Five Fun Places for Kids in Tucson, Arizona

With over 300 days of sunshine every year, Tucson kids don’t spend too many rainy days indoors. But that’s no guarantee that a case of “their’s-nothing-to-do-itis” won’t strike! Here are five fun spots for kids in Tucson.

Please do touch! At the Tucson Children’s Museum (www.tucsonchildrensmuseum.org), kids are encouraged to be hands-on. New exhibits and activities are continually introduced, joining some established favorites. Tykes love climbing on the real emergency vehicles, standing inside a soap bubble, and playing customer or cashier at the bakery and farmer’s market. The Children’s Museum is located at 200 South Sixth Avenue. Call 520.792.9985 for directions, hours, and current exhibit information.

Chill out! Colossal Cave Mountain Park (16721 E. Old Spanish Trail), where the temperature is always a comfortable 70 degrees, is open every day of the year. Kids will enjoy the tour of stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the guide’s stories of bank robbers and stolen loot, which has not yet been found. And the folks at Colossal Cave promise you’ll never have to wait more than thirty minutes for a tour, a definite plus for parents. The park also offers a colorful butterfly garden, a tortoise exhibit, trail rides, and even overnight camping. Call 520.647.7275 for more information, or visit Colossal Cave on the web at www.colossalcave.com.

The temperate Tucson weather during spring, fall, and often winter are meant to be spent outdoors. A favorite place to do just this is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 North Kinney Road. This world-renown zoo has been enthralling visitors for over fifty years. Over 300 species of animals and more than 1,000 plant types can be viewed in a natural environment that spans twenty-one acres of spectacular desert just west of town. Take in for indigenous favorites such as coyotes and javelinas as well as threatened or endangered creatures like Mexican wolves and ocelots. Another plus: the museum’s Ironwood Terrace offers “Kidz Kuizine” including corn dogs and chicken O’s, and strollers are available to use free of charge. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and hats and sunscreen. Visit the Museum’s website at www.desertmuseum.org, or call 520.883.2702 for hours, prices, and more information.

Want even more animals? Check out the Reid Park Zoo (www.tucsonzoo.org), conveniently located in Central Tucson at 1030 South Randolph Way. The elephant exhibit will soon be upgraded to prepare for breeding, a new polar bear arrived in the fall of 2004, and even more recently a pair of African spotted-neck otters made their debut. The Zoo offers free parking, affordable admission, stroller rentals, and frequent special events and classes, too! Reid Park also features a soothing lake with ducks and geese, a breathtaking rose garden to stroll through, and lots of picnic and play areas. Call 520.881.4753 for details.

Who says you can’t live in Tucson and have a snowball fight? Mt. Lemmon is just a short drive up the scenic Catalina Highway giving desert rugrats a chance to build a snowman, go sledding, or make snow angels. And it’s a great place to go to fish, camp, or just cool off year-round. Please be respectful, and be aware of current fire conditions, especially when building a campfire. For more information go to www.mt-lemmon.com or contact the Coronado National Forest Service at 520.388.8300.

Have fun!