Arizona is home to incredible museums that make learning feel like play. From hands-on children’s museums and interactive science centers to aviation, wildlife, history, and art museums, there’s something to spark every child’s curiosity. Whether you’re looking for an air-conditioned summer adventure, a weekend day trip, or an educational outing during the school year, these family-friendly museums across Arizona offer engaging exhibits, special events, and memorable experiences for all ages. Explore our guide to discover your next family adventure.
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Children’s Museum of Phoenix
Perfect for babies, toddlers, and elementary-aged kids, the Children’s Museum of Phoenix features three floors of hands-on exhibits that encourage imaginative play, creativity, and exploration. Favorites include the iconic Climber, Noodle Forest, art studio, trike track, pretend market, and more, with daily activities and special programs included with admission. General admission is $19 per person (ages 1+), $18 for seniors (62+), and free for children under 1. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the summer and offers Free First Friday Nights each month. 215 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-253-0501 or childrensmuseumofphoenix.org
i.d.e.a. Museum
The idea Museum in downtown Mesa inspires creativity through hands-on art, STEAM, and imaginative play designed for children of all ages. Families can explore interactive exhibits, create original artwork, enjoy daily programs, and let little ones discover ArtVille, a kid-sized world built just for them. Admission is $10 per person (ages 1+), free for children under 1, members, and veterans, with $4 admission through Museums for All for qualifying families. The museum is open Tuesday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., and Sunday, noon–4 p.m. 150 W. Pepper Place, Mesa. 480-644-2468 or ideamuseum.org
Musical Instrument Museum
The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) takes families on a musical journey around the world with more than 4,200 instruments representing over 200 countries and territories. Kids love the hands-on Experience Gallery, where they can play instruments from around the globe, while adults enjoy immersive exhibits celebrating music, culture, and famous artists. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for teens (13–19), $10 for children (4–12), and free for children 3 and under. 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-478-6000 or mim.org
Tempe History Museum
The Tempe History Museum offers families a fun, interactive look at the city’s past through engaging exhibits, hands-on activities, and rotating special displays—all with free admission. During the summer, don’t miss Tempe Time Machine, a weekly program featuring crafts, stories, live demonstrations, and themed activities inspired by the museum’s current exhibits. The museum is open Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and both the museum and Tempe Time Machine are completely free to attend, making it one of Arizona’s best budget-friendly family outings.809 E. Southern Ave., Tempe. 480-350-5100 or tempe.gov/museum
Arizona Capitol Museum
1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix. 602-926-3620 or azlibrary.gov/azcm
Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum
2017 N. Greenfield Road, Mesa. 480-924-1940 or azcaf.org
Arizona Doll and Toy Museum
5847 W. Myrtle Ave., Glendale. 623-939-6186 or facebook.com/Arizona-Doll-and-Toy-Museum
Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park
1300 N. College Ave., Tempe. 480-929-0292 or arizonahistoricalsociety.org/museums/tempe/
Arizona Museum of Natural History
53 N. Macdonald, Mesa. 480-644-2230 or azmnh.org
Arizona Science Center
600 E. Washington St., Phoenix. 602-716-2000 or azscience.org
ASU Art Museum
Nelson Fine Arts Center on ASU’s Tempe campus, 51 E. 10th St., Tempe. 480-965-278 or asuartmuseum.asu.edu
Cave Creek Museum
6140 E Skyline Dr, Cave Creek. 480-488-2764 or cavecreekmuseum.org
Chandler Museum
300 S. Chandler Village Drive, Chandler. 480-782-2717 or chandlermuseum.org
Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve
3711 W. Deer Valley Road, Phoenix. 623-582-8007 or shesc.asu.edu/dvpp
Desert Caballeros Western Museum
21 N. Frontier St., Wickenburg. 928-684-2272 or westernmuseum.org
Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting
6101 E. Van Buren, Phoenix. 602-275-3473 or hallofflame.org
HD South: Home of the Gilbert Historical Museum
10 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert. 480-926-1577 or hdsouth.org
Heard Museum
2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-252-8848 or heard.org
Historic Sahuaro Ranch
9802 N. 59th Ave, Glendale. 623-930-4200 or glendaleaz.com
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-257-1880 or phxart.org
Phoenix Police Museum
17 S. Second Ave. Historic City Hall 1st Floor, Phoenix. 602-534-7278 or phxpdmuseum.org
S’edav Va’aki Museum
4619 E. Washington St., Phoenix. 602-495-0901 or pueblogrande.com
River of Time Museum
12901 N. La Montana Blvd., Fountain Hills, 480-837-2612 or rotmuseum.org
Rosson House Museum
113 N. Sixth St., Phoenix. 602-262-5070 or heritagesquarephx.org
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
7374 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-874-4666 or smoca.org
Shemer Art Center and Museum
5005 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 602-262-4727 or shemerartcenter.org
Superstition Mountain – Lost Dutchman Museum
4087 N. Apache Trail, Apache Junction. 480-983-4888 or superstitionmountainmuseum.org
Western Spirit – Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
3830 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale. 480-686-9539 or scottsdalemuseumwest.org
More things to do with kids in Arizona
Raising Arizona Kids magazine provides resource directories as a community service. Listings are created by our editorial team to keep information objective and fact-based. If you know of a local museum we missed, please contact us.