on Thursday evenings at the Foote Lagoon (500 E. Third Street, Loveland, CO) for some summer fun and live music! All concerts are FREE and enjoyable for all ages. Grab the family and enjoy fun kids’ activities including face painting (face painting TBD) as well as many games and activities!
End of Summer Celebration
When: July 30, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Where: Loveland Public Library Lawn
Details: The summer is over, but the fun is not – be sure to celebrate with us! This event will be great fun for the whole family. Mark your calendars for a community art experience, Kona ice and more!
ASPIRE3D Kite Festival
When: August 22, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Loveland Sports Park
Details: This FREE event is open to all ages of the public and will include live entertainment, interactive programs, kite design and flying workshops, professional demonstrations, and a variety of activities to inspire all generations. Additionally, the first 300 kids will receive a free kite! We also encourage you to bring your own kite. Let’s light up our beautiful Colorado sky!
The Family Center/La Familia encourages you to get outdoors with your family this summer and enjoy the educational, fun options Fort Collins and Loveland have to offer!