Family fun for the summer
The weather may be heating up, but there’s still plenty for kids to do.
The weather may be heating up but that hasn’t slowed the amount of things for kids to do in the Phoenix metro area.
A host of events — many of them free — allow kids and families to chill out while watching movies, listening to music, meeting artists and splashing around.
Through July 20: Summer Band Concerts
Glendale presents eight weeks of concerts at Murphy Park Amphitheatre. A community band of almost 100 musicians will play marches, polkas, movie medleys and other tunes. The summer tradition is more than 50 years old.
Details: 8 p.m. Thursdays through July 20. Murphy Park Amphitheatre, 58th and Glendale avenues, Glendale. Free. visitglendale.com.
Through July 27: Summer Splash Tuesdays and Thursdays
Kids can meet their favorite princess or superhero, including Ariel, Spiderman, Moana and Elsa. Tempe Marketplace and Desert Ridge Marketplace present free live entertainment, music, dancing, splash pads and a free downloadable photo with the featured weekly characters. Check the website to see the changing themes for Tempe Marketplace on Thursdays and Desert Ridge Marketplace on Tuesdays.
Details: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursdays through July 27 at Tempe Marketplace, 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. 480-966-9338, tempemarketplace.com/summer/. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesdays, June 6-July 25 at Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix. 480-513-7586, shopdesertridge.com/summer/.
Through June 18: Disney’s ‘The Jungle Book,’ Kids
Fountain Hills Theater invites families into the musical jungle of Mowgli and his panther partner Bagheera as they try to escape the ferocious Shere Khan. They meet the tricky snake Kaa, and the bear Baloo.
Details: Through June 18. 7 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Fountain Hills Theater, 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd. $18, $15 for ages 17 and younger. 480-837-9661, fhtaz.org.
June 10, 17, 24: Arrowhead Towne Center concerts
Cool off and catch some tunes at the Saturday night Arrowhead Towne Center amphitheater. The June lineup includes bands playing country, classic rock, movie medleys and steel drums.
Details: 7-9 p.m. Saturdays in June. Arrowhead Towne Center, 7700 W. Arrowhead Towne Center, Glendale. Free. arrowheadtownecenter.com/events.
Through July 2: Summer Concert Series at McCormick-Stillman
This annual summer attraction at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale includes free music plus carousel and train rides. Food is available for purchase. Check therailroadpark.com for the weekly entertainment lineup.
Details: 7:30-9 p.m. Sundays through July 2. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale. Free. 480-312-2312, therailroadpark.com.
June 6: Musical Instrument Museum program
The Musical Instrument Museum will travel to Scottsdale’s Civic Center Library to introduce people to its global collection of artifacts, costumes and objects. Games and activities for kids will illustrate the diversity of music.
Details: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 6. Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Free. ScottsdaleLibrary.org.
June 13, 20, 27: Kids Club at Arrowhead Towne Center
Arrowhead Towne Center and National Geographic Kids present free Tuesday events for kids focused on discovery through play. Near the Dick’s Sporting Good Court, children can sing, dance and talk about backyard creatures.
Details: 11 a.m. Tuesdays in June. Arrowhead Towne Center, 7700 W. Arrowhead Towne Center, Glendale. Free. arrowheadtownecenter.com.
June 7, 14, 21, 28: Westgate Wednesdays
Each week, Westgate Entertainment District features a different theme around film characters to create games, prizes and fun. Among June’s characters are Wonder Woman, Belle, and Anna and Elsa. Kids can take home a free downloadable picture with a different character every week.
Details: 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays in June. Westgate Entertainment Center, 6751 N. Sunset Blvd., Glendale. Free. westgateaz.com.
June 10: Mighty Mud Mania
The best excuse ever to get dirty and wallow in mud. There are different obstacle courses courses for all ages and a “mud nursery” walkthrough course for ages 1 to 3.
Details: 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 10. Chaparral Park, 5401 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale. Free admission; extreme course and fast passes are $10. 480-312-3111, scottsdaleaz.gov.
June 10: Phoenix Zoo’s Prowl & Play
Music, magic, art and water fun are part of the nighttime activities at Prowl & Play: Kids Street Fest. Families can enjoy the bubble zone, games, the Crazy Carnival Show, Creative Critters Art Show, roaming entertainment and acrobatics. Details: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, June 10. Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway. $8, free for children under 2. 602-2731341, phoenixzoo.org.
June 10-11: Free Phoenix Art Museum days for families
On the second weekend of each month, the Phoenix Art Museum invites families to live performances, scavenger hunts, tours, crafts and more. Admission is free, courtesy of Discount Tire Co. Every month features a new theme. June’s theme is “symbols.”
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, June 10; noon- 5 p.m. Sunday, June 11. 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Free. phxart.org.
June 13, 20, 27: Harkins discount classic movie nights
Harkins Theatres invites families to $5 classic movies in June. This month’s lineup includes: “E.T.” (1982) on June 13, “Grease” (1978) on June 20 and “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” (1971) on June 27.
Details: 7 p.m. Tuesdays, June 13, 20, 27, at participating theaters. $5. harkinstheatres.com/tnc
June 14: Traveling by Covered Wagon
Scottsdale’s Museum of the West presents “Western Bound: Traveling by Covered Wagon.” Children will learn about the journey west from Independence, Mo., to the Oregon Trail through playing pioneer bingo, drawing, creating a burlap-covered journal and covered wagon from canvas and wood and exploring the museum’s Old West artifacts. RSVP requested at education@scottsdalemuseumwest.org.
Details: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, June 14. Museum of the West, 3830 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale. $5, free for age 5 and younger. 480-686-9539, scottsdalemuseumwest.org.
June 17: Backyard Games Day and Cornhole Championship
This huge family event includes a DJ, bounce houses, Kids Zone, obstacle course, board games, a climbing wall and hands-on activities for all ages. The signature event is the second annual Arizona State Cornhole Championships. More than 40 vendors from the Valley’s Front Porch Pickins Vintage & Handmade Market are part of the fun.
Details: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, June 17. WestWorld, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. $10, free for age 12 and younger. $10 advance-purchase bracelet grants access to various activities. 480312-6802, westworldaz.com.
June 17: Daddy & Daughter Tea Party
Girly Girlz invites dads and daughters to a three-course Father’s Day treat. Father and daughter will make a keepsake project, engage in ballroom dancing and enjoy a three-course tea party.
Details: 4-5 p.m. Saturday, June 17. Girly Girlz, 15425 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. $15.95 per person. Reservations required. 480-998-4832, www.facebook.com/girlygirlz.
June 22: Free swim day at Aqua-Tots
The Surprise and Peoria Aqua-Tots swim schools are offering free safety awareness lessons and open swims. The indoor swim schools accept all ages and the event will include swim instructors, firetrucks and visits with firefighters.
Details: 8-11 a.m. Thursday, June 22. Aqua-Tots Swim School, 21505 N. 78th Ave., Peoria, and 13833 W. Bell Road, Surprise. Free. Aqua-Tots.com.
June 23: Movie night at the ballpark
Watch the family friendly movie “Ghostbusters” on the outfield at Goodyear Ballpark. Bring blankets. Concessions will be available for purchase. Gates open 30 minutes before showtime.
Details: 7 p.m. Friday, June 23. Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way. Free. goodyearbp.com.
June 25, July 23, Aug. 27: Heard Museum’s Free Summer Sundays
Meet artists, watch dance performances and see artist demonstrations once a month at the Heard Museum.
Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays, June 25, July 23 and Aug. 27. Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Free. heard.org.
Through Sept. 3: Free admission for military families at i.d.e.a.
The i.d.e.a. Museum is providing free admission to active-duty military families through the Blue Stars Museums program. Active-duty military personnel and up to five family members receive free admission with the following identification: Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID) or DD Form 1173-1 ID card.
Details: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and noon-4 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 3. i.d.e.a. Museum, 150 W. Pepper Place, Mesa. idea museum.org.