Today we’re sharing our favorite fun things to do with our school aged kids during winter break across the East Valley.
After the Christmas festivities wrap up and the “I’m bored” whining starts, we’ve got budget-friendly, screen-free fun that will keep kids entertained when their new holiday gifts are old news.
Before you keep reading: Several of us plan on using our Pogo Passes over winter break. Remember that if you do have a Pogo Pass that’s probably the best way to do a bunch of things for FREE. Your pass gets you FREE admission to a multitude of venues (a full review of the passes is in this blog post). And don’t forget to use code EASTVALLEYMOMS for the best pricing no matter what sale is currently available! Get your pass here.
This is the season we love living in the Valley–no snow, no 110 degree days, and we hope you enjoy exploring the East Valley with your kids this winter break!
XO,
East Valley Moms
Escapology Kids Edition: did you know that Escapology at San Tan Village offers a kid version of their rooms for kids ages 7-14? Here, kids get to lead the story, solve intricate puzzles and be the heroes they’ve always dreamed of becoming. It’s an age-appropriate challenge for young sleuths—and one found ONLY at Escapology. Kids can do this as a group, or with parents/caregivers.- Red Mountain Multigen Center Rock Climbing : Open for kids ages 4 years and older, the climbing wall at Red Mountain Multigenerational Center is an affordable alternative to climbing gyms, plus with a daily admission, kids can explore more than just climbing with the Youth Activity Center that offers access to billiards, foosball, music, video games, movies, board games, and more (must be 8 years or older to be in the youth activity room).
- Kids Empire: Contributor Britt’s best hack for a full day of play, day passes include re-entrys. For $15 per child (yep, alll day access including re-entry) and 2 adults free per paying child, this is the ultimate day of play in either Mesa or Gilbert.
- Pickup football, soccer or basketball with friends at a park: Try setting up a daily neighborhood football game for tweens and teens. Contributor Amanda’s two tweens did this over fall break and it was an easy, daily activity with no driving, no screens and kept the kids active during break. Her husband helps set it up with another football parent when he coached flag football a few years ago. They’ve keep in touch with this parent and are able to keep it going with the connections both families have.
Bowling or Glow Golf (FREE with pogo pass at Fat Cats): Free weekly games of both bowling and glow golf are included with Pogo Passes (check for weekend availability in the app). Plus each Fat Cat’s locations have a different themed glow golf, making it fun to visit all three across Queen Creek, Mesa and Gilbert. (Mesa is our favorite: UFO/alien themed.)- Go to an ASU gymnastics scrimmage (FREE with pogo pass): If you’ve got a kiddo in gymnastics, cheer or just a big ASU family, be sure to get FREE tickets to the December 18 scrimmage as ASU with your Pogo Pass. No pre-coordination required to redeem, simply show your app at the box office on game day!
- A day trip to see snow (our favorite spots shared here): Sharing our best sledding and snow play spots in Arizona (and information on each locations bathroom situation!) in this blog post.
- Krazy Air! Contributor Kira has the monthly pass for her three girls (worth its weight in GOLD). They can jump for two hours every day with the pass. She coordinates with friends and they can go get energy out. Krazy Air also has free wifi if you need to work while they jump.
- Hiking (our favorite kid-friendly trails here): Now that the weather is stunning, you can just head for the mountains! Pack water, your phone, good pair of tennis shoes and enjoy all the great hiking trails we have here in the East Valley and its surrounding areas. See the 6 Favorite East Valley Trails for Families.
- Indoor wave pool at Kiwanis: Winter waves returns to Kiwanis Indoor Pool Dec. 27-30. Splash in the indoor, heated pool, featuring 3 foot waves in varying patterns and daily “spirit days” from ugly sweater day to winter olympics. $5 for kids ages 2-12 years old.
Tortilla Flat: Only a 40 minute drive from the East Valley and boasting a population of six residents, this last surviving stagecoach stop is an easy day trip destination less than an hour away from most points in the East Valley. Tortilla Flat offers not only lessons in Arizona history (great set-up for Arizona’s statehood birthday in February), but also is a stunning backdrop to Arizona’s desert beauty. Here’s a full blog post with all the activities for kids (lots of them free) for making the most out of a day trip to Tortilla Flat.- Movie deals: Although there’s no ‘winter break movie series’ there’s some good deals midweek for movies. We’ve rounded up all the best deals here.
- Out of Africa day trip: A 90 minute drive to Camp Verde, but so much fun and it’s the perfect time of year for this outdoor adventure. In this blog post we share all our hacks for visiting the park, but there’s lots of free shows included in admission, including seeing tigers and lions get fed up close! You can take a tram ride (included in admission) or you can walk the park. Budget hack: Get $2 your general admission ticket if you buy online HERE. Remember…. if it’s your birthday month you can get FREE admission, too!
