Top 10 things to do with kids in Phoenix this summer

July 16, 6:39 PMPhoenix Family Entertainment ExaminerSuzi Milovanovic

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1 of the top 10 things to do with kids!

It's hot, really hot. We long time residents of the Valley know that, so thank you to everyone outside of the Valley that chooses to remind us! We'll call you in 2 months.

As the temperature climbs, find some great things to do with the family or just for the kids! There are many options for wherever you may reside in Phoenix.

1. Space Camp at the Environmental Education Center in Chandler -- This 4 day long camp is designed for children ages 7-13 and runs July 20th through the 23rd. For $72, children learn all about the fascinating objects found in space. On the last day, campers participate in a telescope-building workshop led by Stargazing for Everyone! Call 480-782-2890 for more details or visit the City of Chandler EEC website.
2. Desert Botanical Garden Flashlight Tours -- Every Thursday and Saturday through August 29th. Take along the family, or use it as the destination for date night! Bring your flashlight and see, hear and feel the desert night with nighthawks, insects and night-blooming flowers. Flashlight tours are free for Garden members and children under 3. General admission is $15 for adults, $13.50 for seniors 60 years and over, $7.50 for students, and $5 for children ages 5-12. Call 480-941-1225 for advance reservations, or visit Desert Botanical Garden online.
3. Goldilocks at the Great Arizona Puppet Theater -- Prepare the kids for a fun, learning adventure as they hear the story of the little girl who unexpectedly meets up with three bears! As is tradition at the theater, children will also learn how puppets become animated, as well as the "polite" way to behave during the show. Now through July 26th. Tickets are $6 for children 2 and up and $8 for adults. Members are $5 for children and $7 for adults. All tickets are purchased at the theater. Call (602) 262-2050 for reservations.
4. Summer Family Night at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art -- July 30th from 5:30-7:30, the SMoCA presents it's annual Family Night with "Dog Days of Summer". The event includes a Museum tour of Unexpected Wegman, a puppet show by the Great Arizona Puppet Theater, a hands-on printmaking project and cool refreshments. Don’t forget to bring your swimsuit to play in the fountain. Call 480-874-4641. $20 for a family up to 4 people, and $4 for each additional child.
5. Phoenix Mercury Basketball -- Phoenix was one of only eight cities awarded with a women's professional basketball team in 1997. It's time to cheer them on - and stay cool inside the US Airways Center while watching the moves of the Mercury Hip Hop Squad and shaking hands with Scorch, the purple mascot! You can purchase tickets online through ticketmaster.com and view the promotions for the game you may be interested in attending on the Mercury website.
6. Goodyear Family Fun Night at the Pool -- Go to the Goodyear Pool on August 1st for Family Fun Night - Back to School Bash. The event includes games, prizes, food, ice cream and water. 420 E. Loma Linda Blvd, Goodyear, AZ 85395 from 6:30 to 8pm. Contact: 623-882-7525 for more information, or visit the City of Goodyear official website.Admission for Family Fun Nights at the Pool is $2 per person. Children under 3 are free. 
7. Mighty Mud Mania -- Get down and get dirty in Scottsdale! Celebrate 33 years of dirt when Mighty Mud Mania squashes the town, and the kids with it! The event is one day only, July 17th, rain or shine! Click here for more information about the event, including pricing, game and contact information.
8. Winter in July at the Phoenix Zoo -- Chill out with the animals from 7am to 11am on July 18th! Activities will include: Piles and piles of snow (including a separate toddler snow-play area), snowball targets, water slides, live music, Radio Disney, snow and ice treats for the animals, and much more! The snow play festivities are free with regular paid admission of $16 per adult. The zoo is free for kids age 12 and younger until Aug. 31. As part of the deal, the zoo is offering a discount on special Wild Tickets. Flash your Fry's VIP card at the ticket window to get $2 off a "wild ticket," which includes zoo admission and unlimited access to the endangered species carousel, camel rides and the safari train. Wild tickets are $26.
9. Arizona Museum for Youth -- The AMY calendar is full of daily and weekly activities for children as young as three and include cartooning, illustrating and the always-beloved storytime. AMY hours are10am-4pm, Tuesday - Saturday and 12-4pm on Sundays Admission is only $6.50 for toddlers 1 year through adults and FREE for Members and babies less than 1 year old. The museum also offers a $5 group rate. Visit their website for complete exhibit descriptions and activity information.
10. High School Musical at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater -- School's back in session through August 1st as the hit Disney movie comes to life on the theater's stages. High School Musical is a fun and lighthearted show suitable for all ages. Ticket prices start at $22 for children ages 12 and under with various show times throughout the summer that include matinees. See their website for complete details.

Who says Phoenix is dull during the summer???