Our staff picks for the best places around the Valley in 2025 to take the shorties.
Best School Field Trip
Skateland
No shade on a trip to the zoo, but we’re fully on board for an educational spin around the roller rink. That’s what Skateland’s S.T.E.M. programming offers to elementary and middle schools. Each field trip starts with a dozen or so interactive lessons (friction and the rate of speed, for example) followed by two hours of skate time. Locations in Chandler, Mesa and Glendale (Great Skate), unitedskates.com
Best Place for Cat Lovers
Wild Big Cats of Arizona
Cat people, this one’s for you. The Phoenix Zoo recently raised $5.4 million to build a habitat for mountain lions and jaguars, two elusive species rarely spotted in the wild. The exhibit, part of the zoo’s Arizona Trail, features several different views of the elusive felines and includes an elevated cat walk where the animals stroll overhead. 455 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, 602-286-3800, phoenixzoo.org
Best Slime Bar
Slimeatory
This East Valley emporium’s bevy of custom slimes ranges from the “butter” collection (spreadable, not sticky) to the “cloud” options (soft and snowflake-like). But the real treat is the DIY bar, where slime-loving kids can concoct their own creations, choosing scent, color, texture, even toppings. 2270 E. Williams Field Rd., Gilbert, 602-669-7918, slimeatory.com
Most Unique Indoor Amusement Park
Slick City
The mighty, mythical slide of childhood playground fame gets star treatment here: towering high slides, undulating slides, corkscrew slides, half-pipe slides, mega-launch slides. If you tire of this – but why would you? – move the fun over to the sport court or ziplines. Locations in Chandler, Peoria, Scottsdale and Queen Creek, slickcity.com
Best Way to Relive a Boomer Childhood
Old Town Candy & Toys
Obviously, kids will love the place. But this touristy spot next to Grimaldi’s Pizza is also great for locals older than 50 – in particular, those in need of a time warp back to the days when Spirograph, Operation, Etch A Sketch, Wooly Willy, PEZ, Magic 8 Ball, and cheap harmonicas, kazoos and slide whistles were standard kid equipment. Great vintage-brand candy, too. 4000 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 480-247-7332, oldtowncandyandtoys.com
