Summer is here and we have decided to go out and explore a couple of places. We moved to Phoenix two and a half years ago and there are still so many places that we don’t know about. There are so many cool and fun places here. Whenever I hear about some sort of fun activity for kids I always try to share about it. Because somehow over the years I’ve become the uncool adult who isn’t in the loop anymore! It gets really hot in Phoenix during the summer so in addition to sharing some fun summer activities, I’m giving you a couple of different ways to also beat the heat!
We love getting outdoors as much as possible, but we also have to be mindful of the temperature. So make sure to always have your sunscreen and water handy! Last month we went and checked out the Butterfly Wonderland and the OdySea Aquarium (those are also some good options to beat the heat!) You can read all about it here.
Fun Summer Activities!
The first place we went was Jake’s Unlimited in Mesa, AZ. Let me start by saying this place is huge (90,000 ft.² to be exact!) Jake’s Unlimited is also a Certified Autism Center and has a sensory guide to help families know what to anticipate before arriving. Before I even knew that Jake’s was a CAC, I wanted to visit because they had a really good New Year’s Eve family event. But you already know we gravitate to places that are Autism friendly so this was a huge plus.
What we loved about Jake’s Unlimited
It’s an indoor entertainment venue so you can stay as long as you want and don’t have to worry about the heat. As soon as we walked through the doors we hit the ground running. There is something for everyone! Our boys are 2.5 and 5 years old and there was plenty for them. They have over 170 arcade games, dual-level laser tag arena, 12 bowling lanes, VIP bowling suites, 6 mini-bowling lanes, thrilling amusement park rides and attractions, and carnival-style midway games.
Did I mention that’s all included with price of admission?!
Now would be a good time for me to also mention UNLIMITED FOOD AND SOFT DRINKS are included with admission until 8 p.m.!
The boys ran around playing a ton of arcade games but I think the amusement park rides were their favorite. My son is a sensory seeker so he loves carnival-style rides. Even though I wasn’t able to do laser tag I could tell it was a big hit with the bigger kids who were there. It was cool because most of the arcade games let you play against other people so we played with the boys.
Outdoor fun
Before heading home we decided to stop by a splash pad. Splash pads are always a huge hit during summer. Most parks have splash pads, but our favorite park by far is Mesa Riverview. If you haven’t checked out our video “For the Love of Mesa”, which featured our introduction to Mesa Riverview, don’t worry I’m going to link it at the end of this post. Even though we have a pool, splash pads are really a different experience and the kids love it. This is a great outdoor option during the summer. Remember to bring snacks, sunscreen, water to stay hydrated, and a towel!
I’m going to keep sharing any fun summer activities I can find! We really love exploring Mesa and surrounding areas. Make sure to check out the Visit Mesa website to find other fun outdoor options, sensory guides, even hotel and restaurant recommendations!
Kish
[…] for families, date night, or just hanging out with friends! We have also enjoyed taking the kids to the splash pads during the summer. One thing’s for sure is there are endless possibilities to enjoying […]