What to Do This Summer in Phoenix With Kids

Play in Some Splash Pads

Playing in one of the many splash pad locations in Phoenix is a blast for kids and a great way to keep them cool in the desert sun! There’s lots of splash pad locations around Phoenix, often found at shopping centers like Tempe Marketplace, The Orchard PHX, Westgate Entertainment Center, SanTan Village, Scottsdale Quarter, Kierland Commons and Desert Ridge Marketplace. Take a look at our favorite ones!

9200 N Bush Hwy, Mesa, AZ 85215, USA

Float the Salt River

Floating down The Salt River is not only a great way to cool down in the summer, but also a super-fun way to spend a day and see some amazing Arizona scenery! Stop by Salt River Tubing to rent a tube and get a round-trip ride to and from the river, or bring two vehicles and tubes yourself and go for free! If you’re lucky, you might even float right by some wild horses getting a drink from the water. Be aware, drinking is allowed on the river and weekends can get rowdy. Weekdays are best for kids on the river!

Dive ‘n’ Movies

At Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, you can watch a movie while floating in a giant pool every Friday night in July! These movies are included with admission and are projected onto a huge screen. Movie titles are family-friendly and change weekly! A perfect plan to beat the summer heat in Phoenix with kids and have an amazing time!

Visit a Museum

Visiting one of the many great museums in & around Phoenix is a great way to escape the heat! Enjoy a fun & educational day that the whole family will love. Kids 10 and younger will have an absolute blast exploring the Children’s Museum of Phoenix that hosts hundreds of exhibits for kids to play on & explore. Check out our guide (insert blog link) showcasing the best museums for you to visit!

Indoor Sports

It’s hard for kids to get the exercise they need in the Phoenix summertime. Thankfully, there’s a variety of indoor sports the whole family can get involved! Consider checking out indoor rock climbing at the Phoenix Rock Gym in Tempe, or check out Stratum, the huge laser tag arena in Mesa! You can have a blast playing a round of indoor mini-golf at Glow Putt in Scottsdale as well, or check out one of your local bowling alleys!

Indoor Ice Skating

Ice Skating isn’t exactly the first thing to come to mind when you think of Arizona, but there are places where you can skate year-round here in the Valley!

Visit a Water Park

Visiting a water park is one of the best & most fun ways to beat the summer heat in Phoenix with kids! Being a prime market for all things cool, water parks are in no shortage here in Phoenix.

Indoor Play Areas

There’s lots of ways for kids to play and blow off some steam inside during the summer in Phoenix! From indoor amusement parks to trampoline centers, a trip to an indoor play area will be sure to wear your kids out when they seem to get a little stir-crazy being stuck inside during the summer heat.

Take a Trip Up North

Out of all the ways to beat the heat this summer, there truly is no better way to beat it than to escape it completely! Take a trip with the family up north to find cooler temperatures. Consider the short drive up to Sedona to explore the town, take a hike, and enjoy the cooler temps. If you’re willing to travel a little further, Flagstaff is even cooler and a beautiful place to be in the summertime.

Spend the Day at the Lake

The Phoenix Valley isn’t exactly the place you’d expect to find a nice lake to jump in, but only a short drive away in the Superstition Mountains you can take a dip in the beautiful Canyon Lake! One of the most scenic lakes you will find anywhere in the country, this popular spot offers boating, fishing and of course swimming! The lake temperatures are always super cool and extremely refreshing in the summer. You can also check out Saguaro Lake off State Route 87 just a short drive from Phoenix!