Scottsdale with Kids – 23 Fun Things to Do in the West’s Most Western Town

Scottsdale may be best known for its abundance of swanky spas, golf courses, and shopping malls. Thankfully, families will find a wealth of kid-friendly attractions here, too. As a family travel expert who spent half my childhood living in Scottsdale and then moved back to this Southwestern city with my brood several years ago, I am sharing my picks for the 23 best things to do in Scottsdale, AZ with kids. While visiting this expansive Phoenix suburb, you will likely wander beyond its borders. For that reason, I have included the best activities in neighboring areas as well. Join me in exploring Scottsdale, Arizona’s plentiful offerings for families!

This story is brought to you in partnership with Expedia.com.

1. Old Town Scottsdale

Wander Old Town Scottsdale’s art galleries and shops peddling Southwestern jewelry and souvenirs. ArtWalk takes place every Thursday night (besides Thanksgiving), when galleries throw open their doors 7 to 9 pm and invite guests to get a closer look at masterpieces created by Southwestern artists. Highlights for kids in Old Town include horse-drawn carriage rides and the pinkety-pink Sugar Bowl ice cream shop with attached video game arcade.

2. Scottsdale Civic Center Mall

Also located in Old Town Scottsdale is the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, a beautiful outdoor space filled with whimsical sculptures, flower-filled gardens and burbly fountains. Pop into the expansive Scottsdale Public Library’s children’s section to cozy up with a good book in a make-believe castle. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts are also located here.

3. Sea Life and Much More at OdySea in the Desert

OdySea Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the Southwest, will wow the whole family. Otters and penguins are favorites at this 200,000-square-foot aquarium. Roll up your sleeves to pet sting rays, sturgeons and other sea creatures in touch pools. Before you leave, be sure to take a potty break to view sharks swimming above the bathroom sinks!

The OdySea campus in Scottsdale houses much more than fish and sea creatures, though. Other OdySea attractions include bumper boats and laser + mirror mazes. Enjoy an array of shops and restaurants at OdySea, too.

4. Butterfly Wonderland

Also located within the OdySea in the Desert campus, Butterfly Wonderland delights visitors with its display of living fluttering beauties in America’s largest butterfly conservatory. Start at their 3-D theater to watch “Flight of the Butterflies” — a film about monarch butterflies’ impressive annual migration. In addition to butterflies and moths, your family can view other insects plus reptiles, amphibians, honeybees, and tropical fish on display.

5. Hiking in Scottsdale with Kids

Scottsdale’s landscape will amaze first-timers to Arizona. This is especially true if your family visits in spring, when the desert bursts with beautiful blooms. Be sure to bring plenty of water, a hat with brim, and sunblock — no matter where you choose to hike. If in Scottsdale during warm (or hot!) weather, plan to hike early in the morning before temperatures soar. Wildlife you might see on the trails includes bobcats, javelinas (wild pigs), snakes, and all sorts of birds like darling Gambel’s quails or road runners. Meep! Meep!

Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, so-named for its animal-shape, is probably the most famous place to hike in the Valley of the Sun. It’s not, however, the best choice for inexperienced hikers or families with young children. Instead, I recommend Scottsdale’s McDowell Mountain Preserve. Park at the Gateway Trailhead, where there are public restrooms, maps, and a choice of three hiking trails.

6. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

If your kids are loco for locomotives, then Scottsdale’s McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is a must. A sizable playground and a smaller Old West-themed play area are fabulous for kids. The highlight, though, is the Paradise Pacific Railroad, a ride-on train that chugs through the expansive grassy park. The Scottsdale Charros Carousel is also super fun, with its antique horses and two wheelchair-accessible chariots. Model railroad displays and full-sized train cars might also be interesting for your family to explore. Buy hotdogs, hamburgers and ice cream at the Snackstop or pack a lunch to enjoy at a picnic table while watching the choo-choo.

In November and December, buy your ride tickets online in advance and expect long lines to see their Holiday Lights display from the seat of the train. A limited number of Fast Pass tickets are available and well worth the extra cost.

7. Water Parks in and Near Scottsdale

With toasty temperatures five+ months of the year, it should come as no surprise that water parks are plentiful in the Phoenix area. Keep in mind that these are typically open seasonally, so be sure to check current hours before you go. Some Scottsdale resorts, like the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, offer water features like waterslides and lazy rivers for their guests as well. Read more about these and other Scottsdale hotels via Expedia.

Big Surf

Located in nearby Tempe (home of Arizona State University), Big Surf opened in 1969 and boasts the world’s first wave machine. Now, in addition to the Waikiki Beach Wave Pool, this water park offers more than 19 waterslides of different sizes and scare levels. Little kids will enjoy Captain Cook’s Landing, a splash and slide area.

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Phoenix

Formerly known as Wet N’ Wild, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is the largest water park in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. Situated in Glendale, it’s filled with more than 700,000 gallons of water and features over 30 attractions.

Golfland Sunsplash

Thrill lovers will love the vast array of waterslides plus a water coaster at Golfland Sunsplash in Mesa. A 450-gallon wave pool, two splash play areas for young kids, and an activity pool will keep families content for hours. Plus, the water park scenes from Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure were filmed here. Gnarly, dude!

McDowell Mountain Ranch Aquatic Center

Significantly smaller and less expensive than the other options listed above, the McDowell Mountain Ranch Aquatic Center is the only water park included that’s actually located within Scottsdale. One winding waterslide, a pleasant lazy river, high and low diving boards, and a zero-entry splash play area make this an affordable and fun place for families to cool off.

8. Cactus League Spring Training

Take the kids out to a ballgame when in Scottsdale. With over 300 days of sunshine per year, Arizona makes the perfect location for baseball spring training. Fifteen teams, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers call Arizona their spring training home. They play at 10 different locations throughout the Valley, including Scottsdale Stadium and Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale. Learn more about taking your kids to spring training in Arizona from our friends at Tips for Family Trips.

For regular season games, buy tickets via Expedia to see the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix.

9. Musical Instrument Museum

Displays at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix are truly interactive. Visitors don headphones that come to life with music and information as exhibits are approached. Musical diversity appears before your ears and eyes with songs and videos of concerts and dances, colorful displays of familiar and unusual instruments, plus traditional costumes and huge photographs. Children and adults even get a hands-on opportunity to make music with a variety of instruments from around the world in the Experience Gallery.

10. Phoenix Zoo

As a former multi-year member of the world renowned San Diego Zoo, I’m a bit of a zoo snob. Thankfully, the Phoenix Zoo is truly one of the best zoos I’ve ever visited. In fact, it’s the largest non-profit, privately owned zoo in the U.S. Most animal exhibits are large and lush, and the focus is on conservation and education. In addition to popular residents like giraffes, orangutans, and elephants — look for indigenous animals like coyotes, mountain lions, and Mexican gray wolves.

In addition to impressive animal exhibits, there are some features at the Phoenix Zoo for kids that should not be missed. Harmony Farm features a petting zoo and playground for young children. Meanwhile, you’ll have a tough time pulling bigger kids away from the Enchanted Forest play area. (I know I do!) When it’s hot outside, bring along swimsuits to cool off at the Leapin’ Lagoon and Yakulla Caverns splash pads. Children will want to take a spin on the zoo’s carousel, too, which features faux ride-on endangered animals. Interactive animal experiences include stingray feeding, camel rides, and giraffe feeding for an additional charge. Additionally, check out the Phoenix Zoo Lights nighttime displays in winter.

11. Desert Botanical Garden

Just around the corner from the Phoenix Zoo is the Desert Botanical Garden. Go here to wander along paved paths lined with desert flora like cactuses, wildflowers, succulents, agave plants and ocotillo trees. Displays teach visitors about the indigenous plants and people of the Sonoran Desert. Make a reservation at their onsite sit-down restaurant, Gertrude’s (children’s menus available) or grab a quick bite at the Patio Café. Mid-October to Mid-May, go at night to see the desert come to life in the Electric Desert — a light and sound experience. Learn more and buy your Desert Botanical Garden tickets tickets with Expedia.

12. Arizona Museum of Natural History

At the Arizona Museum of Natural History in Mesa, wander through the Lost Dutchman Mine exhibit and “lock up” your family members in its jail cells. Then explore a Hohokam village, stopping to grind some maize with stone tools or put together giant puzzle pieces to form pictures of Native American pottery. Kids love to pan for gold in a courtyard outside. Most impressive, though, is Dinosaur Mountain, a display of life-sized animated dinosaurs on a cliff with booming “flash floods” that send water gushing down the display every 23 minutes. Plan to spend a few hours at this museum.

13. Arizona Science Center

The Arizona Science Center in Downtown Phoenix rocks! With hands-on experiments complete with nobs to crank and buttons to push, children are too busy having fun to realize they’re learning something too. The onsite Dorrance Planetarium is one of the largest and most technologically advanced in the nation! You definitely could spend a whole day exploring the center.

My favorite exhibit is Forces of Nature, which simulates natural phenomena for those brave enough to step aboard the “stage” to experience the five-minute show (which repeats every 15 minutes). It may be too scary for toddlers and preschoolers, but big kids love to experience a (mild) earthquake, wind storms, thunder, lightning, and more. Expedia explains more about what to expect at the Arizona Science Center.

14. Horseback Riding and More at MacDonald’s Ranch

Saddle up for fun at MacDonald’s Ranch. This horse stable offers guided trail rides and stage coach rides through the desert. If traveling with a group of eight or more, book a desert cookout along with a hayride, stage coach ride or horseback ride for a truly memorable experience.

If visiting Scottsdale in October, plan to visit the annual MacDonald’s Ranch pumpkin patch. Expect a petting zoo, pony rides, olde tyme games, and a barbecue food truck. The highlight is boarding a horse-pulled hayride or tractor-pulled train to a pumpkin patch surrounded by saguaro cactuses and sagebrush.

15. Children’s Museum of Phoenix

Designed for kids from birth through 10 years, the Children’s Museum of Phoenix offers all sorts of opportunities to PLAY. Kids love to build forts and cities in Building Big and then navigate their way through a Noodle Forest. Climbing structures, a pint-sized pretend grocery store, a book loft and more add to the fun at this museum. Most visitors spend two to four hours exploring the museum’s 14 exhibits. Maximize fun and learning with these Children’s Museum of Phoenix tips.

16. Miniature Golf, Arcades, and Rides in Scottsdale and Beyond

Amusements like mini golf, video game arcades, go karts and theme park rides abound in Scottsdale, Phoenix and surrounding areas. Whether you want a full-blown amusement park experience or you’re looking for a couple of hours of distraction, your kids are in for a treat.

Golfland Sunsplash

Even when the water park closes for the season, Golfland Sunsplash continues to amuse guests with three miniature golf courses as well as bumper cars, bumper boats, laser tag, and a huge arcade with prizes.

Castles N’ Coasters

For full-sized outdoor rides including a log ride and a few roller coasters plus four mini golf courses and tons of indoor arcade games, head to Castles N’ Coasters in Phoenix. Although my kids and I had a ball at this theme park, ride safety didn’t seem to be the highest priority and given the area of town, I’d advise sticking to a daytime visit.

Octane Raceway

Adults and kids alike enjoy racing speedy go karts at Octane Raceway. Junior drivers must be at least 46 inches tall to participate. Grown-up races go up to 45 miles per hour. Meanwhile for participants under age 16, junior races top out at 25 mph. Parents can compete against kids in a junior race (at junior speeds, of course). Also onsite are a video game arcade, laser tag, and mini bowling alley.

Jake’s Unlimited

Located indoors in Mesa, Jake’s Unlimited is a bit of a trek from Scottsdale but it’s one of my kids’ favorite places in the Valley. Included with the price of admission are five rides (like a full-sized carousel and bumper cars) and video games. Also free of charge until 8 pm is an unlimited buffet of pizza, pasta, salads, sodas and soft serve ice cream. Pay additional fees for bowling, games with prize tickets, and laser tag.

Glow Putt

Glow-in-the-dark miniature golf at Glow Putt is always in season in Scottsdale, no matter the temperature outside. “Charge” your golf ball by placing it inside black light tubes throughout the course. Kids especially like the hole with the spinning wheel that tells golfers to moo like a cow or kick the ball with their feet to avoid penalty strokes. After a round or two of glowing putt putt, head upstairs for a delicious treat at the Sweet Republic ice cream shop.

Peter Piper Pizza

With several locations throughout the Valley of the Sun, including two in Scottsdale, Peter Piper Pizza is part restaurant, part arcade. The pizza and wings are decent, but the primary reason to come here is for video games and prizes to please the kiddies.

Crackerjax

Outside at Scottsdale’s Crackerjax, enjoy miniature golf, bumper boats, batting cages and go karts. Inside, play video games for prizes or challenge your family to a round of Alien Laser Tag.

17. Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

For a roaring good time, make reservations for the Scottsdale Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. Families root for their knight while chowing down on food like tasty chicken, potatoes, and corn on the cob. (No utensils allowed!) Vegetarian options are available as well. Expect jousting horses, sword fights, falconry, and a queen overseeing it all. Plan to come an hour or so early to get the best seats, peruse the shops, and maybe purchase a themed drink (with alcohol or without). Think this dinner show is just for kids? My family was hosted by Medieval Times for my Game of Thrones-enthusiast husband’s birthday celebration. He kept leaning over throughout the performance and saying, “Best birthday ever!”

18. iFLY Indoor Flight Experience

Children as young as 3 and adults of any age can get a taste of what it’s like to soar in the air at iFLY in Scottsdale. iFLY explains how their experience differs from skydiving on their website, “At iFLY, you don’t jump or fall, you fly gently on a cushion of controlled air.” In additon, those aged 6 to 70 can add to the experience with a Virtual Reality flight. Book your iFLY experience via Expedia now!

19. Hall of Flame Fire Fighter Museum

The Hall of Flame Firefighting Museum in Phoenix boasts the world’s largest collection of vintage fire trucks. Vehicles range from a 1725 English hand pumper to more modern engine-powered models. Make a game of your visit by having everyone select his or her very favorite from the museum’s more than 90 fire trucks. There is one climb-aboard fire engine for make-believe rescue missions. Also look for a touching memorial to fallen fire rescue heroes, with a special display for those who died in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Towers in New York. Most of the trucks are strictly hands-off, which can make a visit with toddlers and preschoolers somewhat nerve-wracking but grade schoolers who dig fire engines will like to spend an hour or so here.

20. Live Theater Performances for Families

For families who want to see live theater on vacation, you can find that in Scottsdale. If you’re willing to travel outside of Scottsdale, then look up what’s playing at Arizona Broadway Theater in Peoria or take a peek at traveling Broadway productions at Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium in Tempe.

Don Bluth Front Row Theatre

Want the best seats in the house? You can’t go wrong at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre! That’s because there are only 73 seats, which surround the stage on three sides. You just might be surprised by the caliber of talent this little live theater puts forth. I know I was! Look for family-friendly productions like Mary Poppins, It’s a Wonderful Life and The Wizard of Oz.

Desert Stages Theatre

Located within Scottsdale’s huge Fashion Square Mall, Desert Stages Theatre offers a Main Stage, a smaller Actor’s Cafe, and Youth/Teen productions. Each year this theater presents 250 performances.

21. Pangea Land of the Dinosaurs

Dinosaur lovers will roar with delight at Pangea Land of the Dinosaurs at OdySea in the Desert. In addition to life-sized animatronic dinos on display, kids will enjoy a T-Rex obstacle course, fossil digging area, dinosaur temporary tattoos, and a small dinosaur ride.

22. Polar Play Ice Bar

Take a break from the heat in Scottsdale with a visit to Polar Play Ice Bar. Don downy coats and enter a space filled with icy displays, games and hot or cold beverages for purchase. Children are welcome here during the day. Get a discount on entry when you go on the same day as a visit to OdySea Aquarium or Butterfly Wonderland.

23. Dinner and a Movie

Of course, there are plenty of movie theaters in Scottsdale. I want to share with you, however, my Scottsdale-dwelling family’s preferred cinema — Studio Movie Grill. Here you can order dinner (the Southwest Quesadilla is the best thing on the menu) as well as grown-up drinkies and standards like buttered popcorn. All of this is served up while you kick back in a comfy chair.

Other Scottsdale movie theaters that offer alcohol for adults and meals for all include IPIC Scottsdale (with blankets and reclinable chairs, but expensive tickets) and RoadHouse Cinemas.

Tips for Visiting Scottsdale with Kids

No matter when you visit Scottsdale, your family is sure to have plenty to explore and enjoy. Keep in mind that winters are likely chillier than you think, and summers are even toastier than you imagine. Temperatures swing up to 30 degrees Fahrenheit from night to day, so unless visiting in summer, layers are a must. The best weather of the year can be found in spring, March through May, when average temps are in the dreamy 70s. Winter is when prices are at their highest, with many visitors escaping cold weather locations. Meanwhile summers, with temperatures as high as 120 degrees F, bring great deals on luxurious resorts.

It doesn’t rain much in Scottsdale, but when it does, gushing buckets of water pour from the sky. Arizona’s monsoon season typically reaches its peak in late summer. That’s when we get most of our rain for the whole year. After the rain stops, the sun will soon be shining again. Lightning storms are common in summer and are beautiful to behold.

As you can see from reading this list of things do in Scottsdale, AZ with kids, many popular destinations are in neighboring cities and towns. Plus, Scottsdale is very spread out. Therefore, you will likely need a rental car unless you plan to spend most of your time at your resort.

Scottsdale is one of the safest places to visit in all of Arizona, with most crime being related to property theft. As when visiting any city, exercise reasonable caution when out exploring.

For an overview of Scottsdale and Phoenix, take a look at this family-friendly highlights tour from Expedia.

Book Your Scottsdale Family Vacation with Expedia

Expedia has everything you need to book your trip to Scottsdale with kids. From hotels, airfare, and car rentals to vacation rentals and activities — Expedia has got you covered. Whether you’re planning a month-long trip or a weekend getaway, Expedia can connect you with the best travel deals to destinations in Arizona and around the world. Explore more of Scottsdale and book your vacation with Expedia.com!

Save This List of Things to Do in Scottsdale

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If you’re planning a trip to Arizona, then you’ll want to read my advice for visiting Grand Canyon with kids and check out Jerome, Arizona — America’s biggest ghost town.

Would you like to visit Scottsdale with kids? Have you ever been? Share your tips or questions in the comments below!