With the new school year just around the corner (Scottsdale students start school on August 7 this year!) be sure to make these last couple Summer weeks even more memorable.
Here's a list of 7 local kid-friendly attractions to check out before the first day of school.
Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park
The kid-friendly Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park features indoor and outdoor exhibits for everyone. The Children’s Gallery is hands-on and allows kids to explore how archaeologists explore ancient sites.
Location: 4619 East Washington Street, Phoenix | (602) 495-0901
Pioneer Living History Village
With more than 90 acres encompassing an 1800s town, complete with real buildings and historically accurate reproductions, your little explorers can dive into an opera house, check out a historic cabin and shop in an 1890s dressmaker’s shop and blacksmith shop. You’ll see costumed interpreters (cowboys and lawmen, Victorian ladies and more) and explore an old jail, too.
Location: 3901 West Pioneer Road, Phoenix | (623) 465-1052
Phoenix Art Museum
The Phoenix Art Museum is home to some of the most spectacular displays of international, national and local art. If you’re visiting with kids, pick up a Scavenger Hunt at the Visitor Services booth. On August 22, between 3:30 and 7:30 p.m., kids can create their own art. Admission is free to families on August 12, between 12 and 5 p.m., as well.
Location: 1625 North Central Avenue, Phoenix | (602) 457-5814
Out of Africa
The spectacular Out of Africa Park offers amazing experiences, including Tiger Splash®, Creature Feature (an interactive animal encounter), Predator Feed and the Giant Snake Show that are great for all ages. Explore the Wildlife Preserve and the Reptile Resort, catch the Wonders of Wildlife Show or spring for a 3-hour VIP behind-the-scenes tour guided by an animal expert.
Location: 3505 West S.R. 260, Camp Verde | (928) 567-2840
Children’s Museum of Phoenix
The Children’s Museum of Phoenix is an amazing, hands-on experience for kids of all ages. With an art studio, BlockMania, the Book Loft, and Building Big (where kids can build forts, dens and more), as well as The Grand Ballroom (with real balls and no dancing), Noodle Forest, Pedal Power and so much more, this is the perfect place for inspired kids to play.
Location: 215 North 7th Street, Phoenix | (602) 253-0501
Arizona Museum of Natural History
Get up-close and personal with dinosaurs, dive into what happens during a flash flood and play with hands-on, interactive displays throughout the Arizona Museum of Natural History. Dig in the Paleo Pit, explore native peoples of the past, and stroll along Dinosaur Mountain to learn about the world’s earliest inhabitants with kids of all ages.
Location: 53 North Macdonald Street, Mesa
Arizona Science Center
Curious kids and adults can explore this summer’s biggest exhibit – A Mirror Maze: Numbers in Nature, as well as the Dorrance Planetarium, the Irene P. Flinn Theater and the CREATE Makerspace. Discover how the forces of nature shaped our planet, get the buzz on electricity and dive into My Digital World and Solarville to learn even more.
Location: 600 East Washington Street, Phoenix | (602) 716-2000
