Children’s Activities
Most of Colorado’s Dude and Guest Ranches provide extensive programming for children. Each ranch is unique in how they cater to children. It is easy for guests to match their needs with just the right ranch. Some ranches set a minimum age while others take infants and small children, but only provide programming for certain ages. Kids are matched up with other kids their own age and led by a trained, qualified counselor who knows how to make the day fun (and maybe even a bit educational).
Activities include:
- Learning more about horses and riding, gold panning, building and floating wooden boats, archery, campfire-building, and playing in the pool
- Often, kids go on their own trail rides or are taken to a nearby hot springs pool or other children’s attraction (one ranch takes kids on an antique fire engine down to a nearby general store to get ice cream) – WHICH ONE IS THIS?
- Family rides where everyone saddles up together are also available
- Common facilities for the kids include: Kids corral (hut, bungalow, cabin….) where indoor activities are done
- Playground
- Pool/lake
- Archery ranges
- Shooting ranges
Families sleep in the same cabin or lodge suite and have breakfast together. In addition, ranches offer family rides where everyone saddles up together. Colorado dude and guest ranches also know how to give mom and dad (or grandpa and grandma) a break from the kids, too. Ranches will have kids’ game night while parents are pampered at a candle light adults-only dinner in the dining room. Everyone has a good time!
By the end of the week, guests are friends, they know the staff (and their horses) by name, and no one wants to leave. It’s one reason so many families come back year after year to experience the magic found at a Colorado dude and guest ranch.