5 Fun Ways to Beat the Summer Heat with Children in Chandler

Summer is here and so are the insane heat temperatures.  If you’re a Phoenix area native, I’m sure your out-of-state friends ask you all of the time, “How can you live there during the summer?”.  Summer can be especially hard for our kiddos.   Our fall, winter, and spring months spoil us with weather perfect for daily park visits, and the summer heat has no mercy.   So, rather than stay cooped up in your home everyday until October, I thought I’d share with you 5 Fun Ways to Beat the Summer Heat with Children in the Chandler and in the Phoenix area.

1. Indoor Play Gyms & Activity Centers

Andretti Indoor Karting & Gaming

There are options available area malls, but there are several area gymnastics facilities that offer Open Gym times.  These are awesome because these facilities will separate a part of their gym especially for children 5 and younger, away from larger, older children.  Many require reservations ahead of time and their fees range from $5-$15 per child for an hour of play, on specific days.  Check out places like: Gymboree Play & Music, Arizona Dynamics, Gold Medal Gymnastics, USA Youth Fitness Center, and Tuck & Tumble.

For older, more adventurous kids (adults included), check out places like KTR, Big Air Trampoline Park, Andretti Indoor Karting & Games.

For Chandler residents,  I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Tumbleweed Recreation Center (TRC).  Every quarter the City of Chandler publishes Break Time Magazine which is filled with current classes, activities, and events and it’s open to all ages.  Classes vary from dance, golf, swimming, cooking, arts, open gym, music, and more!  TRC is where my daughter had her first experiences with swim, tennis, jazz, tap, tumbling, cheer, and gymnastics.  It was a fun, affordable, awesome way to give her exposure to these awesome activities before she committed to competitive dance.  Most of all, it gave us something to do to beat the summer heat.  The TRC is located on the Southwest corner of McQueen Rd & Germann Rd at 745 E Germann Rd., Chandler, Arizona 85286.

2. Your Local Library

Chandler Public Library

If there’s anything Mychael the Librarian from Tiktok, or Lavar Burton from The Reading Rainbow have shown me, it’s that your local library is the perfect spot to grow your imagination.  Challenge your new readers with a summer reading program like the one going on at the Chandler Libraries.  Children of all ages can participate in this program for prizes, and fun events.  There are so many awesome events happening this summer.  Check them out and get exploring!  It’s a perfect place to beat the summer heat and foster your child’s love of reading!

3. Resort Staycations and Resort Day Passes

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Water Park

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is super popular around the holidays for it’s Christmas at the Princess event, but their water slides and 6 pools are just as impressive.  We’ve also stayed here before and loved the atmosphere.  We got a kick out of watching their hawk scare off pigeons while we ate outside for brunch at the Ironwood American Kitchen.  If a staycation retreat isn’t what you’re looking for, guess what? Resort passes can also be purchased through ResortPass for this water park too!  Pricing starts at $45 for children, $65 for adults, and infants are free.

The Great Wolf Lodge

Of course, #1 on the list for local resort staycations is The Great Wolf Lodge located in Scottsdale. It’s the perfect setting for families who want to check in and forget it.  Once you enter into the Great Wolf Lodge, there’s no need to go back outside because their fantastic water park is located INSIDE in the air conditioning.  I’m honestly kind of resentful this place wasn’t around when my kids were little!  You can purchase full day (open to close) or half day (4 pm to close) passes for their water park on their website, if you choose not to book a room.  Full day passes start at $60 per person, and half-day passes start at $54 per person.

Arizona Grande Resort & Spa – Oasis Water Park

So the cool thing about the Oasis Water Park is that you don’t need to have a room at the Arizona Grande Resort & Spa to access their water park!  All you need to do is visit ResortPass to make your water park reservations and you’re set!  Pricing starts at $45 for children, $55 for adults, and it’s free for infants. However, if you’d like to do more of a staycation, book your room with the Arizona Grande Resort & Spa and you receive 4 to 8 Oasis wristbands with the option to purchase 2 additional wristbands per night stay.

The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

While I love a relaxing stay at a luxury resort, you can also purchase a resort pass for The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa’s water park.  Passes can be purchased through ResortPass if you’re not interested in an overnight stay.  Pricing starts at $45 for children and adults, and it’s free for infants.  I can attest that the lazy river at this resort is one of my favorites and the fruity cocktails are perfection.  We’ve stayed here a few times over the years and the rooms are beautiful and the views are fantastic.  Plus, it’s not far from Kierland Commons shopping center.

4. Public Water Parks

City of Chandler Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center

The City of Chandler has six fantastic water parks open to the public.  My favorite is the Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center because I absolutely love its lazy river.  Equipped with two water slides, a bridge water fall, splash pad, and diving boards, this water park is also recognized as a Certified Autism Center. Their website can provide you with a sensory guide for the facility so you can plan accordingly.  You can also purchase a Family Season Pass for a family of 4 for only $112 for admission into all 6 water park locations from March until November.  For the list of locations, hours, and fees for these public water parks, visit the City of Chandler’s Aquatic Page.

5. Museums & Aquariums

Musical Instrument Museum

Musical Instrument Museum

The Musical Instrument Museum is the world’s only global musical instrument museum. It is a gorgeous museum located in North Scottsdale near the Desert Ridge area.  The museum has a fantastic children’s program called MIMkids open to children ages 0-10 years old.   Their Mini Music Makers program is open for children ages 0-5 years and is a great place for you and your children to make new friends while dancing and enjoying the love of music from around the globe!

Butterfly Wonderland Arizona

Butterfly Wonderland Arizona is home of the largest butterfly conservatory in North America.  It has a huge  collection curated rainforest insects and animals.  It has a cool 3D theatre along with a Rainforest Reptile Exhibit and so much more.  The butterfly conservatory is quite humid but it’s so cool.  If the idea of thousands of butterflies flying randomly around you isn’t your vibe, skip it.  My three-year-old wasn’t a fan of the conservatory.  The butterflies, while stunningly beautiful, frightened her when they were no longer behind glass.  But, it’s still worth a visit.

Arizona Museum of Natural History

Dig into the past at the Arizona Museum of Natural History in downtown Mesa.  Discover why giant mammals of the past who used to roam Arizona, are no longer here.  Pass away the time doing activities with your children in their Exploration Station designed for children ages 0-6 years.

I hope you’ve found these 5 Fun Ways to Beat the Summer Heat with Children in Chandler helpful! Of course, this is just the starting point.  If you’ve checked these places out, please let me know in the comments how much you loved them!

Honorable Mention

While I know scorching temperatures make it difficult to even begin to think about fall or the holiday season, sign up for my newsletter to stay in touch for our Santa event!  Returning this November, is our Simply Santa Sessions and we can’t wait to have you join us!  Santa Michael and Santa Titus will be back in the studio on two special weekends.  Sign up for the newsletter for reservation details!