Pangaea Land Of The Dinosaurs
Become a paleontologist at this interactive dinosaur attraction. Meet more than 50 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and check out 10 interactive stations, including a fossil dig, an excavation, and a Dino-Kart ride. It’s a must-stop for any adventure-seeking, dinosaur-obsessed kid. Ages 2 and under are free.
Join a workshop or drop in for free time at the Arizona Science Center’s Create maker space. Photo courtesy of the museum
There Are Cheaper Times To Visit Phoenix Art Museum
The Phoenix Art Museum is Arizona’s premier repository of fine art, including works by Claude Monet, Diego Rivera and Georgia O’Keeffe. On Pay What You Wish Wednesday and the first Friday of each month, entry is by voluntary donation after 3pm. Make a beeline for the Western Gallery to see how the astonishing Arizona landscape has inspired everyone from the early pioneers to modernists.
Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve
Go back in time and view one of the largest collections of prehistoric petroglyphs in the Valley of the Sun. An easy walk leads down a path to view the clearly marked petroglyphs . Enjoy the free audio tour along the trail to get better context about the preserve.
Cool off with a dip in a City of Phoenix pool. Photo courtesy of the city
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Learn About The State At Arizona Capitol Museum
The Arizona Capitol Museum serves as a symbol of the states vast and colorful history. Guests can experience a range of educational opportunities for free that offer visibility into governmental, political, social and cultural chronicles of the state.
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Best Outdoor Activities In Phoenix In 2022

During the cold Idaho winter months, we often find ourselves retreating to the beautiful state of Arizona. We usually spend at least some of our time in the Phoenix area. Our family spent a lot of time outside enjoying the warmer winter temperature and beautiful sunshine. We love seeing the different kinds of cacti and soaking up the sun in all of the amazing outdoor activities in Phoenix.
Phoenix is such a family-friendly city. Here are our favorite things to do outside in Phoenix that your entire family will enjoy. If theres something we missed, please let us know in the comments below! We are always looking for more fun ideas for our next trip back.
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Hall Of Flame Fire Museum Lots Of Fire Trucks
Something about fire trucks really makes a kid excited. This museum has a ton of them! Its all about the history of firefighting, so there are many trucks that are vintage and pretty cool to look at. This a great cheap thing to do with kids in Phoenix. Admission is as low as $5 per person, so you wont have to fork out a ton of extra cash for this place. A word to the wise: Its a fragile museum. Youll be best bringing older children who arent too tempted to run around and climb on the fire trucks. But, if your kids are old enough, this is one thing that everyone needs to experience once!
Fall Activities To Do In Phoenix With Kids
No matter how many pumpkin spice lattes you drink, it can be difficult to get into the fall mood in Phoenix. The temperature is still in the 80s, sometimes 90s. Theres little fall color . Still, there are some great activities to do right in Phoenix with your kids! Here is a list of six of our personal favorites.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch yes, these do exist in Phoenix! Weve written an article about the main ones. Its the perfect activity to enjoy all things fall and pick up some pumpkins for decoration. Our kids love MacDonalds Ranch in particular for the pedal cars and hayride to the huge pumpkin patch.
Experience a Fall Festival there arent any festivals this year , BUT there are numerous events around the Valley! Drive thru options, candy crawls, free truck or treats are just a few of the options. See the complete list here!
Host a Fall Party with Friends with just a quick trip to Michaels and the grocery store, you can have the perfect ingredients for a play date! Weve done several of these over the years with friends, ranging from foam crafts, baking sugar cookies, painting mini pumpkins, costume events, etc. It can be as simple or elaborate as you want . Also consider hosting your fall party at a nearby park for added playtime. Have each family bring a favorite fall book and snack to share! More creative and fun crafts and activities can be found here.
If you do want to get out of town, heres a fun article about our familys weekend fall trip to Flagstaff
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Legoland Discovery Center Arizona
LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Arizona – it’s like youve just jumped into the biggest box of LEGO® bricks ever! See your city come to life in mini-land… it’s made entirely ofLEGO® bricks! Climb abord and ride Kindom Quest to rescue the princess! Then, build a LEGO® race car with your friends and send it zooming down the test ramp! Get closer to the action in the amazing 4D LEGO® cinema. You’ll be amazed at what you’ll find at the LEGOLAND® discovery center!
Jw Marriott Desert Ridge
Another kid friendly property, this JW Marriott has multiple swimming pools, a lazy river, and a water slide. They also offer a Family Escape Kids Club and a nighttime PJ Party. Theres golf and a spa on property, as well as Canyon Villas, larger units for families. Find more details about Marriott Vacation Club Canyon Villas here .
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Things To Do In Phoenix Arizona April 2022 With Family And Kids
Phoenix Arizona April 2022 is one of the best cities in the world for family holidays, with its many attractions and historical landmarks to explore. The West End, in particular, is a big draw for tourists and locals alike. Think theatreland. Think epic history. Not enough? Well, visitors of all ages are guaranteed to be swept up by the high energy street performers and unique shops too.
These include my unmissable highlights visiting and living in the city, with ideas if youre visiting Phoenix Arizona April 2022 for the first time, or you can find unusual things to do in Phoenix Arizona April 2022 with the family, more things to do in Phoenix Arizona April 2022 with toddlers, plus inspiration for a rainy day in Phoenix Arizona April 2022 in my other posts.
The good news, however, is that there are fun things for kids in Phoenix Arizona April 2022 that dont cost a penny. If youre looking for ideas on great days out with kids in Phoenix Arizona April 2022 on a budget then this list of the top free things to do in Phoenix Arizona April 2022 with kids should help.
World Championship Hoop Dance Contest
Paul B. Moore / Shutterstock
The World Championship Hoop Dance Contest is an extremely fascinating event that is basically the top competition of its kind across the globe.
Audience members get to see an interesting form of art where dancers use hoops in order to make various symbols, backed by upbeat and thematic music.
Judgment is made based on creativity, speed, rhythm, showmanship, and precision.
The competition lasts for two days and has five different age categories.
Those under five and over 40 are on the far end of each spectrum.
More importantly, the World Championship Hoop Dance Contest honors traditions from Native Americans and First Nation Canadian tribes.
In those cultures, these hoop dances are big parts of healing ceremonies.
Sure, its not technically something you can consider among the places to visit in Phoenix, as its an event that happens in February at the famous Heard Museum, but thats no reason it shouldnt be on this list!
Address: 2301 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States
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Hyatt Regency Gainey Ranch
The luxurious Gainey Ranch has everything for every agea state-of-the-art spa and swim-up bar for adults, a rock-climbing wall and massive water playground for youngsters, and more. There are more than 10 pools, including a sand beach, a 30-foot-tall waterslide, countless water spouts and fountains, and four plunge pools.
Best Restaurant In Phoenix Art Museum

Book a spot at one of these fun restaurants in Phoenix Art Museum. Known for its diverse dining scene, theres no shortage of quirky restaurants to choose from in Phoenix Art Museum, From immersive experiences through to themed restaurants
From the truly incredible and Instagram-worthy to the downright unusual and bizarre, you can get front row seats to the best food and entertainment Phoenix Art Museum has. It can almost be overwhelming to choose the most fun places to celebrate a special occasion , when there are so many options.
From the classics to the latest game-changers, here are the best restaurants in Phoenix Art Museum
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Watch: A Hot Air Balloon Ride In Arizona
Numerous companies operate Phoenix balloon rides, including Hot Air Expeditions which launches from Deer Valley. Crews inflate the balloon before your eyes, and if youre lucky youll be up, up and away in the basket just as the sun rises.
The view from above, during a Phoenix hot air balloon ride
The view of Deer Valley
Reaching heights of up to six thousand feet, soak in the views of the so-called Valley of the Sun, and mountain ranges including Four Peaks, the Bradshaws and Daisy Mountain. Capped off with a champagne breakfast, theres truly no better way to start the day.
Go Glamping In Arizona
The agriculture town of Queen Creek in Maricopa County is home to popular spots along the Fresh Foodie Trail like the Queen Creek Olive Mill, as well as a special place called Schnepf Farms which also happens to be one of the places to go glamping in Arizona.
This family-owned farm has been around since 1941, when Ray and Thora Schnepf purchased a section of desert literally in the middle of nowhere, and planted chip potatoes, veggies and peach trees. Their operation flourished over the decades, expanding to add a bakery, cafe, amusement park and wedding venues, as well as events like the Schnepf Farms Peach Festival and fall favourite Pumpkin & Chili Festival.
The Cozy Peach at Schnepf Farms
The latest offering at Schnepf Farms is The Cozy Peach, which just might be the cutest trailer park youve ever seen. Nearly a dozen vintage trailers and Airstreams have been completely redesigned, each with its own fun, individual theme.
Retro touches like 8-Tracks blend seamlessly with newer features like flat-screen TVs set up with Netflix, and each trailer has its own bathroom, kitchenette and outdoor area. Guests are free to grab a cruiser bike and explore the property, work alongside the owner Carrie in the vegetable garden, or laze around in a hammock while reading a book from the secret library.
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Best Things To Do With Kids In Phoenix
BY Patricia EscarcegaPhoenix, Scottsdale, and Tucson Local Expert
A kid-friendly Phoenix destination that even adults will likely enjoy is the Arizona Science Center. This downtown venue has more than 300 exhibitions, most of which are hands-on and interactive, as well as an IMAX movie theater and planetarium. Your kids will delight in exploring the seven themed halls, and pick up a few new fascinating science facts along the way.
If you’re visiting Phoenix with younger kids, make sure to plan a stop at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, which is housed in a historic school building just across the street from the Arizona Science Center in downtown. The two-story climber, securely constructed out of a whimsical selection of recycled materials, is worth the price of admission alone.
If you want to give your kids a taste of Phoenix’s historic past, plan a trip to Pueblo Grande Museum and Archeological Park. The 1500-year-old archaeological site, which is operated by the City of Phoenix, is easily accessible by the airport Sky Train and Light Rail. The site features a 2/3 mile trail that takes you through a partially excavated prehistoric Hohokam archaeological village platform mound, ball court, and replicated prehistoric houses.
For hands-on fun and learning, take the whole family to the Musical Instrument Museum in north Phoenix, where kids can explore the musical instruments and traditions of every corner of the globe.
Spring Training Baseball Games
My family loves baseball, and spring training is one of the best things for baseball fans to experience. It is a great way to see major league teams play up close, in a reasonably priced environment. With all of the Cactus League teams playing right in the Greater Phoenix area, you can catch several games during a vacation. Our favorite team, the Red Sox, doesnt play in the Cactus League, but its still fun to watch the games. Spring training games take place during the month of March, so plan your vacation accordingly.
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Rawhide Western Town And Steakhouse
Being from New England, I always enjoy seeing western shows. Rawhide, an 1880s Western town, offers a steakhouse, kids activities, shops, and wild west shows. Admission is free , but you can purchase tickets for individual shows and attractions. You can also purchase wristbands that offer unlimited attractions and shows. Attractions include a climbing wall, a kids mechanical bull ride, a stunt show, burro rides, a petting zoo, and panning for gold.
Bird Watching at Veterans Oasis Park
Want to go bird watching? The Desert Rivers Audubon offers a complimentary bird watching tour on the first Saturday of the month from November to April. During our press trip visit, we had the opportunity to go on one of these tours. Its a great way for kids to learn about the birds in the area. My kids loved it.
It’s A Short But Tough Hike To Piestewa Peak
Hike to Piestewa Peak, dotted with saguaros, ocotillos and teddy bear cholla, and you’ll be rewarded with views from the second-highest point in the Phoenix Mountains . It was named for Arizona local American Indian soldier Lori Piestewa, the first American Indian woman to die serving in the US Armed Foreces, killed in Iraq in 2003. Be forewarned: the 1.1-mile trek to the 2600ft peak is a tough climb, but still hugely popular. The park can get extremely busy on winter weekends, so plan your parking carefully.
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The Best Things To Do In Scottsdale With Kids
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The Phoenix area holds a special place in our hearts Ive visited at least a dozen times since my aunt and uncle moved there two decades ago, and in many ways it feels like a second home. We have collectively experienced the city through many lenses: as a teen visiting with family, on my own as a young adult, as a couple with local friends, and most recently as a family with our own young children.
Ive also visited in every season yes, even in the middle of summer and there are plenty of Phoenix kids activities whenever you go. If youre thinking about coming for a visit with your own family, check out our favorite Phoenix attractions for kids weve also noted the best indoor activities for kids in Phoenix.
Read on to start planning your own Scottsdale and Phoenix family vacation!
Explore Old Town Scottsdale

One of the best free things to do in Scottsdale for visitors of any age is taking a stroll through Old Town Scottsdale. There are a few souvenir shops with western themed items, but more importantly there are stunning galleries full of locally-made art. There are independent galleries for paintings, photographs, sculptures jewelry and more! If your kids are very young, window shopping might be better than going inside the galleries, but our older kids did just fine and really enjoyed exploring the art. There are plenty of large statues and fountains scattered outside in the area as well. Every Thursday night theres a free art walk thats extremely popular among locals check it out for yourself!
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Wander Through The Street Art At Roosevelt Row
Roosevelt Row in the downtown neighborhood is a trendy spot to grab drinks or check out some street art. The mission of the area is to advance arts-focused initiatives for artists, entrepreneurs, and residents by cultivating a creative, sustainable space for growth, opportunity, engagement and art advocacy. Take a walk and enjoy the dozens of murals and the various locally owned shops, bars, and restaurants all throughout the arts district. If you’re willing to spend a few bucks, head up to From the Rooftop at Cambria Hotel Downtown Phoenix. This bar, with a sweeping view of the city skyline, serves half-priced food during happy hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Enchanted Island Amusement Park
1202 W Encanto BlvdPhoenix, AZ 85007 254-1200
With classic flair food and an array of attractions, the Enchanted Island Amusement Park offers a memorable outing for the whole family. Plus, it has 9 rides that kids will surely love.
Get a chance to experience Arizonas oldest operating carousel: Encanto Carousel. Afterward, hit the Parachute Tower, and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Phoenix area skyline. Kids will also love the parks other child-friendly rides and attractions, including the Dragon Wagon, Kiddie Cars and C.P. Huntington Tower.
The Enchanted Island Amusement Park is the ultimate experience for children ages 6 and up.
Phoenix, AZ 85008 286-3800
Bears, tigers, lions and a ton of other charming creatures will entertain and amuse your family for the whole day at Phoenix Zoo.
Try to visit the zoo in the warmer months, so you can experience its splash pads. The zoo also boasts a few special attractions, including train rides, animal feedings, a childrens carousel and a tropical bird aviary. Make your family visit even more memorable and fun by gazing at the exotic white tiger and massive aquarium.
A visit to this wildlife haven is truly one of the top things to do in Phoenix for kids of all ages.
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