Activities for the kids in the Phoenix area
Amusement Parks
There are several amusement parks/water parks in the Metro Phoenix area. They are located in every part of the valley for easy access. A couple of the more famous ones are Big Surf in Scottsdale with its wave machine and several waterslides and Golfland Sunsplash in Mesa with several waterslides, miniature golf & go-carts. Here is a list of the major amusement/water parks in the Phoenix area.
 Amazing Jakes (indoor amusement park)
Bounce U (indoor inflatables for the younger kids)
Castles & Coasters (Roller coaster, carnival rides, arcade)
Rawhide at Wildhorse Pass (old west theme park) 
Salt River Tubing (tubing down the Salt River just outside Scottsdale)
Waterworld Safari (Water Park in Phoenix)
Cracker Jax (miniature golf, golf driving range, bumper boats, batting cages)
Enchanted Island (Encanto Park, carnival rides for smaller kids)
Fiddlesticks (batting cages, bumper boats, mini-golf driving ranges.)
Jungle Jims (indoor amusement park with rides)
Community Parks
Throughout the Metro Phoenix area there are several city and regional parks. Some are lush and green with waterways to boat on and some are mountain preserve parks with riding and hiking trails. Encanto Park in central Phoenix would be compared to Central Park, NY with its water ways, amusement park, golf course and lush grounds. South Mountain regional Park and Papago Park are the best examples of preserve parks with wonderful walking trails and spectacular city views. Here is a list of the major parks in the Phoenix area.
 Squaw Peak (NE Phoenix, mountain preserve)
Papago Park (east side between Phoenix & Scottsdale, mountain preserve)
South Mountain Preserve (Largest mountain preserve in the state)
North Mountain (North side, mountain preserve)
Encanto Park (Large urban park near downtown Phoenix) 
Indian Bend Park (winds through several miles of Scottsdale, golf, water ways)
Tumbleweed Park (Chandler, new park with tennis complex)
Freestone Park (Gilbert, kids’ railroad, sports fields, water)
 Kiwanis Park (south Tempe, waterways, sports fields)
Tempe Town Lake & Beach Park (Downtown Tempe, boating, kids’ splash park)
Usury Mountain (NE Mesa mountain preserve, hiking trails)
Area Zoos
Phoenix has one of the best zoos in the country. The Phoenix Zoo boasts a wide variety of animals with most 
living in an open natural environment but close enough for the public to enjoy these wonderful animals.
To the west of Phoenix there is the Wildlife World Zoo. It is smaller then the Phoenix Zoo but it specializes in exotic
animals in a more traditional zoo setting.
Childcare Options
Finally for you parents who need some time away from the kids to explore on your own (or house hunt) here are
some of the daycare options in the area. Most of the have several locations so there is always a daycare near you.
Here are some of the better known daycare facilities in the area.
Tutor Time (602-504-1510)
Childtime (866-244-0148)
Kiddie Academy (800-554-3343)
Kinder Care (877-248-6808
La Petite (866-889-9654) |