Top 20 Places to Take Kids In and Around Phoenix - 2023
Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. This page is where we showcase the 2023 list of winners for the Phoenix area. (Click here for the full list of nominees.)
Of course, there are literally hundreds of wonderful places to take your kids in our area, not just this year's winners! While you're visiting KidsOutAndAbout, be sure to visit our Everything That's Free page, check out our packed daily calendar, and sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter.
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1. Phoenix Zoo
The Phoenix Zoo is one of the largest non-profit zoos in the United States, caring for more than 3,000 animals, with nearly 400 species represented, including many threatened or endangered species.
2. Arizona Science Center
Arizona Science Center's mission is to inspire, educate and engage curious minds through science. With over 300 hands-on exhibits, a state-of-the-art planetarium and a five-story giant screen theater, there’s something for everyone in the family!
3. Boyce Thompson Arboretum
Boyce Thompson Arboretum is Arizona's oldest and largest botanical garden. This venerable 372-acre "Arizona oasis" has about 5 miles of paths and trails winding through colorful gardens, woodlands and along native riparian habitat. Founded in 1924, to inspire appreciation and stewardship of desert plants, wildlife, and ecosystems through education, research and conservation. The Arboretum is about 45 minutes' drive due east of Mesa, near highway 60 milepost #223 as you approach the historic copper-mining town of Superior.
4. Desert Botanical Garden
Discover the tranquil vibrancy of 50,000 desert plants nestled amid the red rocks of the Papago Buttes at Desert Botanical Garden. An Arizona icon for more than 84 years, the Garden has grown into a compelling attraction and desert conservation pioneer, offering worldly plants, vibrant trails, world-class exhibitions, festive events and so much more.
5. Bearizona Wildlife Park
Bearizona Wildlife Park allows visitors to drive into "the wilderness" and witness herd and pack life from the safety and comfort of a private vehicle.
6. SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium
SEA LIFE is the world’s largest family of aquariums and includes SEA LIFE Aquariums in North America including SEA LIFE Arizona, Carlsbad, Charlotte-Concord, Dallas/Fort Worth, Kansas City, Mall of America, Michigan, New Jersey (opening soon), Orlando, and San Antonio (opening soon). From its origins in 1979 in Oban, Scotland, SEA LIFE now provides immersive marine experiences in nearly 50 locations in 17 countries around the world. We aim share our passion for the creatures of the oceans and to make our guests fall in love with them.
7. Children's Museum of Phoenix
The Children’s Museum of Phoenix is a wonderland of fun with both indoor and outdoor interactive exhibits and experiences to engage the minds, muscles and imaginations or children and the grown-ups who care about them. Designed for children ages birth to 10, here you can ride a trike, discover the Noodle Forest, climb to new heights in the Climber, go shopping in the child-sized Market, water the Garden and so much more. Come play today!
8. Legoland
10. Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium, & Safari Park
Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium is home to Arizona's largest collection of exotic animals with more than 600 species. The Aquarium features over 75 indoor exhibits including stingrays you can feed, penguins, otters, and sharks plus rides & a petting zoo.
11. East Valley Children's Theatre
East Valley Children’s Theatre has been an artistic force in the East Valley for 26 years, through many unique theatrical programs for children of all ages. East Valley Children’s Theatre provides a safe environment for children to gain self-esteem, explore creative outlets and grow and mature into community-minded young adults.
12. OdySea Aquarium
This multi-level, state-of-the-art facility holds more than 2 million gallons of water and is the largest aquarium in Arizona. OdySea Aquarium offers an educational, interactive and entertaining experience for guests of all ages by combining theme-park style amusement with highly engaging presentations of aquatic life.
13. My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the Phoenix area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them to the list of best places to take kids this year!
14. Butterfly Wonderland
Explore the rainforest in the largest butterfly conservatory in the country right here in Arizona! Butterfly Wonderland transports guests of all ages to the rainforest by immersing them in the world of butterflies and other rainforest animals. Learn about Monarch migration in a captivating 3D movie, observe live chrysalis as they emerge naturally into beautiful butterflies, spend ample time strolling through the conservatory with the butterflies, get up close to unique reptiles that inhabit rainforests across the world, and even indulge in edible insects!
15. i.d.e.a Museum
The i.d.e.a. Museum – which is owned by the City of Mesa and supported by the i.d.e.a. Museum Foundation – offers hands-on activities and art exhibitions for kids of all ages. Programs are developed not only for children but also – most importantly – for the whole family. The museum inspires our visitors to experience their world differently. Therefore – in addition to art, creativity and imagination – we focus on supporting early learning, nurturing creative thinking and engaging families in quality experiences.
16. Schnepf Farms
4th generation family farm that hosts festivals, peach picking, U-Pick Garden, Country Store & Bakery.
17. Golfland Sunsplash
Golfland Sunsplash is Arizona’s premier family fun destination. Featuring over 30 exciting rides and attractions in one location! From thrilling waterslides , to award winning miniature golf, Golfland Family Fun Center and Sunsplash Water Park has something for the whole family! We can’t wait to see you here! We are easy to find just outside of Phoenix in Mesa, AZ.
18. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Scottsdale’s McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is the most unique park of its kind in the country. The 30 acre park’s centerpiece is the Paradise & Pacific Railroad, a fully functional 15 gauge railroad with scale steam and diesel locomotives and riding stock. No trip to the park is complete without a ride on the 1950-vintage Allan Hershell carousel or a visit to the Scottsdale Railroad Museum.
19. Musical Instrument Museum
MIM has a collection of more than 7,500 instruments from more than 200 world countries and territories. The galleries reflect the rich diversity and history of many world cultures. But music and instruments also show us what we have in common—a thought powerfully expressed in our motto, music is the language of the soul.
20. Sky Zone
Sky Zone is the world’s first indoor trampoline park. We’re the inventors of “fun fitness” and the makers of trampolines as far as the eye can see. We give you one of the greatest workouts ever combined with awesome, healthy fun. We have wall-to-wall aerial fun for just about any age, shape or size. Sky Zone is the ultimate 3-D play experience!
Sky Zone Peoria, Sky Zone Phoenix, or Sky Zone Central Phoenix
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in several categories. Here were their choices.Top Arts Educator: Mesa Arts Center
Mesa's International Award winning facility is the largest & most comprehensive performing, visual & educational arts center in the state of Arizona.
Top Sports Educator: Valley of the Sun YMCA
The Y is for EVERYONE. The Valley of the Sun YMCA is not only one of the oldest nonprofits in the state of Arizona, but we are also one of the largest. Born in 1892, before Arizona even became a state, we serve over 100,000 families and are located in 15 communities across the state. At the Y we value the little things and believe healthy living is not just a fad, it’s a way of life. We are a community, and a family, about embracing today’s social responsibilities together. For over a century, our mission has been to develop healthy minds, bodies, and spirits for all.
Top STEM Educator: Boyce Thompson Arboretum
Boyce Thompson Arboretum is Arizona's oldest and largest botanical garden. This venerable 372-acre "Arizona oasis" has about 5 miles of paths and trails winding through colorful gardens, woodlands and along native riparian habitat. Founded in 1924, to inspire appreciation and stewardship of desert plants, wildlife, and ecosystems through education, research and conservation. The Arboretum is about 45 minutes' drive due east of Mesa, near highway 60 milepost #223 as you approach the historic copper-mining town of Superior.
