Written by: Mia
Updated: February 06, 2026
Downtown Scottsdale is best explored on foot, and this guide maps out 20 stops worth your time. Think canal-side morning strolls, public art installations, gallery wandering, patio dining, and sunset walks along the Waterfront. It’s equal parts art tour, food crawl, and desert slow-down.
Scottsdale and Phoenix are the kind of places that reward wandering, wide-eyed curiosity, and the wonderfully unpredictable rhythm of family travel.
One minute you’re following a toddler who has strong opinions about which cactus is “the best one,” and the next you’re watching your teen pretend they’re not actually enjoying the museum. In between, you’ll find trails that tempt adventure, galleries that spark good questions, and a few mind-bending surprises courtesy of the ever-popular Museum of Illusions Scottsdale.
And because no two trips with kids (or toddlers… or teens) play out the same way, this guide rounds up the best things to do in Scottsdale with kids of every age.
At Scottsdale Rentals, we specialize in full-service vacation rental management, offering travelers a carefully curated selection of luxury homes across the Scottsdale area. With deep roots in the region, our team brings nearly two decades of experience and a genuine connection to the desert — because Scottsdale isn’t just where we work, it’s home.
From full local guides to last-minute tips and the amenities you can expect during your stay, we’re here to help you make the most of your time in the desert.
Here’s what to do in Scottsdale with kids of every age.
Contents
- What to Do in Scottsdale With Infants (0–12 Months)
- What to Do in Scottsdale With Toddlers (1–3 Years)
- What to Do in Scottsdale With Preschoolers (3–5 Years)
- What to Do in Scottsdale With School-Age Children (6–12 Years)
- What to Do in Scottsdale With Tweens & Teens (13–15 Years)
- Wondering how to make the most of your stay in Scottsdale?
What to Do in Scottsdale With Infants (0–12 Months)
Babies may not remember their first desert escape, but you absolutely will! And that’s reason enough to curate the calmest, breeziest outings. At this age, think wide paths, soft light, and spaces where you can stroll at your own pace while your little travel companion drifts off to sleep.
Desert Botanical Garden
A dream for slow wanderers. We love going early when the desert light is softest, the trails are smooth, and the cacti stand like gentle chaperones. Birds chirp, shadows stretch long, and you can actually finish a full thought while walking—rare, luxurious, and highly recommended.
Fountain Park (Fountain Hills)
Perfect for babies who nap best “in motion.” The lakeside loop is stroller heaven, framed by mountains and anchored by the famous fountain that shoots up to 560 feet skyward on the hour. It’s about a 30-minute drive east of Scottsdale, but the scenery and calm pace make it well worth the trip. Easy, breezy, nap-supportive.
What to Do in Scottsdale With Toddlers (1–3 Years)
Ah, toddlers—the era of peek, point, wander, repeat. They’re curious, fast, and impossible to reason with, which means Scottsdale and Phoenix are perfect playgrounds thanks to all the sensory-rich, color-filled experiences.
Butterfly Wonderland
A warm, tropical wonderland where butterflies drift past like they’re auditioning for a nature documentary. Toddlers often react with full-body joy; wide eyes, wobbly little gasps, the works.
Children’s Museum of Phoenix
Pure toddler bliss. They’ll race tricycles, climb things you didn’t know were climbable, “cook” elaborate plastic feasts, and build architectural masterpieces from blocks. Meanwhile, you’ll wonder how two hours disappeared without you checking your phone once.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Even if they don’t grasp the concept of trains yet, we’ve watched plenty of toddlers light up the second that whistle blows. The little whistle, the bright carousel, the shaded lawns where they can wobble-run in any direction—it’s peak toddler entertainment. You get an easy, low-pressure outing; they get a full sensory adventure. Everyone ends up happy (and hopefully a bit tired).
What to Do in Scottsdale With Preschoolers (3–5 Years)
Now we enter the age of big questions, boundless imagination, and “Wait, what’s that?” whispered every 30 seconds. Preschoolers thrive in places where play meets learning.
Phoenix Zoo
This is the golden zoo age. They point at everything, ask about everything, and the giraffes feel like celebrities. The walking paths are just-right in length, and splash zones (seasonal) add bonus bragging rights.
OdySea Aquarium
Big windows, bright fish, floating jellyfish, and penguins who look like they escaped from a cartoon. Air-conditioned, stroller-friendly, and endlessly stimulating. Preschoolers love it; adults love the break.
Arizona Science Center
Giant levers, glowing exhibits, spinning things, weather rooms; it’s science disguised as play, which is precisely what preschoolers were built for.
Desert Botanical Garden (Treasure-Hunt Mode)
With longer attention spans, preschoolers start noticing quirky cactus shapes, darting lizards, and flowers in surprising colors. Suddenly, the garden becomes a scavenger hunt, not just a walk.
Musical Instrument Museum – Experience Gallery
Hand drums, gongs, shakers, strings; preschoolers get to try instruments from around the world, often with spectacular enthusiasm. Bring a camera and a sense of humor.
Old Town Scottsdale (Stroll Edition)
Colorful sculptures, fountains, snack stops, and wide sidewalks; this is toddler life on easy mode. Wandering Old Town often becomes its own little adventure.
What to Do in Scottsdale With School-Age Children (6–12 Years)
This group is curious, capable, and ready for actual adventures. They can hike farther, listen longer, and engage more deeply—which makes the desert feel wonderfully alive.
McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Choose a beginner-friendly trail and watch them step into their “explorer era.” The saguaro forests, big skies, and winding paths make even short hikes feel epic. Rock-collecting optional but extremely likely.
Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center
A standout experience for kids who love animals (or dramatic stories). Two-hour guided tours reveal rescued mountain lions, foxes, Mexican gray wolves, and other native wildlife.
Note: tours are by reservation only and not recommended for children under 5 (Family Day events are better for younger kids). Kids usually leave asking very serious conservation questions.
Wonderspaces Arizona
Art that glows, shifts, responds, and occasionally plays tricks on your perception. Wonderspaces makes contemporary art feel like a hands-on playground. School-age kids adore it.
SMoCA (Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art)
Kids this age suddenly form strong opinions about art (“I like this,” “I do not like this,” “That looks like my dream,” etc.). SMoCA keeps things approachable and bold, perfect for sparking conversation.
Musical Instrument Museum – Global Galleries
The headphones, performances, and instruments from around the world transform the museum into a choose-your-own-adventure story. It’s cultural immersion without the plane ride.
Museum of Illusions Scottsdale
This is their sweet spot: illusions turn into puzzles, puzzles turn into laughter, and laughter turns into surprisingly great photos.
Old Town Scottsdale
School-age kids love the mix of colorful art, quirky statues, and easy places to explore. It feels like a mini treasure hunt with plenty of stops for treats and curiosities. A fun, low-pressure way to blend culture with fresh air.
What to Do in Scottsdale With Tweens & Teens (13–15 Years)
The older years call for experiences that feel more grown-up, more immersive, and, let’s be honest, just cool enough to earn a nod of approval from the resident teenager.
Taliesin West
Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and desert laboratory is a world of design, geometry, and landscape woven together. Teens often find the behind-the-scenes stories surprisingly compelling, and the architecture makes everyone feel a little more cultured.
Longer Desert Hikes (Tom’s Thumb, Sunrise Trail)
Big views, bigger boulders, and the very gratifying “we hiked all the way up here.” Teens tend to rise to the challenge, and the photos are exceptional.
Game Show Battle Rooms / Bam Kazam
A high-energy blend of team challenges and themed missions. Lots of laughter, a little competition, and the satisfying thrill of “beating the clock.”
SMoCA (Teen Take)
Conceptual art, clever installations, and architecture that feels intentional: teens often connect more deeply with cultural spaces at this age, and SMoCA hits the balance between sophisticated and accessible.
Musical Instrument Museum – Artist Gallery
Vintage instruments, iconic performers, and stories behind the music that many teens already love. It’s cultural insight wrapped in great sound.
Museum of Illusions Scottsdale
Teens love anything that bends reality a little, and this spot delivers. Rooms that flip perspective, puzzles that outsmart you, and photo ops that practically beg to be posted; it’s the perfect mix of clever, quirky, and “wait… how is that even possible?” Expect plenty of debates, lots of laughing, and a few illusions they’ll insist on figuring out before they leave.
FAQ: What to Do in Scottsdale With Kids of Every Age
Is Old Town Scottsdale good for kids?
Absolutely. Old Town Scottsdale with kids works best as a low-key wander: fountains to point at, sculptures to touch, snack stops, colorful shop windows, and wide, stroller-friendly sidewalks. It’s lively without being overwhelming, and there’s always something to catch a child’s eye.
What are the best things to do in Scottsdale with toddlers?
If you’re planning things to do in Scottsdale with toddlers, stick to sensory-friendly spaces and gentle outings. Butterfly Wonderland, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, OdySea Aquarium, and short nature walks in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve hit the sweet spot between engaging and manageable. The Museum of Illusions Scottsdale also works well for a quick, joy-filled stop.
Are there free things to do with kids in Scottsdale?
Yes, plenty. Some great free things to do with kids in Scottsdale include nature walks at Gateway Trailhead, browsing the art in Old Town, taking the short drive to Fountain Park in nearby Fountain Hills, and spending the afternoon at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park (you’ll only pay if you ride the train or carousel). Early mornings in the desert are beautiful—and completely free.
What are the best things to do in Scottsdale with teens?
When it comes to things to do in Scottsdale with teens, lean into activities that mix creativity, challenge, and independence. The Museum of Illusions Scottsdale, Wonderspaces, Game Show Battle Rooms, MIM’s Artist Gallery, and longer hikes like Tom’s Thumb are all hits. Teens also tend to appreciate the design and storytelling at Taliesin West.
What are fun indoor kids activities in Scottsdale?
For indoor kids activities Scottsdale families love, look to the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Arizona Science Center, OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland, the Museum of Illusions Scottsdale, and MIM. They’re ideal for hot days, tired legs, or when you need a break from the sun.
What are the best things to do in Scottsdale with kids in December?
December is a wonderful time to visit. For things to do in Scottsdale with kids in December, add holiday lights at the Phoenix Zoo, seasonal programming at Desert Botanical Garden, cool-weather hikes, Old Town’s festive atmosphere, and all the indoor favorites—MIM, SMoCA, Wonderspaces, and the Museum of Illusions Scottsdale.
Are there fun things to do in Scottsdale for adults while the kids tag along?
Definitely. Many fun things to do in Scottsdale for adults are kid-friendly by design: wine-tasting patios in Old Town, architectural stops like Taliesin West, art walks, scenic hiking trails, and resort pools. Scottsdale shines when experiences feel layered; adults get culture, kids get space to roam, and nobody feels left out.
Wondering how to make the most of your stay in Scottsdale?
Settle into one of our Scottsdale Rentals homes and enjoy a space that feels warm, welcoming, and thoughtfully prepared for your time in the desert.
In a world full of generic stays, we focus on creating homes that feel personal, places with character, comfort, and the small details that make travel easier. Your desert memories begin with the right home base, and we’re here to help you find the one that lets you settle in, slow down, and truly enjoy Scottsdale.
Planning a mountain getaway after the desert? Stony Brook Lodging offers cozy, well-appointed cabins in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, perfect for families looking to take the adventure east and settle into the Smoky Mountains.