10 Best Things To Do With Kids In Phoenix, Arizona

Shamika
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 4 min read

A family vacation is a wonderful way to bring your family together and escape from the daily routine of your lives. However, it does not always have to be a generic trip to a beach. In a place like Phoenix, Arizona, your kids can explore a whole new city ripe with opportunities and attractions, and learn something new about the world they live in. As parents, it can be a very rewarding experience to take your kids to a city like Phoenix, which is filled with museums, science exhibits, zoos, and much more. So check out this great list of the best things to do with kids in Phoenix, Arizona.

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1. Get excited at Pangaea


Most children in the world go through a dinosaur obsession phase at least once in their lives. If your kid is one of them, check out this amazing dinosaur theme park that is filled with events and fun activities for your little one to marvel at. It includes huge dinosaur exhibits that will blow your mind, live dinosaur shows, guided tours throughout the theme park, special events and special Pangaea attractions such as fossil digging. There is a gift shop from where you can collect your souvenirs, and a grill restaurant to stop for lunch.

Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs

Address: 9500 East Vía de Ventura c100, Scottsdale, AZ 85256, USA

Website: Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs

Opening hours: Wed - Thu: 10am - 6pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 7pm; Sun - Mon: 10am - 6pm (closed on Tue)

Price: 15.95 USD per person

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2. Catch a performance at Childsplay

Posted by Childsplay on Thursday, 25 April 2019

Childsplay is a theatre in Phoenix that hosts shows for children and is considered the creme de la creme of children’s entertainment theatre in this city. The actors are friendly and phenomenal at their job, and they host a Q&A session with the kids at the end of the play. They use famous literature in their plays and have amazing costumes, props, and music that will enchant your kids.

Childsplay Theatre For Kids And Families

Address: 900 S Mitchell Dr, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA

Website: Childsplay

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

Price: 15-30 USD

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3. Visit the Pueblo Grande Museum


This is a huge museum and archaeological park that is perfect for a day out with your kids when you’re in Phoenix. The price is extremely reasonable, and there is just so much to learn and do that your kids are bound to be riveted. There are archaeological ruins outside where you can explore the history and culture of the incredible indigenous native people who lived here well before Europeans invaded America and colonized it. The onsite store also has souvenirs for you as a keepsake.

Pueblo Grande Museum

Address: 4619 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA

Website: Pueblo Grande Museum

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 4:45pm (closed on Sun)

Price: 6 USD

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4. Play at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona

The word Legoland itself has the ability to bring a grin of excitement to any child’s face. Explore a world of amazing possibilities at Legoland Discovery Centre Arizona, where your kids can team up to build cars or pedal a magic bike, play around and climb walls and just be kids for a day. There are tons of play areas and activities, such as Kingdom Quest Laser Rider to zap skeletons and ogres, building your own LEGO tower, karaoke playtime at the DUPLO farm, Miniland local attractions built out of Legos, and more!

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5. Check out hands-on exhibits at Arizona Science Center


This is a must-visit destination if you find yourself in Phoenix, Arizona, with kids. The Arizona Science Centre has tons of science exhibits and interactive and hands-on educational activities for your little ones to engage themselves for a whole day. Some of the exhibits are paid, but they are totally worth it. Engage in activities such as amazing chemistry experiments, simulated surgery, electricity, machinery and magnetism displays, constructions and more.

Arizona Science Center

Address: 600 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA

Website: Arizona Science Center

Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)

Price: 13-18 USD

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6. Explore the aquarium at OdySea


This is an extremely popular place to take your kids, as they will love to see the incredible sea creatures here and learn more about the sea animals on the planet. The aquarium has a unique style of putting the animals together based on their location of origin, and the facilities are organized and entertaining for everyone. There is also a gift shop for you to collect souvenirs for your kids, as well as cafes and eateries.

OdySea Aquarium

Address: 9500 East Vía de Ventura A-100, Scottsdale, AZ 85256, USA

Website: OdySea Aquarium

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 7pm; Sat - Sun: 9am - 6pm

Price: 25 USD

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7. Let your kids get creative at Children’s Museum of Phoenix


Who says kids find museums boring? Have a blast at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix with a host of activities for your children to enjoy, that have different themes and cater to different ages, and help your little ones develop important skills. This is a whole day event because your kids are definitely not going to let you leave early! From craft rooms to a theatre to race cars, classes and group events, you will be confused with the choice here.

Children’s Museum of Phoenix

Address: 215 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA

Website: Children’s Museum of Phoenix

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9am - 4pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 14.95 USD for general admission

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8. Feed the giraffes at Phoenix Zoo


Inculcating a healthy appreciation and fascination for the world your kids are growing up in includes teaching them to appreciate wildlife. Phoenix Zoo is a great way to allow your kids to explore the various species of animals all over the world, and with the events they have, you are sure to have a great interactive and fun experience. Guests highly compliment the plethora of wildlife species available here. It is worthy to note that the ticket prices are a bit cheaper when bought online.

Phoenix Zoo

Address: 455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA

Website: Phoenix Zoo

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

Price: 24.95 USD for adults, 16.95 USD for kids

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9. View desert plants at the Desert Botanical Garden

things to do in phoenix kids | view desert plants at the desert botanical garden
Source: instagram

Desert Botanical Garden is a great place to check out with your kids. It has a great variety of different desert flora and fauna to learn about, and your little ones will have a great time at the different exhibits and activities here. This includes the butterfly exhibit which has tons of butterflies to marvel at, the Cocoon area which is a great play area for kids, and much more! Be sure to give this place a try when you’re in Phoenix.

Desert Botanical Garden

Address: 1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA

Website: Desert Botanical Garden

Opening hours: Sun - Fri: 8am - 11pm; Sat: 8am - 12pm

Price: 24.95 USD for adults, 12.95 USD for kids aged 3-17

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10. Have fun at Wet 'n' Wild Phoenix


There is nothing kids love more than visiting a waterpark and having a thrilling day sliding down water slides, floating along lazy rivers and jumping up and down in wave pools. Give them a treat by coming down to Wet ‘n’ Wild, which is a water park that was recently taken by Six Flags. There is also a cafe for you to relax as your kids frolic about, where you can have good food or coffee. Perhaps the only con is the relatively higher price for the waterpark.

Wet 'n' Wild Phoenix

Address: 4243 W Pinnacle Peak Rd, Glendale, AZ 85310, USA

Website: Wet ‘n’ Wild Phoenix

Opening hours: 10am - 9pm (daily)

Price: 45.99 USD

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Treat your little ones with a trip to Phoenix, Arizona

When you first think of Phoenix, Arizona, it may seem like nothing more than a desert city with cacti and a single ball of hay rolling about. However, this city is absolutely ripe with opportunities if you wish to entertain and educate your kids when you come here for a vacation. With everything from a fascinating history, to gorgeous botanical gardens and zoos, science exhibits and very unique attractions, your kids are sure to have a blast here and cherish this holiday for years to come.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Being a military kid, Shamika has lived and travelled all over India, and her nomadic childhood has fueled an immense hunger and fascination for new cultures and languages (she's a polyglot!)...Read more

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