Breckenridge With Kids: Five Fun Family Winter Activities

Guest Blogger: Leslie Stranathan is an educator from Windsor, Colorado. After teaching public school for 10 years, she began homeschooling her two children and has written an activity guide for families interested in exploring and learning about Colorado. Leslie’s family recently began a traveling adventure and they are on a mission to explore all 50 states in their RV. You can find them on YouTube and Instagram.

Nestled in the mountains at 9,600 feet is Breckenridge, a small town with big charm. With beautiful ski slopes covered with snow, a quaint main street draped in holiday lights, and plenty of spots to stay warm, Breckenridge is the perfect winter destination for families. Located just an hour and a half west of Denver, Breckenridge is easily accessible to locals and those traveling to Colorado from out of town. Our extended family has met up in mountains for a week every winter after Thanksgiving for many years. My husband and I have skied for over 20 years and enjoy all of the amazing ski resorts in the Rocky Mountains, but this year was the first time my kids got on skis!

Here are five fun family activities for all ages to enjoy in Breckenridge!

#1: Explore the Mountains!

My family, exploring the mountains by snow shoe!

Even if you’ve never stepped on snow, the experts here can teach anyone, of any age, to get down the hill safely. Lessons are available daily, with options for private or group instruction at the Ski and Snowboard School. For kids, the Kids’ Castles provides ski rentals, drop off care, meals and fun activities to make the experience that much more special. My kids (aged 5 & 9) loved meeting new friends and learning to ski with other children their age. By the end of the first day, they could control their turns and stop using their “pizza” wedge. Most importantly, they were excited to come back the next day. The EPIC SchoolKids Pass provides up to 4 days of lift tickets in Breckenridge and includes one full day of lessons with ski or snowboard rental all for free if your child is in Kindergarten – 5^th grade (not limited to Colorado residents).

#2: Ride the Gondola

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Breckenridge is known for its excellent transit system. Free shuttle buses get you almost anywhere you’d like to go and are accessible from most lodging locations. The Breckenridge transit center acts as a hub for the shuttle system and is also home to the BreckConnect Gondola. This completely free 10-minute ride will whisk you from the town of Breckenridge to the bases of Peaks 7 and 8. At the top you can enjoy watching the skiers on the slopes, warm up with hot chocolate, or enjoy lunch in the lodge. On the days we skied, we took the shuttle from the door of our condo to the gondola, which carried us right up the mountain, all while in our ski gear. It was the perfect way to travel. The ride and beautiful views make this a fun activity for any age.

#3: Play at the Children’s Museum

Kids aged 0-10 will be entertained for hours with all there is to explore at the Mountain Top Children’s Museum. Located in the heart of downtown, the exhibits  include a Wonder Lab, Creation Station, Kidstruction Zone, Tot area, Medical Center, and a Rocky Mountain wildlife section. The museum is packed with hands on toys and games, and encourages imaginative play. Several evenings a week parents can choose to drop off their children and enjoy a night out on the town while the kids are supervised and entertained by the incredible staff at the museum.

#4: Savor a Crepe!

Breckenridge is home to so many amazing restaurants! Family friendly and full of character, your biggest dilemma will be trying to choose just one place to eat each evening. There is one spot you can’t miss though. Crepes A La Cart has two locations in town. The main street food truck stand nearly always has a line – and it is well worth the wait. Crepes A La Cart has a huge menu of both sweet and savory options that will satisfy everyone in your family. It is always fun to watch the friendly staff members cook delicious fresh crepes while you wait. Ask ahead, and they’ll cut your crepe so it’s easier for hungry kids to share.

#5: Glide on the Ice

There are a few winter activities that always pop into my mind when I picture a mountain vacation. Ice skating is always at the top of the list. Fun for all ages and great exercise, the indoor and outdoor public ice arenas at the Stephen C. West Ice Arena are easily accessible from town. The facility has a variety of skates available to rent, and provides helmets free of charge. There are also support slides in both child and adult sizes for those that aren’t comfortable yet on the ice to use to stay upright. If skating isn’t for you, try hockey, curling or broomball!

We hope you enjoyed Leslie’s list of Five Fun Family Activities in Breckenridge!

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