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
Get details for all the free events listed below, plus more, on our FREE family fun calendar HERE. Bookmark it, as we’re always adding more free fun to it!
- Sunsets at the Splashpad with East Valley Moms & Swimhaus | RSVP for these free parties HERE
- Popsicle Pop Up Parties at the Splashpads with East Valley Moms & Swimhaus | RSVP for these free parties HERE
- Stuff Swap meetups with East Valley Moms | Bring your hand-me-downs and go home with new-to-you clothes | RSVP HERE
- Kids Bowl Free: Sign up here for two free bowling games at Main Event Gilbert every day this summer!
- Summer Movie Nights at Mesa Libraries
- Skate Party at the downtown Mesa Plaza |June 6
- Mesa Public Schools summer movie fun series | every Friday in June
- Library storytimes and classes
- Dive in Movies at the PoolsThe SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” (PG) | Friday, June 12, 6:30-10 p.m. | Escalante Pool
- Great Arizona Puppet Theater Presents: My Pet Dinosaur @ Chandler Library – Sunset branch | June 27
- Story time with Bear (2nd Fridays)
- STEAM Stations at Chandler Libraries (Thursdays, June 12 & 26)
- Kids-Code at Mesa Libraries (first Tuesdays of the month)
- 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
- Summer Night at SuperPlay discounted play night for families ($10/kid including grip socks, free for adults) on June 19 RSVP here
- New release movies are just $5 every Tuesday at FatCats (we love the Gilbert location on Greenfield & Baseline)
- Wednesdays at FatCats is 1/2 off bowling, arcade play and glow golf, making your budget go twice as far. Details HERE
- Rock wall climbing and game room at Red Mountain Center
- Vacation Bible Schools
- 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!)
- idea Museum: One of the best children’s museums in the entire Valley, and one of the best values for an indoor attraction ($10/person) Tickets HERE
- A summer circus at the Mesa Arts Center! Circus Farm is for kids, and tickets for a circus in the air conditioning start at just $16! Details HERE
- Ride the ferris wheel at SCHEEL’S Chandler ($1/ride, or FREE with your GetOut Arizona Pass; use code EVMBLOG for the lowest price)
Our Favorite Memberships/Classes for summer
- Getout Arizona Pass: One annual pass that provides FREE admission to attractions from Sunsplash to KTR to FatCats. Use code “EVMBLOG” 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: See our full review of the new remodel here.
- 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
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!
