There’s no shortage of indoor playgrounds in the Phoenix area where you can bring the kids when the temps kick up. From aquariums where they can explore underwater life to trampoline parks where exhaustion is guaranteed, there’s something for every interest. Scroll our list below to plan your next indoor adventure!
photo: Steven W. via yelp
Uptown Jungle Fun Park
With a number of locations in the Phoenix area to choose from, there’s fun around every corner at Uptown Jungle. Jump on the trampolines, put your skills to the test on the ninja obstacle course, climb the massive play structure and zip down the mini zipline. There’s even a toddler area so the little ones can come along.
Locations in Chandler, Mesa, Peoria and Avondale
Online: uptownjungle.com
Whiz Kiz Playland
This spot is specially designed for infants and toddlers (and their school-aged siblings as well). Soft toys, Little Tykes play gear and fun with other kids is the name of the game. Visit for open play or drop the kids off for supervised play while you run some errands. Check their website for special events throughout the month.
15425 S 48th St., Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ
Online: whizkidzplayland.com
photo: Kate Loweth
Jake’s Unlimited
Part arcade, part bowling alley, part amusement park and totally fun, Jake’s Unlimited is the place to be when the temps go up and the kids need to burn off some energy. Your entrance fee gets you unlimited food until 8 p.m., which includes pizza, salad, baked potatoes and soft-serve ice cream. Choose from different packages to get access to the rides, arcade games, laser tag, bowling and mini bowling. Pro tip: head to Jake’s on Tuesdays when you can take advantage of their Family Tuesday special that gets you unlimited buffet, rides, non-redemption arcade games and laser tag, as well as one game of bowling and one game of mini bowling.
1830 East Baseline Road
Mesa, AZ
Online: jakesunlimited.com
photo: Kate Loweth
Arizona Science Center
Walk through an enormous working stomach (be forewarned, you may not be able to tear the kids away when they learn the stomach makes authentic noises) and then watch heart surgery being performed in the All About Me exhibit. Head to the Immersion Theater to feel what it is like to to be in the middle of a hurricane, tornado, wildfire, volcanic eruption or monsoon. Kids who meet the minimum height requirements will love soaring above on the Sky Cycle as they balance and peddle across a single wire.
600 E Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ
Online: azscience.org
Arizona Museum of Natural History
Step back in time the minute you walk in the doors of the Arizona Museum of Natural History. Here you can learn all about the prehistoric mammoths and other creatures who roamed Arizona. Head to the dinosaur mountain to hear the roar of dinosaurs and see a flash flood cascade down the rocks. Serve time in a territorial jail before you head outside to try your luck at gold mining.
53 N. Macdonald
Mesa, AZ
Online: arizonamuseumofnaturalhistory.org
photo: Kate Loweth
i.d.e.a. Museum
The i.d.e.a. Museum is the perfect place to explore imagination through art, science and technology. The museum features Artville for tots up to age four where they can explore art in a safe environment. Across the hall is HUB, a gallery with 11 different interactive stations to create. In the Design Your World station, you can build your ideal home using tons of different mediums. The Tech Table allows you to explore through the digital screen. All projects that you create at the museum can be taken home with you!
150 W Pepper Place
Mesa, AZ
Online: ideamuseum.org
photo: Kate Loweth
iFLY Indoor Skydiving
When the heat is on, head to iFLY indoor skydiving for a major adrenaline rush. With the help of an instructor, kids ages three and up (and their lucky grown-ups) get to experience what it’s like to skydive without having to jump out of a plane. Want to take your flight to the next level? Add on a “high fly” where you and the instructor fly even higher off the ground.
9206 Talking Stick Way
Scottsdale, AZ
Online: iflyworld.com/phoenix
photo: Kate Loweth
OdySea Aquarium
At Scottdale’s OdySea Aquarium, you can come face to face with over 30,000 marine animals in floor-to-ceiling windows and interactive exhibits. Touch pools allow little ones to experience creatures like sea anemones “first hand.” Kids will get a kick out of the penguins’ antics and they will not want to leave the water table once they get there. Take your crew on board OdySea Voyager, where you are “submerged” in a “submarine” and taken on an aquatic adventure (really you are in a theater that rotates 360 degrees through different exhibits). Don’t miss a pit stop in the bathrooms at the entrance—sharks swim by as you wash your hands!
9500 E Via De Ventura
Scottsdale, AZ
Online: odyseaaquarium.com
—Kate Loweth
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