From seeing a Disney classic live to the perfect opportunity to give back and prep kids in need for the coming school year, here's to a weekend (July 13-15) of family-friendly fun!
Thursday:
Tempe Marketplace Summer Splash: Princess & Pirate Party
From 6 to 7:30 p.m., Tempe Marketplace presents Summer Splash: Princess & Pirate Party with appearances by Belle and Cinderella. Kids of all ages will enjoy free entertainment, music, dancing, prizes, an opportunity to cool down at the splash pad and the chance to pose for free pics with the princesses.
Friday:
TheaterWorks Presents “Disney's The Little Mermaid"
TheaterWorks heads under the sea with its summer production, “Disney's The Little Mermaid" directed by Chris Hamby. The production runs July 13 to July 22 at Gyder Theater at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts; the performance starts at 7 p.m. on the 13th. A staple at TheaterWorks, puppetry has also been incorporated into the production to enhance the underwater sequences. Tickets are $38 per adult; $16 per student and youth and $33 per senior.
Teddy Bear Tea Party at AZ Air Time
Calling all preschoolers! Kids ages 6 and under are invited to bring their favorite teddy bear to jump and play with at AZ Air Time trampoline park from 10 a.m. to noon. Complimentary iced tea, lemonade, and cookies will be served to the children; coffee will also be served to the parents. Special admission pricing is $6 per hour per child. Foam pit and rock wall climbing is included with admission. Jump socks are required.
From now until August 31, children 12 and under can enjoy any item off the kid’s menu for just $4. Kiddos get their choice of a hamburger, cheeseburger, grilled cheese or chicken strips. All meals include a soft drink and choice of hand-cut fries, sweet potato fries or a ranch salad. For $2 more, kids can add one of Zinburger’s shakes or floats to their meal.
Saturday:
Sixth Annual Backpack and School Supply Drive
During the sixth-annual Backpack & School Supply Drive, locals are invited to donate goods to the Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation (AFFCF) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Safewa parking lot at 4750 E. Indian School Rd. The nonprofit enriches the lives of the more than 19,000 children in Arizona foster care via the funding of activities, education and other needs. AFFCF’s current goal is to fill 5,000 new backpacks full of school supplies for the 2018-2019 school year.
Glass in the Garden: An Exhibition of Hand Blown Glass Art at Butterfly Wonderland
Just in time for summer, Butterfly Wonderland brings visitors out of the heat and into the rainforest as they introduce their newest exhibit: “Glass in the Garden: An Exhibition of Hand Blown Glass Art” featuring the work of renowned glass blower artist, Newt Grover. So, bring your kiddos out to enjoy some butterfly kisses and kaleidoscope colors this weekend at Butterfly Wonderland.
A Mirror Maze: Numbers in Nature at the Arizona Science Center
Want to give your kids a treat while expanding their knowledge? Well, the Arizona Science Center has a new exhibit perfect for you. Guests will have the opportunity to explore a seemingly infinite repeating pattern of mirrors in this exhibition created by the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry (MSI). So, be sure to grab your favorite selfie stick and prepare for many twists and turns around dead ends. Oh! And maze explorers will ultimately discover a small secret room with bonus puzzles, imagery and artifacts.
Celebrate National Ice Cream Dy
Sweet Provisions in Scottsdale will be honoring the tasty holiday by offering guests buy one, get one free on all ice cream purchases (scoops and cones) all day long. All flavors are made using the best local ingredients and favorites include Triple Shot Coffee, Salted Caramel and Mint Chocolate Chunk. You can even upgrade your dessert by adding a hand-dipped chocolate sugar cone or homemade waffle cone and a selection of toppings like salty caramel, fudge, bananas, chocolate chunks, gummy bears and more. Click here for more.
Sunday:
Summer of Sharks at OdySea Aquarium
With more than 40 visitors of nine different species living in the Aquarium, guests are invited to marvel at the largest and most diverse collection of sharks in Arizona. To celebrate “Shark Week” and the magnificent and the mysterious creature, OdySea Aquarium will be offering a variety of special programs, activities and educational opportunities for guests that are free with admission from July 1 to July 31. So be prepared for a Jaws-dropping time.
Need to cool off? Check out this roundup of the best splash pads in the Valley.
