Summer break may be staring us down, and for some of us, that anxious feeling of dread: how will we keep the kids entertained (and indoors) all summer long?!
Here’s 50+ ideas on summer break activities to keep your kids busy, your budget on track and hopefully a little cool.
XO,
East Valley Moms
Free activities
- Kid’s Club at Superstition Springs Mall (second and fourth Thursdays)
- Kids Bowl Free: Sign up here for two free bowling games at Main Event Gilbert every day this summer!
- Library storytimes and classes
- Cornerstone story time (4th Friday every month)
- Story time with Bear (2nd Fridays)
- Lawn Games Indoors for Kids at Chandler Libraries
- LEGO Club (third Saturday of the month) at Mesa Libraries
- CinePark May Movie Series
- Look at the Stars at the Observatory, Friday and Saturday evenings from sunset to 9:30 PM
- Home Depot Kids Club (1st Saturday of the month; pre-registration recommended)
- Lowe’s Kids Club (3rd Saturday of the month)
- Tempe Time Machine, a museum experience that changes weekly (Wednesdays in June- July, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
Budget-friendly drop-in Indoor activities
- Harkins Summer Movie Club (fun if you plan these with a group of friends!)
- Rock wall climbing and game room at Red Mountain Center
- VBS
- Our Favorite East Valley Open Gyms
- Wiggle worms in Gilbert (every Monday, Wednesday & Friday in the summer) (nearly free)
- Play place play date at Chikfila or McDonalds (old school, but overlooked!)
- Get a free ice cream for kids under 40 inches tall at Bruster’s ice Cream in Chandler (details here)
- Ride the ferris wheel at SCHEEL’S Chandler ($1/ride)
Our Favorite Memberships/Classes for summer
- Pogo Pass: One annual pass that provides FREE admission to attractions from Sunsplash to KTR to Fat Cats. Use code “eastvalleymoms” for the best price on the pass.
- Kidstrong Gilbert: Burns energy while providing kids with character development (ages 1-11).
- Kindermusik at the Musik Box: Membership includes parents night out, a “day camp” parents day out and weekly story times. Get $20 off your first month if you mention East Valley Moms
- Idea Museum
- Odysea Aquarium (if your kids love the zoo, this is an ideal alternative for summer!)
- Edna Vihel Arts Center classes in Tempe
- 5 Indoor Activities to Help You Survive the Summer with with 5-10 Year Olds
- Indoor Memberships to Help You Survive Summer with Kids Ages 0-4
Home activities
- Disney Family Date Night: Moana
- Disney Family Date Night: Lilo and Stitch
- Disney Family Date Night: Coco
- Disney Family Date Night: Up!
- March Disney Family Date Night: Inside Out
- Spa day at home EVM’s Guide to the Ultimate Spring Break Staycation at Home
Water play
- Swim lessons (Swimhaus is our favorite local swim school)
- The 5 Best East Valley Public Pools for Kids ($2 admission)
- Tubing the Salt River with Kids
- Dive in movies at local city pools
- FlowRider Surfing at Rhodes Pool
- Beach play at Sheep’s Crossing at the Salt River
- Dive in movie at home Birthday Bash: Dive in Movie Party (Almost!)
- 5 Practical Pool Safety Tips from a local Gilbert swim school
- Local Arizona Splash Pads: Tips for Fun in the Sun
- Backyard Water Play Ideas if You Don’t Have a Pool
- Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center This is like a water park, but on a city pool price!
- Splash Pad at Mansel Carter Oasis Park Splash Pad Party July 12
Day trips
- Daytripping to Strawberry: Kid Edition
- Daytrips we love: Prescott
- Day Trips We Love: Tucson
- Day trip: Tonto Fish Hatchery & Christopher Creek with Kids
- Day Trips We Love: Tonto Natural Bridge
- 6 Family Friendly Hikes in Cooler Weather to beat the AZ Heat
- Exploring Arizona: Winslow, Ariz. and the Petrified Forest with Kids
Weekend trips
- Staycation Escape Local: Staycation Options in Your Own Backyard
- Explore Arizona: A Southern AZ, All-Inclusive, Dude Ranch for the Family
- Top-camping-spots-families-arizona
- Best Family-Friendly Phoenix Resort Staycations for Summer
- Explore Arizona: Where to stay in Payson with kids
- Things to do in Greer, Arizona with kids this summer
- Is Great Wolf Lodge Worth it for Toddlers?
- Explore Arizona: a 24 Hour Northern Ariz. Turnaround Trip with Kids
- Exploring Arizona: Late Summer in Show Low, a Family Weekend Guide
- Explore Arizona: Page With Toddlers
- Let Them Be Big: Why I Let My Teenager Go on a Trip with Friends (and no parents!)
- Tombstone, Arizona – on our list for this summer!
- Jerome, Arizona – on our list for this summer!