🏙️ City

Things to Do with Kids in Phoenix, AZ

Explore 40 family-friendly activities in Phoenix — filtered by age, scheduled around nap time, and ready to drop into your personalized itinerary.

Top Family Activities

40 of 40 selected
🏛️

Arizona Science Center

Half DayAges 212+Stroller OK

Stroller-friendly throughout all floors; elevator access available. Purchase tickets online to skip the box office line....

🎡

Phoenix Zoo

Full DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Arrive early to beat the heat — Phoenix summers are brutal by midday. Rent a stroller at the entrance ($14) or bring you...

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Children's Museum of Phoenix

Half DayAges 010+Stroller OK

One of the best rainy-day or hot-day options in Phoenix. Three floors of hands-on exhibits designed for children 0-10. S...

📌

Desert Botanical Garden

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Paved paths are fully stroller-accessible. Visit early morning (8-10am) in summer to avoid extreme heat. The Plants & Pe...

📌

Heard Museum

2–4 hoursAges 412+Stroller OK

Excellent introduction to Native American art and culture for curious older children. Stroller-accessible throughout. Th...

🌳

Papago Park

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free entry. The Hole-in-the-Rock trail (0.3 miles) is doable for kids 4+ and offers great views. Strollers work well on ...

📌

Castles N' Coasters

Full DayAges 212+Stroller OK

Phoenix's family amusement park with rides for all ages, mini-golf, go-karts, and arcade. Purchase an all-day ride wrist...

📌

South Mountain Park and Preserve

2–4 hoursAges 012+

The largest municipal park in the US. Fat Man's Pass trail (1 mile) is a fun short hike for ages 5+. Strollers work on p...

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Phoenix Art Museum

2–4 hoursAges 312+Stroller OK

Free admission on First Fridays. Stroller-accessible with elevators throughout. The interactive PhxArtKids space is a de...

🌳

Encanto Park

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free entry to the park itself. Enchanted Island Amusement Park inside has a vintage carousel and kiddie rides ($3-5 per ...

📌

Arizona Falls

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

Free public art installation and hydroelectric facility on the historic Arizona Canal. Stroller-accessible paved path al...

🎡

Mystery Castle

1–2 hoursAges 512+

A quirky 18-room castle built from found objects at the foot of South Mountain. Guided tours are led by the family of th...

📌

Urban Air Adventure Park Phoenix

2–4 hoursAges 112+

Indoor trampoline and adventure park — great hot-weather alternative. Toddler zones for under-5s separate from older kid...

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Arizona Museum of Natural History

Half DayAges 212+Stroller OK

Located in Mesa, 20 minutes from downtown Phoenix. Seven-story dinosaur mountain is the highlight for dino-obsessed kids...

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State Farm Stadium Tour

1–2 hoursAges 412+Stroller OK

Guided behind-the-scenes tours of the NFL Cardinals' retractable-roof stadium. Kids love the locker rooms and field acce...

🎡

Big Surf Waterpark

Full DayAges 012+Stroller OK

One of the USA's oldest wave pools plus slides and a lazy river. Kids' Surf Zone for under-6s with gentle water features...

🥾

Hole-in-the-Rock Trail at Papago Park

1–2 hoursAges 412+

Short 0.3-mile round trip to a natural sandstone opening with views over Phoenix. Suitable for children 4+ who can scram...

🎡

OdySea in the Desert / Arizona Boardwalk

Half DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Arizona's largest aquarium anchors this entertainment complex in Scottsdale (25 min from central Phoenix). OdySea featur...

🎡

Butterfly Wonderland

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

North America's largest indoor butterfly atrium. Warm and humid inside — perfect temperature-controlled visit. Butterfli...

🌳

Margaret T. Hance Park Splash Pad

1–2 hoursAges 010+Stroller OK

Free splash pad in a large urban park. Bring towels and a change of clothes. Shaded seating nearby for parents. The park...

🍕

Phoenix Public Market

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Vibrant downtown farmers market with 80+ vendors. Stroller-friendly with wide aisles. Kids enjoy fresh-squeezed lemonade...

🥾

McDowell Sonoran Preserve – Gateway Trailhead

2–4 hoursAges 212+

Scottsdale's massive desert preserve with easy to moderate family trails. Bell Pass and the Gateway Loop trail (~4 miles...

📌

Chase Field Tours (Arizona Diamondbacks)

1–2 hoursAges 312+Stroller OK

Fun behind-the-scenes tours of the MLB Diamondbacks' retractable-roof ballpark. Kids love visiting the dugout and seeing...

🎡

Goldfield Ghost Town

2–4 hoursAges 012+

Located 30 miles east of Phoenix in Apache Junction. Authentic 1890s-era gold mine town with mine tours, gunfights, trai...

📌

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Plane Spotting

under_1hAges 012+Stroller OK

The Priest Drive bridge just north of the airport provides close plane-spotting views. Kids are mesmerized watching plan...

📌

Mesa Arts Center Family Programming

2–4 hoursAges 312+Stroller OK

Hosts excellent family performances, interactive art installations, and free outdoor plaza events. Check the calendar fo...

📌

Lost Dutchman State Park

2–4 hoursAges 412+

40 miles east of Phoenix at the base of the Superstition Mountains. Siphon Draw trail to the Flatiron is strenuous — fam...

🎡

Bass Pro Shops Indoor Aquarium & Archery

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free indoor aquarium, fishing pond, and wildlife exhibits inside the massive Bass Pro Shops. Kids can fish (free catch-a...

📌

Phoenix Symphony Family Concert Series

1–2 hoursAges 312+Stroller OK

The Phoenix Symphony hosts affordable family and kids' concerts designed for ages 3-10. Instruments are on display for k...

🏛️

Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park

2–4 hoursAges 512+Stroller OK

Arizona Historical Society's Tempe museum covering state history from Native cultures to present day. Free parking. Stro...

📌

Kiwanis Park Wave Pool and Recreation

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

City-run wave pool and recreation center at affordable prices. Separate wading pool for toddlers. Lockers available. App...

📌

Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Free birding and nature walk along the Salt River in central Phoenix. Over 100 bird species spotted here. Stroller-acces...

🌳

Tempe Town Lake

2–4 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

2-mile lake with a paved 5-mile loop perfect for stroller walks. Pedal boat and kayak rentals available. Large playgroun...

📌

Cracker Jax Family Fun & Sports Park

2–4 hoursAges 212+Stroller OK

Family entertainment center in Scottsdale with go-karts, mini-golf, batting cages, bumper boats, and a large game room. ...

🥾

Camelback Mountain – Echo Canyon Recreation Area

2–4 hoursAges 1012+

Phoenix's most iconic hike — strenuous, rocky, and NOT recommended for young children or hot weather. Suitable only for ...

🏛️

i.d.e.a. Museum

2–4 hoursAges 110+Stroller OK

Hands-on art and creativity museum for children in Mesa (20 min from Phoenix). Ages 1-10 are the sweet spot. Stroller-ac...

🎡

Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park

Full DayAges 012+Stroller OK

Located 30 minutes west of Phoenix in Litchfield Park. Combines zoo, aquarium, water rides, and a walk-through aviary. S...

🥾

Usery Mountain Regional Park

2–4 hoursAges 412+

30 miles east of Phoenix in Mesa. Wind Cave Trail (1.6 miles, moderate) is excellent for families with kids 5+. Interpre...

🍕

Macayo's Mexican Kitchen

1–2 hoursAges 012+Stroller OK

Phoenix Mexican food institution since 1946. Large booths accommodate strollers alongside. Dedicated kids' menu with que...

📌

Arizona Ice Palace

2–4 hoursAges 212+

Ice skating rink — a perfect hot-day activity in Phoenix. Skate rentals included in admission. Penguin walker-assistants...

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Packing Tips for Phoenix
  • Sunscreen & hats for outdoor activities
  • Comfortable walking shoes for the whole family
  • Stroller or baby carrier
  • Snacks & water bottles
  • Rain jacket or poncho (just in case)
  • Small first-aid kit with band-aids
  • Entertainment for transit (books, tablet, coloring)
  • Hiking gear & bug spray
Get a full personalized packing list when you plan your trip.
Sample Family Itinerary
Day 1 — Explore
📌
Desert Botanical Garden
2–4 hours
🍕
Lunch Break
🏛️
Arizona Science Center
Half Day
Day 2 — Adventure
🎡
Phoenix Zoo
Full Day
Build Your Custom Itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do with kids in Phoenix?

Top family activities include Arizona Science Center, Phoenix Zoo, Children's Museum of Phoenix, Desert Botanical Garden, Heard Museum. Toddler Trip curates age-appropriate activities and builds nap-aware itineraries for your family.

Is Phoenix good for toddlers?

Yes! Many activities in Phoenix are suitable for toddlers. Toddler Trip filters activities by your children's ages and schedules around nap time so everyone enjoys the trip.

How do I plan a family trip to Phoenix?

Use Toddler Trip's free planner: enter your family profile, pick from AI-curated activities, and get a nap-aware day-by-day itinerary with a personalized packing list — all in about 5 minutes.

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