2016 Family Favorites Sports & Fitness
Active families are happy families. Roll, run and swing your way around town with these reader-approved programs and classes.
Baseball or T-ball Program
Top Five
Colorado Ball Sports
Colorado Rockies Youth Baseball Camp at Coors Field
i9 Sports
Parker Youth Sports” Hawks Baseball
YMCA Baseball
The Winner
YMCA Baseball
Seven metro locations
720-524-2700 | denverymca.org
Whether your all-star is a preschool-aged “little slugger,” a kindergarten t-ball champ or a school-aged player ready for player pitching, the Y’s co-ed offerings cater to all ability levels. Teams practice and play weekly, and instruction is centered on skill development and sportsmanship. YMCA baseball is held during three seasons – summer, fall and spring – and schedules vary by location
Basketball Program
Top Five*
Apex Parks and Recreation
Denver Parks and Recreation
Elite Basketball Academy
i9 Sports
Rev Up All Stars
YMCA Basketball
*Tie occurred in this category
The Winner
Denver Parks and Recreation
303-698-4995 | denvergov.org/recreation
With thoughtful coaching, drills and games, participants learn fundamental basketball skills while simultaneously practicing teamwork and brushing up on sportsmanship. Most important of all, Denver Parks and Recreation makes basketball fun for all players, and its programming is designed to accommodate every ability level.
Golf Lessons
Top Five*
MetaGolf Learning Center
PGA Instructor Kevin Carlson
Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course
Saddle Rock Golf Course
The First Tee of Denver at Wellshire Golf Course
Topgolf
*Tie occurred in this category
The Winner
The First Tee of Denver at Wellshire Golf Course
3333 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver
720-865-3415 | thefirstteeofdenver.com
For a swinging good time, head to Hogan’s Alley, a three-hole course made exclusively for kids. At The First Tee of Denver’s affordable golf lessons, players don’t just practice — they engage in active play, too. Our readers appreciate the low participant-to-staff ratio; newbies learn the ins and outs of the game and develop their stroke, while more seasoned students build on previously acquired skills under the guidance of experienced pros.
Ice Skating
Top Five
Big Bear Ice Arena
Ice Centre at the Promenade
South Suburban Ice Arena
The Edge
University of Denver Ice Arena
The Winner
South Suburban Ice Arena
6580 S. Vine St., Centennial
303-798-7881 | ssprd.org/South-Suburban-Ice-Arena
Sharpen your skills – or learn some new ones altogether – at this nationally recognized ice skating complex. Top-notch instructors are available for lessons in competitive figure skating and ice hockey. You don’t have to be a serious skater to enjoy the ice, stop by during public skate hours – held Mondays through Saturdays – or on a themed skate night.
Martial Arts Studio
Top Five*
ATA Karate Denver Family Martial Arts
Colorado Taekwondo Institute
Kim & Cam’s Taekwondo Academy
Okinawa Dojo by Karate Brothers
Tiger Kim’s Academy
Tiger-Rock Martial Arts of Lone Tree
*Tie occurred in this category
The Winner
Tiger Kim’s Academy
1480 Steele St., Denver
303-388-1408 | tigerkim.com
For four decades, Grandmaster Tiger Kim’s award-winning studio has incorporated the three major Korean martial arts of Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do and Hapkido into classes and camps that teach physical technique, along with age-old traditions of respect and discipline. Programming is custom-tailored to the individual child.
Soccer Program
Top Five
i9 Sports
Lil” Kickers in Stapleton
Real Colorado Soccer
Skyline Soccer Association
YMCA Soccer
The Winner
Skyline Soccer Association
303-691-5662 | info@skylinesoccer.org
When it comes to soccer, this association offers a one-stop-shop for kids ages 2ó to 18. Specializing in non-competitive pee- wee classes, competitive tournaments and everything in between, Skyline is the largest Denver-based sports organization, serving all areas of Denver and surrounding suburbs. They utilize more than 25 field complexes every season to host practices, games, camps and clinics for all levels of players.
Sporting Event for Families
Top Five
Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rockies
Denver Broncos
Denver Nuggets
The Winner
Colorado Rapids
6000 Victory Way, Commerce City
303-727-3500 | coloradorapids.com
All spectator sports are exhilarating, but there’s something extra special about a Colorado Rapids game played at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Grab your kids and root on the home team during spring season, which runs March through October.
Tumbling or Gymnastics
Top Five
5280 Gymnastics
Apex Simms Street Center
Colorado School of Gymnastics
Denver School of Gymnastics
The Little Gym of Broomfield/Westminster
The Winner
Denver School of Gymnastics
5840 Lamar St., Arvada
303-424-2910 | dsgym.com
Over the past 37 years, DSG has established itself as a center for excellence in gymnastics instruction for kids in preschool through high school. The recreational and competitive classes are fun, safe and nurturing, and they grow with students, becoming more focused with age. Don’t miss Moms Morning Out, a summer drop-off program for boys and girls ages 3 to 10.
Workout for Mom
Top Five
Belly Bliss Yoga
Fit4Mom
Motion Fitness and Massage
Orangetheory Fitness
Pure Barre
The Winner
Motion Fitness and Massage
2570 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver and
5455 W. 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge
720-609-7033 | motionfitnessdenver.com
Whether you’re interested in yoga, cardio kickboxing, bootcamp or TRX classes, you”ll leave this comprehensive wellness center feeling as good as you look. Coaches take a personalized approach to fitness and facilitate lasting friendships between clients. The gym is kid-friendly; children are welcome to spend time in a designated playroom while parents exercise.
