If you’re heading to Arizona with kids, Scottsdale is more than just a desert retreat — it’s a family adventure playground packed with hands-on fun, cultural experiences, and easy-going outdoor escapes. Whether you’re chasing butterflies, strolling through cowboy-era streets, or cooling off in an aquarium, there’s a little something for every parenting style and every age.
Here’s our Top 10 list of family-friendly things to do in Scottsdale, including recommended age ranges to help you tailor each stop to your family’s pace.
1. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park 🚂
Recommended Ages: 1–10
This one’s a toddler dream and a planner’s favorite. It combines nostalgia, wide-open space, and just enough excitement to wear your kids out (in a good way).
Families can ride a miniature train through the park, hop on an old-fashioned carousel, or explore the museum full of model trains and historical exhibits. Plus, the shaded playgrounds and open grassy areas make it perfect for energetic play or quiet picnics.
Why parents love it: Clean bathrooms, shaded benches, and wide stroller-friendly paths.
Bonus tip: Bring quarters for the vintage mechanical rides and don’t skip the ice cream at the snack shack!
2. OdySea Aquarium 🐠
Recommended Ages: All ages
Indoor + air-conditioned + mesmerizing = a family win in every season. OdySea is the largest aquarium in the Southwest and features over 6,000 animals, including sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, and even sloths in their rainforest habitat.
Younger kids love the rotating OdySea Voyager theater — where you sit in a moving “submarine” that rotates through giant fish tanks. Touch pools, penguin feedings, and playful otters keep older kids engaged for hours.
Pro parent move: Buy combo tickets with Butterfly Wonderland (right next door) to save money and plan a whole day.
3. Butterfly Wonderland 🦋
Recommended Ages: 2–12
Step inside a lush, tropical conservatory filled with thousands of butterflies fluttering freely overhead. This place is pure sensory magic — with butterflies landing on shoulders, colorful tropical plants, and calming music playing throughout the dome.
There’s also a 3D movie that explains the butterfly life cycle (perfect for curious school-age kids), plus reptiles, stingrays, and even axolotls in the small but well-curated lobby area.
For laid-back explorers and nature-loving toddlers, this is a gentle, beautiful, and educational stop.
4. Scottsdale Civic Center Park 🌳
Recommended Ages: All ages
This newly renovated park offers the perfect slow morning or late afternoon escape. With grassy lawns, large sculptures, fountains, and shaded walking paths, it’s ideal for strollers, scooters, or just kicking a ball around.
Look out for free cultural events, art shows, and weekend food trucks. There’s a nice mix of local families and travelers, making it feel friendly and open.
Great for multitaskers: let the kids burn energy while you sip a coffee and people-watch with a mountain view.
5. Old Town Scottsdale 🛍️
Recommended Ages: 4+
For spontaneous parents or families who like to wander, Old Town has a bit of everything: western-themed shops, art galleries, candy stores, old-school ice cream parlors, and loads of Instagram-worthy backdrops.
There are also walking tours (including ghost tours) and public art trails. You’ll spot cowboy sculptures, horse-drawn carriages, and the occasional street musician.
Best time to go? Morning for low crowds, or evening for golden-hour charm.
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6. McDowell Sonoran Preserve 🏜️
Recommended Ages: 6+ for hikes | 2–5 in a hiking carrier
If you’ve got an outdoor-loving crew, this protected desert space is a must-see. With over 200 miles of trails, there’s everything from stroller-friendly walks to rugged family hikes.
The Gateway Trailhead is a good starting point with kid-accessible loops and bathrooms on-site. Keep your eyes open for desert rabbits, cactus flowers, and maybe even a roadrunner!
Planner tip: Avoid mid-day hikes, wear grippy shoes, and bring plenty of water — even in cooler seasons.
7. Phoenix Zoo (Just 15 Minutes Away) 🐘
Recommended Ages: All ages
Yes, technically this is in Papago Park, Phoenix, but it’s so close and so good, it’s worth the drive. With over 1,400 animals, themed trails, a giraffe-feeding platform, and a toddler-friendly Discovery Farm (complete with tractors and goats), it’s easy to spend a full day here.
There’s even a splash pad in the summer months — so don’t forget swimsuits and towels!
Multitasker bonus: There’s also a lake, paddle boat rentals, and a nearby hiking trail for extra adventuring.
8. Arizona Boardwalk Entertainment Complex 🎡
Recommended Ages: 3–12
If you want to do a lot without driving all over town, this is the place. The Arizona Boardwalk is home to OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland, Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs, a laser maze, VR rides, and restaurants.
All of the attractions are walkable and stroller-accessible, with shady courtyards and food options in between.
Great for planners and spontaneous families alike, especially if you need flexible options for kids with different interests.
9. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) 🎨
Recommended Ages: 6+
Older kids with an eye for design or creativity will enjoy this small but engaging modern art museum. Interactive exhibits pop up throughout the year, and the museum is very family-friendly in size and tone.
For teens and tweens who’ve outgrown play centers but still like to explore, this can be a cool change of pace. It’s right by Civic Center Park, so you can easily combine the two in one trip.
Quiet, air-conditioned, and inspiring — perfect for a thoughtful afternoon.
10. Topgolf Scottsdale ⛳
Recommended Ages: 5+
Yes, it’s a driving range — but it’s also a kid-friendly, climate-controlled, food-filled entertainment center with music, games, and energetic vibes. The balls are tracked digitally, so even young kids can get feedback as they aim for targets.
They offer child-size clubs, and there’s food and drink delivered to your bay. It’s like a bowling alley meets mini-golf — but cooler.
Perfect for the spontaneous fun-seeker or multitasking parent who wants fun and dinner in one place.
Final Thoughts
Scottsdale proves that family travel doesn’t have to mean just playgrounds and snack breaks. From hands-on wildlife encounters to cowboy towns, hiking preserves to air-conditioned play palaces, you’ll find the right mix of structure and surprise for your family.
Tips for success:
- Always bring hats, sunscreen, and refillable water bottles.
- Plan outdoor activities for early morning or after 4 p.m.
- Keep a few flexible, indoor options ready (like OdySea or Topgolf) in case the heat spikes or naps go rogue.
Whether you’re the kind of parent who plans every detail, or you prefer to let the day unfold as it comes — Scottsdale welcomes all kinds of adventures.
🛒 Affiliate Disclosure
This post may contain affiliate links, which means, I earn from qualifying purchases — at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products my family uses and loves. Thank you for supporting our travels and this blog!
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