Looking for Arizona family fun activities while visiting Phoenix, Arizona? If you’re in Phoenix in the spring, fall, and/or winter than you are probably looking for outdoor activities. Take advantage of the great weather and plan on a day at one of the many attractions sure to entertain the kids.
From museums to desert hikes, to re-created ghost towns and bumper boats. A family vacation to Phoenix has something for even the youngest members of your family. This page is geared towards families with children under the age of 12, however many of the activities listed are fun for all ages. If you would like activities to escape the Phoenix heat we also have a list of Family Fun Indoor Activities in Phoenix.
Outdoor Family Fun in Phoenix
- Desert Botanical Garden
- Phoenix Zoo
- World Wildlife Zoo & Aquarium
- Kid Friendly Hikes: Papago Park, White Tank Mountains, South Mountain
- Sahuaro Ranch Park
- McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
- Arizona Living Pioneer Museum
- See Butterflies at Butterfly Wonderland
- Goldfield Ghost Town
- Rawhide Western Town
- Visit a Farm
- Horseback Riding
- Water Parks
- Amusement Parks
- See Petroglyphs
Get Outdoors: Kid Friendly Hikes
Looking for some easy hiking spots for the kids? Arizona has so many beautiful places to explore and great hiking for all ages. Fun hikes with the kids include:
- Papago Park in Phoenix
- White Tanks in the West Valley
- South Mountain Park in Phoenix
Outdoor Family Fun: Phoenix Zoos & Gardens
Whether you are looking to spend some time outdoors at the Desert Botanical Garden learning about our unique desert plants, take a scenic hike, or while you’re in this area check out the Phoenix Zoo and enjoy some of the 1200+ animals in a gorgeous desert backdrop.
Visit the World Wildlife Zoo & Aquarium on the west side of the valley and see hundreds of animals up close and feed stingrays at Arizona’s first public Aquarium.
Phoenix Family Fun Old West & Ghost Towns
So you’ve come to Arizona, and you want the experience the desert like in the old western movies? The best spots to visit in Phoenix to experience this would be Rawhide Western Town in Chandler. This is a fun re-creation of an old west town just as the name implies, with daily shows, saloons and shops.
If you want to see what it was like to live in Phoenix in the 1800’s head up to north Phoenix, near Anthem and check out the Arizona Living Pioneer Museum. To complete your old western Arizona trip, you must go back horseback riding. Horseback Riding South Mountain is a family friendly spot to go and you’re in the largest park in Phoenix.
If you’re on this end of the city, drive over to Queen Creek and visit the Lost Duchman State Park and Goldfield Ghost Town & Mine where you can pan for gold and take a miniature train ride around a real old ghost town.
Amusement Parks & Water Parks
Castles & Coasters is a fun spot to take the under 12 age kids. They have four different 18 hole miniature golf courses to choose from with some cool water features, they also have a huge arcade area and several roller coasters,bumper boats and a couple water rides. Keep the kids cool at one of the Valley’s water parks!
The Valley has several water parks to keep you cool in the summer: Hurricane Harbor Phoenix, and Golfland Sunsplash
Day at the Farm
Farmer’s play an important role in Arizona’s past and present. Kids love a day at the farm. Arizona has several great farms to spend the day at including:
- Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek
- Superstition Farms in Mesa
- Tolmachoff Farms in Glendale
They all have events throughout the year for a great day with the family at the farm!
See Petroglyphs
Maybe the kids enjoy see ancient petroglyphs at the Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve in north Phoenix. Another great spot to see them is at the White Tank Mountains.
Spring Training Games
Young sport fans will enjoy a trip to Phoenix, Spring Training Baseball games offers a chance to meet their favorite players.
Youngest Kid Activities
Visiting Scottsdale with little kids, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is inexpensive and lots of fun for the little kids. The highlights of this park includes: a railroad museum, a miniature train ride, and an antique carousel.
Little kids enjoy the Freestone Railroad Park in Gilbert where they can ride a miniature train and the carousel and mini ferris wheel. The Riparian Institute often offers free family bird walks and other events throughout the year.
How to Save Money on Phoenix Attractions
Save $$ on Phoenix area attractions. Many local magazines offer coupons for the museums or zoos. The Entertainment book offers many coupons for various attractions in the area as well. If you live here and frequent the same place such as a zoo or museum sometimes it is cost effective to buy an annual membership. Hickman’s brand eggs often have two for one coupons for the World Wildlife Zoo in the egg cartons.
If you are a resident of Phoenix and have a public library card there are many attractions you can get free admission to with a Culture Pass. Ask your librarian. Several of the museums have free First Friday of the Month night.
