Phoenix is a city that’s full of life and excitement – not to mention warm weather! Here are over 30 free and cheap things to do with kids in Phoenix and the Valley metro area!
Summer vacation is here for many of our kids in Phoenix. Chances are yours are just as hyper as ours are… not to mention they are looking for things to do. Thankfully, Phoenix is a vibrant place to be in the summer – not only is the weather absolutely gorgeous and perfect for families, there is always something fun to do.
Whether you have older teens or younger toddlers and walkers, Phoenix has plenty of things for kids of all ages. Kids in Phoenix are fortunate that we have beautiful weather and a multitude of opportunities to stay busy – especially during the long summer vacation!
Things to do with Kids in Phoenix
We wanted to help you do that this summer by rounding up a fair share of fun things to do with kids in Phoenix. Most of these are a wonderful way to spend a long, hot summer without spending a fortune.
Car & Auto Shows
Check out an ongoing list of FREE Car Shows around the Phoenix area – if your kids love cars (Classic cars too!) this is a GREAT way to take them out to appreciate the vehicles with a chance to meet the drivers, and even (in some cases) have a chance at sitting in the car for a photo opp!
FREE Hockey
Little Howlers Hockey is an on-ice youth hockey program hosted in cooperation with the Arizona Coyotes Hockey Development Program, Arizona Amateur Hockey Association, One Goal and local hockey rinks. The program consists of four one-hour sessions designed to provide kids ages 4-8 a risk free introduction to the sport of hockey.
Each child receives a FREE set of One Goal rental equipment to be used during the four-week clinic including a FREE pair of rental skates provided by the rink. There is an equipment fitting session before the first on-ice clinic to ensure all parents and children are aware of the proper manner in which to dress the child. The ice time is donated by each local hockey rink, so the only cost associated with the program is a small monetary deposit (which is returned at the conclusion of the four weeks if all equipment is returned).
Bass Pro
Has fun things planned for kids on Tuesdays! Every Tuesday participate in their Kids Night event where they will have crafts, games, archery, and food for everyone! Events run from 5 – 8 p.m.
As you Wish Pottery
Check your local As you Wish – they often have days with free studio fees – or you can buy a family studio membership for much less and have fun with the kids!
Movies in the Park – Tempe
Enjoy Friday night Movies in the Park – starting at approximately 7 pm ( Dusk) you can see a different movie…every Friday throughout May in the north soccer field of Kiwanis Park, Baseline Rd. and Ash Ave.
PlayGrounds Fun Zone
Located on Union Hills in Glendale, PlayGrounds Fun Zone is a 3,500 sq ft indoor park for kids – it’s open from 8 – 5 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays and 8 – 2 p.m. on Saturdays. It’s great if you have one child (admission is $6 per child for a limited time so it can add up fast if you have multiple children!)
Open Swim Days at Hubbard Swim School {Valley Wide}
Check their site for frequent Open Swim Days, $5 per Swimmer (3 and under are FREE), $15 max per family.
Skateland
Follow their summer schedule for FREE Skating opportunities – each location will vary, but you can see the schedule for Skateland Mesa HERE. Don’t forget that your POGO Pass will ALSO score you 2 FREE Skateland visit per month, too!
Storytime & Craft Hour at IKEA Tempe Restaurant
The Tempe Library Youth Libration will read to kids of all ages on the first Saturday and third Sunday of every month.
WiggleWorm Adventures, Gilbert
Located at the McQueen Park Activity Center, take your kids 5 and under (max of 4) for play, Friday year round, from 9 – 11 a.m. Cost is $1.50 for Gilbert Residents and $2 for Non-Gilbert Residents.
Discounted Swim Lessons
Enroll your children in swim lessons – find a list of discounted opportunities across the Valley by heading HERE.
Bass Pro Shops – Feed the Trout
Weekly – at 1:30 p.m. Take the kids in to feed the Trout. Great for those HOT days where being outside is too brutal!
FREE Swim Babies Water Class
Head over to SwimKids USA to join in the FREE Swim Babies Water class at participating times/dates. Registration is required.
Michael’s Passport to Imagination
Starting in June, take the kids to Michael’s for weekly activities and crafts – just $5 for one session or 3 sessions for $12.00. Flyers are already out at your local store.
FREE Baby Swim Class
Head to Hubbard Swim School in Riverview for FREE Intro to Water Babies Swim Class 8 weeks to 5 months in age. Pre-register before heading over.
Family Swim just $1 or Less
Desert Oasis Aquatic Center in Chandler has $1 Family Swim from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekly during the summer (starting in May) – kids are $.25, and adults are $.75 – head over HERE to read more.
You can also find swim opportunities at Escalante and McClintock Pools in Tempe. Check your city website for swimming opportunities in your area.
Schnepf Farms
In the far Southeast Valley, Schnepf Farms is a really nice place to bring the kids. There are train rides, a petting zoo, play yard, and hay rides out to see the deer.
You can find the farm by heading South on Ellsworth from the US60, left on Rittenhouse at the Train Tracks, then about 5 more miles on the right side – just before the second set of train tracks.
Visit your Local Library
You’ll want to make sure you register your kids for the Summer Reading Programs at your local Library MANY libraries will have events that you can take the kids to, including story time. Check the calendar of your local library branch for more.
Goldfield Ghost Town
Take a trip out to Goldfield Ghost Town in the far East Valley; it’s just down the road from the Lost Dutchman State Park, which is just a few dollars entrance fee for a single day.
The Ghost Town is a wonderful place to take kids of all ages – it gets pretty busy on the weekends, but if you do visit on the weekends you can see the gunfights every hour from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
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.
Summer Movie Programs
Take the kids to a movie as low as FREE this summer – there are a TON of Summer Movie Programs – across Arizona and the U.S. Check out the list HERE to see times and dates for all the theaters nearest to you.
Cerretta Candy Company Tours – Glendale
The 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.
Peter Piper Pizza
Has Kids Events starting in June, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. each child is $5.49 – it covers 2 Pieces of Pizza, a 12 oz. Soda, 5 Tokens and a Make & Take Craft. Visit them on Facebook HERE – the schedule will be posted sometime before June 1st.
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 the viewing area on the left.
Bowling
Kids 18 and under can score 3 FREE games of bowling this summer at Brunswick through September. Shoe rental is not included. Simply register HERE and coupons will arrive via email.
Kids bowl FREE this summer at AMF, with 2 FREE games of bowling each day. Head over HERE to see the AMF Promotion – shoe rental is not included.
Fishing
Are you planning on going fishing this summer? Head on over here to check out when your states FREE Fishing Days are! Arizona’s National Fishing Day is in June. A Free Fishing Day is an ideal time to schedule, or take part in, an event that includes boating and fishing activities. In general, Free Fishing Days allow the public to fish without a license. Be sure to check your state regulations.
USA Youth Fitness Center in (Gilbert or Queen Creek)
FREE Baby Dance Class and FREE Baby Tumbling Class with a parent during the week – head HERE and reference the lower left corner.
Museum Visits – Blue Star Museum (Military)
If you are military you can score FREE Admission to participating Blue Star Museums this year. First launched in the summer of 2010, Blue Star Museums once again are offering free admission to military personnel and their families starting around Memorial Day, and going through Labor Day. To see a list of participating museums in Arizona take a stroll on over HERE.
Stuffington Bear Factory Tours
Kids in Phoenix can take a tour of the bear factory, 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.
Home Depot
Take the kids to a Home Depot Workshop – each month on designated Saturdays. The events are geared to ages 5 and up.
Lowe’s Build & Grow
Your kids can keep busy in monthly Lowe’s Build & Grow workshops – on Saturday mornings. The workshops are geared to ages 5 and up, & are completely free. Registration is required.
East Valley Splash Pads
Are you an East Valley mom or dad? If you are, head over to East Valley Mom Guide (follow their page while you are there) – they have a comprehensive list of East Valley Splash Pads – all free of charge.
One of our favorite Splash Pads is in the Eastmark Community of the East Valley. … per their site here it is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Kiwanis Park has a new splash pad opening on 6/15, too.
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 too. It’s a fun place to bring your kids.
Rawhide
Located just south of Phoenix off the 1-10 and Wild Horse Pass, Rawhide is an Old Western Town complete with a Candy Store, Steak House, and gift shop. They ALSO have a zip line, and petting zoo – as well as a Blacksmith.
They aren’t open daily but only 3 days a week:
- Fridays 5pm-10pm
- Saturdays 12pm-10pm
- Sundays 12pm-8pm
Parking is $5 (cash). .. some activities are a cost.
AZ Musical Instrument Museum
Each week .. you can visit various events for Youth at the Arizona Musical Instrument Museum. It’s probably not too cost effective to bring a large family, but if you have 1-2 children, it would definitely be less expensive. See their event page HERE for upcoming opportunities to take your kids.
Green Pastures Raw Dairy
Raw Dairy is such a nutrient-rich food. Here in the Valley, you can check Green Pastures Raw Milk Dairy just outside of Casa Grande and set up a time to visit – watch them milk their beautiful, grass-fed brown swiss cows and see the calves. Watch the milk go from cow to chiller tank where it chills to 35 degrees F in just minutes.
Find out how they bottle their milk and pick up a gallon of fresh milk to take home with you while you are there!
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.
Summer Splash Days at Desert Ridge
These days run from early June to mid-July – grab their event schedule by heading here.
The Children’s Museum
Score FREE Admission the first full weekend of every month if you are a Bank of America Customer/Cardholder. You can read more HERE.
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. They have a number of theme days as well that will score admission for even less in some cases.
McCormick Stillman Railroad Park
Located in Scottsdale, this 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. See more information on their site here.
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.
Japanese Friendship Garden
Join them for their First Friday Event {FREE Parking & FREE Admission} on the first Friday every month when the garden is open, runs from 4:00pm until 6:00 pm (until 7:00pm for spring and summer time). The Japanese Friendship Garden will offer live music, performances and much more!
Check Groupon
Groupon can sometimes be a GREAT place to find discounted kids Activities. Sometimes you can find deals on everything from movies to dance classes, Science Museum Membership & more.
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. You can see participating institutions (17) HERE… they include:
- Arcosanti (Cordes Junction)
- Arizona Historical Society Museum at Papago Park
- Arizona Science Center
- Cave Creek Museum
- Challenger Space Center
- Deer Valley Rock Art Center
- Desert Botanical Garden
- Desert Caballeros Western Museum
- Halle Heart Children’s Museum
- Heard Museum
- Phoenix Art Museum
- Pueblo Grande Museum
- Rosson House Museum
- Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
- Superstition Mountain Museum
Superstition Mall in Mesa Kids Club
This is every Thursday at 10 a.m. – if your children attend, then they can see a movie at the Picture Show for FREE. This program does not run through the summer, so check the last day of the season (which is sometime in May).
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.
Riparian Preserve, Gilbert
My kids love to visit the Preserve – which is in the East Valley on Guadalupe just East of Greenfield. They have lots of areas for them to run up and down the hills, and they can also walk around the Preserve to see the Ducks and other wildlife – it’s a great place to visit as it’s right next to the Public Library (Southeast Branch!) You could make it a really neat experience by packing a picnic.
If you are a family here with kids in Phoenix, you will want to invest in a POGO Pass – you will score FREE admission to over 20 venues for a 12 month period for just $39.98 using code CENTSABLE.
BUY ONE NOW
Some facts about the POGO Pass:
- ONE pass is required per person.
- We recommend a pass for ages 1 and up.
- Venues can change at any time!
- You can print your pass OR log into your account to show your pass at the venue.
- Some venues have specific hours to use your pass, so see the POGO website for more.
- POGO Passes are personalized so you cannot “share” a pass.
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