Ten Things to Do With Kids in This Heat

Photo from here.

You asked for it! Over 80% of you that voted said you wanted to know about things to do with kids.  There might be more to do around here during the summer than you might think.  Here's ten.

1. Creature Feature at Usery Park: Grab a mat, pillow, or blanket, and spend the afternoon watching a family movie on a giant screen inside our cool Nature Center! Every Thursday from July 8-August 12 we will feature a different animal movie at 1pm. Tomorrow's movie is Charlotte's Web.  A short ranger-led nature program that ties into the movie will also be provided. Fee is $6 a vehicle.  For more info, go here.

2. Summer movies.  Go to the Harkins Theater at Superstition Springs (or Tempe Marketplace) for a summer movie, 9:45am, Monday through Friday.  Line-up of movies is here.  A season pass is $7 for all 10 movies, but there are only five movies left for the summer.  If you buy now, you can still save $3/person if you see all five movies, or you can buy individual tickets for $2 a piece at the theater just before a movie.  Just go early--these are crazy popular.
3. Get a culture pass.

4. Go to an event at a library.

5. Visit a city of Mesa pool. 

6. Participate in the Summer Reading Program (Only 2 weeks left!) in Mesa or at SE Regional Library

7. Go to a splash park.  Go to Tempe Splash Playground, Fountain Hills Splash Park, or many others around town (like Chandler or Tempe).  Or visit the fountains at the Riverview shopping center (in front of Cinemark) or those at San Tan Village in Gilbert (near Dillards).

8. Wildflower Kids.  Every Wednesday from 3:30 to 4:00 PM Wildflower Bread Company offers a complimentary cookie, milk and activity to kids.  There's on at 6428 S. McClintock Rd in Tempe (SW Corner of McClintock & Guadalupe) and one at 3425 E Baseline in Gilbert (SW Corner of Baseline & Val Vista)
9. Go to an event at a bookstore.  Barnes and Noble, Bookman's, Border's (Alma School or Superstition Springs), they all have stuff going on for kids.

10. Car Cruise and Toy Car Event at Hobby Town.  For $5 your kid can race Hot Wheels on a 30-foot long track with an electronic start and a timer. Kids 12 and younger get a free Hot Wheels car. A custom Hot Wheels show is included along with a car cruise featuring full-size automobiles.  Held every Friday from 6pm to 10pm at Hobby Town, 1817 E. Baseline Road in Gilbert.
 
Have fun!