33 Things To Do in Phoenix With Kids

This 25-acre park is the perfect setting for outdoor fun and relaxation for everybody, offering more than five miles of paths and exercise trails, picnic areas, ramadas, and the Luis Gonzalez Arizona Diamondbacks Field of Dreams baseball diamond.

The Musical Instrument Museum is a world-class, family-friendly Phoenix attraction featuring over 15,000 instruments from nearly 200 countries showcased across immersive galleries. Parents and kids alike love the interactive Experience Gallery—where visitors can touch and play drums, gongs, and ukuleles—and engaging programs that introduce children to global music and instrument-making.

Sarah D. said:  This is another must-see for Phoenix music families! Incredibly dynamic exhibits and great children’s interactive musical play area!

The Phoenix Zoo is a spacious, conservation‑focused nonprofit in Papago Park that’s home to thousands of animals across 125 acres and four immersive trails—Arizona, Africa, Tropics, and a dedicated Children’s Trail with a petting zoo. For families, it delivers standout experiences like up‑close encounters at Monkey Village, hand‑feeding giraffes, touching stingrays in Stingray Bay, riding the Safari Train or carousel, splashing at the Leapin’ Lagoon pad, and enjoying camps, nature walks, and science programs tailored for kids.

Just minutes from downtown Phoenix, Papago Park offers exceptional hiking and a wide array of recreational facilities. The Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden are both located within the park.

Arizona SEA LIFE Aquarium in Tempe is a family-friendly marine adventure featuring over 5,000 creatures—including sharks, rays, sea turtles, seahorses, jellyfish—and a mesmerizing 360° ocean tunnel that delights all ages. Kids can enjoy hands-on discovery at child-height bubbles, interactive touch pools, scheduled feedings, behind-the-scenes sea turtle encounters, and conservation talks.

Discover the people who built one of the largest and most sophisticated canal systems in the New World before the coming of Europeans. This National Historic Landmark and museum highlights how these engineers and farmers thrived in the Sonoran Desert for millennia. S'ed̲av Va'aki has long been a special place.

Rustler's Rooste is a Western-themed steakhouse located in Phoenix, Arizona, known for its rustic atmosphere, live country music, and sweeping views of the city skyline. The restaurant offers unique menu items like rattlesnake and cowboy steaks, served in a lively, family-friendly environment. 

Luci’s has been a neighborhood staple in the valley for many years, with locations in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona. They offer comfortable cafes, unique marketplaces, and coffee bars in casual and welcoming environments. Luci's at the Orchard, located in Phoenix, provides indoor dining, a beautiful dog-friendly patio with a splash pad for kids, and Splurge - a vintage ice cream and candy shop. 

The Children’s Museum of Phoenix is a vibrant, interactive space designed to inspire imagination, creativity, and learning in young children. With over 300 play experiences, it encourages hands-on exploration through exhibits focused on art, science, and physical activity.

The Arizona Science Center, located in downtown Phoenix, offers hands-on exhibits and interactive experiences that explore science and technology. It features a planetarium, a giant-screen theater, and engaging programs for all ages.

Even if you've been to the ballpark before, you're sure to learn and see something new with a guided tour of Chase Field! Tours are conducted year-round, for both individuals and groups.

Considered the largest art museum in the southwestern United States, Phoenix Art Museum is home to a collection of more than 20,000 objects and engages more than 300,000 guests, lifelong learners, and art lovers each year, both within the walls of the Museum and through their multidimensional community programs.

Enchanted Island Amusement Park, located in Phoenix’s Encanto Park, offers classic rides and attractions perfect for young children and families. The park features a historic carousel, pedal boats, and carnival-style games in a charming, scenic setting.

Everybody gets to enjoy the great outdoors from the saddle with Arizona-Horses Ranches Rides. Whether you’re young or old, whether you’re an experienced rider or new to horses, you’ll find an Arizona-Horses Ranch Ride to enjoy! 

At more than 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park/Preserve is one of the largest municipally managed parks in the nation and consists of three mountain ranges - the Ma Ha Tauk, Gila, and Guadalupe. The park boasts more than 100 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Additionally, the roadways throughout the park are a favorite for bicyclists.