13 Things to Do in Arizona With Kids

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Arizona is not just known for the Grand Canyon and cacti but for incredibly diverse and breathtaking scenery.

The country’s sixth-biggest state is filled with stunning rock formations, deep history, iconic structures, and many fun family activities and things to do with kids any day, any time.

Young children can enjoy splash pads, unique attractions, and children’s museums, while older kids can enjoy water parks, science centers, gaming spots, and cool outdoor activities.

Arizona’s natural beauty provides plenty of opportunities for your children to enjoy the parks and everything they offer, including family-friendly trails and scenic views.

13 Things to Do in Arizona With Kids

Whether it’s your first time visiting Arizona or you simply want to explore your state, Arizona is an excellent place to visit with kids.

Here are some places and things you can do with kids in Arizona.

1. Hop Aboard the Grand Canyon Railway

If you’re not from Arizona, you must’ve heard about the Grand Canyon.

That’s why it’s not surprising many people want to visit here.

If you’re coming with kids, it’s best to head to the Grand Canyon Railway.

The Grand Canyon Railway is one of the most fascinating things to do in Arizona with young kids and toddlers.

You’ll ride the classic rail cars together with cowboy characters with Western musicians providing entertainment.

The train departs from Williams and moves to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

That means you have a few hours to explore the Grand Canyon and the Historical Village before returning to the train for another scenic journey back to the starting point in Williams.

2. Explore the Sonora Desert Museum

Your Arizona tour with kids is incomplete without exploring the Sonora Desert Museum.

This family-friendly place has plenty of attractive features, such as a natural history museum, an art gallery, an aquarium, a botanical garden, and a zoo.

Your children will have plenty to do and see as they move from one section to another.

The museum perfectly showcases everything unique and magical about the Sonoran Desert with fantastic and informative displays.

The Hummingbird Aviary highlights for children allow them to view the hummingbirds move playfully around the air.

You can spend at least three hours here exploring both outdoor and indoor exhibits.

Don’t forget to bring your hats, water, and sunscreen if you visit during the hot weather.

Some outdoor paths can be too rough, but most are stroller friendly.

3. Take a Rim Spirit Helicopter Tour

Treat your kids to a helicopter tour for a better view of the magnificent landscape of the Grand Canyon.

The 45-minute thrilling aerial escapade provides tons of pleasant memories.

As you move above the Grand Canyon, you will be treated to a fantastic bird’s eye view of the Kaibab National Forest, the Dragon Corridor, and the Painted Desert.

This is a safe and comfortable educational experience not just for the kids but for the entire family as well.

4. Learn About the Past at the Arizona Museum of Natural History

Do you have kids who are obsessed with learning history, culture, and science?

Arizona is dotted with many science museums with kid-friendly activities and hands-on learning for your little one.

One of these unique destinations is the Arizona Museum of Natural History.

This place offers hands-on learning, beautiful displays, and kid-friendly activities about the natural and cultural history of the Southwest.

Your child will also learn about the native peoples of the past, including Desert Cultures, the Hohokam, and the Paleoindians.

Other awesome features for children include Dinosaur Mountain.

Live animals around the area include the Gila monster and the soft-shelled turtle.

If your child has sensory processing disabilities or autism, the museum offers sensory guides online and in galleries to help during the visit.

5. Explore Under the Sea at OdySea Aquarium

If your child enjoys visiting aquariums, head to OdySea Aquarium, which provides an indoor, kid-friendly experience.

The aquarium features the OdySea Voyager, which is a rotating exhibit that takes you on an interactive journey through the ocean.

You can travel down a fully enclosed glass escalator into the deep blue ocean and watch sharks and other sea animals, including rays and turtles, as they swim above, below, and around you.

You also get to see adorable penguins, otters, and other interactive exhibits for kids.

This aquarium is also a certified autism center, meaning that it offers resources for visitors with autism and other sensory differences.

6. Camp at the Dead Horse Ranch State Park

Everyone loves camping, especially with family during summer.

It provides an excellent opportunity for bonding and connecting.

If you’re looking for a place to camp with kids, visit the Dead Horse Ranch State Park.

This park provides a comfortable way to have fun in a camping-style experience without sleeping on the ground.

The mini logo cabins provide comforts like cooling, heating, and electricity while maintaining their outdoor charm.

Families can enjoy an evening under the stars, telling stories and roasting marshmallows over a blazing fire.

There are fishing spots, walking, and biking trails, and plenty of natural beauty waiting to be explored.

7. Visit the Children’s Museum of Phoenix

Your tour should include a trip to the Children’s Museum if you’re in Phoenix.

This place provides a range of activities for your child when it’s raining.

Like most children’s museums, this museum offers incredible hands-on exhibits that spark their enthusiasm and curiosity for learning.

There are plenty of games and activities suitable for different ages that allow them to create, explore, learn, and use their imagination and creativity skills.

Children of all ages are welcome except teenagers.

8. Take an Off-road Segway tour

Parents with teenagers will be delighted to take their children to the Scottsdale off-road segway that offers exceptional, memorable adventures for teenagers in the Phoenix area.

It’s a unique, fun experience that will give you a close-up look at the Sonoran Desert’s beguiling plants and animals.

Did we mention that there’s a tour of the famous Fort McDowell Reservation, which is the primary dwelling of Yavapai?

9. Watch Wildlife from Africa at Camp Verde

If you’ve been to Africa, you probably know about elephants, lions, Buffalo, leopards, Rhinoceros, and other big animals.

Now you don’t have to go to Africa to see these animals as some of them are in Camp Verde.

Offering a state of Africa, this wildlife haven is home to several beautiful and exotic free-roaming animals like giraffes and zebras.

That means you will be taken on a safari ride in the park to view the animals, and you’ll be accompanied by an expert guide to teach you more about the animals and share some exciting facts and information about them.

The park also includes entertaining live animal shows and fun places for kids like Tiger Splash.

For children who like animals and want to learn as much as possible, this is a great place to be.

10. Soar in a Hot Air Balloon in Phoenix

Flying in a hot air balloon is a unique activity that your children may enjoy.

It’s also an excellent way to appreciate the state’s natural beauty and create a lasting memory together.

Various companies in Arizona offer hot air balloon flights at sunrise and sunset to help you and your kids get panoramic views.

You can get one of these flights just outside Phoenix. Rules vary among companies.

Very young children are not allowed to fly, so be sure to keep that in mind when visiting.

11. Soak in the Beauty of Tucson’s Catalina State Park

Catalina State Park is a precious part of Arizona’s wilderness worth introducing your children to.

Children who love nature will enjoy soaking into the beauty of the landscape here, with over 5,000 acres to explore.

The park offers plenty of recreational activities and outdoor fun for kids and adults.

You can go biking, hiking, camping, or horseback riding at the beautiful park, enjoying the views.

The park also provides year-round family-friendly events, including family campouts, geology walks, and jazz concerts.

12. Experience the Scenic Jeep Wrangler Ride

If you’re looking for a comfortable and safe way to see the grandeur of Arizona’s natural landscape with your kids, look no further.

Take a tour with the amazing Jeep Wrangler in Sedona and enjoy an extraordinary experience.

As you soak through the region’s natural and rugged terrain, you’ll see part of the world’s most spectacular ethereal formations.

The tour is educational for young kids, with a savvy guide sharing fun and informative tidbits about the area.

If you are staying in a hotel nearby, you don’t need to use your rented vehicle, as the tour includes hotel pickups for families.

13. Visit the Old West Tombstone

Don’t leave Arizona without checking out the legendary and authentic Old West town of Tombstone.

You can stroll the dusty streets once used by watching cowboys reenact dramatic gunfights, Doc Holliday, and Wyatt Earp.

The local museums also have a lot to tell and give a glimpse of life in the 1800s.

You can take a local history tour via the stagecoach.

It’s also worth knowing that you can take underground tours of the region’s ancient silver mine.

You can also take tours and long guided trail rides on horseback which are locally available.

For spooky enthusiasts, there are paranormal and ghost tours as well.

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Arizona Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Arizona Safety Review

Safety Index:

86

• OVERALL RISK: LOW
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
• MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
• TERRORISM RISK: LOW
• SCAMS RISK: LOW
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW