Kids AZ! 12 best kids events this week: New trampoline park, hot air balloon rides, S'more
This week our kids events listing is all about high-flying fun. Urban Air Adventure Park, which boasts two Olympic-sized trampolines and a Sky Rider Coaster that enables kids to "fly," opens Saturday, Jan. 20 in Ahwatukee. Across the Valley in Goodyear, the Arizona Balloon Classic kicks off next Friday, Jan. 26 and continues through Sunday, Jan. 28.
You can find our full listing of January things to do for kids and families at azcentral.com/things-to-do/kids.
On that page, you can also find our most popular listing, which is all about free things to do for kids and families.
1/20: Trampoline park opens: Urban Air Adventure Park
A new 25,000-square foot facility with two Olympic size trampolines opens in Ahwatukee. The indoor park also features a Slam Dunk Track, a Dodge Ball Heaven and a Sky Rider Coaster, where kids can "fly" through the park on a track that glides along the ceiling. There's also a section for children ages 7 and younger.
Bonus: The first 100 people lined up outside for the 9 a.m. opening get to take part in a jump contest with Phoenix Suns’ Player Davon Reed.
Details: Grand opening, 9 a.m. Regular hours: 4-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 1-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. Open jump pricing: $8.99 for ages 5 and younger and $13.99-$24.99 packages. urbanairtrampolinepark.com.
1/20: Dino Preschool Party! Arizona Museum of Natural History
The Arizona Museum of Natural History is throwing a Free Dino Party just for preschoolers. Children under 5 are invited to enjoy games, crafts, hands-on activities and a family scavenger hunt! Games and activities are focused on building early literacy and healthy living.
Details: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20. Arizona Museum of Natural History
53 N. Macdonald, Mesa. Free. 480-644-3553, arizonamuseumofnaturalhistory.org.
1/20: STEM Saturday at Tumbleweed Ranch
The Museum of Science and Sustainability at Tumbleweed Ranch hosts STEM Saturday with its program, "Wonderous Waves." The museum is open to families on a drop-in basis where you'll have a chance to perform experiments, "see" a noise, yep you read that right, and hear faster than the speed of sound.
Details: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20. Tumbleweed Ranch at Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Road, Chandler. Free. chandleraz.gov.
1/20: Doggie Street Festival
The Doggie Street Festival is dedicated to increase pet adoption through its yearly Festival. This Festival is designed to be an informative experience that promotes public awareness, education and information focused on the solutions of pet homelessness.
Details: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20. Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix. Free. doggiestreetfestival.org/phoenix.
1/20: Snow in Phoenix at Desert Ridge Marketplace
About 4,000 people are expected the annual day of snow play with 40 tons of now, face painting, swag bags from retailers, cookie decorating, giveaways and live entertainment.
Details: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 20. Desert Ridge Marketplace in the Sandbar Mexican Grill parking lot, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd, Phoenix. Free. shopdesertridge.com.
1/21: Outdoor concerts, arts and crafts at Sunday A’Fair
Sunday A’Fair features outdoor concerts in Scottsdale Civic Center Park by top Arizona musicians, along with an arts-and-crafts market, fun activities for children and free tours of the park sculptures.
Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets to enjoy a relaxing afternoon of great entertainment. Food, snacks and cocktails, beer, wine and soft drinks are available for purchase.
Details: noon to 4 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 21 and 28. Scottsdale Civic Center Park, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. Free. 480-499-8587, scottsdaleperformingarts.org.
1/21, 1/27, 1/28: 'The Snowy Day and Other Stories'
"The Snowy Day and Other Stories" by Ezra Jack Keats celebrates the magic and boundless possibilities of the first snowfall! Follow Peter and his friends as they romp and play, start snow ball fights and make snow angels in this imaginative musical play about the childhood joys and challenges of growing up. Using innovative shadow puppetry, Keats’ treasured characters come to life in this humorous and fun adaptation of Whistle for Willie, Goggles!, A Letter to Amy, and The Snowy Day. For ages 3 and up.
Details: Showings at 1 and 4 p.m. Saturdays, 1 p.m. Sundays. Weekends, Jan. 21 through March 11. Tempe Center for the Arts Studio, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. $12-$30, 480-350-2822, childsplayaz.org/snowy-day.
1/25: Spring Out to Lunch Concert at Mesa Arts Center
Enjoy free afternoon concerts in the Wells Fargo Garden performance area at the Mesa Arts Center. Brown bag lunches are welcome, and food and drink are available on site for purchase. Enjoy captivating live music in a beautiful outdoor setting. Seating is limited so attendees are encouraged to bring comfortable folding chairs, cushions or blankets. Concerts begin at 12:30 p.m.
Details: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18 and 25. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa. Free. mesaartscenter.com/index.php/events.
1/26: Free art Friday in Tempe
Free Art Friday is an interactive series that gives children and their caregivers a chance to make art and spend time together. The theme on Friday, Jan. 26 is arctic animals in which kids will be making take-home masterpieces that explore polar bears, arctic owls, penguins, arctic foxes and walruses. Future free art Friday dates include, Feb. 23, March 23 and April 27.
Details: 9-11 a.m.Friday, Jan. 26. Edna Vihel Center, 3340 S. Rural Road, Tempe. Free. 480-350-5287, tempe.gov/FamilyFun.
1/27: S'More Sweets Festival
Head over to Founders' Park for a Candyland-like celebration full of sweet treats, from decadent desserts to homemade candies! Ideal for kids and anyone who loves sugary sweets, attendees can expect all things syrupy, sugary and crave-able in this Candyland come to life event.
Details: 1-6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27. Founders' Park, 22407 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek. $8, kids under 8 years free. sweetsfest.com.
1/26-28: Hot air balloon rides at Arizona Balloon Classic
The morning and evening skies are alight with more than 30 multi-colored balloons. On the ground families can enjoy food, live entertainment, tethered hot air balloon rides and a family fun zone.
Details: 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday-Sunday, Jan. 26-28. Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way. $15. abcfest.com.
Ongoing:
Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs
OdySea in the Desert opens a new indoor dinosaur attraction and interactive educational center. The attraction takes guests back in time to the age of dinosaurs with educational exhibits featuring more than 50 life-size animatronic dinosaurs. Kids can excavate fossils and enjoy face painting, sluicing activities, balloon art and more.
Details: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Sundays. Guests must reserve tickets in advance of their visit to guarantee entry. OdySea in the Desert, 9500 E. Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale. General admission $19.95 for adults, $18.95 for ages 12-17, $15.95 for ages 3-11; other interactive activities available for additional cost. pangaealandofthedinosaurs.com.
Contributing: Alison Stanton.
Reach the reporter at sonja.haller@arizonarepublic.com. Follow on Twitter at @sonjahaller.
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