Photo from Media File.
It’s still hot in August, so it’s time to pack as much fun into the rest of summer vacation. Staying cool, having fun and doing it on the cheap can be tough in Phoenix, but it’s not impossible. There are a lot of fun ways for kids to have a great summer vacation in Phoenix, both indoors and out, while on a budget.
Take a look at these kid-friendly ideas for cheap summer fun in Phoenix, and share your tips in the comments. How do you stay cool in the Phoenix summer heat?
Go Swimming at one of the City Pools
Swimming in Phoenix is a summer pastime, and no kid’s summer vacation in Phoenix is complete without at least a dip in a pool. Luckily for Phoenix kids, city pools are incredibly cheap and a ton of fun. Pools like Cortez and Pecos even rival the expensive water parks Phoenix is famous for, with splash pads and slides, at a mere fraction of the cost. Kids swim for FREE, adults $3 and seniors $1. Click here to find your nearest pool.
Visit Playtopia in Chandler
At Playtopia in Chandler, kids can play for free at one of three different “lands”: Farm Land, City Land, and Critter Land, where kids can play on a massive Gila monster. Playtopia has ramadas, picnic tables, and plenty of shade to escape the heat. Go early for the coolest weather and then cool off under the shade.
Visit Tempe Town Lake
While you can’t swim in Tempe Town Lake, there are plenty of other fun, cheap things to do on or near the lake. Bring your bikes to Tempe Beach Park for an early morning or evening ride or take an early morning walk around the lake. There is boating on the lake; boats can be rented for a charge.
Visit a Skate Park
Almost every Phoenix neighborhood has a skate park, like Desert West Skateboard Plaza in Phoenix, FREE to use. Find the one closest to you here, early morning or in the evening.
Photo from Media File.
Sign up for Summer Reading Challenges
Visit a public library and sign up for the summer reading program. People of all ages, including “pre-readers” and adults, can sign up for a reading program. As kids complete reading milestones, they’re entered to win some fun prizes. Adults are rewarded with a giveaway as well. For more information about summer reading programs at libraries around the Valley, click here.
Go Out Early Morning or Evening to the Botanical Gardens
The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix is one of the most beautiful places to visit year-round. Beat the heat and go early to the Desert Botanical Garden for free on the second Tuesday of each month from 7 am to 8 pm (summer hours).
Try Flashlight Nights at DBG during June through September.
Visit the Phoenix Zoo at a Discount
Did you know the Phoenix Zoo offers discounts for students and AAA members? Those discounts, and more, can be found here. Summer hours for the Phoenix Zoo are 7 am to 1 pm daily.
Picnic at Encanto Park
Encanto Park is a 222-acre park with so much more than picnic areas. Encanto Park has a lagoon, nature trail, urban fishing and more, so you’ll find plenty to do before and after your picnic by the lake.
Visit the rides and attractions at Enchanted Island at Encanto Park. Admission is free, but rides cost. Find information on ride tickets, here.
Summer Movie Fun Inside
Want to see movies as a discount this summer? Check out Harkins’ and AMC’s summer movie series. See them all or just catch a few, all indoors under the air conditioning. For more information and locations, click here.
Pottery Painting
As You Wish Pottery has a summer program for kids. Paint on pottery to create masterpieces for the home. Each class is $25. For more information and dates, click here.
Petting Zoo at Superstition Farm
Just outside of Phoenix, Superstition Farm offers a Petting Zoo, Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. for $4 per person. For more information, click here*. (This site is temporarily down, Phoenix on the Cheap will update the link as soon as possible.)
Get Building at Home Depot
Home Depot offers a variety of classes for kids to take, including a make-your-own wooden tic-tac-toe game and more. If you’re looking for ways to teach your children to be handy, Home Depot’s kid’s classes are a great way to start out. For more information, including dates and registration information, click here.
Jam at the Musical Instrument Museum
One of Phoenix’s most beautiful and interactive museums, the MIM offers family workshops throughout the summer. Bring children, ages 0 – 4 to MIMkids Mini Music Makers, a fun early childhood introduction to multiple sound instruments. Think about taking your teen, grades 6 – 12 to train as a MIM Junior Museum Guide.
Check the MIM’s Kid’s & Family Calendar for details and check out what else they have in store for your family this summer. For more information about the MIM, click here.
First Friday at Phoenix Children’s Museum
The Phoenix Children’s Museum is FREE every first Friday of the month from 5 to 9 pm. Don’t miss the Climber play structure and the Noodle Forest. For more FREE days at local museums, click here.
Take Them Out to the Ball Game
The Arizona Diamondbacks‘ schedule is in full swing during the summer, which means plenty of opportunities to take your kids to an afternoon game at matinee prices or go for the theme days, like Star Wars Day or Baxter’s Birthday.
An even better deal is to sign up your kids for the Diamondbacks Kids Club, members get a FREE ticket to Sunday home games.
Community Perk Pass
Such a deal – Purchase a Community Perk Pass, which is a 12 month pass for local attractions, services, and food adding up to an actual value of over $1200. The Community Perk Pass sells for $41.49, which is a great deal. Check this out:
Get BIG discounts on attractions like a free visit to Sky Zone Trampoline Park, one free class and free membership at Goldfish Swim School, discounts at Cookie Karma, and much much more. What other discounts are available with a Community Perk Pass, click here to find out.
To purchase a Community Perk Pass, visit this site.
Any free or cheap activities for kids that we missed? Let us know in the comments below, and we’ll update this post.
