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Imagination Station

395 E Lionshead Circle, Vail, Colorado | 970-479-2292

The Imagination Station is a hands-on family discovery zone open year-round with several features to inspire experimental play. It is designed for children of all ages and their families. The adjacent community programming room offers activities such as Paint Your Own Pottery, virtual reality, and art and science projects!

  • Adult/parent/guardian must accompany children.
  • Cost: $18 per child and free entrance for adults (ages 17+) - when making a reservation select each person attending.
  • Annual Membership: $150/year ($100/year for VRD residents - proof required) gets you $3 per child reservations and free entrance for adults (ages 17+).
  • Day/Hours: Hours vary, visit the Facility Schedule for current availability. The Imagination Station will close for cleaning and disinfection between sessions.

Your entrance fee includes art and science opportunities. Paint and/or stamp on paper as much as you like every day, take-home art made with the sand pendulum (limit one per visit), and enjoy the guided activity every day. 

    Imagination Station Highlights:

    • Year-round opportunities for locals and visitors, kids and adults
    • Children's art and science projects including painting paper, sand pendulum art and a daily guided activity
    • Virtual reality experiences featuring active, artistic and puzzling virtual worlds
    • Indoor play area with magnet wall, builder boards, Everbright light wall, hyperbolic funnel that models planetary motion, wind tunnel, board games and puzzles, and pretend veterinarian and baby care stations
    • Annual Santa's Workshop, where kids can visit with Santa Claus (free!)
    Art Studio 

    The Art Studio is open every day with projects you can create and have as keepsakes of the fun you had in Vail! Paint Your Own Pottery is available every day and other projects are available upon request. If you are an adult or group of adults who want to paint pottery without playing, please make a reservation, so we can guarantee space for you.

    Virtual Reality 

    Virtual Reality is included in your reservation. Notify us if you do not want virtual reality to be available to your children.

    Come and play in our HTC Vive virtual room. Your children will love exploring a world where they play in three dimensions! Games offered: Tilt Brush, The Lab, Fruit Ninja, Light Blade, and more! Virtual Reality is not recommended for young children. More information on the safety of VR with children:

    Person using VR headset and controllers with a computer game on screen in background.
    The Imagination Station is absolutely wonderful. My wife and I 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.
    Jon C.
    Person using a VR headset and controller, motion captured on a screen with virtual objects.
    A rustic building with stone and wood features, surrounded by trees under a clear blue sky.
    Two kids engaging in a creative activity with electronic devices and a craft book.
    Two people working on a wooden structure with sticks, indoors. One uses a power tool while the other observes.
    Two people playing with a floating, spinning toy in an indoor setting.
    Two girls playing with an interactive exhibit at a children's museum.
    Two kids engaged with a wall-mounted interactive exhibit, possibly in a museum or play area.
    A smiling child holding a plush dog, with other children playing in a room filled with toys.
    Children looking through a circular window, creating a distorted and playful perspective.
    Person using a VR headset and controller, motion captured on a screen with virtual objects.
    A rustic building with stone and wood features, surrounded by trees under a clear blue sky.
    Two kids engaging in a creative activity with electronic devices and a craft book.
    Two people working on a wooden structure with sticks, indoors. One uses a power tool while the other observes.
    Two people playing with a floating, spinning toy in an indoor setting.
    Two girls playing with an interactive exhibit at a children's museum.
    Two kids engaged with a wall-mounted interactive exhibit, possibly in a museum or play area.
    A smiling child holding a plush dog, with other children playing in a room filled with toys.
    Children looking through a circular window, creating a distorted and playful perspective.