☀️ Top 10 Summer Activities Perfect for Kids in Vail, Colorado

When summer arrives in Vail, Colorado, the majestic mountain town sheds its winter coat and transforms into a playground bursting with outdoor adventures and family-friendly activities. With crisp alpine air, lush meadows, and endless sunshine, Vail offers a unique combination of natural beauty and engaging experiences that kids will love. From dinosaur discoveries to mountain-top coasters, here are the Top 10 Summer Activities Perfect for Kids in Vail, CO.

1. 🚙 Vail 4x4 Jeep Tours – Backcountry Thrills for the Whole Family

One of the most exciting ways to explore the Colorado wilderness is by hopping into an off-road vehicle and letting expert guides take you deep into the backcountry. Vail 4x4 Tours offers unforgettable excursions that climb rugged trails, wind through alpine forests, and offer panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains. Along the way, kids will learn about local wildlife, geology, and even a bit of mining history. It’s not only thrilling but educational, and the open-air jeeps make the scenery even more exhilarating. These tours are a safe, scenic, and adrenaline-pumping way for families to bond while soaking in Vail’s stunning landscape.

Booking Link: Vail 4x4 Tours

2. 🦕 Top of the Rockies Jeep Tour – Where Dinosaurs Once Roamed

For a truly unique experience, don’t miss the Top of the Rockies Jeep Tour that highlights real dinosaur fossil sites! This specially curated tour blends outdoor adventure with paleontology as families explore fossil-rich terrain that was once home to massive prehistoric creatures. Kids will be fascinated to see actual dinosaur bones embedded in the rocks, and guides will explain how these fossils were discovered and what they reveal about ancient life in the Rockies. It’s a rare chance to blend scientific discovery with scenic beauty—perfect for curious young explorers and budding paleontologists.

Booking Link: Top of the Rockies Jeep Tours

3. 🦖 Visit the Dinosaur Junction Museum – Vail Valley’s Prehistoric Playground

Keep the dinosaur theme going with a stop at the Dinosaur Junction Museum in nearby Edwards. This impressive local museum brings prehistoric Colorado to life with an array of authentic fossil exhibits, including complete dinosaur skeletons, interactive dig pits, and hands-on activities. Kids can touch real fossils, see 3D models, and even participate in mock fossil digs. The museum is deeply involved in local excavation efforts, which means its exhibits are always growing. It's an immersive learning experience that turns natural history into an adventure—and it’s just a short drive from Vail.

Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 10 AM – 5 PMAdmission: Adults $12, Youth (ages 4-17) $10, Military/Seniors $8, Children (3 and under) FreeLocation: 1121 Miller Ranch Road, Edwards, CO 81632Website: Dinosaur Junction Museum(dinosaurjunction.org)

4. 🚠 Epic Discovery at Vail Mountain – A Sky-High Playground

For an action-packed day of outdoor fun, take the Eagle Bahn Gondola up to Epic Discovery at the top of Vail Mountain. This mountaintop adventure park is tailor-made for kids of all ages, offering activities like a mountain coaster, zip lining, bungee trampolines, rock climbing walls, and tubing hills. There’s even a ropes course and a nature discovery trail for younger children. The views are absolutely breathtaking, and with a focus on environmental education, Epic Discovery is more than just play—it’s an unforgettable blend of thrill and learning.

Booking Link: Epic Discovery at Vail Mountain

5. 🦋 Vail Nature Center – Explore Colorado’s Wild Side

Just minutes from the heart of Vail lies a peaceful 7-acre retreat that feels worlds away. The Vail Nature Center is a sanctuary for native plants and animals nestled between Gore Creek and a towering aspen forest. Families can enjoy guided nature walks, go bird watching, learn about local flora and fauna, or attend evening stargazing programs. The center also offers hands-on programs for kids, such as nature journaling and wildlife tracking. It’s a quiet, enriching experience that fosters a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

Website: Vail Nature Center

6. 🌼 Betty Ford Alpine Gardens – Where Nature Meets Art

Located in Ford Park, the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is the highest botanical garden in North America. It's more than just pretty flowers—it’s a living museum of alpine and mountain plants from around the world. Kids can follow garden-themed scavenger hunts, explore the interactive Children’s Garden, and learn about ecology and conservation. With peaceful paths, shaded benches, and educational displays, it’s a perfect spot for families to unwind, picnic, and take in the vibrant beauty of the Rockies.

Hours: Gardens: Daily | Dawn-DuskEducation Center: Daily | 10 AM – 4 PMAdmission: $20 suggested donation per personLocation: 522 S Frontage Road East, Vail, CO 81657Website: Betty Ford Alpine Gardens(bettyfordalpinegardens.org)

7. 🍬 Fuzziwig’s Candy Factory – A Sweet Slice of Heaven

After a day full of adventure, treat your kids (and yourself!) to something sweet at Fuzziwig’s Candy Factory in Vail Village. This whimsical candy shop is packed with colorful confections, from classic candies and chocolates to handmade fudge and novelty treats. The factory-themed décor and friendly staff make it a fun, immersive experience, and kids will love watching treats being made right in front of them. Whether it’s gummies, jawbreakers, or chocolate-covered everything, this place has it all! Website: https://fuzziwigscandyfactory.com/

8. 🛍️ Vail Farmer’s Market & Art Show – Local Fun Every Sunday

Every Sunday from mid-June to early October, Vail Village comes alive with the sights, sounds, and smells of the Vail Farmer’s Market & Art Show. With more than 100 local vendors, families can browse a wide selection of handmade goods, farm-fresh produce, baked treats, and unique artisan products. Kids will especially enjoy the live entertainment, face painting, and the occasional puppet or magic show. It’s the perfect way to spend a relaxed Sunday morning strolling the cobblestone streets, sampling delicious snacks, and supporting local artisans.

Dates: Sundays, Mid-June through Early OctoberHours: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PMLocation: East Meadow Drive, Vail Village

Website: Vail Farmer’s Market

9. 🦙 Llama Treks with Paragon Guides – Hike with Furry Friends

Looking for a hike with a twist? Book a Llama Trek with Paragon Guides, and bring a furry friend along for the journey! Llamas are gentle, sure-footed pack animals, and they carry your gear so families can enjoy the trails without being weighed down. These treks range from short morning walks to full-day and even overnight adventures. Along the way, guides share insights about the local environment, geology, and wildlife. Kids quickly form bonds with the llamas, and the novelty of the experience keeps them engaged and excited throughout the hike.

Trek Options: Half-day, Full-day, Custom AdventuresLocation: Near Minturn, CO (10–15 mins from Vail)Booking & Info: Paragon Guides Llama Treks

10. 🏰 Pirate Ship Park – Ahoy, Young Adventurers!

Hidden like treasure in the heart of Vail Village, Pirate Ship Park is one of the most imaginative playgrounds in the state. Designed like a giant wooden pirate ship, this play space is packed with ladders, lookout towers, bridges, and slides. Kids can climb, explore, and play make-believe for hours while parents relax on nearby benches under the shade of towering aspens. The park is also conveniently located just steps from the Vail Transportation Center, shops, and restaurants, making it an easy stop during your downtown adventures.

Location: Near the Vail Village Parking Garage & Gondola OneCost: FreeHours: Open Daily – Dawn to DuskMore Info: Discover Vail - Pirate Ship Park

🌞 Final Thoughts

Vail, Colorado, is more than a ski town—it’s a vibrant, family-friendly summer destination full of adventure, discovery, and natural beauty. Whether your kids are climbing a pirate ship, hiking with llamas, or uncovering dinosaur bones, these top 10 summer activities offer a little something for every young explorer. Don’t forget your camera—you’re bound to make some epic memories in the heart of the Rockies.