For your children, summer can be the best part of their year. But for you, the parent, it can be a stressful time of the year. However, there are so many places to take your family that can be fun and educational. That is to say, Tucson has so many activities from which to choose. Outside fun and indoor museums are just a couple of options for your summer family fun.
Fun Summer Splash Pads
As you all know, Tucson can be extremely hot in the summer. Temperatures regularly reach over 100 degrees. To help combat the extreme heat, Tucson offers multiple free splash pads to cool off the whole family.
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- Brandi Fenton Splash Pad – East River Road
- Zion City Splash Pad – W. Ruthrauff
- Crossroads at Silverbell District Park Splash Pad – N. Silverbell Road
- Morris K Udall Park Splash Pad – E. Tanque Verde Road
- Warden Family Splash Pad – S. San Joaquin Ave.
- Catalina Park Splash Pad – N. Fourth Avenue
- Palo Verde Splash Pad – S. Mann Ave
Museums
Parents don’t always consider museums as a place to take the family. But museums offer different exhibitions that are educational and interactive. Most museums offer air-conditioned buildings. Many are also accessible through public transportation.
Children’s Museum – Interactive exhibits that include learning about gravity, public safety, a music garden, and electricity. All exhibits are both educational and fun.
Pima Air and Space Museum – This museum features approximately 400 aircraft, six hangers, and an indoor exhibit of space innovation.
Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium – This science center features exhibits based on fossils, minerals, sharks, and bugs. A portion of the exhibits is interactive.
Arizona History Museum – This museum features artifact displays and stories of the old west. You can also find exhibits of wooden carriages and Arizona treasures.
Outside Activities
For the family that likes outdoor activities, these are places for you. Tucson has a variety of canyons and parks to enjoy.
Tohono Chul Park
Located in a suburb of Tucson, set on 49 acres, Tohono Chul Park dessert offers nature at its finest. The botanical garden offers themed garden spaces and resident hummingbirds. Walk among the art exhibits. Visit the gift shop. Eat at the Bistro. The park offers free activity sheets on its Just For Kids webpage. Their vision is to respect cultures and learn about the Sonoran Desert.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
This desert museum has multiple attractions in one place. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum offers a zoo, botanical garden, aquarium, art gallery, and natural history museum. Visitors may have the opportunity to meet special birds not seen in the local area. There is a stingray touch pool. Also, a reptile hall. The desert museum offers views of mountain lions, river otters, gray foxes, and ground squirrels. The museum is partially outdoors, so please refer to the website for safety recommendations.
Colossal Cave Mountain Park
Though 22 miles from Tucson, this is a full family fun day. You’ll walk through the passageways in the underground landscape. Though an outside activity, the caves stay a cool 70 degrees. Considered a dry cave, the formation will not change. Colossal Cave offers various levels of cave skills, from the beginner to the experienced, physically agile adventurer.
Sabino Canyon
The Sonoran Desert has two rainy seasons. These seasons create a creek that flows over cliffs to feed the vegetation. This canyon offers places to walk, hike, and watch animals. The canyon has an open-air emission-free shuttle that tours the canyon. The canyon is free of charge for specific activities. The Sabino Canyon Recreation Area provides volunteers to help assist visitors.
Indoor Activities
Indoor activities in Tucson are a great option with the summer heat or rainy days. This is a list of indoor activities for children and families on a budget.
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- Skating
- Bowling
- Movies
- Convention Center (children focus events)
- Rock Climbing
- Gaming Center
- Trampoline Park
- Library events or readings
Summer Camps
Summer Camps are a fantastic way to help children meet a diverse group. The camps offer a 4-day program. These camps offer different themes that will benefit your child’s growth. Please check with the local listing for dates available.
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- Academic Camp
- Animal Camp
- Dance Camp
- Music Camp
- Performing Arts Camp
- Sport Camps
In conclusion, fun summer vacations can be full of exciting adventures. To sum it up, it does not matter if you are on a budget. There is always something to do with your children in Tucson.