MesaKidsGuide.com

Fun For the Whole Family   The Arizona Renaissance Festival is a medieval amusement park, a 12-stage theater, a 30-acre circus, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament and a feast -- all rolled into one non-stop, day-long family adventure!

   There is a tidal wave of fun at Breakers Water Park!!

   All aboard the Copper Spike, Arizona Eastern Railway's newest passenger train service, running roundtrips and one-ways from historic Broad Street in Globe, Arizona. Named for the copper mining region served by the railway, the Copper Spike departs Thursdays through Sundays from the original two-story depot built in 1916 and travels to the Apache Gold Casino Resort . The 90-minute round-trip excursion follows the same route that once brought travelers to the "Land of the Apache," nearly 100 years ago as they traveled from New Orleans to Los Angeles. Aboard the Copper Spike passengers can choose seating in a 1950s-era dome car - featuring a glass roof that provides views in all directions - coach cars or the restored Calumet Club car. Concessions are available on board. (less) ... (more)

Western Town and Steakhouse   Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse is Arizona's largest western themed attraction. Rawhide Steakhouse has earned an award-winning reputation as Arizona's family steakhouse. The menu celebrates the spirit and hospitality of its Western roots through traditional cooking and true hungry-cowboy portions. Enjoy the town and all that Rawhide has to offer, from the world renowned Steakhouse, to our unique shops, gunfights, stunt shows, shootin' gallery, gold panning, stagecoach rides, desert train ride, burro rides, live entertainment, Sundown Cookouts, a real blacksmith, and much more. We look forward to welcoming you to our 1880's western frontier town where the west is wild! (less) ... (more)

Arizona's Best Family Farm   Make this fall season unforgettable, come on over to Tolmachoff Farms and experience the ultimate holiday outing where there is something for the whole family: 6 acre family corn maze with a scarecrow theme (search for pieces of your map as you walk through), mini corn maze (perfect for little ones), petting zoo, train ride, hay pyramid, farm theme activities (corn grinder-grind corn to feed chickens), play area (corn box, adult/child pedal cart track) and much more. (less) ... (more)

   It's fall again at Vertuccio Farms and we will be hosting our 10th annual Harvest Festival and Corn Maze. Come and navigate through our 10 acre maze cut into the design of the Statue of Liberty. Along with the pumpkin patch, farm animals, hay maze,barrel train and bounce house, we have added the valley's one and only Pizza Farm. Come out and see how pizza is grown. Vertuccio Farm is located at 4011 S. Power Rd. in Mesa, Arizona. Please visit our web site for dates and times. (less) ... (more)

Fun For the Whole Family   The Arizona Renaissance Festival is a medieval amusement park, a 12-stage theater, a 30-acre circus, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament and a feast -- all rolled into one non-stop, day-long family adventure!

Tempe - Jan. 26-Feb. 3 and Phoenix Feb. 9-13   Circus Vargas, America's Favorite Big Top Circus, is bringing its blue and gold tent back to Arizona for the first time in many years with a limited two city engagement. Come see the all-new animal free show features death-defying feats, aerial artistry, hilarious clown antics and much more! Opening January 26 - February 6 in Tempe at the Arizona Mills and then in Phoenix at the Metrocenter Mall starting on February 9 - 13. Arrive 20 minutes early for the interactive pre-show, where children of all ages are invited into center ring for a crash course in circus skills! For tickets and show times visit our website or call us. (less) ... (more)

   Amazing Jakes is the first facility of it's kind to open in the Phoenix area. This all-indoor fun factory includes endless fun and activities along with the best pizza, pasta, and salad bar buffet in town!

Bowling Deals with AMF   Join the new AMF eClub and receive exclusive offers. Sign up online and receive great discounts and benefits delivered directly to your email. Its fast, its easy and signing up is FREE. Be the first to know about special events or deals offered by your local AMF center. Youll also get a special offer on your birthday. Sign up at amf.com. Sign up for M-club at your local center and receive a free game instantly on your mobile device. (less) ... (more)

   Phoenix's ONLY full service ice skating facility! Come Skate With Us!

   CrackerJax is Arizona's largest Family Fun & Sports Park with over 27 acres of excitement for kids of all ages

   Mesa Golfland/Sunsplash is Arizonas premier family fun park! With two parks at one great location, theres plenty of fun for everyone. Golfland is open year round with three award winning Miniature Golf courses, Laser Tag, Race Cars, Bumper Boats and over 200 arcade games. Sunsplash is the East Valleys favorite water park.

   The Kiwanis Recreation Center is owned and operated by the City of Tempe. This multi-purpose facility includes an indoor wave pool with spiral slide, full service snack bar, full size multi-use gymnasium, fifteen lighted tennis courts, outdoor sand volleyball courts, classrooms, and outdoor picnic areas. The center offers numerous activities for the community including instructional classes, sport camps and leagues, birthday parties and much more. (less) ... (more)

   The Arizona Museum for Youth (AMY) features art exhibits and hands-on activities that introduce children and their families to art and basic aesthetic principles. The Art Galleries change shows several times a year so there is always something new, and the museums diverse appeal ensures that your toddlers and 10-year-olds will have a great time! As part of the exhibits, a dynamic array of art classes, fun workshops and family programs are available to teach children about the power of creativity and self-expression. The museum also features ArtVille, an art town for kids under 4. AMY is open 10 a.m. 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 for kids 1 and over. Free for members. Please call or visit our website for current information. (less) ... (more)

   As a leader in all things from cotton to technology, the City of Chandler has a unique and fascinating past. Our museum presents this history from the first settlers, the Hohokam (300 B.C to 1450 A.D), through the development of the City of Chandler today. Special exhibits are featured in our temporary display gallery and change a few times a year so there is always something new to enjoy! Kids summer workshops and holiday events are ongoing. For updated information contact the Chandler Museum at 480-782-2717, or visit our website. Admission is free. Open Monday-Saturday, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. (less) ... (more)

Museum for Children and Families   Acting on the principle that learning is a joy, the Children's Museum of Phoenix mission is to engage the minds, muscles and imaginations of children and the grown-ups who care about them. With hands-on, interactive exhibits designed for children ages birth to 10, the Museum focuses on learning through play, with emphasis on early childhood education and school-readiness. The Childrens Museum of Phoenix is located at 215 N. 7th Street, downtown Phoenix, at the SE corner of 7th Street and Van Buren in the historic Monroe School Building. (less) ... (more)

   Nestled amid the red buttes of Papago Park, the Desert Botanical Garden hosts one of the worlds finest collections of desert plants. One of only 44 botanical gardens accredited by the American Association of Museums, this one-of-a-kind museum showcases 50 acres of beautiful outdoor exhibits. Home to 139 rare, threatened and endangered plant species from around the world, the Garden offers interesting and inspiring experiences to more than 300,000 visitors each year. Visit www.dbg.org to learn more. (less) ... (more)

Firefighting Museum   The Hall of Flame Fire Museum and the National Firefighting Hall of Heroes, located in Phoenix, Arizona, has almost an acre of fire history exhibits, with over 90 fully restored pieces of fire apparatus on display, dating from 1725 to 1969. Most of the exhibits are American, but we also have pieces from England, France, Austria, Germany, and Japan. The Hall of Flame sponsors the National Firefighting Hall of Heroes, which honors firefighters who have died in the line of duty or who have been decorated for heroism. (less) ... (more)

At The Arizona Mills Mall   The IMAX Theatre Arizona Mills is conveniently located at the Arizona Mills Mall. Treat your senses to the most powerful and involving movie experience yet created.

Conserving Wildlife Through Education   We are a non-profit organization dedicated to educating, rehabilitating and preserving native and non-native reptiles in Arizona. We trust that the information on our website will help you to learn more about us and how you can help in our conservation efforts.

   The Phoenix Zoo is one of the nations largest non profit zoological parks and has been named one of the TOP FIVE best zoos for children and families. In addition to our more than 1,200 animals, there's so much to explore every day at the Zoo including keeper talks, live animal encounter shows and more.

   First opened in 1984, the Wildlife Word Zoo & Aquarium features 66 developed acres with hundreds of animal exhibits, 5 ride attractions, 3 retail shops and several dining options. As home to Arizona's largest collection of wild animals, Wildlife World displays over 600 different species with more than 6,000 individual specimens. Popular attractions include: a lory parrot feeding three times a day, a giraffe feeding station, a baby animal nursery, the African Safari Train Ride, Wildlife Encounters educational shows, a stingray touch tank, the Verizon Skyride, a kangaroo walkabout, tide pool touch tanks, a log flume ride, and children's carousel, play area, and petting zoo. Notable species include: white tigers, sharks, otters, penguins, flamingos, giraffe, zebras, oryx, lions, ostrich, kangaroos, rhino, jaguar, some 20 varieties of primates, eels, stingrays, tropical fish, rare albino alligators and many more! New in 2011 - Dragon World. See giant reptiles like the state of Arizona's first saltwater crocodile -- the largest species of croc in the world. Plus, there will be monitors, iguanas, a 20-foot long & 200 lbs. python, Aldabra tortoises and more. New in Feb. 2012 our 4th Aquarium Gallery featuring otters & river monster fish from South America. Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium is located at the intersection of State Route 303 and Northern Avenue in Litchfield Park at 16501 W. Northern Ave. The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the aquarium is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Daytime admission to both the zoo and aquarium is $27.50 for adults and $14.25 for children 3 to 12 (plus state sales tax), children under three are free. Special reduced admission (after 5 p.m.) to the Aquarium only is $16.99 for adults and $8.99 for children 3 to 12 (plus state sales tax). (less) ... (more)

   Arizona Heat Elite Cheer Center offers tumbling classes, cheer training classes and hip hop dance classes for all ages 3 to adults. All interested students are able to take free trial class.

   The Arizona Museum for Youth (AMY) features art exhibits and hands-on activities that introduce children and their families to art and basic aesthetic principles. The Art Galleries change shows several times a year so there is always something new, and the museums diverse appeal ensures that your toddlers and 10-year-olds will have a great time! As part of the exhibits, a dynamic array of art classes, fun workshops and family programs are available to teach children about the power of creativity and self-expression. The museum also features ArtVille, an art town for kids under 4. AMY is open 10 a.m. 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 for kids 1 and over. Free for members. Please call or visit our website for current information. (less) ... (more)

Skills Training for Many Sports   Beginners Edge Sports Training welcomes all families to introduce their children as young as 18 months to sports. For 4+ years now B.E.S.T. has brought SoccerTots Arizona, Lil Sluggers Baseball and SlamDunkerz Basketball to communities around Arizona. Now in 2010 we are offering Blitz'Em Football - our newest offerings here in the Valley. Our focus has and will always be to introduce young children to sports in a non-league format and fun environment. Our goals are to get them introduced to the skills necessary to play in the world of competitive sports. Fun and learning is always stressed and parental involvement is encouraged. (less) ... (more)

A Football Program for Kids 3 to 13 Years   Blitz'Em Football is your child's non-league introduction to Grid Iron skills. We provide your children with the B.E.S.T. way to learn touch & flag football without getting sacked. We will coach your children in age appropriate classes and introduce the most basic skills for the youngest children (with parent participation) and more advanced strategies and complex skills for the older set through fun games & activities. Learn Passing, Receiving, Kicking, Cradling, Speed and Agility, Flag and Touch and Blocking(older kids). Our goal and focus during our 40-50 minute indoor & outdoor classes is to maintain an energetic and highly active setting. Your bring the age appropriately sized football, tee and a positive attitude, we bring the rest. (less) ... (more)

A Baseball Program for Kids 2 to Under 7 Years   An indoor program introducing children ages 2-5 to baseball. Lil Sluggers develops the important skills such as throwing, catching, hitting, and base running. Age appropriate equipment and games teach your child in a fun, exciting, and positive environment. Classes are one day a week for 45 minutes, maximum 6 per class.

A Basketball Program for Kids 2 to 12   SlamDunkerz Basketball is a new curriculum based Basketball program in Arizona! SlamDunkerz is one-of-a-kind and is brave enough to start children at the young age of 3 years old. Don't worry - SlamDunkerz teach children all the way to 12 years old. This fun and non-league, weekly SKILL BUILDING basketball program will get your kids exposed to all aspects of the game including: Ball Handling, Passing, Dribbling, Shooting, Defense, Jumping and the Triple Threat position. The goal and focus of SlamDunkerz is to maintain an energetic and highly active setting that will foster teamwork, individual goal setting and endurance coupled with the most important factor in sports: fun! Dont miss out on having fun as each class ends with a small sided scrimmage. (less) ... (more)

A Soccer Program For Kids 18 Months to 7 Years   A nationally acclaimed youth soccer program, reaches out to 11 Arizona communities.This non-competitive format for kid's ages 18 months to 7-years-old introduces soccer and the many skills it requires in a friendly environment focusing on fun.Classes are scheduled for one day a week for 50 minutes.

   SwimKids instructors teach survival in emergency situations. Students succeed with proven instruction designed by SwimKids and reinforced with consistent and constant learning. Students graduate from level to level with a mini Olympic ceremony to award there progress. Graduate up and be part of the SwimKids Swim Team.

   Phoenix's ONLY full service ice skating facility! Come Skate With Us!

   All Dynamics programs are run with the philosophy of creating a positive experience in a challenging class while creating success for each individual participant. Arizona Dynamics offers free trial classes to all new studentsplease come and let your child experience success!

   Arizona Heat Elite Cheer Center offers tumbling classes, cheer training classes and hip hop dance classes for all ages 3 to adults. All interested students are able to take free trial class.

Skills Training for Many Sports   Beginners Edge Sports Training welcomes all families to introduce their children as young as 18 months to sports. For 4+ years now B.E.S.T. has brought SoccerTots Arizona, Lil Sluggers Baseball and SlamDunkerz Basketball to communities around Arizona. Now in 2010 we are offering Blitz'Em Football - our newest offerings here in the Valley. Our focus has and will always be to introduce young children to sports in a non-league format and fun environment. Our goals are to get them introduced to the skills necessary to play in the world of competitive sports. Fun and learning is always stressed and parental involvement is encouraged. (less) ... (more)

A Football Program for Kids 3 to 13 Years   Blitz'Em Football is your child's non-league introduction to Grid Iron skills. We provide your children with the B.E.S.T. way to learn touch & flag football without getting sacked. We will coach your children in age appropriate classes and introduce the most basic skills for the youngest children (with parent participation) and more advanced strategies and complex skills for the older set through fun games & activities. Learn Passing, Receiving, Kicking, Cradling, Speed and Agility, Flag and Touch and Blocking(older kids). Our goal and focus during our 40-50 minute indoor & outdoor classes is to maintain an energetic and highly active setting. Your bring the age appropriately sized football, tee and a positive attitude, we bring the rest. (less) ... (more)

Child Care and Early Education   At Bright Horizons Family Centers, we recognize young children learn best through active interaction, physically & socially. Because the first three years are critical for brain and language development, our program for learning is focused on experientially-rich, developmentally-appropriate environments that respond to the creativity of children and teachers. Learning centers, embedded into our curriculum, result in experiences that encompass all the skills necessary for optimum development and success in school. Proud to be NAEYC accredited, we serve ages 6 weeks to 5 years. (less) ... (more)

If You Can Dream, You Can Draw...   If you can dream, you can draw! KidzArt is a fun, unique and confidence-building drawing program for preschoolers through seniors. Our mission at KidzArt is to provide kids of all ages with the opportunity to have art in their lives, increase their skills and knowledge of various art media, learn to draw using a proven method, and most of all, to have fun! Northern Arizona locations: Flagstaff, Prescott Valley, Prescott, Cottonwood, Sedona (less) ... (more)

A Baseball Program for Kids 2 to Under 7 Years   An indoor program introducing children ages 2-5 to baseball. Lil Sluggers develops the important skills such as throwing, catching, hitting, and base running. Age appropriate equipment and games teach your child in a fun, exciting, and positive environment. Classes are one day a week for 45 minutes, maximum 6 per class.

Music Education   Music Works Academy, Ltd. is a private music school offering year-round instruction in piano, guitar, voice and beginning strings as well as the PRELUDE Piano Program for young children. A Music Education Computer Lab is an integral part of the piano curriculum during the academic school year.

A Basketball Program for Kids 2 to 12   SlamDunkerz Basketball is a new curriculum based Basketball program in Arizona! SlamDunkerz is one-of-a-kind and is brave enough to start children at the young age of 3 years old. Don't worry - SlamDunkerz teach children all the way to 12 years old. This fun and non-league, weekly SKILL BUILDING basketball program will get your kids exposed to all aspects of the game including: Ball Handling, Passing, Dribbling, Shooting, Defense, Jumping and the Triple Threat position. The goal and focus of SlamDunkerz is to maintain an energetic and highly active setting that will foster teamwork, individual goal setting and endurance coupled with the most important factor in sports: fun! Dont miss out on having fun as each class ends with a small sided scrimmage. (less) ... (more)

A Soccer Program For Kids 18 Months to 7 Years   A nationally acclaimed youth soccer program, reaches out to 11 Arizona communities.This non-competitive format for kid's ages 18 months to 7-years-old introduces soccer and the many skills it requires in a friendly environment focusing on fun.Classes are scheduled for one day a week for 50 minutes.

Noncompetitive sports instruction for children 16 months - 12 years old!   Professionally trained Sportball instructors teach children age 16 months up to 12 years old the fundamental skills necessary to excel in floor hockey, baseball, basketball, football, soccer, tennis, volleyball and golf. Since 1995, Sportball classes have promoted healthy, active lifestyles for thousands of children. Find Sportball at a park, recreation center or school near you. Sportball birthday parties, and weekly classes, camps and clinics are non-competitive, high-energy, creative and fun! VISIT US @ WWW.SPORTBALL.US (less) ... (more)

Skating   Roller & In-line Skating, Fun for all ages! Skate to today's most popular music Skate area for toddlers and beginners Skating is GREAT exercise! Burn 350+ calories every hour!

   All YMCA Youth Sports programs are based on the YMCAs Everybody Plays, Everybody Wins! philosophy. No matter what your childs age or ability, he or she will learn character values, sportsmanship, and valuable new skills as a member of YMCA Youth Sports:

Salt River Arizona Spring Whitewater Rafting Adventure!   Like all rivers, the Salt River has unique characteristics. It's outstanding beauty and grandeur are partly a result of it's location on the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau. The Salt River is host to a vast quantity of plants, animals and birdlife that depend on it's varied ecosystem to survive and thrive. It offers an outstanding recreational opportunity with it's many world class rapids and stunning biological diversity. The Salt River Canyon is truly one of the southwest's hidden treasures . The Salt is a class III and IV whitewater river that drops an average 25 feet per mile for over 50 miles through rocky, inaccessible canyons. It flows through oak and juniper woodlands down into striking Lower Sonoran desert vegetation with its giant multi-armed saguaro cactus and profusion of cactus of every description. Several side canyons reveal oasis-like microhabitats that are a moist reprieve from the prickly cactus environment. Excellent scenic riverside campsites are abundant and accessible only by raft. (less) ... (more)

   The Kiwanis Recreation Center is owned and operated by the City of Tempe. This multi-purpose facility includes an indoor wave pool with spiral slide, full service snack bar, full size multi-use gymnasium, fifteen lighted tennis courts, outdoor sand volleyball courts, classrooms, and outdoor picnic areas. The center offers numerous activities for the community including instructional classes, sport camps and leagues, birthday parties and much more. (less) ... (more)

Arizona's Best Family Farm   Make this fall season unforgettable, come on over to Tolmachoff Farms and experience the ultimate holiday outing where there is something for the whole family: 6 acre family corn maze with a scarecrow theme (search for pieces of your map as you walk through), mini corn maze (perfect for little ones), petting zoo, train ride, hay pyramid, farm theme activities (corn grinder-grind corn to feed chickens), play area (corn box, adult/child pedal cart track) and much more. (less) ... (more)

   All YMCA Youth Sports programs are based on the YMCAs Everybody Plays, Everybody Wins! philosophy. No matter what your childs age or ability, he or she will learn character values, sportsmanship, and valuable new skills as a member of YMCA Youth Sports: