Best Places to Visit in Arizona with Kids (Family-Friendly Guide)

Arizona is one of our go-to destinations for family travel. I’ve visited Arizona with my kids about five different times over the years, most often using the Phoenix area as our home base.

What I love most is how easy and flexible Arizona feels for families. Great weather, tons to do, outdoor space everywhere, and activities that work for a mix of ages.

It also helps that we can often find affordable flights. From Des Moines, we can fly direct to both the Phoenix—Mesa Gateway and Sky Harbor airports, which makes this destination especially doable for Midwest families.

Most of our trips are centered around Phoenix and the surrounding cities, with easy add-on trips to places like Sedona and Tucson.

This guide shares the best places we’ve visited across Arizona and how they can fit together into one realistic family trip.

If you are looking for a warm-weather destination that feels fun, flexible, and doable with kids, Arizona is one I always recommend.

For families looking to escape colder weather, I also share other family-friendly winter destinations that work well with kids.

Phoenix and Scottsdale Area

Phoenix and the surrounding communities (Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert) are where we spend most of our time when we visit Arizona, and where I recommend most families start when planning their trip.

If you’re focusing your trip here, I share a full breakdown of Phoenix, Mesa, and Scottsdale with kids in a separate guide.

It’s one of those places where family trips just work. Great weather, lots to do, kid-friendly restaurants, and plenty of ways to balance adventure with downtime.

Here are a few reasons we keep coming back.

1. Unique Parks and Playgrounds

This area has some of the best playgrounds we have experienced anywhere. Truly.

You could build an entire trip around parks alone.

Two favorites

• Riverview Park (Mesa)
  Located near the Cubs’ Spring Training facility, this park has massive climbing structures, playgrounds for multiple ages, splash pad, wide open space to run, and trail around a small lake.

• Inspirian Peak Park (Mesa)
  Located about 10-12 minutes from Mesa Gateway airport, this park features a unique hillside playground with multi-level play areas, bridges, and steep slides built into the terrain.

These are the kind of places where kids can play hard while parents actually enjoy being there too!

2. Family-Friendly Attractions

There is no shortage of things to do in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area. You can easily mix outdoor adventures with low-key activities and never feel bored.

Some of our family-favorites include:

• Hiking to Hole in the Rock in Papago Park
• Phoenix Zoo
• Desert Botanical Garden
• Exploring Old Town Scottsdale
• Goldfield Ghost Town in Apache Junction
• Riding the train at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
• Hot air balloon rides (better with older kids)
• Spring training games (seasonal)

3. Great Places to Eat with Kids

We are creatures of habit when we travel, and Phoenix has become one of those places where we return to our favorite restaurants on every trip.

Some spots we love:

• Joe’s Farm Grill  (Gilbert)
• Oregano’s Pizza (multiple locations)
• Sugar Bowl (Old Town Scottsdale) – classic ice cream shop vibes
• Organ Stop Pizza (Mesa) – pizza + ice cream + live organ music = very memorable for kids

4. Easy Day Trips from Phoenix

Phoenix also works well as a home base because you can add on simple day trips without changing hotels.

Two popular options:

• Sedona (about 2 hours)
• Tucson (about 1 hour and 45 minutes)

Sedona

If you are using Phoenix as your home base, Sedona is one of the easiest and most rewarding trips to add to your Arizona itinerary.

It works well as a day trip, but it is also a beautiful place to stay for a few nights if you prefer a slower pace and more time to explore.

Here are some of the best things to do in Sedona with kids.

1. Chapel of the Holy Cross

One of my favorite places to visit in Sedona, this chapel is directly built into the red rocks and offers incredible views.

It is open daily from 9am-5pm and admission is free.

Most families will spend about 30-40 minutes here. 

Parking can get busy, and there is a short uphill walk to reach the chapel, so wear comfortable shoes.

2. Pink Jeep Tours

Pink Jeep Tours are one of the most well-known experiences in Sedona, and a fun way to see the red rocks while learning about the area.

Tours range from about 90 minutes to four hours.

For families with younger kids, I would stick closer to the two-hour option.

3. Uptown Sedona

Uptown Sedona is walkable and perfect for wandering with the family while soaking in the views.

You will find lots of shops, restaurants, and local art. We usually like to grab a casual meal here and enjoy eating outside when the weather is nice.

One easy option is Canyon Breeze, which has balcony seating overlooking the canyon plus an attached ice cream shop. Always a win with kids.

4. Sedona Heritage Museum

This small museum offers a glimpse into Sedona’s history and features several interesting exhibits.

One highlight is the old Telegraph Office, which was once used as a movie set in dozens of western films.

Pricing (always check current hours and rates):

• Kids under 13: free
• Adults: $10

5. Red Rock State Park

Located about a 20 minutes from Uptown Sedona,  Red Rock State Park is a great spot for easy hikes, wildlife viewing, picnics, and exploring the visitor center.

The visitor center has hands-on exhibits, information about ranger programs for kids, and a small gift shop.

Entrance fees:

• Adults (14+): $10
• Kids (7-13): $5
• Kids 6 and under: free

Sedona also offers plenty of family-friendly hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals, depending on your travel style and budget.

Tucson

Tucson is another destination that pairs well with a Phoenix-based Arizona trip, especially if your family enjoys nature, museums, and national parks.

It works well as a short add-on stop or as a destination of its own if you want a slower-paced trip focused on outdoor experiences.

Here are some of the best things to do with kids in Tucson:

1. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

This is one of those places that feels like several attractions rolled into one, with animal exhibits, desert gardens, hands-on displays, and even a newer indoor kids’ area called Packrat Playhouse.

Most of the museum is outdoors, so plan for comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and plenty of water.

It’s easy to spend a few hours here, and many families stay most of the day.

2. Pima Air and Space Museum

Located about a 20 minutes outside of Tucson, this museum features an impressive collection of aircraft displayed both outdoors and inside multiple hangars.

Kids who enjoy planes will especially love this stop.

There is also an onsite restaurant called Flight Grill with views of some of the aircraft, making it a convenient lunch option during your visit.

3. Children’s Museum of Tucson

We always enjoy visiting children’s museums when we travel, and this one is worth adding to your Tucson itinerary.

It offers hands-on exhibits designed for younger kids and is a fun way to mix in some indoor time.

4. Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park is home to the iconic saguaro cacti that many people picture when they think of Arizona.

One family-friendly way to experience the park is the Desert Discovery Trail, a short, paved path where visitors can see the towering cacti up close without needing to tackle a long hike.

The park is a great option for families who want an easy nature stop, scenic views, and another national park to add to their growing list.

This is high on our list for a future Arizona trip.

5. Sabino Canyon Crawler

The Sabino Canyon Crawler is a narrated tram ride that takes visitors through the scenic Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, making it a fun and relaxed way to experience the desert landscape.

Families can ride the tram, hop off at different stops to explore at their own pace, and enjoy beautiful canyon views along the way.

Between experiences like this and a wide range of family-friendly hotels and resorts, Tucson makes it easy to balance sightseeing with downtime and pool time.

Arizona offers so many options for families, whether you want a trip that feels relaxed, adventure-filled, or a mix of both.

From using Phoenix as a home base to adding destinations like Sedona and Tucson, there are countless ways to build an Arizona family vacation that actually feels doable.

If you have flexibility with your dates and watch for flight deals, it is often possible to find affordable airfare and lodging, which makes Arizona an even more realistic destination for families.

Another bonus is how close everything is. Phoenix and Tucson are less than two hours apart, so you can fly into whichever airport has the best price and still easily reach your destination.

If you are looking to expand your Arizona itinerary even further, other popular family-friendly stops include:

• Grand Canyon
• Horseshoe Bend
• Antelope Canyon
• Flagstaff

If you are dreaming up your next trip, I hope this guide gave you helpful ideas and inspiration for planning a memorable Arizona vacation with kids.

When you’re ready to start planning, my complimentary Travel Itinerary Planner can help you organize the details and keep your trip feeling doable. Grab it below.

May you LOVE your adventure! KW