Arizona is a great place to spend the summer, and there are a wealth of kid-friendly activities to enjoy across the state. To get started, here are ten of the top attractions and activities to enjoy with kids, many of which are low or very low cost.
Kid-Friendly Summer Activities in Arizona
1. Trip to the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is a fantastic outdoor place for anyone to visit, and there are lots of short hikes, day trips, and lookout points to gaze out over this truly breathtaking area of the state.
2. Arizona Science Center
Located in Phoenix, this is an ideal way to give kids a hands-on day of experimenting, exploring, and learning indoors. The building offers over 350 different exhibits, with different activities for children of all ages.
3. OdySea
This is actually a complex of different attractions in the Scottsdale area. Children and families can tour the indoor dinosaur attraction of Pangaea, visit the Butterfly Wonderland and then also explore the touch pools and a 2 million gallon aquarium and various aquatic exhibits. Plan to spend the entire day to take in all the attractions.
4. Sedona
Another natural wonder in the state is the area in and around Sedona. The surrounding red rock mountains are ideal for nature watching and hiking, and the town offers restaurants, shopping, and seasonal events. For older children, hiking to see Native American relics and dwellings is an ideal activity.
5. Pueblo Grande Museum
This is an outdoor museum that is not too large, so it is a good place for the whole family to tour. It focuses on the Hohokam people and offers replicas of buildings, culture, and history that is sure to appeal to kids of all ages. On Sundays, all kids under the age of 17 have free admission, and kids under 6 are always allowed in for free.
6. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
This is a wonderful place to spend time outdoors doing a wide range of activities. Kids can see the Glen Canyon Dam, spend time walking the slot canyons near the town of Page, or even enjoying activities in the water as a perfect way to cool off.
7. Musical Instrument Museum
On a hot summer’s day, plan to spend time in the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix. This museum is home to over 7000 different instruments from around the world. It also hosts family-friendly events, offers concerts, and provides drop-in music classes for kids.
8. i.d.e.a Museum
Not your typical museum, the i.d.e.a Museum is dedicated to imagination, design, experience, and art. Kids can participate in projects, have fun, and be creative. It is a cool way to involve kids of all ages in fun and creative events.
9. Jerome
For older children, a trip to the ghost town of Jerome is a very different day trip from Sedona, Pheonix, Flagstaff or Prescott. Some of the town has been maintained as a ghost town tourist attraction, but there are lots of restaurants and shops that are very new. In addition, plan to spend some time indoors at the Gold King Mine Museum or hike through the trails at Jerome State Historic Park.
Remember, there are also many free water parks, water playgrounds and splash pads set up around Phoenix as well as in other cities throughout the state.