10 Spring Break Activities with Kids in Phoenix

You need ideas for you and your kids during spring break, right?  You want their time off to be spent outdoors, exploring new places and experiencing new things.  But you also don’t want to break your budget.

I’m going to share with you:

• where to go
• how to do it cheaply
• and which activities to do while there.

These are 10 of my favorite places to go with my family.

Want a printable version of this list (and more places!) that you can keep with you for on the go?

30 Places to Go with Kids in Phoenix that YOU don’t want to miss!

My first suggestion is almost FREE (depending on where you go) and takes advantage of our gorgeous spring weather.

Hiking

The weather is beautiful! Time to get outside.  The Phoenix area has a ton of amazing parks to explore.  Go hiking at Papago Park, San Tan Mountain Regional Park or Usery Mountain Regional Park.  The regional parks cost $6 a car to enter.

Spot the llama on this trail. She’s in pink!

A photo posted by JoAnn (@awhimsiclelife) on Jan 4, 2015 at 2:57pm PST

Many of these parks also have free, scheduled classes where you can learn more about the outdoors and wildlife.   Such as on March 11th at 6:00PM, you can join the rangers for Ranger Mark’s Moonlight Madness Hike at Cave Creek Regional Park (full program schedule).

Local Parks

Go play at Riverview or Tumbleweed park.  They both have ziplines which will keep kids and parents happy.

Early morning park time means I get to ride the zipline!! #momlife

A photo posted by JoAnn (@awhimsiclelife) on Jan 21, 2015 at 9:19am PST

(A note on Riverview:  Make sure to check the Cubs Spring Training Home Game schedule before you go.  On game days, parking is near impossible.)

And if a park visit is not enough, you need to be prepared:

Theme Park in Arizona

Ride the amusement park rides at Enchanted Island in Encanto Park.  Take a trip around the park on a train, ride the merry-go-round, experience bumper cars and a roller coaster called the Dragon.  There is even a splash pad if the weather gets a little warmer.

I recommend getting the POGO Pass.  I bought passes for myself and my kids.  You get 4 visits per pass to Enchanted Island plus more Phoenix venues like Sunsplash, Diamondbacks games, Pump it Up and more.

If you were a fan of Willy Wonka as a kid and always dreamed about visiting a candy factory, my next suggestion will make your day!

Chocolate Factory

Take a tour of a chocolate factory.  No, seriously.  This is real!  Cerreta’s is a family owned chocolate confectionary that gives daily tours and chocolate samples.  Kids can even make a chocolate pizza.

Spring Training Baseball

Get lawn tickets to a Spring Training game.  Phoenix is a spectacular place to be in March because fifteen major league teams descend on the valley for a month of games.  Lawn seats ($10-$40 depending on team) are the best bet because kids can move and play without the worry of disturbing the more serious baseball fans.  Find tickets for your favorite team on the Cactus League website.

If you want to find a great place to eat with kids after the spring training game, I have it here:

Indoor Play

Visit an indoor play area.    The McDonalds on Gilbert and Germann has a toddler playground for the young ones.  For school age kids, I recommend Makutu’s Island (Available on the POGO Pass) or the Phoenix Children’s Museum.

Zoos

Visit a zoo.  Perhaps check out the petting zoo and farm or spy on some cheetahs at the Phoenix Zoo.

The country life @phoenixzoo

A photo posted by JoAnn (@awhimsiclelife) on Sep 30, 2014 at 9:44am PDT

If you live in the West Valley (or are up for a drive), the Wildlife World Zoo has animals as well as a log flume ride, a sky ride and a safari park.  Plus, they just added an Adventure Land that I am dying to visit!

And after paying admission to all of these zoos, I’m going to tell you how to get into area museums for free.

Free Admission to Museums

Check out a Culture Pass. All you need is a library card to gain admission for two to a variety of Phoenix activities.

• Check out a new exhibit with kids at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art.
• Explore the Native American Room at the Heard Museum where a different craft awaits at each exhibit.
• Learn about space travel at the Challenger Space Center.
• Walk into Victorian times at the Rosson House Museum.
• There are also passes available for the Phoenix Zoo and the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, but those are a littler harder to find.

Ride the Sky Train

Watch planes at Sky Harbor.  The top level of the parking garage at Terminal 4 has a fantastic view of the runway.  Park there or for an extra treat, park in long term parking and take Sky Train to the terminal.  Not only can you pretend that you riding the monorail at Disneyland, but it also offers a unique vantage point of the tarmac from up above.

Sweet Dates

Take a date with your kiddos.  Go to Dunkin Donuts and have a donut afternoon.  Visit Starbucks and split a frappucino off the secret menu.  Have fun.  Have a sweet and enjoy a blissful moment where everyone is happy.  Because who can be upset when they have a donut?

More Activities with Kids in Phoenix

If you want more ideas for what to do with kids in Phoenix,

Have a birthday coming up in March?  Make sure to check out our list of birthday freebies around the valley!

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