Shoppers and families are heading to Pikes Peak Pride’s Youth Square, a colourful, carefully curated space for LGBTQ+ young people in Central Springs, Colo., that mixes play, reading and quiet support so kids can belong, explore identity and just be kids in public.

  • Dedicated safe space: Youth Square provides an age-friendly corner at Pride with crafts, storytime, bubble fairies and a foam party, creating a gentler vibe than the main festival.
  • Creative outlets: Activities include drag read-alongs, music and dance opportunities that feel joyful and non-pressured , creative, expressive and cathartic.
  • Practical support on site: Organisations like Purple Mountain Recovery and resource tables mean help is available, discreet and accessible, not just celebratory.
  • Emotional impact: Young attendees report greater resilience and a stronger sense of belonging; volunteers say kids leave smiling and quieter anxieties look lighter.
  • Family-friendly sensory notes: The space is playful and colourful, with soft storytimes and louder moments like a silent disco later , good for different energy levels.

A welcome pocket of calm at a big, busy festival

Pikes Peak Pride has carved out Youth Square as a place that feels intentionally smaller and gentler than the main parade and vendor rows. Think mermaids, bubble blowing fairies and a quieter tent with books and card-making , the sensory mix is bright without being overwhelming. According to the festival’s materials, organisers designed the square so children and teens can participate in Pride in a way that matches their comfort and development.

The idea is simple but important: not every part of a Pride festival suits every age. Youth Square gives families and young people a place to laugh, craft and learn while staying connected to the wider event. For parents who worry about loud stages or adult-focused attractions, this is the kind of thoughtful curation that helps everyone relax.

Storytime with role models changes things

One standout at this year’s Youth Square was a drag read-along led by Miss Pride 2025, Leia Trillz, who chose The Little Girl Who Could. Trillz spoke about how a space like this would have meant a different childhood for her , quieter acceptance instead of secretive searching. She’s used reading and performance to open up conversations about gender and creativity, and volunteers say kids respond by asking questions and joining in.

Public readings by visible role models do more than entertain. They normalise different life paths and offer a mirror to children who might not see themselves represented elsewhere. For those organising or attending Pride-related youth programmes, pick picture books and activities that show diverse family types, gender expressions and healthy coping strategies.

Creativity as a prescription: arts, recovery and resilience

Leia Trillz has been public about finding sobriety and purpose through performance and the arts, and the Youth Square highlights similar recovery-focused resources. Purple Mountain Recovery and other groups have staffed safe spaces at Pride, blending celebration with routes to support. That combination helps younger people see alternatives to destructive coping , get loud on the dance floor, not on the bottle.

For parents and guardians, that’s a practical win: arts programming at youth events is both enriching and protective. If you’re choosing which Pride events to attend with your child, look for signposted resource tents and staffed support , they make it easier to step in if a young person asks for help or needs a quiet corner.

Why a youth space still matters in 2025

Even as Pride festivals grow mainstream and family-friendly, the tension between inclusion and real, age-appropriate safety remains. Leia Trillz noted that without a dedicated youth space, young people can feel included in name but excluded in experience. Youth Square acknowledges that children and teens are not just smaller adults , they need different programming, clearer boundaries and people who’ll explain tricky concepts kindly.

Festival organisers nationwide are watching and learning. A dedicated youth area is now a marker of thoughtful event planning: it signals that an event is for the whole community, not only adults. If your local Pride doesn’t yet offer a youth zone, raise the idea with organisers , volunteers and donors often respond when asked for family-focused infrastructure.

How to make the most of a Pride youth space

Arrive with a plan: check the schedule for quieter storytimes and louder activities like the silent disco or foam party so you can match your child’s energy. Bring a comfort item for younger kids, and for teens, respect their space while letting them know where support tents are. If you’re volunteering, focus on listening: sometimes a kind question is as important as any activity.

And if you’re a parent feeling nervous, remember this: these spaces are designed to be welcoming. Let the festival do the heavy lifting and stay nearby , your presence, even from a short distance, matters.

It's a small change that can make every Pride visit feel safer and more joyful for young people.

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