Welcome to Phoenix With Kids, your #1 resource for honest reviews on kid places, events, activities, and more in Phoenix and Arizona!

Southeast Valley: Tempe | Chandler | Mesa | Gilbert | Queen Creek | Apache Junction | Superior
Northwest and Southwest Valley: Peoria | Glendale | Goodyear | Avondale | Surprise
Phoenix: Phoenix | Anthem
Northeast Valley: Scottsdale | Fountain Hills | Cave Creek/Carefree
Southern Arizona: Tucson | Lake Havasu
Northern Arizona: Flagstaff | Williams | Page | Payson | Prescott | Sedona

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Jump to the blog, with reviews on our favorite places.

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Don’t miss the Summer Survival Guide, packed full of resources!

Plan a day trip with these itinerary posts covering Arizona.

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Over 100 summer camps are included on this list arranged by city. 

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Phoenix

1. The Children’s Museum of Phoenix is great fun for all ages.
2. The Phoenix Zoo is a great place to take the kids in Phoenix.
3. Take the kids to Party Jungle , an indoor amusement park for kids.
4. Take a dairy farm tour at Shamrock Farms (in Stanfield).
5. Encanto Park has an Enchanted Island Amusement Park with attractions geared towards 1-10 year olds
6. Check local libraries for free music and story time classes
7. Check your Barnes and Noble store for free children’s storytime classes (Friday and Saturday mornings)
8. Go swimming in one of the many public pools in Phoenix
9. Arizona Science Center
10. Hike to Hole In The Rock, an easy walk/hike with kids.
11. Visit the Phoenix Trolley Museum (seasonal).
12. Most malls have a play area for kids (up to age 8), including PV Mall
13. National Geographic’s Kids Club is hosted weekly at many malls in Arizona, and it’s free!
14. See historic fire trucks at The Hall of Flame Fire Museum
15. Desert Botanical Garden is a great place for kids and adults to learn about native plants in Arizona
16. Music Together in Phoenix is an early childhood music program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners
17. Castles ‘N Coasters is an old favorite the older kids would enjoy, with roller coasters and more
18. For older kids looking for fun, try go-karts at the K1 Race Factory
19. Attend a PhxArtKids Days visit at The Phoenix Art Museum
20. Check out Tot Town, which is a playgroup open to the community (bi-weekly during the school year, and twice a week during the summer)
21. Family friendly bike rides in Phoenix – we have quite a few favorite trails!
22. Take the kids pony and horseback riding, or go on a wagon adventure!
23. See a puppet show at the Great Arizona Puppet Theater with your kids in Phoenix
24. Visit at Hohokam village at the Pueblo Grande Museum
25. Whipples Fun Center is a indoor entertainment place for families
26. Take a DIY craft class at Pinspiration! They also host birthday parties in Phoenix and often offer kid friendly events.
27. Take the family on a Phoenix themed scavenger hunt with Urban Adventure Quest!
28. See thousands of musical instruments at the Musical Instrument Museum
29. Watch a Diamondbacks baseball game
30. The most kid-friendly coffee shop in Arizona is The Teapot
31. See a play at Valley Youth Theatre
32. Visit Urban Air Auwatukee and see why they are called “the ultimate indoor trampoline and adventure park”!
33. Take acting classes or see a show with Christian Youth Theatre.
34. The Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve is an archaeology museum and desert preserve, giving tours to families.
35. Take a class or join open jump at FlipDunk Sports.
36. Color Me Mine has painting classes and more for kids and the whole family.
37. Altitude Trampoline Park has family fun with a variety of trampoline activities.
38. Kids and adults will love the huge multi-level indoor playground at Kids Empire.
39. Take a tour at the Arizona Worm Farm!
40. Visit Impact Gymnastics for open gym time.
41. Make a birdhouse, a necklace and more at Sunshine Craft Company.
42. Kids ages 5 and older can enjoy a hot air balloon ride with an adult with Balloon AZ.
43. Whiz Kids Playland is an indoor play area that also offers after school care and more.
44. Enjoy a nature walk in the Tres Rios Wetlands of south Phoenix.
45. Go on a treasure hunt with Puzzling Adventures and work together as a team as you galavant around town.
46. Kids up to age 8 can take ballet classes at Tutu School, including a free trial class.
47. Take a nature themed class or enjoy the nature paths at Liberty Wildlife.
48. Visit the bat cave at twilight (it’s not Batman related, but cool)!
49. Check out Enchanted Dream Productions and their numerous character themed events.

Mesa

1. Visit the Idea Museum for indoor playtime, arts and crafts, and more.
2. Take the family to see a show with East Valley Children’s Theatre.
3. Visit the three awesome splash pads in Mesa.
4. Check out the Arizona Museum of Natural History.
5. Take the kids to Amazing Jake’s Mesa for lots of indoor activities.
6. Go take a  tubing trip on the Salt River
7. Bring the kids to Sunsplash for fun in the water!
8. Brush up on your skating skills at Skateland.
9. Pioneer Park is an epic playground that will keep your kids entertained for hours.
10. Tour Native American ruins at Mesa Grande Cultural Park in Mesa.
11. Learn about the pioneers of Mesa at the Mesa Historical Museum.
12. Wander around 9,000 rose bushes at the Rose Garden (at Mesa Community College).
13. Explore the hiking trails and desert beauty at Usery Mountain Park.
14. Desert Trails Park is perfect for beginners and experts with trails, pump track and kids skill track for biking.
15. Build family camaraderie by working together at Escape Room Arizona.
16. Be treated to a professional organ performance and yummy pizza at Organ Stop Pizza.
17. Take swim lessons with Swim Kids!
18. Uptown Jungle Fun Park is the indoor place for all ages to climb, jump, and slide!
19. Get up close and personal with airplane and artifacts from WWII at the Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum.
20. Jump with friends and family at Krazy Air, an indoor trampoline park.
21. Wobble Tots is an indoor play area for ages 8 and under.
22. Treat your sweet tooth to snacks at Soda Rush.
23. Falcon Field Airport is a fun place to watch airplanes take off and land. They also hand out cute gift bags with airplane themed items.
24. The Play Factory is an indoor play place in the Superstition Springs Mall.
25. Rush Fun Park now has a Phoenix location and we love it as much as the Peoria one!
26. Have a staycation at the Arizona Grand Resort and Spa (pssst, their waterpark is EPIC!)

Scottsdale

1. Visit the many splash pads in Scottsdale
2. Looking for a park? There are lots! Try Rotary Park in Scottsdale.
3. KTR Indoor Action Sports is the ultimate destination for all ages, especially older children and adults.
4. Find a miniature golf place! Cracker Jax has this, and go karts and more.
5. Sky Zone Trampoline Park is non-stop action indoor fun with a foam pit, warrior course, toddler zone, and more.
6. Check out Pump It Up in Scottsdale to get out the wiggles.
7. Take your family to Butterfly Wonderland to see butterflies.
8. Take a nature hike and then play at Florence Ely Nelson Desert Park
9. OdySea Aquarium has opened in Scottsdale! It’s the biggest aquarium in the southwest.
10. Meet up with friends at Mini Social, an indoor play area for ages 6 and under in Old Town.
11. Ride a train or carousel at McCormick Stillman Railroad Park.
12. Learn how to be a cowboy at Macdonalds Ranch. They also have a fabulous pumpkin patch every October.
13. Take a family outing to the Sugar Bowl, a 1950’s style soda fountain, for lunch or ice cream snacks.
14. Try ice skating any time of the year at Ice Den Scottsdale.
15. Explore the many hiking trails at McDowell Mountain Regional Park. There is also a nature trail, perfect for toddlers.
16. Explore the Mirror Maze with friends!
17. Pangea: Land of the Dinosaurs is fun if your kids are REALLY into dinosaurs.
18. Climb the heights at Pinnacle Peak — this is a hike kids can do and the view is awesome!
19. Spend a day exploring in Old Town Scottsdale, with parks and museums and food and more.
20. Go shopping and check out the splash pad at Scottsdale Quarter.
21. Scoops and Joy Lounge offers a free surprise on every ice cream scoop. It’s adorable. And Dole Whip is served!
22. Rachel’s Young At Art studio offers art classes for all ages of children.
23. Scale heights at AZ on the Rocks, an indoor rock climbing gym.
24. Schedule a tour with the Phoenix Herpetological Society and get a hands on experience with a variety of reptiles.
25. Medieval Times is a dinner show set in the Middle Ages, fun for all ages.!
26. Scottsdale welcomed Great Wolf Lodge, America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark, in October 2019.
27. Go on a treasure hunt with Puzzling Adventures and work together as a team as you galavant around town.
28. Take a cooking class at Sweet Basil, they have kid camps and kid/parent options.
29. Masterpiece Art Mama hosts art themed birthday parties, classes and events around the Phoenix area.
30. Take the family for a fun indoor outing to Glow Putt Mini Golf.
31. The Circus School of America has classes and camps for kids to learn circus skills!
32. Have a Scottsdale fire department firetruck visit you home!
33. Kids can play and parents can enjoy their coffee at Cafe Au Plait.
34. Have a staycation at The Princess, a popular resort located in North Scottsdale.
35. D-Bat in Scottsdale is the place to go for indoor bat and ball practice for all ages.

Surprise

1. Check out Uptown Alley for bowling, arcades, and food
2. Luv 2 Play in an indoor play area, perfect for the summer or a rainy day.
3. Take a gymnastics class or join open gym time at Surprise Angels.
4. Make and decorate a pottery dish at Mad Platter Pottery.
5. Visit the two local libraries, Northwest Regional or Hollyhock Street, for books, events and more!
6. Join open gym time or take a class at Bling Tour Cheer and Dance Company.
7. Summer months are so fun at Surprise Aquatic Center with their water slides, pools, water features and more.
8. Surprise has some fantastic playgrounds, and some with splashpads as well.
9. Year round swimming lessons are available at Aqua Tots.
10. Just Bouncing Fun is great rental place for birthday parties and events! They even have water slides to rent.
11. Take an art class with Art With Me AZ.

Tempe

1. Sea Life Arizona is an indoor aquarium located at Arizona Mills Mall in Tempe
2. Take in a spring training baseball game at Tempe Diablo baseball stadium
3. Take the kids for a hike at Hayden Butte (also known as “A” Mountain)
4. Go swimming at Big Surf Waterpark!
5. The Kiwanis Wave Pool is extremely popular, and is perfect for kids! There is also a huge shaded splashpad at the park.
6. Sign your kids up for the high-school sailing program at Tempe Town Lake
7. Check out Main Event Entertainment! Bowling, laser tag, video games, and food!
8. Check out the indoor fun at Pump It Up!
9. Visit the new LEGOLAND Discovery Center
10. Childsplay is Tempe’s professional theater company whose chosen audience is children. Performances take place at the Tempe Center for the Arts.
11. Movies in the Park at Kiwanis Park – Friday evenings in May
12. First Saturdays for families at ASU Art Museum
13. Tilt Studio is an arcade and party place for kids
14. Enjoy the AZ Heritage Center Museum at Papago Park with exhibits for adults and kids.
15. Explore Singh Meadows, a hidden gem of Tempe, with yummy food, a farmers market, lawn games and more.
16. Cuddle cats and play with fuzzy felines at La Gattara Cat Lounge.
17. Join a parent and baby class at Baby Parent Steps.
18. The Scene is a pop up art experience full of color and fun!
19. Go on a treasure hunt with Puzzling Adventures and work together as a team as you galavant around town.
20. The Tempe History Museum has a kid’s area -a great way for the whole family to learn about Tempe!
21. Learn about the history of Phoenix’s canal system at the SRP Heritage Center.
22. Visit LoPiano Habitat for a tucked away nature gem.

Chandler

1. Take your newborn to 3-year old to Musicology and explore music and rhythm
2. Makutu’s Island is a family fun center with a tropical theme and is one of Arizona’s largest indoor play places
3. Desert Breeze Park has a train, carousel, play areas, and a lake with ducks… always popular!
4. Visit Rawhide Western Town, for a real cowboy experience!
5. Go ice skating in Chandler at Ice Den
6. Take the kids to Jumpstreet Indoor Trampoline Park in Chandler
7. Go horseback riding at the Koli Equestrian Center
8. Chandler has its own spring training with the Cactus League Spring Training program
9. Check out the Airworx trampoline center
10. Hit some baseballs at MVP Zone, a huge indoor training and sports facility
11. Visit Playtopia at Tumbleweed Park, a free, 2.5-acre playground for kids.
12. Go on a guided bird walk at Veteran’s Oasis Park (first Saturday of every month from November through April).
13. Brush up on your skating skills at Skateland.
14. Newly opened is Giggles Indoor Playland, featuring beautiful wooden play structures and more
15. Walk through cool trains at Arizona Railway Museum (September through May)
16. Uptown Jungle Fun Park is the indoor place for all ages to climb, jump, and slide!
17. Get creative at the Crayola Experience!
18. Hear a concert or audition to join the Chandler Children’s Choir.
19. Let’s Play Music has music classes from newborn to age 12.
20. Inside the Chandler Fashion Mall is PlayLive Game Center.
21. Take the family to Gravity Extreme Zone and enjoy the ropes course, trampolines and more.
22. Big Air Trampoline Park has some unique activities you won’t find elsewhere in Phoenix!

Gilbert

1. The splash pad under the Gilbert Water Tower is really popular.
2. Gilbert Regional Park is the newest epic addition to the East Valley.
3. There’s over 5,000 feet of imagination and sensory play at Wobble Tots.
4. Take the family on a walk around the beautiful Riparian Preserve, a true oasis in the desert. Guided bird walks are also held October-March.
5. Get the wiggles out at Bounce U – they also host birthday parties!
6. Watch a movie for $5 at Fat Cats, then enjoy bowling, arcade games and yummy food!
7. Have Game Truck come to your next birthday party to wow the kids with video games, laser tag and bubble soccer.
8. Savor melt-in-your-mouth Belgian liege waffles at the traveling food truck, Waffle Love.
9. Enjoy the playground, train ride and walk around the lake at Freestone Park.
10. Challenge your brain and try to exit at Cluemaster Escape Rooms.
11. Touch a piece of the World Trade Center from 9/11 and learn about this important event in America’s history.
12. Bowling, mini golf, arcade games and more are the highlight at Main Event!
13. Try ice skating or ice hockey at AZ Ice.
14. Zanjero Park has a fascinating nature corner about burrowing owls.
15. Tour an organic farm at Agritopia (they also have citrus u-pick events and markets).
16. Thursdays are food trucks and fun at Mother Nature’s Farm – and they have a seasonal pumpkin patch!
17. Ready, Set, Play! is a fun indoor play area (inside the SanTan Village Mall) for ages 6 and under.
18. See a play at Actors Youth Theatre in Gilbert.
19. Awesome Toddler Indoor Play Area is for ages 5 and under.
20. Imagine 3D Mini Golf is a great family outing of indoor mini golf, with a unique twist!
21. Treat your sweet tooth to snacks at Soda Rush.
22. Altitude Trampoline Park has family fun with a variety of trampoline activities.
23. Ages 5 and under can play at Wiggle Worm Adventures.
24. Snapology offers STEM related classes involving LEGOS, robotics and more!
25. The Gilbert Rotary Observatory has weekend opportunities for families to go star gazing.
26. The Toddler Test Kitchen has parent/child cooking classes in several locations across the Valley.
27. Take a kids cooking class with L’Academie SchoolL’Academie School of Baking and Cooking or Baking and Cooking.

Glendale

1. If your child is too old for PlayGrounds, check out the next door Playgrounds Dart Zone.
2. Take the kids to Six Flags: Phoenix (formally Wet ‘N’ Wild Phoenix) for a day of fun in the water!
3. If you drive west from Glendale, you can explore Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium and Safari Park.
4. The Arizona Doll and Toy Museum has a modest collection of dolls and vintage toys.
5. Sahuaro Ranch Park combines historical buildings, orange groves and a playground for a fun morning (don’t miss the peacocks too!)
6. Take a family hike at Thunderbird Conservation Park.
7. Combine a visit to the Glendale Main Library and the nearby small but beautiful Xeriscape Botanical Garden.
8. Take a free train ride on Sundays with the Maricopa Live Steamer group, or host your birthday party there!
9. Enjoy a family outing of roller skating at Great Skates.
10. Take a free tour of a candy factory at Cerreta Candy Factory.
11. Kids (and adults) can take archery classes at Corner Archery!
12. Inside the Arrowhead Mall is PlayLive Game Center.
13. Check out Stratosphere.

Goodyear

1. Take the kids to Estrella Mountain Regional Park for a hike or to visit the Gila River
2. BMX or Mountain bike on the pump track at Foothills Community Park
3. Take the kids to the playground or splash pad at Goodyear Community Park
4. Check out the activities at the local YMCA
5. Visit Urban Air Auwatukee and see why they are called “the ultimate indoor trampoline and adventure park”!

Avondale

1. The Valley Golf Center is a great place to hit some golf balls.
2. Visit Friendship Park and play in the playgrounds and near the pond.
3. Go bowling at Brunswick in Avondale.
4. Take a family hike at Estrella Mountain Park
5. Let the kids use their imagination at the newly opened Teeny Town Playland, where play meets business.

Peoria

1. Make cookies at The Cookie DoughJo.
2. Visit the Rio Vista Recreation Center and enjoy the awesome outdoor playground and splash pad.
3. Check out Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Peoria and get active!
4. Check out the new Pioneer Community Park splash pad, and they also have a baseball area, pond, and walking trails.
5. Have fun at the Pump It Up location in Peoria.
6. Kids Alive is the youth musical theater training program at Theater Works.
7. See a show with the talented cast at Arizona Broadway Theatre.
8. All the bouncy houses at Jumpers Jungle will delight children of any age!
9. Uptown Jungle Fun Park is the indoor place for all ages to climb, jump, and slide!
10. New to the West Valley is The Rush Fun Park, an indoor space for jumping, climbing and playing.
11. Take a class or audition for a youth play with Stage Dreams Youth Theatre.

Apache Junction

1. Check out the old west at Goldfield Ghost Town
2. Hike and explore at Lost Dutchman State Park
3. Drive the Apache Trail to Lake Roosevelt!
4. Continue on from Roosevelt Lake and let the kids explore Indian dwellings at Tonto National Monument.
5. The annual Arizona Renaissance Festival is fun for the whole family!
6. Take a scenic boat cruise on Canyon Lake with the Dolly Steamboat.

Fountain Hills

1. The 4th highest fountain in the world, at 560 feet, belongs to Fountain Hills.
2. Also near the fountain is an epic splashpad and playground!
3. It’s small, but this free botanical gardens is a great way to introduce children to desert plants.
4. Learn about local history at the River of Time museum.
5. Hike the popular Dixie Mine trail.
6. See a show with the Fountain Hills Theatre.

Anthem

1. Daisy Mountain Railroad, at Anthem Community Park, is great for kids.
2. Work together as a family and solve puzzles in the North Valley Escape Room.
3. Legends Bar and Grill has $5 kid’s meals!
4. There are three awesome playgrounds in Anthem, some with splashpads.
5. Read books at the North Valley Branch library.
6. Between Anthem and Phoenix is the Pioneer Living History Museum.
7. Also near Anthem is Lake Pleasant, for boating and fishing and hiking.
8. Mudpie Studios offers art related classes and activities for kids of all ages!

Superior

1. Visit Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior where desert life isn’t all cactus and tumbleweed!
2. The World’s Smallest Museum will teach children about local history.
3. Go off road in the desert with Superior Tour Company. Discounts for children 12 and under!

Cave Creek and Carefree

1. Go for a hike at Gateway Desert Awareness Park
2. Go on a horseback ride at sunset (pony rides for under 5 years old) or for older kids (9 years and up) check out MTM Ranch
3. Enjoy dinner and a rodeo show at Buffalo Chip Saloon
4. Sundial Park has a cute playground – and also hosts the annual Enchanted Pumpkin Garden, and has a 4 acre botanical gardens plus a splash pad.
5. Meander on the paths at Jewel of the Creek. Don’t miss the kid sized cave along the trail!
6. Frontier Town is a reproduction of an Old West town, with costumed performers and shops.
7. Take the family camping at Cave Creek Regional Park.
8. Hike and take in Hohokum ruins at Sears Kay Ruins.
9. Have the kids take a gym class at The Little Gym.

Queen Creek

1. Pick pumpkins at Schnepf Farms (they also have a U-pick garden with vegetables, peaches).
2. Founder’s Park has a huge splash pad, playground, skate park and more, perfect for all ages!
3. Hike at San Tan Mountain Regional Park.
4. Carter’s Farm Mobile Petting Zoo is available for children’s parties and events.
5. Check out the Family Theatre Series at Queen Creek Performing Arts Center.
6. Bring your kids to some of the free events hosted by the Queen Creek Library.
7. Another popular park and splash pad is located at Mansel Carter Oasis Park!
8. Take the whole family for indoor jumping fun at Elevate Trampoline Park.
9. Test your ninja skills at Conquer Ninja Gym.

Things to do in Phoenix with kids

We have some more ideas on our sister site: placestoseeinarizona.com which may interest you. As well as a list of things to do in Tucson with kids and things to do in Flagstaff with kids.

A blog from a Phoenix mom

Thanks for visiting Phoenix With Kids. This site is written by a family of five living in Scottsdale. We aim to update this list every week with new ideas as we come across them. Email us if you know of a fun activity we’re missing. Follow @phoenixwithkids on Instagram where we post every day. Or, subscribe to us on YouTube!

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