Description
The Imagination Station in Vail, Colorado, is a **hands-on family discovery center designed for children of all ages**, offering a wide range of **art, science, and indoor play activities** that make it especially kid friendly[1][4]. Children can explore and create through daily guided art and science projects such as painting, sand pendulum art, and virtual reality experiences, which engage their creativity and curiosity in a safe, welcoming environment[1][2].
Key features that make it great for kids include:
– **Interactive play areas** like a magnet wall, builder boards, an Everbright light wall, a hyperbolic funnel demonstrating planetary motion, a wind tunnel, and pretend play stations such as a veterinarian and baby care area[1][4].
– A variety of **tactile and experimental learning activities** that encourage exploration and discovery.
– Programs suitable for a wide age range (ages 2 to 12), with supervised options including a three-hour dropoff program for potty-trained kids 3 years and older[4].
– **Family-friendly pricing:** $18 per child with free adult admission; annual memberships offer discounted rates and free adult entry[1].
– Seasonal events like an **annual Santa’s Workshop**, providing fun, festive experiences for children at no extra cost[1].
– Located conveniently in the Lionshead parking structure, accessible via public transportation, making it easy for families to visit year-round regardless of weather[1][3].
Overall, the Imagination Station offers a stimulating indoor environment where children can learn through play, making it an ideal destination for families visiting or living in Vail to relax and have fun together after outdoor activities[2][3][4].
https://www.vailrec.com/imagination-station,https://evendo.com/locations/colorado/vail/attraction/imagination-station,https://discovervail.com/app/uploads/2025/02/2025_Family-Tipsheet.pdf,https://www.vaildaily.com/news/imagination-station-offers-indoor-fun-in-vail/,https://www.insiderfamilies.com/business-directory/imagination-station/,https://www.mapquest.com/us/colorado/imagination-station-304401140,https://www.vailrec.com/youth-activities,https://whattodo.info/business/imagination-station/,https://wanderlog.com/place/details/1750277/imagination-station,https://danagumber.com/blog/top-5-kid-friendly-activities-for-families-in-vail
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10 Reviews on “Imagination Station”
Great little place to spend an afternoon with your child. $5 per child over the age of 2.
My 4 year old and I came upon this place because it’s at the transportation center in Lionshead village. It’s just upstairs from the Subway sandwich shop.
Inside, there’s all kinds of toys and things for kids to play with. From dress up and a stage, to a loft area with books and a small space-age room with black lights that makes everyone giggle when you smile.
I spent probably a 1/2 hour just playing with a moveable marble track that attaches to a magnetic wall. Most of what’s available in here is what you’d expect to see at a nice day care facility. This is not a kid’s museum with telescopes and giant replicas of your body or animals.
It’s a great place for kids to meet other kids and have an impromptu playdate. There’s an arts and crafts room where kids can color, cut, paint and glue. All supplies are provided.
The staff is friendly and helpful but basically let you do your own thing. Expect a warm, cozy atmosphere with the smell of fresh baked bread because of the Subway downstairs.
This was a fantastic find as we were trying to do things to entertain our two year old. The place was a little difficult to locate as it’s tucked into the side of the parking garage behind a very non-descript door. We walked around 2xs before finding it. Upon first entering the space it looked fairly unimpressive and we wondered if we’d get more than a few minutes of toddler play before we had to find something else, but it was actually amazingly fun for our tot and us. It’s changed a bit since the last review as when we went they had an elaborate water table, a marble run, a light-up wall with multiple interactive games, a lego building station and a play house as well as other toys. We spent over an hour there. For $5 it was well worth it.
I am all about small towns with laid back attitudes. I like the personal interactions I had in the Vail area quite a bit, it was refreshing. I am starting to think, however, that the Vail Valley culture takes this approach a little bit to far.
When you list hours of operations, it is disheartening to people on vacation (read: people who plan activities around simple schedules) when you fail to follow those hours.
The website lists this place as “open” as of 10 am daily. The fact is, they were closed Sunday when we showed up, and on Monday when we showed up at 9:59, there was a crew getting the place ready. They still were not open as of 10:10. We decided to leave and try the nearby petting zoo/ horseback riding area.
I get that you are going for the “too cool for school” vibe, but don’t do it at the expense of normal customer service experiences. It is incredibly unprofessional, and all you are doing is wasting people’s time.
I/we LOVE Imagination Station. We had our daughter’s 6th birthday party there and it was a huge success thanks to Chad, a former teacher who runs the place. Chad couldn’t have been more helpful with every aspect of the party. He interacts w/ the children in a respectful, calm & fun manner. In return I observed that the children were respectful, calm (considering there were 18 kids at a party) and had a great deal of fun. We had children of all ages from 2-17 years old and they were all entertained. They made & ate pizza, painted bisque ceramics and hit a piñata. We probably should have kept our activities to one or two but it worked out fine. There are many other party options such as art, cooking & science projects. Chad and his assistant Katlin did a excellent job of keeping us on track and providing what the children needed. The children were happy to be able use all aspects of The Imagination Station. The front area has a super fun coin shoot, best ever water table, engaging light magic wall, pet hospital, puppets, legos…on and on. The back area is open for planned activities. They even have a full kitchen. Both my children (6&9 yrs old) want to return every day. It is available for daily use as well as party use. The Imagination Station is a wonderful community resource that we are lucky to have. The physical environment is well designed, clean, & has beautiful views. The staff couldn’t be more professional and at the same time friendly. They know their stuff and what children need. Chad offers kindness & gentle boundaries. We will certainly return and can’t recommend it highly enough. My only recommendation would be better signage at the ground level and w/in the parking structure. I would have come years ago had I known where it was. The imagination Station also offers yoga & exercise classes for adults that I plan to attend.
Same thing happened to me as another reviewer here. Showed up on a rainy morning at about 10:15. The Vail calendar showed it as one of only 2 activities suitable for kids in town that weekend, and it was to open at 10am. When I arrived, the cultural center representative greeted me and sent me up to the 2nd floor. I got up there to a locked door and a sign on it saying the station was closed Saturdays and Sundays. I went back down, and the very nice rep called someone who said it should be open. She tried calling them, but said they often don’t answer anyways. So, it was just closed.
I don’t quite understand how anyone with kids therefore plans around this or how operations exist or why it even exists if not at all under any type of schedule that makes sense.
With kids, you need to know if you can rely on a place. If you’re gonna schlep all your stuff and your kids all the way somewhere, the least a location can do is be open when it says it will be.
Terrible service this lady works here she looks like she just woke up and she is not friendly with kids and parents all she care about kids not touching anything she is in a very bad mood here I would hire someone that likes kids the vibe here is very negative and I will never be back. I do not recommending this place to anyone. Better play at home or hotel this is a joke
Honestly this place is a fantastic option for kids in Vail and surrounding areas to spend at least an hour or two. Different than tumble tots or the library or walking mountain. There’s a lot to keep a kid entertained! Worth it for the price too and staff has always been friendly and helpful.
Great spot for younger kids in the Vail Valley. Our two boys (3/6) had a blast, and the staff was friendly/helpful. We will go back every time we are in the area.
The Imagination Station is absolutely wonderful. My wife and I have were in vail for vacation with our three year old daughter. She had so much fun exploring all they had to offer. This was exactly the type of place we were looking for to let her play and have fun when it was snowing so much outside. Two ladies were working (The Sarahs) who were both very friendly and helpful. You should definitely bring your children here if you are looking for kids activities.
This was so fun! I was so thankful for a safe and engaging place to play for my 18 month old while vacationing in Vail. There is a large variety of toys, a cap on how many children can come in at one time, and they sanitize in between sessions. I’ll come back anytime I’m back in the area. It was so helpful in wearing out our busy busy toddler.