Raising faith-filled kids in Colorado Springs can be fun and rewarding with a little help from a parent’s guide by a mom who raised three boys here. When we moved here in 2001, our three boys were in 5th, 7th, and 9th grade. This city has grown since that time, but now we have grandkids, and there are still some timeless places to visit and faith-filled conversations that can happen around town.

I believe the Word of God has all of the answers to our questions about parenting. I love how Proverbs 22:6 gives a wonderful promise for raising faith-filled kids: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” What a wonderful promise to keep in mind as you explore Colorado Springs with your kids, knowing that you can be training them in godly ways that will benefit them throughout their lives. Time spent with your children doesn’t need to be expensive or exhausting; it can be a wonderful opportunity to build your kids into overcomers who love and serve God.

When we moved to Colorado Springs to start Charis Christian Center, we didn’t have a lot of money, so it was crucial to find free things to do in the area. I discovered very early in my sons’ lives that spending a lot of money on something or an event didn’t guarantee fun. We discovered that fun was cultivated when we experienced a new adventure together. We were always seeking something positive to do that would build our faith and love for God.

Colorado Springs offers numerous wonderful outdoor hikes that families can enjoy together and explore nature. Garden of the Gods was a favorite hangout for the Perdues, and they have paved stroller-friendly trails. You can get some good laughs posing for silly pictures at Balancing Rock. Whenever you are outdoors, you can praise God for His creation and discuss the amazing way He designed the animals and plants you see. Being in the fresh air is so good for our kids’ health, and what a bonus that God made our area so beautiful!

Today, many children spend their time playing video games and watching movies that don’t foster their faith. Fortunately, Focus on the Family offers kids a wonderful alternative through their Adventures in Odyssey audio dramas, movies, and books. Your kids can embark on a wonderful faith adventure featuring characters who teach biblical truths in a serial drama format. You will want to visit the free Visitor’s Center at Focus on the Family where your kids can learn how Adventures in Odyssey episodes are made, grab some snacks from the Whit’s End Soda Shoppe, zip down the three-story spiral slide, spend time in the Discovery Emporium with a puppet stage and reading and playing area, and explore the Narnia Adventure Room. Your kids can even have a birthday party in one of the birthday rooms. So, forget an expensive trip to a Disney theme park, and explore our locally themed entertainment that your kids will love while they learn about God’s love for them—that’s a win-win!

Another wonderful place to visit regularly is the zoo. Splurge on a family pass and make several shorter trips that aren’t as exhausting as trying to see everything in one visit.Perhaps you would like to focus on a single continent, such as exploring all the African animals. When you return home, read about some of the animals you saw at the zoo while enjoying an African snack, such as plantain chips. Don’t forget to pray for missionaries in Africa and the people in Africa to learn that Jesus forgives their sins if they ask Him to be their Savior! That’s one way to turn a local outing into a missions-focused time together.

As you look for things to do around Colorado Springs that would serve as the backdrop to have faith-filled conversations with my children, I suggest that you use Deuteronomy 6:6–7 as a guide: “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” So, whether you take a walk or stay home, whatever you do with your children, turn it into an opportunity to talk about God through faith-filled conversations.

We invite you to bring your children to Charis Christian Center on Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., or on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. Your children will experience God’s love through our teachers and volunteers, who teach the Bible in engaging ways that kids will remember. We created the Charis Kids’ Curriculum for churches and home use, suitable for family devotions or homeschool Bible lessons. Visit the shop at CharisChristianCenter.com for a free download of two years of curriculum for kids aged 5-12 and our brand-new Youth curriculum. Additionally, learn more from Pastor Barbara about raising godly children through her book, “Imparting Success to the Next Generation.”