Budget friendly activities for kids in Spring Break in the Phoenix area – from free museums to Ghost Town tours, trout fishing and so much more!
Every year around this time, kids in public school across Arizona go on spring break. Some schools take a week off, others just a day or two.
It’s a great time to recharge your batteries before sending them back for the last few months of school before the long, well awaited, summer vacation.
Many people look forward to Spring Break to head out of town – whether here locally in state, or to Southern California to LEGOLAND, Disney or even just the beach of San Diego.
Others might just opt to stay here, in town, and keep the kids busy doing inexpensive, budget friendly options like using up your POGO pass to go to an indoor trampoline park, Bass Pro Shop, Desert Botanical, or etc.
Here are some ideas for some fun and budget friendly things to do to keep them busy.
Bass Pro Shops – Feed the Trout
Weekly – at 1:30 p.m. Take the kids in to feed the Trout. Great for those warmer days!
Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix
FREE Admission the second Tuesday of every month – great for taking the family (even just the kids!)
Enchanted Island Amusement Park
If you have kids ages 1-10, Enchanted Island is PERFECT for them! They have boats, arcade games, and more.. your kids can take a trip on the train, head to the splash zone, red baron or bumper boats. It’s perfect for little kids too, as they have a carousel. Unlimited ride wristbands are $8.50 for kids. OR.. if you have a POGO pass, you can visit 4 times for FREE {with EACH Pass}.
Grab a Culture Pass
A Culture Pass gives a library customer FREE admission for two people at participating arts and cultural institutions. Passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. They cannot be renewed; they cannot be placed on hold.
Customers are limited to one pass per family at any one time, up to two passes per month.
Freestone Park
Located in Gilbert, Freestone Park is 88 pure acres of FUN for kids – they have several play areas, volleyball, tennis, softball and even fishing. They have a small amusement park (that is relatively inexpensive), and even multi-use trails. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon – take a picnic, kids can play, and then hopefully snooze as you make your way home. Sign up HERE to get savings delivered to your inbox.
Cerretta Candy Company Tours – Glendale
Cerretta Candy Company offers 2 FREE Tours per day, at 10 a.m., and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. You will need to call in advance to let them know when you are planning on attending.
$1 Movies at Picture Show
The Picture Show is located at several places in the Valley (and one OUTSIDE of the Valley). Every Tuesday, movies are $1.00 per person. It’s not the most fancy theater, but it is a great way to keep the kids busy, get them out of the house and allow them to enjoy a flick.
Williams Gateway Airport
If your kids love Planes, or military, or BOTH you can head out to the Williams Gateway Airport Viewing Area – on Power & Ray. Head South on Power to Ray – and then hang a left. You’ll wind around down Sossaman. Just past Tahoe, you’ll see a viewing area. Take a picnic lunch and spend an hour there with the kids.
Stuffington Bear Factory Tours
The bear factory does daily tours, Monday through Friday. They run tours at various times – you can see more by heading to their site HERE. Admission is $13 and they can make a bear while they are there as well.
Challenger Space Center
Located in Peoria, the Challenger Space Center is a great way for the entire family to have fun – they have simulators and games, and special programs that are available all year long.
Superstition Farm
Are you in the East Valley? Superstition Farm is a real working farm in the East Valley – they not only have a petting zoo, but they also do wagon rides. Sometimes they do activities during the week too – so watch their Facebook page!
Fishing
Take your Kids Fishing – see the BEST places to fish in the Valley and get a Fishing License.
Gilbert Parks & Rec Offers at McQueen Activity Center
- WIGGLE WORM ADVENTURES – A clean, safe, indoor play area designed for kids 5 years & under. Held year round every Friday 9-11am. Check back in May 2016 for their extended summer hours to be posted once again!
- STORYTIME ADVENTURES with BEAR – Come set out on a new adventure through the pages of our books and create a story inspired craft. Held 2nd Friday of every month.
Lakeshore Learning
We have 2 locations in Phoenix and each has events on Saturdays, for kids 3 and up. The events run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Splash Pads
The Queen Creek Splash Pad opens in March. Find a list of East Valley Splash Pads... courtesy of East Valley Mom Guide.
Kiwanis Rec Center
Located in Tempe, the Kiwanis Rec Center is a great place to take the kids for an afternoon – visit the Wave Pool for a full afternoon, or join mid-afternoon for a better and lower price.
McCormick Stillman Railroad Park
Located in Scottsdale, McCormick Stillman Railroad Park is open 363 days per year – they have rides in which you can purchase tickets for your kiddos. Children 3 and under are FREE to ride with paying adult. This is also great place to take a picnic for the afternoon, my kids love to hang out and check out the Railroad Exhibit.
Chandler Library FREE Drop In Programs
Looking for something to do with the kids over Spring Break? Chandler Public Library is offering free drop-by programs at all of the Chandler Public Library sites.
Barnes & Noble
Check your local store for Story Time each week – and special Children’s Events. You can grab a bite to eat at the Cafe too. See their recurring schedule for more details.
Goldfield Ghost Town, Apache Junction
This is such a fun place to take the kids ~ admission to the Ghost Town is free. They do have attractions there {some} do have a cost. It’s just fun to walk up and down the street – grab a hot chocolate from the cafe, and take a ride on the train with the kids.
When the weather is cooler, it’s really a fun place to explore and just see the beauty. They’re open weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check out the list of activities to do while you are there.
Pick up a long list of Museums with FREE Admission in the Phoenix area – feel free to bookmark or PIN this post so you can take your kids!
Hole in the Rock, Papago Park
The Hole in the Rock is located inside Papago Park, just south of the Desert Botanical Garden. The 5-minute hike gives you a chance to see the beauty of the surrounding areas.
The area can be accessed by heading towards 625 N. Galvin Parkway… right next to the Phoenix Zoo… not to mention it’s FREE. Great for families with kids.. and a great (short) hike with kids for an afternoon.
One of the BEST ways to keep your kids busy is with a POGO Pass – score FREE admission to over a dozen venues with each pass (some with multiple visits!)
Use code CENTSABLE to get EACH pass for $49.98 — over 20 venues are included in the pass, some with multiple admissions!