Sherri Stough

Things to do

Indoor play

· Bounce U 1166 S. Gilbert Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85296 Cost: $8.95/child Description: Indoor inflatable playground, arcade, party rooms. More Info: (480) 632-9663 or http://www.bounceu.com/

· Imagination Avenue 10614 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix AZ 85028 Cost: $9/person; Under 1 free Description: This 3,500 square foot indoor play center contains a child sized town /  More Info: 602-765-3192 or http://www.imaginationavenue.us

· Jump Street 455 E. Warner Rd, Chandler, AZ 85225 5665 W. Bell Rd., Glendale, AZ 85308 Cost: $8-10/person Description: The valley’s first and only indoor trampoline parks and family sports fun centers More Info: http://www.gotjump.com/

· Makutu’s Island 6919 W Ray Rd, Chandler, AZ 85226 Cost: $8.50/kids; $3.50/adults; Under 1 free Description: Makutu’s Island is a 20,000 square foot, multi-level indoor playground in Chandler, AZ. Made for children and adults More Info: (480) 344-3741 or http://www.makutusisland.com/

· Play Factory 4180 S. Arizona Avenue - Suite 3 - Chandler Arizona 85248 21001 N. Tatum Blvd. Phoenix, Arizona 85050 (Located inside "The District" at Desert Ridge Marketplace) Cost: $4.50 - $9/person Description: Indoor open play and party experience with slides, bounce houses and more. More Info: http://www.playfactoryparty.com/

· Pump It Up 1325 West Auto Drive , Suite 101, Tempe, AZ 85284 9378 East Bahia Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Cost: $7.50/child Description: Private indoor arenas, filled with gigantic inflatable slides, bounce houses, obstacle courses and more. More Info: http://www.pumpitupparty.com

· Jeepers! Amusement Paradise

2726 S. Alma School Road, Mesa

480-820-8300

www.jeepersaz.com

Hours: Daily (closed Thursdays) 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Admission: $8.99 all-day unlimited rides; $6.99 for toddlers (under 36"), all-day unlimited rides; $20 for all-month unlimited rides. Parents ride free with a paid child admission.

A children's "entertainment center" offers several amusement park-style rides, including a mini roller coaster and bumper cars. It also has dozens of non-violent video games and a soft play area. Check the Web site for coupons, too. Birthday party packages are available.

· Amazing Jake's Food & Fun

1830 E. Baseline Road, Mesa

480-926-7499

www.amazingjakes.com

Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday.

Admission: Varies, but a la carte prices run $5.99 to $9.99, A "Fun Card," which permits you to take part in most activities, can range from $10 to $50; many attractions, without a Fun Card, run about $3.50 to $4.25 otherwise (kiddie rides are less expensive).

This indoor "fun factory" has just about everything: a rock wall, go-karts, laser tag, bowling, mini golf and kiddie rides, just to name some highlights. Call or go online for more details, as there are height and weight restrictions and varied pricing. Bring your appetite, too, as a buffet purchase is required for entry.

· Laser Quest

Two Valley locations

www.laserquest.com

Phoenix locations: 3335 W. Peoria Ave., 602-548-0005

Hours: 5-9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 4-11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; noon-6 p.m. Sunday; available Monday for private events.

Mesa location: 2035 S. Alma School Road, 480-752-0005

Hours: 5-9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 4-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; 1-7 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday for private events.

Think of this sport as paintball without the paint. Players go on "missions," use code names and attempt to score as many points as possible in this high-tech update of hide-and-seek. Recommended for children at least 7 years of age and older, and teens really dig this stuff (as do many of their parents). Birthday party packages are available.

· Mini Golf Paradise

15230 N. 32nd St.

Phoenix, AZ 85032

602-274-4653

www.jeepersaz.com

Hours: Daily (closed Tuesdays) 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Admission: $6 for one round (18 holes); $8 for unlimited rounds. Children under 3 admitted free with

a paid adult admission.

Happy Hour from 4 to 6:30pm. Admission is $5 per person and you receive one round of golf, food, and drinks. This indoor miniature golf course, featuring a safari-themed setting, was voted "Best Miniature Golf Course in Phoenix 2006" by the Phoenix New Times. Be sure to check the web site for coupons, too. Birthday party packages are available.

WATER PARKS / THEME PARKS

· Big Surf Waterpark 1500 N. McClintock Dr., Tempe, AZ 85281 Cost: $19.50/ 3+; $26/adults; $3/under 3 Description: Wave pools, waterslides and more More Info: 480-994-2297 or http://www.bigsurffun.com/

· Castles ‘N Coasters 9445 Metro Parkway East, Phoenix, AZ 85051 Cost: $8-32/person Description: Roller coasters, water rides, mini golf, theme park adventures. More Info: 602-997-7575 or http://www.castlesncoasters.com/

Golfland Sunsplash Mesa 155 W. Hampton Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210 Cost:$10 - $30/person Description: Water slides, wave pool, toddler pool, mini golf, laser tag, bumper boats and more More Info: http://www.golfland.com/mesa/

McDowell Mountain Ranch Park 15525 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Cost: $4-9/per person Description: A 35-acre park that has a skatepark, 4 soccer fields, 2 ball fields and restroom; some fields have lights. This facility offers swimming to the general public, high schools teams, competitive teams, water exercise, recreational teams, swim lessons, aerobics classes, and fitness classes. More Info: http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/parks/mmr

Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center  5901 S. Hillcrest Dr, Chandler, AZ Cost: $1/children; $2.25/adults Description: Water playground, lazy river, lap pool, diving pool, toddler pool, splash pad and water slides. More Info: http://www.chandleraz.gov/default.aspx?pageid=733

Tempe Town Lake, Splash Playground Located at the south bank of Tempe Town Lake at Tempe Beach Park near the entrance to the park at Rio Salado Parkway and Mill Avenue Cost: Free Description: One-acre playground for children More info: (480) 350-8625 or http://www.tempetownlake.com

Wet ‘N’ Wild 4243 W. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Glendale, AZ 85310 Cost: $27.99/child; $34.99/adults; under 2 free Description: Wave pools, waterslides and more More Info: http://www.wetnwildphoenix.com/

INDOOR SKATING / ACTIVITIES

Great Skate 10054 N. 43rd Ave, Glendale, AZ 85302 Cost: $6/children; $7 adults Description: Roller skating and inline skating for all ages More Info: 623-842-1181 or http://www.greatskateglendale.com

Ice Den 9375 East Bell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Cost: $5/children; $7/adults + skate rental Description: Bundle up and enjoy crisp 53° ice rinks during one of the Ice Den’s great public skating sessions More Info: http://www.coyotesice.com/

Arcadia Ice Arena

3853 E. Thomas Road

Phoenix, AZ 85018

602-957-9966

www.arcadiaice.com

Hours: Public skate sessions are held daily, but check the online calendar, which is updated every day or call for more information. Some night sessions are also available.

Admission: Public skate time is $5.50 for adults, $4.50 for youths 12 and younger, $3.50 for seniors 55 and older, children 3 and younger admitted free (with a paid adult admission); skate rental is $2.50 per person.

There's public skate sessions, skating and hockey lessons and even day camps that run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m, include lunch and a snack and skate rental and cost just $165 for the week.

Oceanside Ice Arena

1520 N. McClintock Drive

Tempe, AZ 85281

480-941-0944

www.iskateaz.com

Hours: Public skating hours vary, but typically are 7:30-10:30 p.m. Friday and 4:50-7:20 p.m. Saturday. Check the Web site or call to see if additional public skate sessions are available.

Admission: $7 for adults, $5 for children; skate rental for all is $3 per person.

Summer activities in the desert don't get much cooler than ice skating. Dress for the 50-degree environment, lace up those boots and join one of the public skating sessions. Or, try a lesson or two.

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MUSEUMS & ZOOS

Arizona Museum for Youth 35 N. Robson, Mesa, Arizona 85201  Cost: $7/person; under 2 free Description: Hand-on art, learning and music exhibits More Info: 480-644-2467 or http://www.arizonamuseumforyouth.com/

Arizona Natural History Museum 53 N. Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201 Cost: $6/ children; $9/adults; under 2 free Description: Dinosaur water exhibit, art projects, walk-through jail, etc. More Info: 480-644-2230 or http://www.azmnh.org

Arizona Science Center 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85004 Cost: $10/child; $12/adult Description: Participate in interactive exhibits, watch 5-story tall movies, or take a trip through the stars at the planetarium More Info: (602) 716-2000 or http://www.azscience.org

Challenger Space Center 21170 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria, AZ 85382 Cost: $5/children; $8/adults Description: Stargazing, interactive exhibits and more More Info: 623-322-2001 or http://www.azchallenger.com

Children’s Museum of Phoenix 215 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034 Cost: $11/person; Under 1 free Description: Dozens of 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 More Info: 602-253-0501 or http://www.childrensmuseumofphoenix.org/

Phoenix Zoo 455 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008 Cost: $9/child; $18/adult; Under 2 free Description: Animals, rides, splash pads, etc. More Info: 602.273.1341 or http://www.phoenixzoo.org

Sea Life Arizona 5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Ste. 145 Tempe, AZ 85282 (located at the northeast corner of Arizona Mills Mall) Cost: $11/children & $18/adults Description: Providing close encounters with a vast array of creatures including seahorses, sharks, rays, tropical fish and more More Info: http://www.visitsealife.com/Arizona/

Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium 16501 W. Northern Ave., Litchfield Park, AZ 85340  Cost: $14.25/child; $27.50/adult; under 2 free Description: Some 75 indoor exhibits featuring fish, mammals, birds, invertebrates, amphibians, and reptiles located in three buildings More Info: 623-935-9453 or http://www.wildlifeworld.com/

Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting

6101 E. Van Buren St.

Phoenix, AZ 85

602-275-3473

www.hallofflame.org

Hours: Noon-4 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

Admission: $6 for adults, $4 for students (6-17), $1.50 for children ages 3-5 and $5 for seniors over 62.

You and your little future firefighter are sure to be awestruck at this almost one-acre exhibit of firefighting history. There are some 130 wheeled pieces, from hand- and horse-drawn apparatus to more modern-day engines, to marvel at as well as myriad other objects (like thousands arm patches from around the world). There's also a hands-on children's exhibit.

Pueblo Grande Museum and Archeological Park

4619 E. Washington St.

Phoenix, AZ 85034

602-495-0901

www.pueblogrande.com

Summer Hours (May through September): 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday. During the rest of the year (October through April), the museum is open 9 a.m-4:45 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 4:45 p.m. on Sunday.

Admission: $6 for adults (18-54), $5 for seniors 55 and older, and $3 for children (ages 6-17: children 5 and younger are admitted for free. From October through April, admission is free on Sundays.

OK, so quite a bit of this National Historic Landmark is located outside, but there's also an indoor component as well! Learn more about the ancient Hohokam people and see a little bit of what they left behind here so long ago - part of a prehistoric platform mound and a ball court.

Petersen House Museum

1414 W. Southern Ave.

Tempe, AZ 85282

480-350-5151 or 480-350-5100

www.tempe.gov

Hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday. Closed Aug. 3 through Sept. 1 for cleaning.

Admission: Free, but donations accepted

Built in 1892, this Queen Anne Victorian-style house was once home to successful area businessman and prominent Tempe resident Niels Petersen, a Danish immigrant. Many of the original features are still intact, including a couple stained glass windows and some wallpaper. The house is also on the National Register of Historic Places.

Chandler Museum

178 E. Commonwealth Ave.

Chandler, AZ 85225

480-782-2717

www.chandlermuseum.org

Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday

Admission: Free

Learn more about the history of Chandler, from the impact that the ancient Hohokam people had on this region to the city's founding father and how the early pioneers lived. The museum also offers several summer workshops for children ages 5 to 11. Advance registration is required and a $2 donation is suggested. Call or go online for more details.

Arizona Capitol Museum

1700 W. Washington St.

Phoenix. AZ

602-542-4675

www.lib.az.us/museum/

Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Tours lasting 45 minutes are offered at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekdays.

Admission: Free, and 45-minute tours are offered at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekdays.

Bet there's stuff you don't know about Arizona, and here's the place you can learn it - and view a portion of the battleship USS Arizona.

The Tempe Historical Museum

809 E. Southern Ave.

Tempe, AZ 85282

480-350-5100

www.tempe.gov/museum/

Hours: 1-5 p.m. Sunday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Saturday; closed Friday and major holidays.

Admission: Free, donations accepted.

The museum's going to undergo a major, year-long renovation project starting around the end of August, so be sure to get your visit in this summer or you'll have to wait another 365 days or so to see the place. Wild Wednesdays, held June 18 through July 23, will keep youngsters and their families entertained. No preregistration is needed for family groups, although groups of 10 or more should call first for a reservation. This year's themes are: Go, Sun Devils! (June 18); Our Desert Home (June 25); Patriot's Day (July 2); Got Culture? (July 9); Building Tempe (July 16); and To Protect and Serve (July 23).

Mesa Historical Museum

2345 N. Horne St.

Mesa, AZ 85201

480-835-7358

www.mesahistoricalmuseum.org

Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday.

Admission: $5 for adults, $4 for seniors over 65, $3 for youths (3-12), children under 3 and members admitted free.

Everything you wanted to know about Mesa - plus some - is here. Come see "Thanks for Tuning In: The Wallace and Ladmo Show" exhibit, which runs through Aug. 31, or check out the replica of a one-room schoolhouse.

MISC COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Ceretta Candy Company 5345 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, AZ 85301 Cost: Free Description: Tour Phoenix’s 70-year-old family owned and operated candy company and see how their products are made. More Info: (623) 930-1000 or http://www.cerreta.com

Stuffington Bear Factory 2302 East Thomas Road Phoenix, Arizona 85016  Cost: $4-12/person Description: Visit one of the last remaining stuffed animal factories in the United States and make your own stuffed animal More Info: (602) 225-9513 or http://www.stuffington.com

Puppets

Splash pads

Glendale

Western Area Regional Park 83rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road Glendale, Arizona 85303 Click here for Google map

Open: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Western Area Regional Park, when completed, will be an 81-acre park featuring a variety of amenities.

Peoria

Rio Vista Recreation Center

Surprise

The Hollyhock Community Pool includes a water spray pad with play features. The spray pad is located at 15808 N. Hollyhock Street in Surprise. There is a nominal entry fee to the facility; people who don't show proof of Surprise residency will pay a bit more. Call for information: 623-222-2530.

There is a small splash pad at Heritage (Marley) Park. It is located at 15073 W. Sweetwater Ave. It is free. Call for information: 623-222-2000.

El Mirage

The splash pad in El Mirage is located at Gateway Park, 10100 N. El Mirage Rd. on the far west side of the park, adjacent to the playground. This is a pop-jet fountain area with jets that pop the water at different intervals. In the daytime you'll find shaded seating here. After sunset this water features lights up with multi-colors given the water the illusion of colorful water. Call for information to 623-876-2977.

Goodyear

The splash pad at Goodyear Community Park is located at 3151 N. Litchfield Road in Goodyear, Arizona and is open from April 15 through October 15. The hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Children under 6 years old must be accompanied by an adult or responsible person who is at least 13 years old. No glass, beverages or food of any kind are permitted in within 10’ of walkways of play area. No pets allowed in play area. Periodic maintenance may cause the splash pad to be closed.

Westgate

Fountain Park is open daily from 10am-10pm. Closed first Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday of the month!

http://www.familydaysout.com/kids-things-to-do-usa/surprise/az/indoor-play

http://www.familyinfosource.com/activity/az_phxmetro-activity.php

Sherri Stough

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Friday, August 14, 2015

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Saturday, July 7, 2012

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Sneak, The Pups, and Ms. V!

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My Happiness

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The grandmas are excited!

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