Loveland’s back-to-school season doesn’t mean the fun stops. August and September bring a lineup of kid-favorite events, downtown staples families already love and a first look at something a decade in the making: the Children’s Museum of Northern Colorado, opening this fall. Pair a visit with Kids Daze at the Farmers Market, a sidewalk chalk-art festival and a stop for back-to-school essentials and you’ve got a full family weekend built around Loveland.
A New Reason to Visit: The Children’s Museum of Northern Colorado
After 10 years in the making, the Children’s Museum of Northern Colorado (CMNC) is pushing to open before the end of the year (exact date to be announced) in a reimagined building at Loveland Yards, right at the U.S. 34 and Interstate 25 interchange. The museum’s mission is simple: to promote and elevate play in Northern Colorado, because childhood matters.
Visitors can expect hands-on exhibits built for discovery, including The Pulliam Farm-to-Table agricultural role-play gallery and Water Works Presented by Northern Water, an exhibit designed for splashing, exploring and learning about the importance of water in Northern Colorado. A tile mural crafted from vibrant plexiglass tiles depicting a Rocky Mountain sunset is in progress, with each tile supported by generous members of the community. The project has been a decade-long labor of love for its founders, and with construction complete and exhibit installation underway, CMNC is entering the home stretch toward opening its doors for play.
Centrally located for families from Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Berthoud and beyond, CMNC is shaping up to be Northern Colorado’s newest anchor for family travel; a reason to book a stay in Loveland even before the doors officially open. Follow along at childrensmuseumnoco.org for opening-date updates and start penciling in Loveland for your family’s first visit.
Kids Daze at the Farmers Market — Aug. 23
The City of Loveland Farmers Market at Fairgrounds Park hands the reins to the next generation on August 23, when Kids Daze pairs the regular Sunday market with the Kids Market, where young entrepreneurs and junior farmers run their own booths.
It’s a great excuse to browse Colorado produce, artisan goods and food trucks alongside pint-sized vendors selling their own creations, all while soaking up one of the state’s top-rated farmers markets. The market runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and continues through September 27, making it an easy add-on to any family weekend in town.
Get Chalky at Pastels on 5th — Sept. 12
On the second Saturday in September, the cross streets of Fifth Street and Lincoln Avenue in downtown Loveland transform into a sidewalk gallery for the 16th annual Pastels on 5th. More than 150 professional, amateur and student artists create original chalk art right on the pavement, with judged awards, People’s Choice voting, live music, food and a marketplace of local vendors.
Kids get in on the act too, with a dedicated children’s art area where they can create their own sidewalk masterpiece alongside the pros. The free, family-friendly festival runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. adjacent to the Loveland Museum and benefits Alternatives to Violence, a local nonprofit.
Loveland’s Family-Fun Staples
Beyond the seasonal events, Loveland’s everyday family attractions are worth building a trip around any time of year. Downtown, The Flipside pairs a family-friendly arcade of pinball, skee-ball and air hockey with a full bar for the grown-ups, a favorite for date nights and family outings alike.
Loveland Laser Tag boasts Northern Colorado’s largest laser tag arena, plus an indoor ropes course, bumper cars, laser maze, climbing wall and a brand-new mini golf course, enough attractions to fill an entire afternoon.
And Sweetheart Lanes, a family-owned 24-lane bowling center rolling strikes (and gutter balls) since 1961, remains a reliable, budget-friendly way to keep the whole crew entertained rain or shine. Together, these three make an easy rotation for families looking to extend their stay beyond a single day and a reliable backup plan whenever Colorado weather doesn’t cooperate with outdoor plans.
Stock Up Before You Head Home: Back-to-School Shopping
If your family trip to Loveland lines up with the start of the school year, don’t leave without checking a few things off the supply list. The Promenade Shops at Centerra, an open-air lifestyle center at the U.S. 34 and Interstate 25 interchange, packs more than 70 shops and restaurants into one walkable stop, including Macy’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Barnes & Noble and Best Buy for backpacks, shoes, books and electronics all in one trip. Round out the list at Loveland’s other retailers around town before you hit the road and turn a family outing into a fully stocked start to the school year.
Plan Your Visit
Whether it’s a Sunday morning at the Farmers Market, an afternoon of sidewalk chalk art or a rainy-day stop at Loveland Laser Tag, Loveland’s late-summer calendar gives families plenty of reasons to stay the weekend. And with the Children’s Museum of Northern Colorado set to open this fall, now’s the time to start planning your family’s next visit!