family + COMMUNITY
Family Fun Inside Top 20 Ideas for Indoor Play in Vail Valley By Jennifer Weintraub EDWARDS Mountain Recreation Edwards Field House
A multi-use space for indoor soccer, volleyball, basketball and gymnastics. Daily Tumble Tots programs encourage little ones to safely run, jump and play in the heavily padded gymnastics facility. mountainrec.org
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utside, the winter morning is cold and quiet, but inside, it’s utter chaos. I carefully step over cars, trains, books and blocks which clutter every corner of the house. A shriek pierces my ears, and tiny feet quickly run by. We need a change of scenery. Normally, our young family heads outside to play, but there are days in the winter and spring when it’s too cold or rainy to tolerate. Don’t worry; we got you. For the days when you need to get out but stay inside, here are the top 20 ideas for indoor play in the Vail Valley. VAIL Imagination Station
This hands-on children’s museum incorporates science and art with play. Explore interactive light walls, wind tunnels, virtual reality experiences, pottery painting, puzzles, board games and more. vailrec.com
Vail Public Library
With sunny, floor to ceiling windows overlooking Gore Creek, the kid’s room at the Vail Public Library is filled with a large selection of books and cozy nooks, an extensive train table, oversized stacking blocks, games and story hours. vaillibrary.com
Ice Bumper Cars
Spin, scoot and bump around the Dobson Ice Arena in Bumper Cars for kids 48 inches and taller. vailrec.com
Ice Skating
Ice skating is open to the public at Dobson Ice Arena. Little ones can sign up for Toddler Time, tailored for ages 2-5, which includes both skates and instruction. vailrec.com
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Vail Gymnastics Center
Open gym sessions are offered to walking tots through teenagers in the 9,000 square foot facility filled with trampolines, tumbling mats, foam pits and gymnastics equipment. vailrec.com
Bol Vail
Let the good times roll at this swanky bowling alley with funky vibes, fun music and elevated food. decabolvail.com
Alpine Arts Center
Drop in and get creative with drawing, arts and crafts activities, paint your own pottery or create your own masterpiece on the pottery wheel. alpineartscenter.org
The Museum at Dinosaur Junction
If you dig dinosaurs, head to The Museum at Dinosaur Junction for educational exhibits and tours about the ancient world, specifically prehistoric Colorado. dinosaurjunction.org
Chasing Rabbits
EAGLE Jen’s Place
Colorado Snowsports Museum & Hall of Fame
Eagle Climbing + Fitness
Head down the Rabbit Hole to discover old school arcade games that everyone can enjoy. chasingrabbitsvail.com
A unique collection of skiing and snowboarding memorabilia tells the story of the sports’ rise to popularity. Exhibits include Hall of Fame Ski Industry Icons, the 10th Mountain Division troopers of World War II and the history of ski industry fashion. snowsportsmuseum.org
AVON Walking Mountains Science Center
A bright and colorful sensory gym offers onehour sessions where kids can learn fine and gross motor skills through play. jensplacellc.com Eagle Climbing + Fitness is a large indoor climbing facility with routes for climbers of all levels, including equipment for tiny tikes starting at age 3. eagleclimbing.com
Eagle Public Library
Filled with books, crafts and activities, the Eagle Public Library is a clean and bright space to spend some time inside. evld.org
Walking Mountains Science Center is a contemporary natural science learning center. The sustainable building boasts an innovative design and houses interactive educational displays and group play spaces. walkingmountains.org
The Back Bowl
Avon Recreation Center
Splash in the 10,000 square foot aquatics area, scale a bouldering wall or wear your little ones out during a weekly Tumble Tots class in the gymnastics area. mountainrec.org
Swim and splash in the 15,000 square foot aquatics facility with a shallow kids’ pool and play area, a lazy river, a 140-foot twisting water slide and an Aquaclimb climbing wall. avon.org
Avon Public Library
Play with puzzles and trains, choose from an extensive selection of children’s books or take part in weekly interactive story time. evld.org
The extensive bowling alley boasts 20 bowling lanes and a well-stocked game arcade. thebackbowl.com
GYPSUM Gypsum Recreation Center
Gypsum Public Library
With separated sections catering to adults, teens and children, the Gypsum Public Library offers a large space for reading and play, including a silo story time room and crafts area for little ones. evld.org
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