Families love Breckenridge for its charming mountain town vibe, variety of outdoor activities, and wide range of kid-friendly lodging, shopping, and dining. Parents: There’s a lot to choose from. Here’s our quick guide to navigating the ins and outs and customizing your family’s Breckenridge winter vacation.
Where to Stay in Breckenridge with Kids
The first major question is: where should I stay in Breckenridge with my family? Breckenridge lodging covers everything you could need. There are private homes and elaborate mountain cabins, award-winning hotels, ski-in ski-out lodge-style condos, multi-family luxury mansions, and more. Decide whether you’d like to stay at the ski resort or if you’d rather be in town. If you stay in town, there’s easy and free access to the mountain by using free shuttles and the free gondola. You’ll find plenty of lodging for families with large open kitchens and extended dining tables, washers and dryers, game rooms, bunks for the little ones and access to hot tubs and pools. Bring your pup along to one of the many dog-friendly rentals.
If amenities are key for your crew, we’ve got spas, free breakfasts, shuttles, and private bowling alleys and movie theaters. If it’s eco-lodging that tops your list, there are many environmentally focused properties.
Winter Activities for Kids
To ski or not to ski is another biggie on the Breckenridge planning list. The Breckenridge Ski and Ride School offers lessons for kids ages 3+ on the mountain to start ’em young with basic ski and snowboard skills. Families with older kids can also set up private family ski lessons at the resort. We’ve rounded up real-life advice from Breckenridge ski moms on how to make the most of your time on the slopes. Read about preferred ski gear for kids, types of lessons, kid-approved terrain, and ways to save money.
Skiing and snowboarding aren’t the only ways for kids to play in the snow. We’ve compiled a list of the 10 best winter activities for families. Explore the mountainsides on a snowmobile, dog sled tour, or guided snowshoe outing. Fly down the sledding hill or go ice skating at the Stephen C. West Ice Arena. Take a soaring ride on the free BreckConnect Gondola or travel underground at Country Boy Mine.
Indoor Entertainment
For indoor options this winter, hit the ice at open skate at Stephen C. West Ice Arena or catch one of the Breckenridge Vipers hockey games for affordable rinkside seats!
When the weather won’t cooperate and it’s time to head inside, do like the locals do and hit the Breckenridge Recreation Center for pools, slides and hot tubs. Family gym time is a blast for toddlers with bouncy castles and a tumbling zone. For parents looking to get in a quick workout, the rec center also offers childcare for children ages 2 months through 6 years; just call ahead for reservations. Parents, if you’re looking for a little bit of time to yourselves, drop the kids off at First Friday Kids Night Out. The kids can enjoy a three-hour pizza and pool party while parents enjoy a date night or run errands.
Get creative together and visit the BreckCreate arts district for workshops, open studio time and kid-focused events. Or cozy up and paint your own pottery at Ready Paint Fire! Enjoy fun projects like pottery and canvas painting, candle making, mosaic art, glass fusing and more! Guests can follow tutorials or let their imagination flow.
A trip to the Mountain Top Explorium is a great stop for kids during the winter. This museum is open seven days a week for explorative and hands-on play. Parents can also drop their kids off for Kids Night Out and enjoy a dinner while the little ones play.
Visit Breckenridge’s only movie theater, the Eclipse Theater (formerly the Speakeasy) to catch a flick year-round! The Eclipse offers a variety of blockbuster, indie, classic, foreign, and outdoor films. Don’t forget to stock up on fresh popcorn and snacks. Adults can also enjoy local beer on tap and wine. Looking for live entertainment? Explore Breckenridge’s live music scene or catch a theater performance at the Backstage Theatre.
Choose from three family-friendly themes at Mountain Time Escape Rooms (add on holograms or computer-generated imagery). Join friends or strangers in a locked room at Escape Room Breckenridge and pool your wits to solve riddles and uncover clues in a race against time.
For more, check out these nighttime activities for kids and additional indoor playtime ideas.
Kid-Focused Shops
Breckenridge shopping isn’t just for the grown-ups, though the handmade jewelry, curated galleries and gourmet culinary boutiques are something special. Kids also enjoy our stretch of colorful toy, candy, book and gift shops.
A few favorites include Joy of Sox for cozy and hilarious socks and slippers, gag gifts and games, and independent toy store Peek-a-Boo Toys for retro games and stuffed animals. Of course, a stop into one of the beloved candy shops is a must. Don’t miss Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Funky costume hats and playful helmet covers are all the rage at Breckenridge Hat Company.
Family Dining
Breckenridge has endless family-friendly dining options, with more than 70 kid-approved restaurants. Sit down for delicious burgers and milkshakes, homemade pizza and pasta, Mexican cuisine and so much more.
We did the heavy lifting and found all the places in Breckenridge where it’s easy to please the whole crew. Check out our meal-by-meal guide to eating in Breck as a family.
How to Pack
Winter in the mountains means lots of snow, sunshine and cooler temps. Keep everyone’s skin and eyes protected with quick-drying and waterproof layers, extra hats and gloves, and plenty of sunscreen and SPF lip balm. Breckenridge is a casual town, so jeans and a fleece will do for dinners out. Sturdy winter boots with plenty of traction will help you navigate icy sidewalks and explore snow-packed trails. Snow sports require a little extra planning, so be sure to read through our winter packing guide to make sure you pack the right gear.
If you need to rent a crib, baby gate, high chair, stroller or other baby gear, just call on Mountain Tot. They’ll deliver and set it up for you.
Keep your family happy, healthy and hydrated by carrying reusable water bottles and filling them often. Remember to bring reusable grocery bags to the store—the town of Breckenridge instituted a 25-cent per bag fee to reduce single-use plastic.
Other Family Tips
Give yourselves time to adjust to the altitude. Life at 9,600 feet feels a little different than sea-level living. Take breaks, take naps, eat well and schedule some downtime.
Ditch the car and explore the area via the free gondola, bus system, Main Street trolley and lodging shuttles. Fat bikes are another way to get around on snowy trails.
Join in the fun and attend a local event, parade or festival. Breckenridge throws one heck of a family-friendly party.
Have more questions about visiting Breckenridge or what to do while you’re here? Check out Family Friendly Breckenridge and our First-Timer’s Guide to Breckenridge.
