Summer Month Activities for Kids in Arizona

June 6, 2018

About a month ago, I took to IG story to ask the locals of Arizona to recommend indoor activities for kids. It’s getting hot (literally, 104 degrees today) and there are only so many hours to be spent inside at home. So, where do you go? What do you do? I knew there had to be more options than google was showing me. Of course, we haven’t been to all of these places yet, but they are on my list for these next couple of hot months. I thought it would be more beneficial to just share this list with all of you, so you can decide where to go and what to do, than wait for me to explore it for you.
Hope this list was helpful to you mamas/dadas!

1. Visit your local library (Mesquite, Appaloosa, etc.) and Barnes and Noble Kid Section
2. Desert Ridge Play Factory– says for all ages
3. Desert Ridge As You Wish – Pottery Painting Place- Ages 2+
4. Gym Class (have to be enrolled and scheduled for once a week) at Arizona Sunrays, The Little Gym, etc. (*we do this weekly)
5. Music Class (have to be enrolled and scheduled for once a week) at Musicology or Music Together.
6. Mini Social – offers parents an indoor, kid-friendly space to meet, work, or learn. Located in Old Town, Scottsdale
7. Unicorn Cupcake Boutique– Destination for everything unicorns, cupcakes, and glitter- featuring a cupcake lounge, handmade goods, and kids area.
8. Indoor Playground – There is one located in PV Mall, but I have never been. I found Giggles through a followers recommendation and have taken V there a number of times. It’s a little out of the way for us in Chandler, but I feel worth the drive. It’s clean and has a lot of options for play. (We have been to Giggles and I recommend it*) Other options: Makutu’s Island (Chandler), Urban Jungle Fun Park (Mesa), Whipples Fun Center (Phoenix).
9. *Phoenix Zoo – We are zoo members, but unfortunately won’t be heading that way until it cools down. For anyone who is brave or can go early in the morning, then it’s worth a morning away to check it out if you haven’t with the kids.
10. Musical Instrument Museum– I took a music class here with Vivienne once, which was cute, and was recommended to come back to check out the entire space. I would not recommend going there with a toddler. There is a room with musical instruments that is cute for kids, but that’s about it. The rest of the area is exactly what it is… a museum.
11. *Odysea Aquarium– We have annual passes to the aquarium and go often. Vivienne loves fish so it’s fun to get out and have her walk around. If you are looking for a cheaper option, I have heard AZ Mills Aquarium is a great option.
12. Childrens Museum of Phoenix– This has been high on my list to check out, and I think we are attending a birthday party here next weekend. I have heard great things.
13. Party Jungle– Not somewhere we have gone before, but from the website it appears it could be fun for kids. 5 Carnival-style rides, mini golf, laser tag, jungle gym, etc.
14. Butterfly Museum– JJ and I actually came before Vivienne was born. Ha! I would recommend it for older kids, as toddlers may be scared of the butterflies landing on them or accidentally squish them walking by.
15. The Best Summer Ever Activities via The Scottsdale Princess– Although this appears to be for older kids, it looks like the cutest days (and maybe a little expensive) spent with your kids. Mermaid University, Foam Parties, Late night Dive-In Movie Night. So cute!
16. Trampoline Park– Sky Zone has a program called, Toddler Time, which is a shared experience between toddler and parent. There is also AZ Air Time located in Scottsdale and Krazy Air Trampoline Park that are other options.
17. Arizona Science Center– Another place that we haven’t been, but I am guessing it will probably be the most fun for older toddlers/kids.
18. *McCormick Ranch Railroad Park– OK, you guys. This is just mean to put on here for the summer months…. But I had to. Vivienne and I won’t be partaking in the railroad park this summer as its primarily outdoors but this is one of my favorite places to bring V when the weather is nice. Highly recommend checking it out if you haven’t!
19. Visit your local Splash Pad– When it’s hot and you still want to be outdoors, a splash pad it the way to go. Kierland, Desert Ridge, etc. are great options.
20. Resort pool for the day – I know there are some local resorts that you can rent day passes to the pool. Kid friendly options: Marriott, The Scott Resort, etc.
21. Pump it up– Mainly available for kids parties, but it appears you can go there for Open Jump, which that information is available on their website.
22. Museums– We have many museums here that I haven’t been to with Vivienne. A few recommended from my followers to check out: Hall of Flame Firefighter Museum, I.D.E.A Museum, Phoenix Art Museum (I’ve been when V was a baby, I probably wouldn’t rush there with her today), AZ Museum of Natural History,
23. Lego Discovery Center
24. Dave and Busters
25. Rachel’s Young at Art– Art classes, mommy and me style or camps
27. Changing Hands Bookstore
28. *Indoor Swim Lessons– Hubbard, Lifetime Fitness, etc.
29. American Girl Store at SQ
30. I wasn’t a fan of going to malls or shopping when I was younger, but of course… Scottsdale Fashion Square is always a cool place to walk around with your kids. It’s just not something I will personally do with Vivienne.

Would love to hear if you have any other places available to add to the list.

xoxo
Lola