Traveling to Phoenix?
Pack Light. Travel Happy.™ Rent baby gear in Phoenix.Given the dry, arid, and oftentimes scorching Phoenix, Arizona temperatures, many kid-friendly activities either take place in air-conditioned locations or in the water.
That said, if you visit in the high season (during cooler temperatures), you will be able to explore some of the outdoor offerings. Here is a round-up of some super fun activities in Phoenix for kids to enjoy!
Hurricane Harbor Phoenix
Considering that the Valley of the Sun has temps averaging over 80 degrees 7 months out of the year, chances are you’ll be visiting when it’s hot! So, this is definitely one of the best activities in Phoenix for kids.
Phoenix’s largest water park has toddler-designated areas and a lazy river, so there is plenty of fun but low-key areas for the little ones. Be sure to check out Barefootin’ Bay in Wet ‘n’ Wild Jr., which includes a 4,700-square-foot kid’s pool, interactive play structure, shade, and lounge chairs in a secluded area just for kids and parents.
Butterfly Wonderland
In nearby Scottsdale, Arizona, you will find Butterfly Wonderland. It’s the largest indoor rainforest conservatory in the United States. It is home to over 3,000 butterflies from around the world. Kids and adults will be mesmerized by all of the gorgeous species of butterflies fluttering from plant to plant. With countless interactive exhibits, be sure to check the website before you visit to see what special events are taking place.
Currently, The Bug Club is offering classes for 4-8-year-olds every third Saturday of the month. Kids get to learn all about, you guessed it…bugs! Amazing crawling, climbing, sticky-legged bugs are the focus of craft activities, storytime, and even special ‘guests’! If you’ve ever wanted to experience giant scorpions, cockroaches, or millipedes, this is your big chance! Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is recommended.
Andie’s Coffee and Splash Pad
This spot is great for kids and adults alike and is definitely off the beaten path. Their website even says so! Located within the Chaparral Campus, little ones can splash around on the splash pad while adults sit and watch while sipping a refreshing iced latte. That’s a win-win situation for everyone!
If you want to count your visit as a charitable cause, order the drink of the month and they’ll donate a portion of the cost to charity! We love this as a relaxing activity in Phoenix for kids.
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Musical Instrument Museum
According to Trip Advisor, the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) is rated the “Top attraction in Phoenix for kids and ranked in the top 15 museums in the world”. This museum is definitely unique considering it is the world’s only global musical instrument museum.
With over 6500 musical instruments and objects on display, there is exploration in every corner. Kid-centric activities include the opportunity to play musical instruments from around the world while learning about where they originated. Children up to 5 years of age can participate in Mini Music Maker classes. These activities encourage movement and play, along with songs and instruments.
Desert Botanical Garden
The Desert Botanical Garden houses the largest collection of desert plants in the world. Families can explore nature-based walks geared towards a variety of age ranges, and learn about all of the various types of desert plants in the garden. Kids can enjoy free activities that come along with the price of admissions that take place in the “Cocoon”—a fun place for garden play.
Activities such as ‘Bubble Bonanza’ where kids make their own bubble solution and experiment with the properties of bubbles, as well as ‘Paint and Play’, will keep little ones entertained for hours!
Keep reading…we’re just getting started on the best places in Phoenix for kids!
The Teapot
Although this kid-friendly coffeehouse doesn’t boast a splash pad it does have a grassy backyard ideal for children. Its custom-built playset, picnic tables, and a rock-climbing wall keep kids entertained while you sip the tea.
This seems to be a great theme for kids and adults alike, essentially killing two birds with one stone. Raelynn Pring says she and her husband, Jonathan, created The Teapot out of necessity following the birth of their son Leyland. They sought a hangout that catered to kids while still being conscience of parents’ urban sensibilities.
“We consider ourselves to be the only truly family-friendly restaurant in the metro Phoenix area,” Pring says. “Our target audience is families with young children. We wanted the space to be hip and well designed so that adults would enjoy spending time here with their children.”
Sometimes after running around to museums and zoos, and exhibits geared mostly toward children, it’s nice to have a few moments of downtime. Sit and watch the little ones play in a safe environment. Treat yourself to pastry and an iced tea for a few moments of relaxation!
Heard Museum
The Heard Museum, which is dedicated to American Indian Art, is a unique experience in Phoenix for kids. It helps children and families learn about diversity and other cultures.
The real standout for the kiddos is the HOME Studio. It’s a hands-on, interactive exhibition space that promotes learning through play. Since home is the center of life for the Native people, these activities allow children to engage in fun activities based on the cultures of various tribes. Activities include creating butterfly and dragon ornaments, playing with large foam Legos to build a home, as well as completing puzzles based on Northwest Coast animal designs!
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
You can easily make a half or full day of this park, so plan accordingly. It’s a wonderful place in Phoenix for kids. This 30-acre park has rides, playgrounds (with plenty of shade structures), attractions, and even a museum. You can take a ride around the park on the Paradise & Pacific Railroad, ride the vintage carousel, visit the 10,000 square foot model train building and visit the Scottsdale Railroad Museum.
What’s great about this park is that you can take turns with the kids while you see the sites. If you don’t think your toddler will appreciate railroad history, let Dad supervise playtime on the playground while you walk through the museum. Then swap!
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona
LEGOLAND Discovery Center welcomes builders of all shapes and sizes. Hop aboard your chariot on the Kingdom Quest ride to rescue the captured Princess! Watch out for beastly trolls and sneaky skeletons lurking around every corner. After you save the day, head over to Merlin’s Apprentice to conjure the sorcerer’s spell and soar into the sky. Catch a show at Lego 4D Cinema, explore the miniature replica of Phoenix made entirely of LEGO bricks, climb the huge jungle gym, and lose yourselves in a ton of LEGO bricks. Tickets often sell out in advance, so best to buy tickets ahead of time online.
SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium
Next door to LEGOLAND is the SEA LIFE Aquarium, which is every bit as thrilling. Home to more than 250 species of marine animals in 10 themed zones, this hands-on aquarium has 30 exhibits including interactive Touch Tidepools, 7 species of shark, and Arizona’s only 360-degree ocean tunnel.
Get your hands wet in this interactive exhibit where you can touch a variety of fascinating and unique creatures. Modeled after a west coast tide pool, this exhibit is a perfect place to find out what a sea star or anemone feels like. Try to catch a critter feeding or an educational talk—and see how many LEGO models you can spot in the tanks! Each exhibit has a unique array of fish just waiting to be discovered.
Spend an afternoon taking your time at each exhibit to see how fish act in their natural environment and learn amazing facts about these creatures. Combination tickets are available to both attractions.
Arizona Science Center
The Arizona Science Center, located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, has many permanent, hands-on exhibits that entertain children of all ages. Save some time to explore the CREATE maker space and Forces of Nature. The center features a planetarium and is always adding interesting new exhibits.
Be sure to check out the SOAP MEETS SCIENCE exhibit! Get ready to play with bubbles like you never have before—and learn some fascinating stuff along the way. Your iridescent journey includes hands-on activities like making bubbles with wands of all shapes and sizes, bubble tables and giant bubbles created while you stand inside them. The whole family will learn the science behind what makes bubbles even possible: Concepts like elasticity, surface tension, evaporation, and geometry all play into an educational experience bursting with fun.
Great Arizona Puppet Theater
Enjoy a puppet show at this Phoenix landmark! Great Arizona Puppet Theater is open year-round and is a great place to cool off in the summer months. The theater is open to the public 5 days a week with shows for children and adults and also tours throughout the community serving a total audience of 85,000 annually, mostly children. They provide entertaining and educational shows for students and have been named The New Times “Best Entertainment for Kids” and “Best Children’s Theater.” A perfect place in Phoenix for kids who love puppets…and what child doesn’t?!
Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs
Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs is an indoor interactive exhibit and educational center located at OdySea in the Desert. Complete with more than 80 lifelike animatronic dinosaurs that roam through exhibits and true-to-life recreations of prehistoric habitats, Pangaea is designed to transport guests back to the age of the dinosaurs.
Guests can enjoy family-friendly activities, educational explorations, high-quality dining and more. Pangaea offers immersive activities that stimulate children’s imaginations and help them learn about the prehistoric world. Guests can also partake in fossil excavations to dig for dinosaur bones and prehistoric fossils.
Tour guides are on-hand to provide guests with details and information about the dinosaurs. Other attractions include dinosaur building, which affords children the opportunity to assemble their own dinosaur models. The best part—ages 2 and under are admitted free!
Enchanted Island Amusement Park
Spend an entire day at Enchanted Island at Encanto Park, full of rides and attractions for all ages. Younger kids will enjoy bumper boats, a carousel, train rides, and more, while older kids can experience a thrilling spin ride and parachute tower.
Whether you like spinning, flying, dropping, bumping, driving, rocking, or rolling, the rides at Enchanted Island Amusement Park are sure to thrill and delight. If you’re in a leisurely mood, tour the grounds on the C.P. Huntington Train, go back in time on the Encanto Carousel, and rent a pedal boat or canoe.
With so many exciting activities in Phoenix for kids, it’s no wonder that it’s a child’s paradise to visit. With a multitude of unique and unusual experiences to be had by all, you’re guaranteed to create lasting family memories worth remembering, and perhaps even re-visiting!
The kiddos may need a break from walking around all of these spectacular places! Consider renting a stroller or carrier from one of the many Phoenix area Quality Providers.
Traveling to Phoenix?
Pack Light. Travel Happy.™ Rent baby gear in Phoenix.
Jennifer O’Neill is an Independent Quality Provider with BabyQuip, helping families travel lighter and happier. She is a mother of two boys and enjoys working out, spending time with family and friends and of course, traveling.
I heard there is a new splash pad in Scottsdale for kids. Has anyone been there?
you have a great blog here!
Is it possible to visit when it’s not scorching?
Hey very nice blog!
The desert botanical garden is amazing. If you can go right after (or a few days after) it rains it’s even better!!! The desert comes alive with vibrancy with a little bit of water.
Don’t go here in the summer. I didn’t think it would be that bad and we ended up staying in the hotel and swimming most of the time. When they say it’s hot, they mean it. I mean, you can’t even imagine. It’s miserable.
Some think the desert isn’t beautiful, and as a local I always say, go to the Desert Botanical Gardens and then tell me it’s not beautiful. They always change their minds!
Lots of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
The teapot looks so cool. thanks for the article.
The Desert Botanical Gardens is magical. Take your kids!! I recommend it for sure.