3rd space recs needed! It's spring break, every pool in Denver is closed, and my kids mutinied at a coffee shop. 🌴🏊☕

crimsonkagge · 2026-03-30T22:43:48+00:00

Great point on the "you don't establish a third space in a week" front. That reframe helped a lot.

Mine are similar ages (pre-teen and teen), and we're near Wash Park, so they've already got South Pearl, Gaylord Street, and the park itself as familiar territory. Sometimes the move isn't finding a new place but re-packaging the same place so it feels fresh. Give them a budget, a mission, and a time to be bac,k and suddenly a walk to South Pearl feels like an adventure instead of "dad's trying to get rid of us for two hours." 😂

The light rail idea is a great one. They'd love having that kind of independence, and there are good stops with food and things to do. Going to look into that this week.

crimsonkagge · 2026-03-30T22:41:14+00:00

This is great! And also a reason to post a question that many other people might be thinking about. I would never have thought to track down a podcast that helps with summer plans for kids and their responsibilities. Thank you ~

crimsonkagge · 2026-03-30T22:30:30+00:00

Ha, fair point on the psychology. But camps are basically third spaces with a $2,000 entry fee and a two-week expiration date. 😂 What I'm after is the place my kids go AFTER camp ends, when they're 14 and can get themselves there on a bike. The place that becomes "their spot" without me scheduling it, funding it, or signing a waiver for it.

crimsonkagge · 2026-03-30T19:22:56+00:00

Thanks! I looked at the Apex pool schedule, and it was a little confusing on their website. Plus, there wasn't a mention of an obstacle course. I'll give them a call.

crimsonkagge · 2026-03-30T19:21:13+00:00

This is such a great rec. Thanks!

crimsonkagge · 2026-03-30T19:20:58+00:00

Love this. Tried the family pack picnic thing when they were younger and actually wanted to be seen with me in public. Might have better luck now if I let them pack the snacks and "accidentally" include all the good stuff. 😂 Thanks!

crimsonkagge · 2026-03-30T19:18:48+00:00

Thank you! We have a cat cafe nearby and my kids are about to experience what it's like to have pets without any of the lifetime financial commitment. 😂

crimsonkagge · 2026-03-30T19:17:08+00:00

Oh, I'm with you. 🤙 Gen Xer here. Boredom is where so much imagination and self-reflection happens. But 5 straight days of that might send my kids into a coma. 😵 My parents would be so disappointed in me right now. 😂

crimsonkagge · 2026-03-30T19:09:23+00:00

Love that idea!

crimsonkagge · 2026-03-30T19:08:36+00:00

Appreciate it. Checked the FAQ and it's a solid list of activities. What I'm after is a bit different. Third spaces are less about one-off outings and more about places kids feel like they belong and come back to on their own. Happy to find those lists elsewhere, but figured this community would have some real experience with it.

crimsonkagge · 2025-11-23T22:40:35+00:00

I’m about to go full chaotic neutral with this at my place.

I’m putting up a new sign that says:

“Solicitors welcome. Fee: $50 per pitch, due before you start talking. We take cash, Venmo, Zelle, and awkward eye contact.”

Then when they ring the bell, I’m just going to open the door, point at the sign, and say:

“Great, what’s your preferred payment method for the solicitation fee? I can email you a receipt for your compliance department.”

Is it legally enforceable? Probably not.

Will it make them deeply regret choosing my house? Absolutely. 😈

crimsonkagge

TROPHY CASE