36 Things To Do in Phoenix With Kids

Beth Wood:  Step back in time to 1893 while you explore Goldfield Ghost Town. Have fun learning about the past in Phoenix's only authentic ghost town. Goldfield's attractions offer something for everyone and include: panning for gold, old west gun fight, underground guided tours through mines, a ride on the Superstition Narrow Gauge Railroad, reptile exhibit, zip lining, horse back riding, jeep tours, museums, shooting gallery and more. You can also shop for souvenirs at the on-site merchants or grab a bite to eat at the Mammoth Steakhouse & Saloon.

Cost: Free Admission, Price Varies per Attraction

Katie G.:  Cool off during the hot, summer Arizona months with a float on the river. The Lower Salt River offers fun, family-friendly tubing experiences during the summer months and when water flow conditions are favorable. Families will start at the top of the river and float down on tubes as they enjoy the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Tube rentals and life jackets included in your fee. Choose from the 45 min Scenic Loop or the 2.5 - 3 hour Sheep's Crossing.

Ages: Must be 9-years-old and 4 feet tall

Cost: $15 - $20

Katie G.:  Spend a day on the farm at Superstition Farm, a dairy farm located in Mesa. Hop aboard a tractor-pulled hayride for a 1-1.5 hour farm tour where you will learn about cows in the dairy barn and where milk comes from. Visit the petting zoo where you can pet and feed sheep, goats, chickens, horses, bunnies, turtles and pigs, which are all rescue animals. On your way out stop by the country store to sample a fresh glass of milk, grab a scoop of homemade ice cream or purchase dairy products produced on the farm to take home and enjoy.

Cost: $9.50 - $7.50/Farm Tours; $3.75 - $2.75/Petting Zoo

Beth Wood:  The Arizona Museum of Natural History features collections and exhibits focused on paleontology, history, geology, art, archaeology and more. Learn about the creation of the Earth 4.5 billion years ago, see the larger than life dinosaurs and much more. There are lots of fun kids spots throughout the museum where learning through play is encouraged.

Beth Wood:  Special exhibit areas focus on science, design and technology. ArtVille is a great place for kids up to age 5 to play among different areas including the garden patio, art studio, performing art center and city block center. Older kids can act as helpers in ArtVille or design and create in the HUB. The museum's exhibits change seasonally.

Beth Wood:  A day of fun awaits at Golfland and Sunsplash with 30 rides and attractions in one location. Golfland features miniature golf, bumper boats, an arcade featuring over 200 games and laser tag. Sunsplash features waterslides, a lazy river, toddler play pool, rock slides, large wave pool and more. Enjoy a bite to eat at the on-site snack bars or ice cream parlor. Sunsplash operates seasonally May - September.

Cost: Starts at $3.99 per attraction. Packages available.

Beth Wood:  Butterfly Wonderland houses over 3,000 butterflies from around the world. Explore the Butterfly Wonderland conservatory and its plants, trees and flowers while butterflies fly and land around you. Watch live chrysalis turn into butterflies at the Butterfly Emergence Gallery, experience a butterfly's journey in the 3D theater, see honey bees at work and meet reptiles, amphibians, exotic fish and more throughout the exhibits. Stop by the gift shop and cafe to make your visit more enjoyable.

Beth Wood:  Go on an adventure at OdySea Mirror Maze. You'll find different mazes that make you feel like your in a Central American Rainforest and ancient Mayan Temple in the Mirror Maze. Try to master the Laser Maze Challenge in the Zaaaapp! and Beam Buster where you'll have to crawl your way through a web of lasers while hitting mission buttons without being hit by a laser beam. Whichever adventure you chose, you'll have loads of fun!

Cost: $3.95-$12.95 per person

Beth Wood:  Do your kids love all things dinosaurs? Plan a morning or afternoon at Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs where you can meet "live" dinosaurs, explore interactive stations, see 18 different dinosaur exhibits, get their faces painted, go on dinosaur rides, tackle the T-Rex Obstacle course and more. An onsite cafe and souvenir shop add to your visit.

Beth Wood:  Spend time together exploring the OdySea Aquarium and the different underwater creatures that call it home. You'll find fish, penguins, sea turtles, otters and more in this state-of-the-art aquarium.

Daily programs allow you to have a more personal experience. A sting ray touch pool, submerged escalator that goes through a deep-ocean tank, theater and live demonstration exhibits, the Kids Cove, dining options at the Lighthouse Cafe and the aquarium gift shop all add to your aquarium visit.

Cost: $27.95 Youth 2-12 years, $37.95 Adult

Kim Rogers:  You can buy a day pass and enjoy all of the pools at the resort without actually staying overnight. During the summer months they usually have discounts.

Katie G.:  Although mostly a tourist destination, there is plenty of fun to be had by local families at Old Town Scottsdale. Stop by the Scottsdale Civic Center Park to run around, see the ducks and climb on the "LOVE" statue. Take a free tour of the Scottsdale Historical Museum where you can learn a little about the history of the city. If shopping is your thing, head to 5th Ave where there are plenty of shops offering everything from Western wear to jewelry and art. End the day with a delicious ice cream sundae at the Sugar Bowl, a local favorite since 1958.

Beth Wood:  Are your kids as obsessed with trains as mine are? Then plan a trip to the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale. This 30-acre park features a 10,000 square foot Model Railroad Building filled with model trains and other artifacts, shops, museums, two playground areas, a machine shop, grassy areas to explore and more. Guests can also ride around the park on the Paradise and Pacific Railroad or go round and round on the "1950-vintage" Allan Herschell carousel.

Cost: FREE park admission, $2 per person train and carousel rides

Beth Wood:  During the sweltering summer months, bring the whole family to cool off at Big Surf Waterpark. Open May - September, Big Surf features the third largest wave pool in the U.S., Waikiki Beach. There are also seven different waterslides as well a Kool Kids Zone with slides and a climbing area for kiddos 48 inches and under, as well as a toddler play area. Covered seating areas, pool decks, concession stands and more make this waterpark a wonderful place to spend your summer days!

Cost: $22.95 youth 4 years - 47" tall, $32.95 general admission, FREE 3 years and under

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  The Crayola Experience offers only a few colorful U.S. locations to enjoy this attraction. They feature over 25 hands-on and interactive exhibits that engage the imagination and all the senses through art, design, technology, computers, play and more. They offer arts and crafts stations to design your own to take home using crayons in ways you never imagined! They also host special events throughout the year, shows on how crayons are made and cool photo opportunities! Your family will love it!