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Imagination Station

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 Vail, 81657

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About

The Imagination Station is the Vail Recreation District's indoor family discovery zone at 395 East Lionshead Circle, open year-round. Instead of slides and swings, it offers hands-on exhibits: a magnet wall, builder boards, an Everbright light wall, a wind tunnel, a hyperbolic funnel that models planetary motion, virtual-reality stations, and pretend veterinarian and baby-care corners.

It is for children of all ages and their families, and guides describe it as designed for ages 2 to 12; and it works best on a snowy day or a morning when part of the family is skiing. An adult has to stay with the children.

Booking a visit

Visits are booked through the Recreation District's online reservation system, where time slots vary by day. Children pay an entry fee and adults go free; families staying longer can buy an annual membership. Prices are in the FAQ.

Santa's Workshop

Each holiday season the Imagination Station hosts Santa's Workshop, where children can visit Santa for free.

Art Studio and Paint Your Own Pottery

Entry includes daily art and science activities: painting and stamping on paper, a take-home sand-pendulum drawing and a guided project. In the adjoining community programming room, the Art Studio and Paint Your Own Pottery run every day, with bowls, cups and figurines to paint as a keepsake. Adults who want to paint pottery without children should reserve space. Both are run by the Vail Recreation District.

Sources: Vail Recreation District: Imagination Station. Checked September 23, 2026.

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Company Name
Imagination Station
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Location
395 E LionsHead Cir
Vail, 81657

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About Imagination Station

Quick answer: Imagination Station is a business at 395 E LionsHead Cir, Vail, CO 81657. The Vail Recreation District's indoor family discovery zone in Lionshead: hands-on exhibits, art projects and Paint Your Own Pottery.

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The Imagination Station is the Vail Recreation District's indoor family discovery zone at 395 East Lionshead Circle, open year-round. Instead of slides and swings, it offers hands-on exhibits: a magnet wall, builder boards, an Everbright light wall, a wind tunnel, a hyperbolic funnel that models planetary motion, virtual-reality stations, and pretend veterinarian and baby-care corners.

It is for children of all ages and their families, and guides describe it as designed for ages 2 to 12; and it works best on a snowy day or a morning when part of the family is skiing. An adult has to stay with the children.

Booking a visit

Visits are booked through the Recreation District's online reservation system, where time slots vary by day. Children pay an entry fee and adults go free; families staying longer can buy an annual membership. Prices are in the FAQ.

Santa's Workshop

Each holiday season the Imagination Station hosts Santa's Workshop, where children can visit Santa for free.

Art Studio and Paint Your Own Pottery

Entry includes daily art and science activities: painting and stamping on paper, a take-home sand-pendulum drawing and a guided project. In the adjoining community programming room, the Art Studio and Paint Your Own Pottery run every day, with bowls, cups and figurines to paint as a keepsake. Adults who want to paint pottery without children should reserve space. Both are run by the Vail Recreation District.

Sources: Vail Recreation District: Imagination Station. Checked September 23, 2026.

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Amenities at Imagination Station

  • Indoor play space
  • Virtual reality
  • Art studio
  • Paint Your Own Pottery (extra fee)
  • Birthday parties
  • Santa's Workshop (annual)
  • Memberships

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Imagination Station?
At 395 East Lionshead Circle, Vail, CO 81657, on the second floor of the Lionshead Parking Structure, above the Lionshead Welcome Center in Lionshead Village. It is on the Town of Vail's free in-town shuttle system.
How much does it cost?
$18 per child for a two-hour visit, and adults aged 17 and over enter free. An annual membership costs $180 a year, or $125 a year for Vail Recreation District residents with proof, and brings each child reservation down to $3, with adults still free.
Do I need to reserve, and how?
Yes. Visits are booked as time slots in the Vail Recreation District's online registration system, and you need an account to see available dates and times. Note that VRD has moved to a new registration system, so returning visitors need to make a new account. When you reserve, select each person attending, including adults, even though adults enter free. Questions: (970) 479-2292 or [email protected].
What are the hours?
The Imagination Station is open year-round, but it does not keep fixed published hours: days and time slots vary, and the current availability is the slot calendar inside the registration system, which you can see once you create an account. Plan on reserving rather than walking in on a posted schedule.
What ages is it for?
The Vail Recreation District describes it as a play space for children of all ages and their families. Its printed program guides describe the space as designed for children ages 2 to 12, which matches what is inside: pretend-play and builder exhibits for younger children, and virtual reality, games and art projects that hold older ones.
What is inside, and what is included in entry?
A hands-on indoor play space: a magnet wall, builder boards, an Everbright light wall, a wind tunnel, a light lab room, a hyperbolic funnel that models planetary motion, board games and puzzles, pretend veterinarian and baby-care stations, and virtual-reality experiences. Next door, the community programming room offers a Nintendo Switch and art and science projects. Your entry fee includes painting and stamping on paper as much as you like, a take-home sand-pendulum artwork (one per visit), and the daily staff-guided activity, such as puffy paint, shrink art or making slime.
Can I drop my children off?
No. A parent, guardian or other adult must accompany children and stay for the visit. There is no drop-off option.
Is Paint Your Own Pottery included?
No. Paint Your Own Pottery, in the adjoining community programming room, costs extra: pieces such as bowls, cups and figurines run $10 to $40 depending on the piece, and acrylic canvas painting and wood burning are also available on request in the same price range. Pottery is available every day; your finished piece is fired in the kiln and ready to pick up, or be shipped to you, the following week. If you are only coming to paint, you still make an Imagination Station reservation, and that reservation fee is applied toward your pottery purchase. Adults or groups of adults who want to paint without playing should reserve so space can be guaranteed.
Can I have a birthday party there?
Yes. Parties run 90 minutes for up to 15 children, with space provided for snacks, cake and ice cream, and guest parents welcome to stay. Three packages: $200 for play in the Imagination Station; $250 for play plus one provided activity, making slime or shrink art; $300 for play plus one provided activity, making pizza or painting pottery. Extra children cost $10 each on the $200 and $250 packages and $15 each on the $300 package, up to a maximum of 25 children. To book, email [email protected] or call (970) 479-2292.
What is Santa's Workshop?
Each December the Imagination Station hosts VRD's annual Santa's Workshop, where children reserve a short time slot to visit Santa and have a photo printed, alongside holiday crafts. The December 2026 date is still to be announced. In 2025 it cost $10 per child, with children under one year old free, and reservations were required.

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