We make the lists. You decide the destination! Welcome to Phoenix With Kids! Jump to:
Phoenix   Scottsdale   Mesa   Gilbert   Surprise   Tempe   Chandler   Glendale   Goodyear
Avondale   Peoria   Apache Junction   Fountain Hills   Anthem   Superior   Cave Creek   Queen Creek   Tucson

Phoenix

1. The Children’s Museum of Phoenix is great fun for all ages ($11/person, under 1 free)
2. The Phoenix Zoo is a great place to take the kids in Phoenix (free for kids under 2, and $10/children 3-12, $20/adults)
3. Take the kids to Party Jungle (formerly Jambo, but under new ownership), an indoor amusement park for kids
4. Encanto Park has an Enchanted Island Amusement Park with attractions geared towards 1-10 year olds
5. Check local libraries for free music and story time classes
6. Check your Barnes and Noble store for free children’s storytime classes (Friday and Saturday mornings)
7. Go swimming in one of the many public pools in Phoenix
8. Enroll in a local Gymboree class to play and learn music, art and sports (all ages, 1st preview class is free)
9. Arizona Science Center (under 2 free, $11/children 3-17, $14/adults)
10. Baby Gym class at Arizona Sunrays (free, ages 6-18 months)
11. Open Gym at Arizona Sunrays ($5 cash/$8 credit, all ages)
12. Hike to Hole In The Rock, an easy walk/hike with kids
13. Most malls have a play area for kids (up to age 8), including PV Mall
14. National Geographic’s Kids Club is hosted weekly at many malls in Arizona, and it’s free!
15. Take the kids to The Little Gym (first class is free, up to age 12)
16. See historic fire trucks at The Hall of Flame Fire Museum
17. Desert Botanical Garden is a great place for kids and adults to learn about native plants in Arizona
18. Music Together in Phoenix is an early childhood music program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners (read our review here)
19. There’s a big play area at Desert Ridge’s “ultimate playground” called The Play Factory ($9 for kids, free for adults)
20. Castles ‘N Coasters is an old favorite the older kids would enjoy, with roller coasters and more
21. For older kids looking for fun, try go-karts at the K1 Race Factory
22. Attend a PhxArtKids Days visit at The Phoenix Art Museum
23. 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)
24. Family friendly bike rides in Phoenix
25. Take the kids pony and horseback riding, or go on a wagon adventure!
26. Enjoy the indoor play space at Imagination Avenue
27. Take your children to EC Street Playtown which is a new indoor play area at 19th Ave.
28. See a puppet show at the Great Arizona Puppet Theater with your kids in Phoenix
29. Ready, Set, Play! is a fun indoor play area (inside the PV Mall) for ages 6 and under.
30. Visit at Hohokam village at the Pueblo Grande Museum
31. Whipples Fun Center is a new indoor entertainment place (mostly ages 7+, but some things for young kids)
32. Take a DIY craft class at Pinspiration! They also host birthday parties in Phoenix and often offer kid friendly events.
33. Take the family on a Phoenix themed scavenger hunt with Urban Adventure Quest!
34. See thousands of musical instruments at the Musical Instrument Museum
35. Watch a Diamondbacks baseball game
36. The most kid-friendly coffee shop in Arizona is The Teapot
37. See a play at Valley Youth Theatre
38. Visit Urban Air Auwatukee and see why they are called “the ultimate indoor trampoline and adventure park”!
39. Take acting classes or see a show with Christian Youth Theatre.
40. The Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve is an archaeology museum and desert preserve, giving tours to families.

Mesa

1. Visit the Idea Museum for indoor playtime, arts and crafts, and more.
2. Take your kids to Howie’s Game Shack for computer or XBox gaming!
3. Check out the Arizona Museum of Natural History.
4. Take the kids to Amazing Jake’s Mesa for lots of indoor activities.
5. Take an all day tubing trip on the Salt River
6. Take the kids to Sunsplash for fun in the water!
7. Brush up on your skating skills at Skateland.
8. Pioneer Park is an epic playground that will keep your kids entertained for hours.
9. Tour Native American ruins at Mesa Grande Cultural Park in Mesa.
10. Learn about the pioneers of Mesa at the Mesa Historical Museum.
11. Wander around 9,000 rose bushes at the Rose Garden (at Mesa Community College).
12. Explore the hiking trails and desert beauty at Usery Mountain Park.
13. Desert Trails Park is perfect for beginners and experts with trails, pump track and kids skill track for biking.
14. Build family camaraderie by working together at Escape Room Arizona.
15. Be treated to a professional organ performance and yummy pizza at Organ Stop Pizza.
16. Take swim lessons with Swim Kids!
17. Uptown Jungle Fun Park is the indoor place for all ages to climb, jump, and slide!
18. Get up close and personal with airplane and artifacts from WWII at the Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum.

Scottsdale

1. Visit the many splash pads in Scottsdale
2. Looking for a park? There are lots! Try Rotary Park in Scottsdale
3. AZ Air Time (trampolines) has lots to do for kids of all ages
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. Playtime Oasis is a great indoor play area for children under 6. They also have an awesome toy store!
8. Take your family to Butterfly Wonderland to see butterflies.
9. Take a nature hike and then play at Florence Ely Nelson Desert Park
10. OdySea Aquarium has opened in Scottsdale! It’s the biggest aquarium in the southwest.
11. Meet and swim with dolphins at Dolphinaris in Scottsdale!
12. Meet up with friends at Mini Social, an indoor play area for ages 6 and under in Old Town.
13. Ride a train or carousel at McCormick Stillman Railroad Park.
14. Learn how to be a cowboy at Macdonalds Ranch. They also have a fabulous pumpkin patch every October.
15. Take a family outing to the Sugar Bowl, a 1950’s style soda fountain, for lunch or ice cream snacks.
16. Try ice skating any time of the year at Ice Den Scottsdale.
17. Explore the many hiking trails at McDowell Mountain Regional Park. There is also a nature trail, perfect for toddlers.
18. Scottsdale has an American Girl Store! (located in Scottsdale Quarter)
19. We Rock the Spectrum is the perfect indoor play place for autistic children, and any child under 10.
20. Have a birthday party, or just visit and shop all things unicorn (including gourmet cupcakes) at Unicorn Cupcake Boutique.
21. Explore the Mirror Maze with friends!
22. Pangea: Land of the Dinosaurs is fun if your kids are REALLY into dinosaurs.
23. Climb the heights at Pinnacle Peak — this is a hike kids can do and the view is awesome!
24. Spend a day exploring in Old Town Scottsdale, with parks and museums and food and more.
25. The Stomping Ground in South Scottsdale is an indoor play area with bouncy houses, a bike area, toddler section and more!
26. Go shopping and check out the splash pad at Scottsdale Quarter.
27. Scoops and Joy Lounge offers a free surprise on every ice cream scoop. It’s adorable. And Dole Whip is served!
28. Rachel’s Young At Art studio offers art classes for all ages of children.
29. Scale heights at AZ on the Rocks, an indoor rock climbing gym.
30. Let the kids play at Cafe Au Plait, an upscale coffee shop with an indoor play area.

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.

Tempe

1. Sea Life Arizona is an indoor aquarium located at Arizona Mills Mall in Tempe ($8 to $20)
2. Learn about cardiovascular health at The Halle Heart Children’s Museum
3. Take in a spring training baseball game at Tempe Diablo baseball stadium
4. Take the kids for a hike at Hayden Butte (also known as “A” Mountain)
5. Go swimming at Big Surf Waterpark!
6. The Kiwanis Wave Pool is extremely popular, and is perfect for kids! There is also a huge shaded splashpad at the park.
7. Sign your kids up for the high-school sailing program at Tempe Town Lake
8. Check out Main Event Entertainment! Bowling, laser tag, video games, and food!
9. Check out the indoor fun at Pump It Up!
10. Visit the new LEGOLAND Discovery Center
11. Childsplay is Tempe’s professional theater company whose chosen audience is children. Performances take place at the Tempe Center for the Arts.
12. Movies in the Park at Kiwanis Park – Friday evenings in May
13. First Saturdays for families at ASU Art Museum
14. Tilt Studio is an arcade and party place for kids
15. Enjoy the AZ Heritage Center Museum at Papago Park with exhibits for adults and kids.
16. Explore Singh Meadows, a hidden gem of Tempe, with yummy food, a farmers market, lawn games and more.
17. Cuddle cats and play with fuzzy felines at La Gattara Cat Lounge.

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. Take the kids to Xtreme Air Park for some fun on trampolines
12. Visit Playtopia at Tumbleweed Park, a free, 2.5-acre playground for kids.
13. Go on a guided bird walk at Veteran’s Oasis Park (first Saturday of every month from November through April).
14. Brush up on your skating skills at Skateland.
15. Newly opened is Giggles Indoor Playland, featuring beautiful wooden play structures and more
16. Walk through cool trains at Arizona Railway Museum (September through May)
17. Uptown Jungle Fun Park is the indoor place for all ages to climb, jump, and slide!

Gilbert

1. The splash pad under the Gilbert Water Tower is really popular.
2. 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.
3. Get the wiggles out at Bounce U – they also host birthday parties!
4. Meet friends at FlipSide Entertainment for bowling, laser tag, arcade games and more.
5. Watch a movie for $5 at Fat Cats, then enjoy bowling, arcade games and yummy food!
6. Have Game Truck come to your next birthday party to wow the kids with video games, laser tag and bubble soccer.
7. Savor melt-in-your-mouth Belgian liege waffles at Waffle Love.
8. Enjoy the playground, train ride and walk around the lake at Freestone Park.
9. Challenge your brain and try to exit at Cluemaster Escape Rooms.
10. Touch a piece of the World Trade Center from 9/11 and learn about this important event in America’s history.
11. Bowling, mini golf, arcade games and more are the highlight at Main Event!
12. Try ice skating or ice hockey at AZ Ice.
13. Zanjero Park has a fascinating nature corner about burrowing owls.
14. Tour an organic farm at Agritopia (they also have citus u-pick events and markets).
15. Thursdays are food trucks and fun at Mother Nature’s Farm for just $3/person!
16. Ready, Set, Play! is a fun indoor play area (inside the SanTan Village Mall) for ages 6 and under.
17. See a play at ActorsYouth Theatre in Gilbert

Glendale

1. Visit the PlayGrounds Fun Zone and Cafe in Glendale, AZ
2. Check out the Glendale Jumpstreet Indoor Trampoline Park
3. Take the kids to Wet ‘N’ Wild Phoenix for a day of fun in the water!
4. If you drive west from Glendale, you can explore Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium and Safari Park.
5. The Arizona Doll and Toy Museum has a modest collection of dolls and vintage toys.
6. Sahuaro Ranch Park combines historical buildings, orange groves and a playground for a fun morning (don’t miss the peacocks too!)
7. Take a family hike at Thunderbird Conservation Park.
8. Combine a visit to the Glendale Main Library and the nearby small but beautiful Xeriscape Botanical Garden.
9. Take a free train ride on Sundays with the Maricopa Live Steamer group, or host your birthday party there!
10. Enjoy a family outing of roller skating at Great Skates.
11. Take a free tour of a candy factory at Cerreta Candy Factory.

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

Avondale

1. Jubeelieve Indoor Playland in Avondale is perfect for kids ages 0 to 5.
2. The new Valley Golf Center is a great place to hit some golf balls.
3. Visit Friendship Park and play in the playgrounds and near the pond.
4. Go bowling at Brunswick in Avondale.
5. Take a family hike at Estrella Mountain Park

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. Learn about space at the Challenger Space Center.
6. Have fun at the Pump It Up location in Peoria.
7. Kids Alive is the youth musical theater training program at Theater Works.
8. Check out Theater Works for fun theater options for kids.
9. All the bouncy houses at Jumpers Jungle will delight children of any age!
10. Uptown Jungle Fun Park is the indoor place for all ages to climb, jump, and slide!

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.

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.

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.

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

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
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.

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 splashpad, 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.

 

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.

A blog from a Phoenix mom

Thanks for visiting Phoenix With Kids. This site is written by a family of four 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!