Today we’re sharing all our favorite summer activities for kids in Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona.
If you haven’t been, it’s just about three hours from Phoenix and the East Valley and an amazing escape from triple digit temps (in the fall, it’s ideal for chasing fall leaves, and in the winter it’s a gateway to skiing and snowboarding). For a year round list of recommended activities, check out this post.
Keep reading for our favorite activities in and surrounding Pinetop-Lakeside and where we stayed during a recent visit.
XO,
East Valley Moms
Where to stay in Pinetop Lakeside with Kids
We stayed at the Arizona Stone Cabin vacation rental and loved the property and all the amenities they offer.
First, this easily can accommodate two families: there’s three bedrooms plus a loft that just on it’s own sleeps six, so would be so fun for kids to all pile in there while parents and an older sibling gets their own rooms.
For me, location is everything and Arizona Stone Cabin is minutes away from some of our favorite Pinetop Lakeside activities.
The property backs up to open forest (but has a fence!), has a wrap around porch, a second story porch and a garage game room with every game to keep kids entertained: three vintage arcade games, air hockey, ping pong, corn hole and an entire couch and tv so that parents can take over the full living room and kids can be kids separately.
The bathrooms are upgraded and new, the mattresses were comfy, the sheets were soft and it was just easy here.
Raptor Show at White Mountain Nature Center
Offered every day, except Mondays, the White Mountain Nature Center offers a 3 p.m. raptor training show for FREE where families can see four birds (falcon, hawk, crow and eagle owl) in their trainings and learn all about them.
The exhibit is entertaining and informative, and kept my four year old and I entertained.
The nature center also offers other free programs for families:
- NatureSTEAM workshops at the library every Thursday from 1:15 – 2:45 p.m.
- Guided hikes are free for families every Saturday in the summer, from 8:30 – 10 a.m.; hikes are approximately a mile and each week focuses on a different topic
Picnic at the barn
Pack a picnic lunch and head to Show Low’s Meadow Trail for a creekside walk and picnic in the barn.
By the parking lot, families can picnic in the brown barn. Clean and in the shade, this barn offers three picnic tables and restrooms for families looking for a free fun afternoon. The Meadow Trail is paved and runs along side a creek, with a few fishing piers if you want to bring a kids fishing pole.
Woodland Lake for Kids
Woodland Lake Park offers it all: Ducks, a great playground, fishing, paved mile loop around the lake and a nearly half mile “snake” of painted rocks the community they lovingly call Sadie.
Mom tips:
- Pack paint for rock painting so you can add to Sadie the snake!).
- There’s restrooms here (right by the playground)
Show Low Aquatic Center
Open year round, this indoor pool has a water slide, pool basketball, zero depth entry and spray fountain, plus hot tub for parents.
Admission is $2 for kids and $3.50 for adults.
This is one of those ‘back pocket’ activities when your kids need a little more activity but outdoor adventures need a break.
We love it here and seem to end up here for at least a few hours every time we’re in town.
The House, Show Low
The House is backyard bar that’s family friendly for kids to run around in the grass, play and be loud while parents enjoy a scratch kitchen, backyard bar drinks and live music. Plus, there’s an ice creamery on site for your sweet tooth.
Check their events calendar for live music schedule, but we went for Sunday brunch and stayed for three hours. It’s one of those magic restaurants that everyone is happy to be at, and time stands still.
Sunrise Ski Scenic Lift Rides
We missed this by a week of their summer opening, but we’ve heard fun things about riding the ski lift in the summer months for amazing views. The ride is about 7 minutes and takes you more than 1000 vertical feet.
Other summer activities at the lift include a zip line, the alpine coaster (opening this summer!), and other big kid attractions including a two and three story airbag jump.
