7 Arizona Adventures Perfect for Kids and Parents

As a single parent with two kids living in Arizona, I know a thing or two about where to expend some of their energy while keeping me sane. No doubt that parenting is tough, and weekends are often spent deciding where to go, what to do, and keeping the whining about being bored to a minimum. From day trips to attractions, here are some of my restless kids' favorite fun-filled places in Arizona.

1. Arizona Boardwalk in Scottsdale

For several attractions at the same location, the Arizona Boardwalk is where you want to go. You can spend an entire day visiting attractions like OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland, Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs, Museum of Illusions, UFO Experience, Laser + Mirror Maze, and CyberQuest Arcade. As if that wasn't enough, the Boardwalk also hosts plenty of free family-friendly events throughout the year. Check the Arizona Boardwalk website for attractions and an event schedule.

2. Children's Museum of Phoenix

I asked my daughter for her top choice to get out the wiggles, and she said the Children's Museum of Phoenix. This place is great for kids of all ages and abilities to play, learn, and explore. There's a garden, a huge climbing structure, and interactive exhibits throughout the museum. Visit the Children's Museum of Phoenix website for location, hours, and admission prices.

3. Barringer Crater near Flagstaff

Over 50,000 years ago, a meteor made of iron crashed to the ground in what is present-day Arizona. The meteor measured 98 by 164 feet and left a massive crater in the earth. The crater is about 1,300 meters in diameter and nearly 180 meters deep. You can take the kids here for an awe-inspiring visit to see it in person. My kids were utterly fascinated by it as we walked through the museum and headed outside to see the crater. It's massive!

4. Great Wolf Lodge in Scottsdale

Sure, you can spend the night at Great Wolf Lodge for a super fun staycation, but did you know you can purchase a day pass instead? Spend a day at Great Wolf Lodge's huge waterpark with a lazy river, a treehouse, tube rides, water slides, and pools. The lodge also has a variety of other attractions like the popular MagiQuest (a live-action game that involves a magic wand), a ropes course, a bowling alley, mini golf, and more. My kids love coming here.

5. Bearizona Wildlife Park in Williams

If you happen to be in northern Arizona, I suggest a visit to Bearizona. This place starts out with an adventurous safari ride, from the safety of your vehicle, through a bear habitat. Windows must remain closed during this excursion, but it's incredibly cool to see all of the bears roaming around. After the ride through the bears' territory, park your car and walk around the rest of this wildlife park to see wolves, deer, turkeys, foxes, river otters, and more. If you're hungry during your visit, you can dine at Canyonlands Restaurant, a themed restaurant that will make you feel like you're dining in the middle of a canyon!

6. KTR throughout Arizona

With tens of thousands of square feet of fun, KTR is a giant indoor playground that my kids love. While my son goes skateboarding at KTR's skate park, my daughter prefers the trampolines. There's also a parkour area, an obstacle course, sports courts, a sky bridge, and a toddler zone. All ages are welcome here, and you can even host your child's birthday party at KTR. There are currently six locations in Arizona in the following cities: Ahwatukee, Cannon Beach, Chandler, Glendale, Mesa, and Scottsdale.

7. Water Wheel Falls, Payson

If you prefer to take your kids out in nature, a drive to Water Wheel Falls in Payson may be in order. The hike here is an interesting one as the trail goes past, through, and up and around rocks until you start seeing a series of waterfalls along the river in the canyon. Swimming is certainly an option here, which is great during the spring and summer months. This is one of our favorite spots in the state.

My kids have been to each one of these fun-filled places in Arizona. Whether you want to spend time outdoors or want to visit one of our amazing attractions, there are endless things to do with kids in Arizona. We think you'll love the options on this list, but if you're looking for more ideas, head over to our itinerary planner for recommendations!