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Row of children's shirts
Photo courtesy FashioNation/Babysitter’s Nightmare

2017 Family Favorites: Services and Shopping

Who has time to scour the internet looking for the best shops and services for their family? With these parent-approved picks, we take the guesswork out of everything as small as haircuts and as critical as estate planning.

Birthday Parties

Top Five

Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus

Chuck E. Cheese’s

Royal Parties of Colorado

Second Star to the Right Children’s Books

Tiger Kim’s Academy

The Winner

Royal Parties of Colorado

720-982-0612 | royalprincesspartiesofco.com

Royal Parties of Colorado’s performers will arrive at your doorstep dressed in theatrical-quality attire designed to wow wee guests. And it’s not all princesses. In addition to Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and the Mermaid Princess, you”ll have dozens of superheroes and mascots to choose from, too. Visits include meet-and-greets, makeup or tattoo sessions, photos, and a song.

Children’s New Clothing Store

Top Five

FashioNation/Babysitter’s Nightmare

Heloise

Hollyhocks Baby Boutique and Fine Children’s Apparel

Nest Children’s Boutique

Pitter Patter Children’s Boutique

The Winner

FashioNation/Babysitterís Nightmare

1594 S. Broadway, Denver

303-832-2909 | vixensandangels.com

FashioNation’s children’s brand imprint—Babysitter’s Nightmare—has become a fashion destination for parents in search of fun, funky, and punk-inspired kids clothes. The store stocks skull and crossbones onesies, cool-girl tutus, rocking jackets, studded belts, and tiny Doc Martens. The store’s owner makes some of the clothes herself, and creates special gift sets, too.

Children’s Resale Clothing Shop or Event

Top Five

Back on the Rack

Just Between Friends

Kid to Kid

Little Britches Kids Resale

Once Upon a Child

The Winner

Once Upon a Child

Four metro locations | onceuponachild.com

Who wants to pay full retail prices for clothes that will be outgrown in mere months? Savvy parents aren’t shy about stocking up on gently used clothes, and Once Upon a Child stocks some of the best brand-name resale in town. Children’s clothing is sold alongside toys, books, baby equipment, gear, and furniture.

Estate Planning and Wills

Top Five*

Erica L. Johnson of Ambler Keenan Mitchell Johnson

Law Office of David Urban

Law Office of Julia Griffith McVey

Law Office of Lyndsey Richard

Susan R. Harris & Associates

Wills & Wellness Estate Planning

*Tie occurred in this category

The Winner

Law Office of David Urban

44 Cook St., Ste. 100, Denver | 303-780-7355 | davidurbanlaw.com

For a seamless coordination of plans and documents detailing important arrangements such as medical decisions and guardian appointments, you”ll want to sit down with a seasoned attorney. David Urban’s client-centered approach attracts our readers to his law office, where the solo practitioner focuses on an array of interrelated practice areas that will help you and your family prepare for the future.

Family or Child Photographer

Top Five

Bloom Portraits

Blue Pebble Studio

Elevate Photography

Sarah Renee Photography

Skipping Rocks Photography

The Winner

Sarah Renee Photography

303-619-8945 | sarahreneephoto.com

Photographer Sarah Renee captures your family’s most precious and fleeting moments. Her formal training in photojournalism translates well to newborn, family, and wedding photography. But what sets Sarah apart is her ability to catch each client’s unique personality during fun photo shoots done on-location in the city, at clients” homes, or in Sarah’s Denver-based studio.

Hair Salon for Kids

Top Five

Cool Cuts 4 Kids

Jack & Jill Children’s Salon

Little B’s A Kids” Salon

Pigtails & Crewcuts: Haircuts for Kids

Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids

The Winner

Jack & Jill Childrenís Salon

760 S. Glendale Blvd., Denver and 7600 Park Meadows Dr., Lone Tree | 303-780-0050 and 303-347-0050 | jackandjillchildrenssalon.com

Jack & Jill Children’s Salon is Colorado’s only full-service hair salon for kids and tweens. The salon’s talented, educated stylists are passionate about hair and are always up-to-date on the latest trends, from bobs and up-dos to faux hawks. In addition to hair, the salon’s menu of services also includes kid-tastic spa treatments, including manicures, pedicures, and blow outs.

Home Furnishings

Top Five

American Furniture Warehouse

Furniture Row

IKEA Centennial

Pottery Barn Kids

Room & Board

The Winner

American Furniture Warehouse

Seven metro locations | 800-992-7997 | afw.com

From sectionals, sofas, and loveseats to dining room furnishings, AFW sells a wide selection of affordable home goods. A sprawling kids section lets parents create their child’s dream space with furniture that’s sized just right. Don’t forget to grab a few accents, too, including throw pillows, lamps, vases, and more. AFW’s collection includes traditional, contemporary, and modern designs.

Kid-Friendly Shopping Center

Top Five

Cherry Creek Shopping Center

Colorado Mills

Flatiron Crossing

Park Meadows Mall

Southwest Plaza

The Winner

Cherry Creek Shopping Center

3000 E. 1st Ave., Denver 303-388-3900 | shopcherrycreek.com

Located in the heart of Cherry Creek, this 1.1 million-square-foot mall houses 160 luxury and specialty shops. Grab an iced tea at Nordstrom’s Ebar before hitting the kid stores: Janie and Jack, Gymboree, and Gap, among others. Let young shoppers burn off their energy at the large indoor play area before catching a movie or getting a bite to eat.

Local Toy Store

Top Five

Beyond the Blackboard

Grandrabbit’s Toy Shoppe

Jake’s Toy Box

Timbuk Toys

Wizard’s Chest

The Winner

Timbuk Toys

Four metro locations | timbuktoys.com

Originally founded as an old-style toy store in a historic neighborhood, this family-owned shop has retained its antiquated charm and local feel while growing to include four fabulous storefronts. Parents appreciate this toy shop’s friendly atmosphere, superior customer service, and endearing sense of community. Kids of all ages like the toys, which are always hand-selected and thought-provoking.

Family Food

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