12 Best Things to Do With Kids in Scottsdale, AZ (2026)

OdySea Aquarium

Massive aquarium with 65+ exhibits and interactive experiences

Arizona Boardwalk, North Scottsdale

OdySea Aquarium is the anchor of the Arizona Boardwalk complex and it's genuinely impressive. With over 65 exhibits and 6,000+ animals, it's the largest aquarium in the Southwest. The Voyager exhibit takes you on a moving river journey through underwater habitats, and the SeaTREK underwater walking experience lets kids (and adults) literally walk on the ocean floor. The shark and stingray touch tanks are always a hit with kids. Plan at least two to three hours and consider combining it with Butterfly Wonderland next door for a full day.

Largest aquarium in the SouthwestSeaTREK underwater walking65+ exhibits, 6,000+ animals

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Butterfly Wonderland

Walk-through butterfly habitat with thousands of butterflies

Arizona Boardwalk, North Scottsdale

Butterfly Wonderland is magical for kids and adults alike. The main attraction is a massive glass-enclosed rainforest habitat where thousands of butterflies fly freely around you. Kids go absolutely wide-eyed watching butterflies land on their hands and shoulders. Beyond the butterfly atrium, there are interactive exhibits about the butterfly lifecycle, a 3D theater, and other insect and reptile displays. It's right next to OdySea Aquarium, making it easy to do both in one day. Even teenagers who think they're too cool for this stuff end up loving it.

Thousands of free-flying butterfliesInteractive lifecycle exhibitsRight next to OdySea Aquarium

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McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

Free park with train rides, carousel, and playgrounds

Central Scottsdale (Indian Bend Rd)

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is a Scottsdale institution that families have been coming to for decades. The park is free to enter, and the train rides and carousel cost just a couple of dollars. Kids love riding the 15-inch gauge railroad that loops around the park, and the vintage carousel is beautifully maintained. There are multiple playgrounds, a model railroad building with impressive layouts, and even a Roald Amundsen Pullman Car you can tour. It's the kind of low-key, affordable family outing that creates great memories without breaking the bank.

Free admission, low-cost ridesTrain rides and vintage carouselMultiple playgrounds

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Desert Botanical Garden

Beautiful desert garden with kid-friendly trails and seasonal events

Papago Park, Phoenix/Scottsdale border

The Desert Botanical Garden in Papago Park is a stunning 140-acre showcase of desert plants from around the world, and it's surprisingly engaging for kids. The trails are easy and stroller-friendly, and kids love spotting lizards, birds, and butterflies along the way. The seasonal events like Las Noches de las Luminarias (holiday luminaria display) and the spring butterfly exhibit are family favorites. There's a children's garden with interactive features designed for younger kids. Morning visits are best, especially in summer, before the heat gets intense.

140 acres of desert plantsStroller-friendly trailsSpectacular seasonal events

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Phoenix Zoo

Classic family zoo with 3,000+ animals and kid-focused experiences

Papago Park (adjacent to Desert Botanical Garden)

The Phoenix Zoo is one of the largest privately-owned, nonprofit zoos in the country with over 3,000 animals across four themed trails. Kids love the Stingray Bay touch pool, the giraffe feeding experience, and the Leapin' Lagoon splash pad (essential in summer). The trails are well-shaded in many areas, which matters a lot in the Arizona heat. It's adjacent to the Desert Botanical Garden in Papago Park, so you can easily combine both into a full day. The zoo does excellent conservation work and the animal habitats have been significantly upgraded in recent years.

3,000+ animals, four themed trailsGiraffe feeding experienceAdjacent to Desert Botanical Garden

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Topgolf Scottsdale

High-tech driving range entertainment for the whole family

North Scottsdale (Riverwalk area)

Topgolf works for families in a way that a traditional golf course just can't. The climate-controlled hitting bays have games that make hitting golf balls fun for everyone regardless of skill level, and kids absolutely love the target-based scoring system. The food and drinks are solid, and the atmosphere is energetic without being overwhelming. It's a great option for families with older kids and teens who need entertainment that doesn't feel 'little kid.' Birthday party packages are popular for a reason. Best to go during off-peak hours with younger kids.

Fun for all skill levelsClimate-controlled hitting baysGreat for teens and tweens

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Hole in the Rock at Papago Park

Easy hike to an iconic rock formation with Valley views

Papago Park, Phoenix/Scottsdale border

Hole in the Rock is the most family-friendly 'hike' in the Scottsdale area and an iconic Arizona photo spot. The walk to the opening in the red sandstone butte is short (about a quarter mile) and manageable for kids of all ages, with the payoff being a dramatic view of the Valley through the rock formation. Kids love climbing around the rocks and exploring the geological formation. It's free, it's quick, and it makes for great family photos. Combine it with a visit to the nearby Phoenix Zoo or Desert Botanical Garden for a full Papago Park day.

Short, kid-friendly walkIconic photo opportunityFree to visit

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Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center

Wildlife sanctuary with up-close encounters with native Arizona animals

North Scottsdale (Cave Creek area)

Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center is a sanctuary for injured and orphaned native Arizona wildlife, and the guided tours are an incredible family experience. Kids get up-close encounters with black bears, mountain lions, bobcats, javelinas, and other animals that call the Sonoran Desert home. The guides are passionate and educational, explaining each animal's story and the conservation work the center does. It's more intimate and impactful than a traditional zoo because these are rescue animals with real stories. Reservations are required for guided tours.

Up-close native wildlife encountersEducational guided toursRescue animal stories

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Arizona Boardwalk

Entertainment complex with multiple family attractions

North Scottsdale (Loop 101 & Via de Ventura)

The Arizona Boardwalk is a family entertainment complex that houses several attractions under one umbrella, making it easy to fill an entire day. Beyond OdySea Aquarium and Butterfly Wonderland, you'll find iFLY indoor skydiving, Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs, the Mirror Maze, and more. The complex has dining options and seasonal events. The beauty of the Boardwalk is flexibility: you can buy tickets for individual attractions and build your own day. It's especially great for families with kids of different ages who have different interests.

Multiple attractions in one complexiFLY indoor skydivingBuild-your-own-day flexibility

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Pedego Electric Bikes

E-bike rentals for family-friendly Scottsdale trail exploration

Old Town Scottsdale

Pedego electric bike rentals are a fantastic way for families to explore Scottsdale together. The e-bikes make it easy for kids (and parents) to cover more ground without exhaustion, and the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt path system provides miles of flat, safe, car-free riding through parks and along the canal. It's a fun, active family activity that lets you see parts of Scottsdale you'd miss in a car. The staff helps fit everyone properly and provides route recommendations based on your family's ability level. A uniquely fun way to experience the city as a family.

E-bikes for easy family ridingIndian Bend Wash Greenbelt trailsStaff provides route recommendations

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Jobot Coffee & Bar

Family-friendly coffee shop with a play area and great pastries

Old Town Scottsdale

Jobot Coffee isn't a traditional 'kids activity' but it's the family-friendly coffee stop that Scottsdale parents swear by. The spacious Old Town location has room for strollers, a relaxed atmosphere where kids being kids is welcomed, and excellent coffee and pastries that parents actually enjoy. It's the perfect refueling stop between family activities in Old Town, and the location makes it easy to walk to nearby parks and shops. Sometimes the best family activity is simply a good coffee shop where everyone can relax for a few minutes.

Family-friendly atmosphereGreat coffee and pastriesCentral Old Town location

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Jeep Tours (Desert Dog Off-Road Adventures)

Desert Jeep adventure that thrills kids and adults alike

Pickup from Scottsdale hotels

A desert Jeep tour is one of those quintessential Scottsdale family experiences that kids remember for years. Desert Dog Off-Road Adventures is one of the most popular operators, offering tours through the Sonoran Desert that combine bumpy off-road thrills with educational stops about desert wildlife and plants. The guides are entertaining and kid-friendly, and the open-air Jeeps make the whole experience feel like an adventure. Most tours accommodate kids of all ages and can be tailored to the group's comfort level. Sunset tours are especially spectacular.

Off-road desert adventureKid-friendly guidesSunset tour option

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