# Things to do with toddlers and little kids in Phoenix: the parent guide > Phoenix works best with little kids from fall to spring, when the zoo, the gardens and the train park are pleasant all day. - Last checked: 2026-10-26 - 17 places for ages 0–6, with admission and menu prices from each place’s own site - Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/guide/ - This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/index.md - Visiting guide (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/visiting/index.md - City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/llms.txt ## Kid-friendly restaurants ### Pizzeria Bianco (Heritage Square) (Downtown, 623 E. Adams St.) - A well-known pizza spot at Heritage Square, a short walk from the Science Center. - Price level: $$ - Hours: Mon–Sat 11am–9pm; closed Sun - Good for: Lunch after the Science Center. - Skip if: your toddler can’t wait for a table. - Website: https://www.pizzeriabianco.com/ ### Joe’s Farm Grill (Gilbert, 3000 E. Ray Rd.) - Burgers in a 1960s ranch house at Agritopia, made with produce from the farm there. - Price level: $$ - Hours: Daily 7:30am–9pm - Good for: An early dinner in the East Valley. - Skip if: you’re based downtown and don’t want the drive to Gilbert. - Website: https://www.joesfarmgrill.com/ ## Indoor play and rainy days ### Burton Barr Central Library (Midtown, 1221 N. Central Ave.) - Phoenix Public Library’s main branch, with a big children’s area and free storytimes. - Price level: Free - Good for: Free storytime downtown, then the Art Museum up the street. - Skip if: you need it on a holiday. - Website: https://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/ ### Kids Empire Phoenix Greenway (North Mountain, 1849 W. Greenway Rd.) - An all-day indoor playground off I-17 with a multi-level maze, slides and ball pits. Two adults get in free with each child. - Price level: $$ - Hours: Mon–Thu 10am–8pm; Fri–Sun 10am–10pm - Good for: A hot afternoon with kids who need to run. - Skip if: you want somewhere calm. - Website: https://www.kidsempire.com/store-locator/kids-empire-phoenix-greenway ### Leo & Luca (Biltmore area, 6102 N. 16th St.) - A drop-in play space for little kids, open in the mornings. - Price level: $$ - Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat 8am–4pm; Wed 8am–noon - Good for: A weekday morning with a crawler or new walker. - Skip if: it’s Wednesday afternoon; it closes at noon. - Website: https://leoandlucaaz.com/faqs/ ### Jordan’s Corner (North Scottsdale, 8541 E. Anderson Dr. #106) - Open play in 90-minute sessions; babies under 7 months play free with a waiver. - Price level: $$ - Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30am–6pm; Sat–Sun 10:30am–2pm - Good for: A morning with a baby and an older sibling. - Skip if: it’s a weekend afternoon; it closes at 2. - Website: https://www.jordanscorneraz.com/bookplay ## Parks and outdoor play ### Desert Botanical Garden (Papago Park, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy.) - Desert trails and cactus gardens next to the zoo, open early in the morning before the heat. - Price level: $$ - Hours: Oct 1–Dec 31: daily 7am–10pm - Good for: An early stroller walk. - Skip if: it’s a luminaria night and you planned an afternoon; it closes at 4 those days. - Website: https://dbg.org/visit/ ### McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park (Scottsdale, 7301 E. Indian Bend Rd.) - A Scottsdale city park built around trains, with a ride-on railroad. Rides are $3 each and kids 2 and under ride free. - Price level: $ - Tickets: kids $3 per ride; adults $3 per ride; 2 and under ride free - Good for: A train-loving toddler. - Skip if: you need shade at midday in summer. - Price source: https://www.therailroadpark.com/rides-and-attractions/rides/ (checked 2026-10-26) - Website: https://www.therailroadpark.com/rides-and-attractions/rides/ ## Museums, zoos and big outings ### Phoenix Zoo (Papago Park, 455 N. Galvin Pkwy.) - A big desert zoo in Papago Park. Kids 2 and under get in free, and guests under 14 need someone 14 or older with them. - Price level: $$$ - Tickets: kids 3–13 $32.95; adults 14+ $44.95; 2 and under - Hours: Daily 9am–4pm - Good for: A cool-weather morning with toddlers. - Skip if: it’s a summer afternoon; go early in the day. - Price source: https://www.phoenixzoo.org/visit/ (checked 2026-10-26) - Website: https://www.phoenixzoo.org/visit/ ### Children’s Museum of Phoenix (Downtown, 215 N. 7th St.) - Three floors of exhibits for pretend play and climbing, including a space for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. - Price level: $$ - Tickets: kids $19; adults $19; Under 1 and members - Hours: Daily 9am–4pm (closed Nov 7 and Nov 26) - Good for: A morning of hands-on play for ages 0 to 8. - Skip if: you want a quiet visit on a holiday week. - Price source: https://childrensmuseumofphoenix.org/event/trick-or-treat-at-the-museum/2026-10-30/ (checked 2026-10-26) - Website: https://childrensmuseumofphoenix.org/ ### Arizona Science Center (Heritage and Science Park, 600 E. Washington St.) - Hundreds of hands-on exhibits downtown, plus a five-story giant-screen theater. - Price level: $$ - Hours: Tue–Sun 10:30am–4pm; closed Mondays - Good for: A hot or rainy day with a curious preschooler. - Skip if: it’s a Monday; it’s closed most Mondays. - Website: https://www.azscience.org/visit/ ### OdySea Aquarium (Arizona Boardwalk, Scottsdale) - A big aquarium on the Arizona Boardwalk, with a stingray feeding lagoon. Butterfly Wonderland is next door. - Price level: $$$ - Hours: Today 9am–7pm (hours vary by day) - Good for: An indoor morning that pairs well with Butterfly Wonderland. - Skip if: you want a cheap outing. - Website: https://www.odyseaaquarium.com/ ### Butterfly Wonderland (Arizona Boardwalk, Scottsdale) - A large indoor butterfly conservatory, warm and calm, steps from OdySea. - Price level: $$ - Hours: Today 9am–5pm (hours vary by day) - Good for: A short, gentle outing with a toddler. - Skip if: your child is scared of things that fly. - Website: https://www.butterflywonderland.com/ ### Phoenix Art Museum (Midtown, 1625 N. Central Ave.) - Kids 5 and under get in free, and Wednesday evenings are pay what you wish. - Price level: $$ - Tickets: kids 6–17 $13; adults $23; 5 and under - Hours: Wed 10am–8pm; Thu 10am–5pm; Fri 10am–8pm; Sat 10am–5pm; Sun noon–5pm; closed Mon–Tue - Good for: A short art stop with a preschooler in a stroller. - Skip if: it’s Monday or Tuesday; it’s closed. - Price source: https://phxart.org/visit/ (checked 2026-10-26) - Website: https://phxart.org/visit/ ### Musical Instrument Museum (North Phoenix, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd.) - A huge museum of musical instruments from around the world. - Price level: $$ - Hours: Daily 9am–5pm - Good for: A loud kid who likes to bang on things. - Skip if: you only want 20 minutes. - Website: https://mim.org/ ## Staycation spots ### Great Wolf Lodge Scottsdale (Scottsdale (Salt River)) - A 80,000-square-foot indoor water park kept at 84 degrees, included with your room. - Price level: $$$ - Good for: A summer weekend out of the sun. - Skip if: you’re on a tight budget; the room is your water park ticket. - Website: https://www.greatwolf.com/arizona ### Arizona Grand Resort & Spa (Phoenix, by South Mountain) - A resort with the 7-acre Oasis Water Park, including a wave pool and Wild Cat Springs for younger kids. - Price level: $$$ - Good for: A splashy spring or fall weekend in town. - Skip if: you’re going over the holidays; Oasis Water Park is closed Dec 23 to Jan 3. - Website: https://www.arizonagrandresort.com/ ## Free things to do - Burton Barr Central Library ## Best for under 3s - **Phoenix Zoo**: 2 and under free. - **Children’s Museum of Phoenix**: Under 1 free. - **McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park**: 2 and under ride free. - **Burton Barr Central Library**: Free storytimes. - **Leo & Luca**: Made for little kids. - **Jordan’s Corner**: Babies under 7 months play free. - **Butterfly Wonderland**: Warm, calm and short. - **Phoenix Art Museum**: 5 and under free. ## Things to do with a baby or a 1-year-old ### Baby and lap-sit storytimes - **Baby Time** (Chandler Public Library): Tuesdays at 10:15am · Basha. 0-18 months. Stories, songs and interactive play in a 20-minute parent-child program. https://chandler.bibliocommons.com/events/6a2875bb8ea300e2631c5f4e - **Baby Time** (Chandler Public Library): Tuesdays at 9:15am · Hamilton. 0-18 months. Stories, songs and interactive play in a 20-minute parent-child program. https://chandler.bibliocommons.com/events/6a6647c2cca66c2f00a61de6 - **BabyTime** (Phoenix Public Library): Mondays at 9:15am and 10:15am, Tuesdays at 9:15am and 10:15am · Agave. Up to 2 years. Play, sing, and read with your baby in a warm and nurturing program. https://calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/event/16642411 - **BabyTime** (Phoenix Public Library): Mondays at 10am · Burton Barr Central. Up to 2 years. Play, sing, and read with your baby in a warm and nurturing program. https://calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/event/16986885 - **BabyTime** (Phoenix Public Library): Tuesdays at 10:15am, Thursdays at 10:15am · Century. Up to 2 years. Play, sing, and read with your baby in a warm and nurturing program. https://calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/event/15852696 - **BabyTime** (Phoenix Public Library): Wednesdays at 11am · Cholla. Up to 2 years. Play, sing, and read with your baby in a warm and nurturing program. https://calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/event/16083096 - **BabyTime** (Phoenix Public Library): Thursdays at 9:15am and 10:15am · Desert Broom. Up to 2 years. Play, sing, and read with your baby in a warm and nurturing program. https://calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/event/15680940 - **BabyTime** (Phoenix Public Library): Tuesdays at 9:30am and 10:30am · Ironwood. Up to 2 years. Play, sing, and read with your baby in a warm and nurturing program. https://calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/event/15766477 - **BabyTime** (Phoenix Public Library): Tuesdays at 9:30am and 10:30am · Juniper. Up to 2 years. Play, sing, and read with your baby in a warm and nurturing program. https://calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/event/15764496 - **BabyTime** (Phoenix Public Library): Mondays at 9:15am and 10:15am, Fridays at 9:15am · Mesquite. Up to 2 years. Play, sing, and read with your baby in a warm and nurturing program. https://calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/event/15795298 - **BabyTime** (Phoenix Public Library): Wednesdays at 9:15am and 10am · Prickly Pear. Up to 2 years. Play, sing, and read with your baby in a warm and nurturing program. https://calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/event/16531768 - **BabyTime** (Phoenix Public Library): Mondays at 9:15am · Saguaro. Up to 2 years. Play, sing, and read with your baby in a warm and nurturing program. https://calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/event/15473458 - **BabyTime** (Phoenix Public Library): Thursdays at 9:15am and 10:15am · Yucca. Up to 2 years. Play, sing, and read with your baby in a warm and nurturing program. https://calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/event/16939290 ### Babies get in free - **McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park**: 2 and under ride free. https://www.therailroadpark.com/rides-and-attractions/rides/ - **Phoenix Zoo**: 2 and under. https://www.phoenixzoo.org/visit/ - **Children’s Museum of Phoenix**: Under 1 and members. https://childrensmuseumofphoenix.org/event/trick-or-treat-at-the-museum/2026-10-30/ ## Library storytimes - **Phoenix Public Library**: Weekday and Saturday mornings. Free BabyTime and Family Storytime at branches across the city. https://calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/ - **Chandler Public Library**: Weekday mornings. Baby and preschool storytimes in the East Valley, like the 9:15am sessions at Sunset Library. https://chandler.bibliocommons.com/v2/events ## Happening this week - **Chandler Halloween Spooktacular** (Fri 5:30–8:30pm) at Chandler Community Center. Free. https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/#e-chandler_spooktacular - **Itty Bitty Boo Bash** (Sat 10am–noon) at South Mountain Community Center. Free (RSVP required). https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/#e-itty_bitty_boo_bash - **Spooky Safari at the Phoenix Zoo** (5:30–8:30pm) at Phoenix Zoo. $18 per person; 2 and under free. https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/#e-spooky_safari_phoenix_zoo - **Trick-or-Treat at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix** (9am–4pm) at Children’s Museum of Phoenix. Free with museum admission ($19 per person; members and kids under 1 free). https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/#e-cmp_trick_or_treat - **Halloween Bash at Arizona Boardwalk** (Sat 10am–2pm) at Arizona Boardwalk. Free. https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/#e-arizona_boardwalk_halloween_bash Full list with every outing: https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/index.md ## Holiday pages - [Santa in Phoenix: breakfast with Santa, photos and Santa trains (2026)](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/santa/index.md) - [Christmas lights in Phoenix for little kids (2026)](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/christmas-lights/index.md) ## About this list - Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city. - How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com). - Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list. - How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote. ## FAQ ### Is the Phoenix Zoo good for toddlers? Yes. Kids 2 and under get in free. In warm months, go right at opening. ### Where can kids play indoors in Phoenix when it’s hot? Kids Empire on Greenway Road is open all day. For babies and toddlers, Leo & Luca and Jordan’s Corner run smaller drop-in play. ### Is Phoenix Art Museum good for little kids? For a short visit, yes. Kids 5 and under get in free. It’s closed Monday and Tuesday. ### Are there free things to do with little kids in Phoenix? Yes. Burton Barr Central Library is free or have a free entry. See [the free list](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/guide/#free). ### What can we do with a baby, 1-year-old or 2-year-old in Phoenix? Phoenix Zoo: 2 and under free. Children’s Museum of Phoenix: Under 1 free. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, Burton Barr Central Library and Leo & Luca are also easy with a baby or toddler. Free for the littlest: McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park (2 and under ride free) and Phoenix Art Museum (5 and under). See [best for under 3s](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/guide/#under3). ### Where are the free storytimes in Phoenix? Phoenix Public Library: Weekday and Saturday mornings. Chandler Public Library: Weekday mornings. Library storytimes don’t need a ticket, but times change by branch, so check the calendar first. See [library storytimes](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/guide/#storytimes), and this week’s dated sessions are on the [Phoenix weekly list](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/). ### How do you choose the places in the Phoenix guide? Every one of the 17 places is somewhere we’d take a baby, toddler or preschooler, with a note on who it suits and when to skip it. Prices, hours and menus come from each place’s own site, and 4 of them have checked admission or menu prices. The guide was last checked Oct 26, 2026. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/). ### How much is the Phoenix Zoo for a toddler, and who gets in free? 2 and under; kids 3–13: $32.95; adults 14+: $44.95. We checked this on [its official site](https://www.phoenixzoo.org/visit/) on Oct 26, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go. ### How much is Children’s Museum of Phoenix for a toddler, and who gets in free? Under 1 and members; kids: $19; adults: $19. We checked this on [its official site](https://childrensmuseumofphoenix.org/event/trick-or-treat-at-the-museum/2026-10-30/) on Oct 26, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.