Homeschool families have one advantage over everyone else in Denver: weekdays. Museums are empty, fields are quiet, and most places run cheaper weekday group rates. This is the list we share with the families who come to our homeschool days, ours included.
1. Homeschool Airsoft Days at FAF Airsoft Field, Parker
FAF Airsoft Field runs Homeschool Airsoft Days on select Fridays from 12 to 4 PM. Ages 10 and up play airsoft, younger siblings play gel blasters, and staff run the safety briefing and referee every game. Rentals cover the rifle, full face protection, and BBs. Parents are welcome to play too, and many do. It is 20 minutes from Denver and the next dates are on the events calendar.
2. Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Weekday mornings are the time to go. The space and health exhibits fill a full morning, and the museum runs homeschool programs through the year.
3. Butterfly Pavilion, Westminster
Best for the younger end. Live invertebrates, a tropical conservatory, and short enough for an afternoon.
4. Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum
Aircraft in a hangar you can walk around, flight simulators, and a strong fit for a physics or history unit.
5. History Colorado Center
Downtown, hands on, and it covers Colorado history from mining to the Dust Bowl in a way that middle schoolers actually engage with.
6. Dinosaur Ridge, Morrison
Real dinosaur tracks and bones in the rock along a walkable ridge road. Guided tours run on weekdays and it pairs with a Red Rocks visit.
7. Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden
Locomotives you can climb on, a working roundhouse, and train rides on select days.
8. Denver Botanic Gardens and Chatfield Farms
Two campuses. York Street for the conservatory and gardens, Chatfield for the farm, the trails, and the fall corn maze. Both run homeschool programs.
9. The US Mint tour
Free, downtown, and it takes reservations. Kids see coins being struck and get a solid economics lesson in 45 minutes.
10. Castlewood Canyon State Park
South of Parker with easy hikes, a waterfall, the ruins of a failed dam, and a visitor center with a geology display. Free with a state parks pass and empty on weekdays.
Making a full day of it
The families who come to our homeschool days often pair the afternoon with a morning somewhere on this list. For the airsoft day, sign the waiver online, bring closed toe shoes and long sleeves, and reserve tickets before the date since Fridays fill up. Questions: (888) 316-7816.