Pint-sized playtime: Breck Après for Kids

Just like us, kids need to unwind, refuel and share their tales from the slopes. Here’s where to take the tykes for some kid-friendly après festivities.

Activities

If they’re not too worn out and still have some energy to burn…

Take a spin on the Gold Runner Alpine Coaster at the base of Peak 8. (Kids 38 inches tall, three years of age and at least 45 pounds welcome.)

Whip around the ice at the Stephen C. West Ice Arena. Public skating and hockey sessions are generally offered daily and equipment rentals are available for all levels of skaters.

Mountain Top Children’s Museum offers day camps, Kid’s Night Out events, craft sessions and a special area for wee ones. Creativity and imagination are encouraged.

The big yellow slide and swimming pool at the Breckenridge Rec Center are awesome, while parents hang in the adjacent hot tub or hit the steam room. There’s also a rock climbing wall and family gym time.

Older kids will appreciate the Speakeasy Movie Theatre, where recent big-screen hits play daily on the single screen.

Treats

If they had a long day and nothing but straight-up sugar will do…

Everyone loves the caramel apples, fudge and rainbow of ice cream flavors at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and the frosting-stuffed monster cookies from Mary’s Mountain Cookies.

Fuzziwig’s Candy Factory is like a modern-day Willy Wonka’s with walls of gummies, jellybeans, chocolates and toys. Adults adore the hard-to-find nostalgic candies.

Looking for sugar-free? Treat them to a new toy or educational game at Peak-a-Boo Toys or stop into Breck Kidz for some new threads to keep ‘em stylish on the mountain.

Eats

If they just need to chow down on some of their favorites…

The arcade and ginormous kid-approved menu at Downstairs at Eric’s is a family favorite. Check out the Create Your Own Pizza menu.

The Motherloaded is famous for their hand-dredged buttermilk chicken fingers and their gooey homemade mac and cheese.

Crepes A La Cart — aka the crepe stand with the worth-it line down the block — is a cool stop for fireside hand-held sweet or savory delights.

Family-style to go from Giampietro Pasta & Pizzeria is a terrific call after a long day of playing in the snow, while Empire Burger has an extensive menu that kids clamor for. Don’t miss the loaded fries and cheeseburgers with tons of unique dipping sauces.

Have fun out there, kiddos!

– Lisa Pogue