Summer fun 2021: Beat the heat at indoor playgrounds

By Marissa Will

Disconnect, beat the heat, and keep your children entertained all summer long! The heat in Arizona is no joke, but luckily the Grand Canyon State is filled with indoor activities that children of all ages can engage in. Olivia, 3, and Logan, 2, visit three Arizona indoor playgrounds to keep busy while also creating special memories.

Uptown Jungle 

Two kids playing on climbing wall at indoor playground

Whether you are planning a birthday party, family activity or your child just needs to let off some steam, Uptown Jungle offers several attractions. Your child can check out the trampolines, obstacle courses, slides and climbing walls while you relax in a massage chair nearby. Parents and guardians can purchase the amount of time you would like to spend there in advance — but be sure to bring non-slip socks if you have them.

Details: Uptown Jungle has five fun park locations in Arizona

Phoenix
10630 N. 32nd Street
Phoenix, AZ 85028

Mesa
5741 E. McKellips Road
Mesa, AZ 85215

Peoria 
7608 W. Cactus Road
Peoria, AZ 85381

Chandler
2061 N. Arizona Avenue
Chandler, AZ 85225

Avondale, AZ 
1725 N. Dysart Road
Avondale, AZ 85392

Luv 2 Play 

Girl wearing a fireman jacket and hat sitting in front of red-painted wall meant to replicate a fire station

With two Arizona locations, this indoor playground was a huge hit with Olivia and Logan. Our favorite part: They labeled the kids’ wristbands with the parent’s name in case of an emergency. Again, you will need non-slip socks, or they can be purchased upon arrival.

Olivia, my little builder, spent a lot of time building with giant foam pieces. She then explored a section of “little shops” where kids can dress up and engage in Pretend City where there is a fire station, beauty parlor and grocery store. The playground also features a toddler section with a ball pit, slides, soft swings and climbing toys.

Additionally, this indoor playground focuses on entertaining adults as well. Grab a coffee in the cafe, relax at a table with free Wi-Fi or enjoy a quick bite to eat, there is plenty for parents and guardians to do as well. We ended the day by indulging in macaroni and cheese and lemonades from the cafe (all very reasonably priced).

Details:

Phoenix (Noterra)
2460 W. Happy Valley Road
Phoenix, AZ 85085

Surprise 
15495 W. Bell Road, Suite #104
Surprise, AZ 85374

Get Air

Trampolines are a great way to help children develop muscles, strengthen their bones and reinforce joints. Get Air, a trampoline park with locations in Yuma, Arizona and Tucson, Arizona, really tires out the little ones! Logan and Olivia visit the Yuma location every Tuesday and Thursday (from 10 a.m. – noon) for toddler time. This amazing program allows kids (ages 0 – 5 years old) to explore the park safely and parents get to jump for free as well.

Details:

Tucson
330 S. Toole Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85701

Yuma
3121 S. 4th Avenue
Yuma, AZ 85364

Indoor playgrounds not only allow kids to burn off energy but also offer a healthy dose of exercise. Next time you are looking at the triple-digit temperatures with dismay, remember there are other ways to keep your child entertained indoors.

MORE: Check out how to create a Pinkalicious cupcake using everyday arts and crafts tools that you likely already have at home!

What are some of your favorite kid-friendly, indoor activities? Share with us on Twitter by tagging @ArizonaEducator or #AZPBSKIDS and tag @azpbskids on Facebook.

About the author

headshot of woman smiling with brown hair wearing a green lace blouse.Marissa Will is the mother of two toddlers, Olivia (4) and Logan (2). Writing was her first passion: she’s a freelance writer and a Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication alumna. Will is currently educating the future leaders of tomorrow: She has spent the past eight years teaching third grade with a master’s degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University-Yuma.

Illustration of columns of a capitol building with text reading: Arizona PBS AZ Votes 2024
April 2

Arizona PBS to present candidate debates as part of ‘AZ Votes 2024’

A photo journalist walking a destroyed city
airs April 2

Frontline: 20 Days in Mariupol

A woman working on a project in an art studio
airs March 29

Violet Protest

The
aired March 25

Pulitzer on the Road: Small Town Shakedown

Subscribe to Arizona PBS Newsletters

STAY in touch
with azpbs.org!

Subscribe to Arizona PBS Newsletters: