Phoenix With Kids: A Family Guide

Phoenix turns out to be a surprisingly great city for families. The metro is loaded with kid-focused attractions, from a top-tier zoo and a sprawling aquarium to hands-on museums and interactive gardens, and almost everything is designed with the desert climate in mind. The trick to a family trip here is simple: hit the outdoor attractions early, save the indoor and water options for the heat of the day, and you will keep everyone happy. Here is a local family guide to the best things to do in Phoenix with kids.

Phoenix Zoo

The Phoenix Zoo is one of the largest nonprofit zoos in the country and a longtime family favorite. Set within Papago Park, it is home to hundreds of animals across themed trails, including an Africa trail, a tropical area, and an Arizona trail that showcases native desert wildlife. Kids love the petting zoo and the up-close animal encounters, and the whole layout is stroller-friendly. Because much of it is outdoors, plan a morning visit in the warmer months and bring water and sun protection. In winter the zoo hosts a beloved holiday light display that is worth a special trip after dark.

OdySea Aquarium

Over in north Scottsdale, the OdySea Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the Southwest and an ideal hot-weather, fully indoor outing. Highlights include a rotating underwater tunnel experience, big shark and ray exhibits, otters, penguins, and plenty of interactive touch pools. It anchors a larger entertainment complex with additional family attractions next door, so you can easily build a half-day around it. This is exactly the kind of air-conditioned stop that saves a summer afternoon. Check details and hours via the OdySea attraction page.

Desert Botanical Garden

The Desert Botanical Garden, also in Papago Park, is more fun for kids than it sounds. Yes, it is a world-class collection of desert plants, but it is also full of interactive elements, a butterfly pavilion in season, a dedicated children's discovery area, paved looping paths perfect for little legs, and a calendar of family programming. Go in the cooler morning hours, and let kids hunt for hummingbirds and lizards among the cactuses. The garden's seasonal events, especially the winter luminaria light displays, are magical for families. Learn more on the Desert Botanical Garden page.

Children's museums and hands-on fun

When you need a fully indoor, run-around-and-touch-everything option, Phoenix delivers.

• The Children's Museum of Phoenix in downtown is a multi-story playground of climbing structures, building zones, art stations, and imaginative play areas aimed at younger kids. It is one of the best rainy-day, or more likely hot-day, options in the city.
• Science and discovery centers around the metro offer hands-on STEM exhibits, planetarium shows, and traveling exhibitions that appeal to older kids.
• Cultural and history museums across the Valley frequently run family days and kid-focused programming.

Splash pads and beating the heat

In a desert city, water is a parent's best friend. The Valley is dotted with free and low-cost splash pads in city parks, where kids can run through fountains and sprayers to cool off, perfect for a quick stop on a hot day. Beyond splash pads, families have plenty of options to beat the heat:

• Splash pads: Most cities operate seasonal splash pads in their parks; they are typically free and a lifesaver in summer.
• Water parks and resort pools: The metro has full-scale water parks, and many resorts offer day passes to their pools and lazy rivers.
• Lakes: Tempe Town Lake and the regional desert lakes offer paddle boats, beaches, and shoreline play.

Outdoor time for families

When the weather cooperates, the desert itself is a giant classroom. Easy trails at South Mountain and Papago Park, including the kid-favorite Hole-in-the-Rock formation, give families a taste of hiking without a big commitment. Parks like Encanto, with its lagoons and paddle boats, are made for a relaxed afternoon. Just remember the golden rule of desert outings with kids: early morning in the warm months, plenty of water, hats, and sunscreen.

When to visit Phoenix with kids

The most comfortable months for a family trip are November through April, when outdoor attractions like the zoo and gardens are pleasant all day. If you visit in summer, simply flip the schedule: outdoor stops at dawn, indoor and water attractions through the hot afternoons, and outdoor fun again in the evening. The desert is very manageable with kids as long as you respect the heat.

Plan your family trip

Between the zoo, the aquarium, the gardens, hands-on museums, and a city full of splash pads, Phoenix has more than enough to fill a family vacation. To see kid-friendly events, festivals, and seasonal happenings during your dates, browse the Arizona events calendar and start with the Phoenix hub to build your itinerary.