Boyce Thompson Arboretum
Whether you feel like getting outdoors to enjoy live music or prefer an indoor festival with face painting and inflatables, check out all the family fun to be had the weekend of Sept. 7 through Sept. 9.
FRIDAY:
Trapp Haus BBQ Celebration
Phil Johnson, owner and pitmaster of Trapp Haus BBQ, is hosting a party on Friday, Sept. 7, in correlation with downtown’s famed First Friday Artwalk, to celebrate Trapp Haus' first six months in business. Guests can celebrate this milestone with the Trapp Haus family featuring an all-you-can-eat whole hog roast ($10 adults, $5 per child, while supplies last) and live music, from 5 to 10 p.m.
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.
Tween/Teen Night at AZ Air Time
From 8 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, all tweens and teens, ages 12 and up, are invited to AZ Air Time trampoline park in Scottsdale to enjoy exciting dodgeball tournaments, dancing contests, and jumping on the indoor trampolines and into foam pits. This supervised nighttime play is perfect for parents who are looking for a safe, indoor place for their older kids to spend time on the weekend evenings. Cost is $15 for three hours.
SATURDAY:
Third Annual Children's Learning & Play Festival
With 13,000 attendees last year, this year’s free event promises to be bigger and better with authors, illustrators, performers, costumed characters and learning for kids of all ages. Highlights include storytelling, puppet shows, sing-alongs, interactive S.T.E.M. learning, LEGO play area, health and fitness, wildlife exhibits and more. All educational activities are free, with food concessions, face painting and inflatable rides available at additional cost.
ChandLore
On the evening of September 8 from 5 - 8 p.m., Historic Downtown Chandler will transport you back in time for a celebration of Chandler’s yesteryear with a “living history” experience through live character storytelling and music. Stationed along Boston Street and San Marcos Place under the historic colonnade, actors from ImprovMania will bring these bygone characters to life. Downtown Chandler will also commemorate Chandler’s founding year of 1912 by offering $19.12 specials from participating businesses. For a list of offerings and participating businesses go to www.downtownchandler.org.
Seventh Annual Fall Concert Series at Scottsdale Quarter: Rock Lobster
Unwind at Scottsdale Quarter for the seventh-annual Fall Concert Series, a free concert series taking place in The Quad. Live music from Rock Lobster can be enjoyed from 5 to 7 p.m. and will run at the same time every Saturday through Oct. 27 (a different music group will be showcased each week).
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.
SUNDAY:
"Nutcracker" Youth Auditions
Ballet Arizona will discover the 150 mini professionals-in-the-making that will star in its holiday production of “The Nutcracker” on Sunday, Sept. 9, including the performance’s main character, young Clara. Additional casting opportunities include the roles of angels, soldiers, party kids and bonbons. Auditions take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Ballet Arizona in Phoenix and are broken down by age and gender. Children must be between the ages of 9 to 18, or be in the School of Ballet Arizona’s Level 2 classes to audition. The auditions are free for School of Ballet Arizona students. $15 for non-students.
See Fall Colors
Do pumpkin spice lattes have you in the mood for fall? Check out these local spots for spying changing leaves with the family.
Pangaea 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!)
