10 Things to do in Phoenix with Kids

The city of Phoenix has a wide variety of parks and green spaces where children can run, play and enjoy the outdoors, as well as interactive museums designed to stimulate their curiosity. Whether kids are interested in nature, science, art or history, Phoenix has activities and attractions they'll love.

Among the many things to do in Phoenix with kids are water parks, roller coasters and experiences that introduce them to the great diversity of life on the planet. Plus, Phoenix has a warm climate all year round, so you'll be able to enjoy even more of the city's kid-friendly activities, such as the ones suggested in this article.

The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix is an amazing experience to enjoy with kids. You'll be amazed by the huge collection of instruments from around the world that you can see in this museum, which has some 7,500 pieces.

At the MIM, children can participate in interactive activities such as playing instruments in the Experience Gallery, and experimenting with different sounds and rhythms. In addition, the museum offers special guided tours for children, where they can learn about the history and diversity of music in a fun way.

One of the highlights of the MIM is the Live Musical Instrument Room, where visitors can enjoy performances by musicians from different cultures and musical styles. Children will marvel at the sight and sound of exotic instruments such as the sitar, Japanese taiko and button accordion.

In addition to exhibitions, the museum offers workshops and educational programmes for children of all ages. It is without a doubt one of the best museums in Phoenix, where they can learn to make their own instruments, explore music through technology or participate in interactive activities that encourage their creativity.

Interesting facts

• Location: 4725 E. Mayo Blvd, Phoenix.
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
• Admission: about 22 € for adults, about 12 € for children and from 16 € for teenagers from 13 to 19 years old.

The Phoenix Zoo is a must-see destination for families visiting the city where, in addition to meeting the animals that live in the zoo, you can participate in activities designed especially for children and different ways to interact with the animals.

For example, you can feed giraffes, have close encounters with farm animals and participate in educational talks about wildlife conservation. There is also a play area with climbing structures and slides.

One of the highlights of the Phoenix Zoo is its focus on conservation and animal welfare, making it a place where children can learn about the importance of protecting the environment and preserving endangered species.

While it's an ideal year-round visit, it's best to visit in months when the heat isn't as strong, such as December and January in Phoenix.

Interesting facts

• Location: 5000 S Arizona Mills Cir Suite 145, Tempe, AZ 85282.
• Hours: daily from 11am to 5pm.
• Admission: about €28 per person.

Castle and Coasters is a must-see destination for families visiting Phoenix, as it is a theme park where you will find a wide variety of attractions and entertainment for children of all ages. The park is open every day, and inside you will find several restaurants to recharge your batteries.

At Castle and Coasters, children can enjoy roller coasters, and even a water area called Splashdown, where the little ones can splash and have fun on slides and water games. It's definitely one of the best things to do in Phoenix during the summer.

For kids who prefer team games, Castle and Coasters offers a castle-themed miniature golf course, and go-kart tracks where they can enjoy racing and speed. With its wide variety of rides, games and entertainment options, this park is a must for families looking for fun in Phoenix.

Facts of Interest

• Location: 9445 N Metro Pkwy E, Phoenix, AZ 85051.
• Hours: daily from 5am to 10am. Some rides may run after 3pm.
• Entry fee: about €10 per person per ride. Unlimited rides per day pass costs around €45.

In the Arizona desert, LEGOLAND is a must-see if you're travelling with kids, offering a host of adventures based on the iconic building bricks. In addition, visitors can enjoy rides such as roller coasters, interactive games, car tracks, and incredible constructions such as dinosaurs and a replica of Downtown Phoenix.

LEGOLAND Arizona also offers educational and creative activities, such as LEGO building workshops, and interactive exhibits that teach about science, technology, engineering and mathematics in a fun way. There is also a LEGO shop with a wide selection of unique themed sets and products for you to purchase.

To make the most of your visit to LEGOLAND, I recommend you arrive early. I also suggest you check the events calendar, as special activities and live shows are often organised, such as at Christmas time in Phoenix.

The Centre offers food and beverage options inside the park, but if you prefer to bring your own food, there are special areas where you can have a picnic. Without a doubt, LEGOLAND Arizona is a destination that combines fun, learning and adventure for the whole family.

Facts and figures of interest

• Location: 5000 Arizona Mills Circle, STE 135, Tempe, Arizona 85282.
• Hours: daily 10am-5pm. Last admission at 3pm.
• Admission fee: about €29 per person.
• How to get there: from downtown Phoenix you can get there by bus in about two hours.

Encanto Park in Phoenix is the perfect destination for a family outing with children, offering a variety of activities designed for the little ones, including playgrounds equipped with swings, slides and climbing structures.

One of the main attractions at this park is the lake, where children can embark on a pedal boat ride. The little ones also love to take a ride on a miniature train, and enjoy a tour of Enchanted Island.

Other attractions include the petting zoo, where they can interact with animals such as rabbits, goats and peacocks; and the restored antique carousel, where they can ride on this experience from the past.

Interesting facts

• Location: 2605 N 15th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85007.
• Hours: daily from 5.30am to 11pm.
• Admission: Free admission to the park. Train rides cost about €5.

If you're looking for an educational and entertaining experience for the whole family to enjoy during your visit to Phoenix, the Hall of Flame is an ideal choice. This museum houses the largest collection of antique firefighting vehicles and artifacts, from antique horse-drawn wagons to modern fire trucks, that kids will love.

In addition, at the Hall of Flame's interactive exhibits, children can learn about the equipment used by firefighters and discover how a rescue operation unfolds. It is an experience that will undoubtedly teach them a valuable lesson about the importance of this work in society.

A good option for exploring this museum is to join a guided tour, as the guides can tell you in detail about the history and challenges of firefighters over time, so you can take away a more comprehensive experience of this historic Phoenix museum.

Facts of Interest

• Location: 6101 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85008.
• Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm.
• Admission: about €16 for adults, from €14 for teens and about €10 for children.

At Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Phoenix, kids have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Arizona's largest water park. There they'll find both gentle and dizzying slides, water play areas with sprays and fountains, kiddie pools and a lazy river.

At this park, don't miss the Tornado, a slide that takes you through a giant funnel before launching you into a pool; or Anaconda, a water slide with multiple twists and turns. For the little ones, Splashwater Beach is the ideal area with soft slides, water-filled buckets and more.

Six Flags Phoenix is about 35 km from the city and can be reached in an hour and a half by bus or 25 minutes by car. At the park you will find restaurants with varied menus, a car park, and the possibility of renting a cabin or a locker to store your belongings and have a comfortable place to rest. It's definitely one of the day trips from Phoenix that you can't miss.

Facts and Figures

• Location: 4243 W. Pinnacle Peak Road, Glendale, Arizona 85310.
• Hours: daily from 10.30am to 9pm.
• Admission: about €28 per person.

In the heart of Phoenix, Sea Life Aquarium offers an underwater experience that will delight children and adults alike. There you can immerse yourself in the aquatic world while exploring a wide variety of marine exhibits, including a 360-degree underwater tunnel experience.

In addition, Sea Life Aquarium offers a number of interactive activities that will keep children entertained during their visit, while they learn about the importance of marine life conservation through educational programmes that they can participate in.

This aquarium is a must on any list of activities to do with kids in the city, as it recreates 12 marine habitats in tunnels and pools. They can even touch small sharks and starfish, if they wish, and watch the animals being fed if it coincides with the time of their visit.

Interesting facts

• Location: 5000 S Arizona Mills Cir Suite 145, Tempe, AZ 85282.
• Hours: daily from 11am to 5pm.
• Admission: about €28 per person.

South Mountain Park offers a fascinating experience to enjoy nature in Phoenix with the kids. It's ideal if you're staying in Phoenix for about 3 days and want to enjoy the great outdoors with your family. It is the largest municipal park in the United States, with the most beautiful panoramic views of the city.

One of the most recommended activities is to hike the trails in the park. There are trails of varying levels of difficulty, suitable for children of all ages, from gentle, scenic trails to more challenging routes where children and adults can discover the local flora and fauna.

South Mountain Park also offers picnic areas where you can enjoy an outdoor lunch. If you visit in summer, remember to bring sunscreen and a hat to protect yourself from the sun, and avoid the hottest part of the day. It's also advisable to visit during the winter months, such as February in Phoenix.

Facts and figures of interest

• Location: 10919 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85042.
• Hours: daily from 5am to 7pm.
• Admission: Free.
• How to get there: You can get there by bus in about an hour.

One of the most exciting activities you can do in Phoenix with children is to fly over the Sonoran Desert in a hot air balloon. It is an experience that captivates both children and adults, as it combines the experience of hot air ballooning with the breathtaking views of the desert and surrounding mountains.

The flights are usually done in the morning, when you have the opportunity to see the sunrise over the desert horizon, and also at sunset. It's an ideal experience to do in the spring months, such as March or April in Phoenix, when it's not so cold at that time of day.

Many hot air balloon companies offer specialised services for families, providing safe seats for children and an interactive experience that allows them to learn about the science and history of hot air ballooning.

In addition to the flight itself, some companies also offer breakfast and/or champagne for adults to toast after landing. Without a doubt, flying in a hot air balloon is an unforgettable experience for the whole family, from which they can take home a first flight certificate as a souvenir.

Useful information

• Average price: around 184 €.
• Duration: 4 hours, plus the time it takes to get to North Phoenix.
• Recommendations: Wear comfortable layered clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and binoculars. Please check the minimum age for children to participate.