From the debut of "Newsies" at one of our favorite family-friendly theaters to a fest that's about to bring the mess (in the best way), here is where to be this weekend of August 17-19.
Friday:
“Newsies” by Valley Youth Theatre
As the first show of their 30th season, Valley Youth Theatre presents the musical, Newsies, now through August 26, on Center Stage at the Herberger Theater Center. Tickets for Newsies range from $16.50 to $35.50 and can be purchased via telephone at 602.252.8497 or online, for an additional fee, at HerbergerTheater.org.
Summer’s Coolest Camping Gear
Plan a cool camping escape this weekend with AZFoothills.com’s picks for the best outdoor gear.
Saturday:
Make-A-Mega-Mess with FOAM
Get ready for a new PopX experience at Children’s Museum of Phoenix: Make-A-Mega-Mess with FOAM! Let loose and get as messy as you'd like; the folks at the museum will take care of clean-up (pack an extra set of clothes for the little ones). All guests must purchase general admission tickets to enter. #GetMessy through Nov. 18. Click here for tickets.
Free Climbing for Global Climbing Day
AZ On The Rocks in Scottsdale is inviting the public to climb for free on Saturday, August 18, for Global Climbing Day. The family-friendly rock climbing gym has partnered with North Face for this global initiative. North Face will donate $1 to the Khumbu Climbing Center for every climber who participates in Global Climbing Day at participating gyms, up to $100,000.
Cool Summer Nights at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Beat the Arizona heat and enjoy a family-friendly outing during our popular Cool Summer Nights at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson from 5 to 10 p.m. The desert comes alive at night as nocturnal animals awake. Bats perform aerial acrobatics in pursuit of dinner, beavers splash around in their pond, and scorpions glow green under black light. Bring your flashlight and explore, experience a live animal encounter, or participate in special nightly activities.
Photo by Mario Caruso on Unsplash
Seventh Annual Prickly Pear Festival
The Seventh Annual Prickly Pear Festival hosted by the Superior Chamber of Commerce will take place on Saturday, August 18, in the quaint and dynamic mountain town of Superior. The festival celebrates all the edible wonders of the Sonoran Desert while showcasing the many products and health benefits of the prickly pear cactus. Along with the festival activities, most of the local restaurants and retail merchants will have special sales and prickly pear items available.
Kids’ Night Out at Arizona Sunrays Gymnastics & Dance Centers
From 6 to 10 p.m., the Arizona Sunrays in Phoenix will host its special Kids’ Night Out event for ages 3 to 14. Kids get to have their own Saturday night fun by enjoying gymnastics, dancing, jumping in a bounce house and on trampolines, obstacle courses, fort building in the foam pits, and then wind down by watching a movie. Cost is $30 per child with a $5 off sibling discount. Pizza and drinks are included.
Sunday:
Dino Explorer at the Legoland Discovery Center Arizona
Do you have a dino-loving dude or dudette in the house? Well, treat them to 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.
Pangea Land of the Dinos at OdySea in the Desert not only offers plenty for kids of all ages to see and do, but it provides an educational look at prehistoric times in a way kids have likely only seen in books and movies. Time at Land of the Dinos starts with a walk through the colorful, lifelike habitats that are filled with 50 robotic dinosaurs, as well as bugs, birds and more, which move and make noise. A helpful tour guide teaches guests about each dinosaur along the way. (Kids adore the giant T-Rex!)
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 limited-time 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.
