10 Things to do in Phoenix This Weekend: Family Edition
Enjoy the simple joys in life this weekend of March 9 to 11 as you spend time with your family and appreciate the beautiful weather The Valley has to offer. Whether you want to lounge and treat your tots to a picnic on the lawn or go out and explore the critters in our backyard, this list has something in store for you. So take your pick and fix up a platter of fun for everyone to enjoy.
Friday:
It's Arizona's coolest interactive festival built just for kids! This event features giant inflatables, selfie galleries, sports activities, games, amusement park rides, a petting zoo, and so much more. There will also be performances by In Real Life and Asher Angel from the Disney Channel's ”Andi Mack.” Guests will also enjoy a performance by America's Got Talent finalist and Florence's own Evie Clair! There will also be special guests including Brenna D'Amico from the Disney Channel's "Descendants" and the "Descendants: Wicked World" and Issac Ryan Brown from ”Raven's Home” and “Black-ish.” Admission includes the concerts, Topias and more. So grab your kiddos and bring them to #KIDTOPIA.
Dino Explorer at the Legoland Discovery Center Arizona
Do you have a dino-loving dude or dudette in the house? Well, them them with a day they will never forget at the Legoland Discovery Center Arizona. This exhibit features a wide variety of dino-themed activities and hands-on learning. You will also have the chance to build your own Tyrannosaurus Rex, or any other dinosaur. And before you leave, you will have the opportunity to take a photo with the huge lego T-Rex.
Movie Night at the Scottsdale Quarter: “Cars”
Embrace this weekend’s beautiful weather with an outdoor movie night. Scottsdale Quarter will screen family films for free on Fridays in March, starting with a screening of “Cars” this Friday, March 9.
The Ostrich Festival at Tumbleweed Park
The Ostrich Festival is known as one of the premier festivals in the southwest. The Ostrich Festival features live ostrich races and ostrich-themed activities, national and regional entertainment (this weekend’s lineup include Kool & the Gang and The Beach Boys), carnival midway, spectacular food, upscale arts and crafts and more.
Cirque du Soleil Crystal at the Talking Stick Resort Arena
For the first time, Cirque du Soleil is pushing its boundaries and taking its dramatic acrobatics to the ice. Grab your kiddos and watch as the protagonist Crystal and other world-class ice skaters claim the ice with speed and grace, challenging the laws of gravity with daring tricks. This show features colorful and astounding visual projections and a soundtrack that blends popular music with the signature sound of Cirque du Soleil. To purchase tickets, click here.
“Turner and Hooch” at the Biltmore Fashion Park
Movies in the Bark returns this spring with all your favorite canine classics. Round up your crew and grab a seat for a fun, free movie screening every Friday through March 30 at 7 p.m. in the Center Lawn at the Biltmore Fashion Park. This event will feature a Frost Gelato Cart, California Pizza Kitchen will be offering menu favorites and Noble Beast will have special doggie treats. Camp Bow Wow will be selling popcorn and all proceeds will be benefiting the Arizona Humane Society.
Saturday:
Pic from: Lynne Russel
Junior Citizen Science Festival
The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy’s Field Institute and research center is hosting the Junior Citizen Scientist Festival. This festival is designed for elementary students and features a multitude of different adventures where students will learn about plants and animals as well as the Preserve’s geology and human history. Children will receive a free goodie bag along with a workbook with activities for each booth. Many of the activities tie to the STEM curriculum taught in Arizona schools. The event will take place at the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Lost Dog Wash Trailhead and the Kovach Family Nature Trail in Scottsdale from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. this Saturday, March 10.
“Despicable Me” at OdySea in the Desert
OdySea in the Desert’s Movies in the Desert series presented by Cox Communications and Johnny Rockets continues this Saturday, March 10 with “Despicable Me 3.” There will be a ninety minute pre-movie entertainment show beginning at 5 p.m. consisting of a character meet and greet, learn-to-draw Kevin table, a minon plate craft, a prize wheel and giveaways. The movie will begin at 6:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs/blankets while food and drinks will be available for purchase at the surrounding restaurants including crowd favorites such as Johnny Rockets, Nektar Juice Bar, Opa Life Greek Café and The Kakery. The event is free to the public.
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. the Kansas City Royals
Grab your kiddos and your favorite ball cap and head out to watch the Diamondbacks take on the Kansas City Royals this Saturday at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. First pitch will be thrown out at 1:05 p.m., and if you are doing it right, the first bite of your hot dog will shortly be following. Click here to purchase tickets.
Sunday:
Biggest-Bug-Bash at Butterfly Wonderland and OdySea Aquarium
Butterfly Wonderland and OdySea Aquarium present the first-annual Biggest-Bug-Bash of the year at OdySea in the Desert on Sunday, March 11. This event will be featuring cockroach races, edible insect treats, build a bug and an insect petting zoo which will include giant katydids, millipedes, and tarantulas from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. So if this doesn’t make you cringe, come out and enjoy this free event that is recommended for bug-lovers of all ages. For more information, click here.
