DID I MENTION THAT THEY ARE ALL FREE?!?
#1 SPLASH PARKS
http://phoenix.about.com/od/publicswimmingpools/ss/splash_2.htm
Splash parks are great, safe water fun for toddlers. I was surprised to find so many of them around the Phoenix area. There are three in Chandler alone. This picture was taken at the Jaycee Splash Pad in Tempe. We happened to stumble upon it when the Tempe Splash Pad at Tempe Town Lake was closed for the day (bummer!). It was a little smaller than the Town Lake Splash Pad, but a lot less crowded.#2 HOME DEPOT KID'S WORKSHOP/LOWE'S BUILD AND GROW DAYS
I really love how these organizations have set up special workshops for kids. Times and dates vary and are usually posted at the entrances. Home Depot usually conducts theirs the first Saturday of the month between 9:00am and noon while Lowe's varies their dates and times. (You will need to register at the Lowe's site to attend and secure a spot.) When you arrive you're given an official Home Depot or Lowe's kid-size apron, goggles and a project kit that you do with your parent or guardian right there in the store. Both places give pins and/or patches to add to your apron when a project is completed and Lowe's gives out certificates. When we went to Lowe's this last time, the Sun Lakes Fire Department was on hand and let the kids fire the water hoses. Very cool! Projects vary but include bird houses, race cars, toolboxes, fire trucks and Holiday projects. Oh, I have to note that the workshops are catered to kids 5 through 12, but my 3 and 4 year old still loved it and were welcome to participate!
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContentView?catalogId=&langId=-1&pn=Kids_Workshops&storeId=10051
https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/
#3 McDONALD'S PLAY PLACE
I really don't know why we as parents plop down a couple of hundred dollars a year for organized gym classes and bouncy-type places, when for the price of a happy meal (or vanilla cone) you can visit a McDonald's Play Place. My kids get more enjoyment from one of these places than they ever did at the bouncy places around town. Now some ARE better than others so you might want to visit a few before deciding on a fav. To find a McDonald's that has a Play Place (or to avoid one at all costs,) check out their restaurant locator using this link: http://www.mcdonalds.com/usa/rest_locator.html#4 BARNES AND NOBLE BOOKSTORES
Did you know that a lot of Barnes and Noble Bookstores have free storytime events? Some B&N's also have craft events in conjunction with storytimes. Even if you don't make it for their storytime events you can still have your little ones play with the train sets in the children's book section. That's available anytime. I usually go to my local B&N here at the Crossroads Towne Center on the Chandler/Gilbert border. My kids enjoy playing with the Thomas the Train set and looking at the different books. We'll usually sit and read them together while mommy has a much deserved Mocha from Starbuck's. For a list of events near you, click on this link: http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/store/2039#5 PUBLIC LIBRARY
We all know that the good 'ol Public Library is a great place to take your kids, but they also have wonderful storytime events that are very interactive and keep your toddler entertained. Now if that's not enough incentive for you to go to the library, then check this out...! Because of the generous sponsorhip of the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, ShowUp.com and the Macy's Foundation, you can get up to 4 Free admissions to any of the following valley destinations:1. The Phoenix Zoo
2. Desert Botanical Gardens
3. The Heard Museum
4. The Arizona Science Center
5. Phoenix Art Museum
6. Mesa Contemporary Arts
7. Arizona Museum for Youth ...and more!
All you have to do is check out a "Culture Pass" at one of these participating local valley libraries. Depending on the attraction you pick, this could save you almost $50 on admission for 4! f you haven't been to your local library lately, "check it out!" (Note: There are a limited number of culture passes available at each library, so get there earlier in the week. Each pass is good for 7 days, up to 4 admissions to any or all of the attractions!)http://chandlerlibrary.org/kids_place.htm
#6 BEHIND-THE SCENES TOURS
There's a little know secret in Phoenix that most people would love to get involved in if they knew about them. They are behind-the-scenes tours that are FREE (or close to free.) The ones listed below are specifically for kids (or for the kid in you,) but if you Google "Behind The Scenes Tours Phoenix", you'll get a complete list. The Stuffington Bear Factory in Phoenix and the Carreta Candy Company in Glendale are two you're kids will love and they don't charge a dime!
http://www.stuffington.com/shop/pc/pages/Drop-In-Visit-Us-14.htm
http://cerreta.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&page_id=38
#7 AMC SUMMER MOVIE CAMP and HARKINS THEATRES SUMMER FUN
I had to list this one even though there is a charge because let's face it...it's only a dollar and in the case of Harkins Summer Fun...less than a dollar!!!
AMC SUMMER MOVIE CAMP
Families, schools and organizations alike are invited to see great kids' movies during AMC Summer MovieCamp. Available at select AMC theatres, this fun-filled program brings you:
* $1 movies from June 17 – August 5
* Shows starting at 10:00 a.m. every Wednesday
* Great field trip opportunities – groups can purchase tickets one week in advance starting June 10 at the box office or online at participating theatres
In addition, you can purchase an AMC Kids Pack for $3.00 that includes a kid-sized popcorn, drink and snack. What a deal!
http://www.amctheatres.com/smc/index.html
HARKINS THEATRES SUMMER FUN
Harkins Theatres' popular Summer Movie Fun program for kids will again premiere at theatres across the Valley this summer. The ten-week program begins May 30th at 12 Harkins theatres throughout the Valley. Featuring 10 popular family movies for an unbeatable $7.00. Tickets are available at participating theatres' box offices. Parents can also call the Summer Movie Fun hotline at 480-627-5525 or visit www.harkinstheatres.com for more information. http://www.showup.com/event/detail/45572
#8 JOIN A PLAYGROUP
This is easier than you think and great social interaction for your toddlers. There is a website available at http://playgroup.meetup.com/ that allows you to search through several organized playgroups in your area. There's just about a playgroup for everyone and even though some of the groups charge a nominal fee, most don't. A lot of these groups meet at parks, libraries, members homes and various other locations around the valley. Typically what you do is pick a group you'd like to join. Sign up, which will give you access to a schedule of events, and decide whether or not you want to attend those events. Even if you decide after one meeting that it's just not your thing, you might still come out with some good ideas from other moms for keeping your toddler busy. Worth a try!
#9 MUSEUMS ON US (Sponsored by Bank of America)
Bank of America is now partnering with the Phoenix Zoo to provide one (1) free general admission ticket to all Bank of America customers that show their BofA ATM, credit or check card and a valid ID. Additionally, if you are a BofA employee, you will also receive a free general admission with a valid employee and photo ID. Now the catch is that it is only valid the first full weekend of every month, but that's still a $16.00 adult admission savings or $7.00 child admission savings. (3 and under are always free.)Bank of America used to have this offer for the Mesa Southwest Museum, but apparently they no longer do. I really liked the MSM, so that's a big loss.
For a full listing of all participating museums, zoos and others around the country go to this link: http://museums.bankofamerica.com/
#10 FREE FAMILY OPEN HOUSE AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER
To promote environmentally conscious awareness for all ages, the EEC (in Veterans Oasis Park in Chandler) offers a free Family Open House on the third Tuesday of each month this summer (June 16, July 21 and August 18) from 5 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. These events include fun nature-based activities, crafts, hikes, movies, stories and science labs. Registration is not required; just stop by and join the fun!
I've personally never been to the EEC or the Park, but it sounds like a neat place to go for biking, fishing and nature walks in the cooler months. Here's a website that explains a little bit more about the newest recreational park in Chandler.
http://phoenix.about.com/od/parks/ss/VeteransOasis.htm
#11 IKEA PLAY PLACE
IKEA in Tempe has nine play areas throughout the store, including a supervised area, for children who meet the 37'' - 54'' height requirement, called Smaland that replicates the look of a typical Swedish farmhouse and forest. This ultra-clean, uber-cool play area is a fun, safe place for kids to romp while their parents shop. Kids must be potty-trained, and the staff gives parents a buzzer in case the little ones need you. They won't--this play place has a cozy area for kids to watch movies, a pit full of balls to dive in to, and plenty of crafts to occupy their time. After your 1-1/2 hours of alone time is up, take the kiddies upstairs for the famous IKEA 99-cent kid's dinner, where there is an additional play area as well.http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/childrens_ikea
#12 WESTCOR KIDS CLUB
This FREE event is an interactive community program designed to educate and entertain children in a safe and happy place (and what place is happier for mom than the mall!) Members learn about a new topic each show along with music, dancing and reading. The program is ran by entertainer, Persephone http://www.squidoo.com/persephone-kids-club-dooper along with Webster the Warthog, the Westcor Kids Club mascot.Join Persephone and Webster the Warthog for Kids Club, every fourth Wednesday of the month from 10a.m. - 11a.m. in the Food Court!
http://www.shopsantanvillage.com/events.asp?id=5578
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