Scottsdale has a wide variety of things to do with kids. The many different kinds of marine life at OdySea Aquarium are sure to dazzle them while the wave pool at Big Surf will definitely tire them out. Take a look at the list below for more things to do in Scottsdale with kids:

• Phoenix Zoo: home to more than 3,000 animals, with nearly 400 species represented, including many threatened/endangered species
• OdySea Aquarium: offers an entertaining, interactive, and educational experience for guests of all ages by combining
• Butterfly Wonderland: the largest butterfly conservatory in the country with over 3,000 fluttering butterflies
• Big Surf: opened in 1969, this water park was the first in the country to have a wave pool
• Desert Botanical Garden: learn more about the desert and why it is amazing

There are a large amount of kid-friendly activities available in Scottsdale that parents will enjoy. You can sip on an adult beverage poolside while your kids enjoy the kiddy pool or go on a shopping spree in Old Town. Take a look at more family-friendly things to do in Scottsdale below:

• Musical Instrument Museum: provides a one-of-a-kind experience for visitors of all ages with more than 6,800 instruments on display from around the world
• McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park: take a ride on the restored train and the beautiful carousel
• Talking Stick Resort: your kids will love the children’s pool while you relax with an adult beverage
• Goldfield Ghost Town: take a tour through this authentic ghost town
• Old Town Scottsdale: the perfect place to get some retail therapy

Despite having a reputation of being a playground for the wealthy, there are actually plenty of free and affordable activities for kids in Scottsdale. Check out all of the best sightseeing and free activities for kids in Scottsdale below:

• Camelback Mountain: climb to the top for amazing views of Scottsdale and Phoenix
• Hole in the Rock: a fantastic rock formation on the edge Papago Park
• Pinnacle Peak Park: features a moderate out-and-back trail through the pristine Sonoran Desert environment up to Pinnacle Peak
• Tom's Thumb Trailhead: this trail features beautiful wild flowers and great views from iconic Tom’s Thumb
• Fountain Park: this park is complete with a playground, acres of turf, and a championship golf course

The city of Scottsdale has many things to do specifically for kids. For a trip back in time, head over to Rawhide’s 1880s Western Town complete with a Main Street and fake gunfights. Find more fun things to do in Scottsdale for kids below:

• Children’s Museum of Phoenix: offers over 300 play experiences spread throughout three floors
• CrackerJax: offers an exciting variety of attractions, food, and sports
• Rawhide 1880s Western Town: an authentic replica of an 1880's town complete with a Main Street and gunfights
• Spinners on the Green: see which one of your kids is the best at frisbee golf
• Sugar Bowl: take a trip back to the ‘50s with the ice cream and milkshakes from this place

Large groups will have plenty of fun participating in many of the kid-friendly activities available in Scottsdale. Unleash your group at AZ Air Time for dodgeball, basketball, and more all while bouncing on trampolines. Find more of the best family-friendly group activities below:

• AZ Air Time: play dodgeball, shoot baskets, jump into a huge foam pit, practice tricks, or just jump for fun
• Party Jungle: an indoor amusement park where one price pays for everything
• Glow Putt Mini Golf: black lights add a whole new level of fun to mini golf
• Fat Cats Gilbert: features an all-reclining movie theater, 20 lanes of bowling, indoor miniature golf and a massive arcade
• Uptown Jungle Fun Park: there’s a ball blaster arena, trampolines, climbing walls, and a mega-play structure

Don’t worry about your kids missing a day of school during their time in Scottsdale. There are plenty of educational activities allowing your kids to learn while having fun. Look below for the best educational activities and things to do in Scottsdale with kids:

• Arizona Science Center: strives to inspire, educate and engage curious minds through science
• Museum of the West: offers high-quality exhibitions, educational programs, and community outreach addressing regional history
• Hall of Flame Fire Museum: almost an acre of fire history exhibits, with over 90 fully restored pieces of fire apparatus on display
• Arizona Museum of Natural History: dedicated to inspiring wonder, respect and understanding for the natural and cultural history of the Southwest
• Pioneer Living History Village: here you’ll find authentic buildings and historically accurate reproductions

Why not enroll your kids in a creative or performing arts class? Scottsdale is home to many spectacular programs teaching kids the basics of almost every art form. Keep reading for some of the best creative and performing arts classes available in Scottsdale:

• Stage Dreams Youth Theater: here your kids will learn all about the basics of theatrical performances
• Burst Of Butterflies Create & Paint Studio: enjoy the experience of painting your own masterpiece, as well as a large classroom area for instructor-led classes
• As You Wish: offers classes for both canvas and pottery painting
• MacDonald’s Ranch: the premier horseback riding stable in the Valley of the Sun
• Kidtastics: provides entertaining, interesting, and fun classes for kids

You’ll want to spend most of the day indoors if you are in Scottdale during the summer months. Luckily, the city has plenty of fun, indoor activities for the whole family specifically for that reason. Check out the following list for the best indoor games and activities for kids in Scottsdale:

• Stratum Laser Tag: offers a huge laser tag arena with 15 different levels from 2′ to 20′ high, 90 towers, bridges, and ramps
• AZ on the Rocks: come here for some of the best rock climbing in Scottsdale
• Octane Raceway: see who’s the fastest around the track in these go-karts
• Starfighters Arcade: take a step back in time by playing these retro arcade games
• Ice Den Scottsdale: see who can do the most laps of the ice rink