5 Things to Do in Scottsdale With Kids

If you’re buying a home for sale in DC Ranch and you have little ones in tow – whether they’re your children, your grandkids or other charming miniatures – you’ll be glad to find out that there’s always something to do with kids in Scottsdale and the surrounding communities. Check out this list of five things to do in Scottsdale with kids to plan your next big outing.

5 Things to Do in Scottsdale With Kids

Some of the most popular attractions in Scottsdale that are great spots to go with kids include:

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center
Butterfly Wonderland
OdySea Aquarium
Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary

Here’s a closer look at each.

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

Website: https://www.therailroadpark.com/

Address: 7301 East Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale

Phone: 480-312-2312

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is a fabulous place to spend a day – or more – with your favorite kids. Operated by the city of Scottsdale’s Parks and Recreation Department, this 30-acre wonderland has everything you need to have a blast. It’s home to a 1950 vintage Allan Herschell carousel, the Paradise & Pacific Railroad that the whole family can ride, and lots of shops and museums. Playgrounds and play areas abound, and adults can sit in grassy, shaded areas while the little ones play.

Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center

Website: http://southwestwildlife.org/

Address: 27026 North 156th Street, Scottsdale

Phone: 480-471-3621

The Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center rescues and rehabilitates all kinds of wildlife – and the animals that can’t go back into the wild stay in the sanctuary. You have to pre-register for tours, which you can do by calling or visiting the Center’s website. Kids and adults will see bears, bobcats and a wide range of other wildlife during a tour, and the experienced and knowledgeable guides are available to answer questions throughout.

Butterfly Wonderland

Website: https://butterflywonderland.com/

Address: 9500 East Via de Ventura, Scottsdale

Phone: 480-800-3000

Butterfly Wonderland is an exceptionally special place. Take guided or self-guided tours to explore the entire lifecycle of a variety of butterflies; you’ll see caterpillars, cocoons with emerging butterflies (in real-time!) and walk through a beautiful indoor garden where butterflies will land on your clothing and pose for pictures. You can feed the Koi fish, watch a butterfly release or join a talk – like a Rainforest Reptile or Bug talk – to learn even more about all kinds of mysterious creatures.

OdySea Aquarium

Website: https://www.odyseaaquarium.com/

Address: 9500 East Via de Ventura, Scottsdale

Phone: 480-291-8000

OdySea Aquarium is one of the most popular attractions for children in Scottsdale. This beautiful place has sea life from all over the world in more than 2 million gallons of water. In fact, it’s the largest aquarium in Arizona. Featuring interactive displays, educational pieces and pure entertainment for kids (and adults) of all ages, OdySea has more than 65 exhibits and 370 species. It also has the only Russian Sturgeon touch exhibit in the world.

Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary

Website: https://www.phoenixherp.com/

Address: 20701 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale

Phone: 602-550-1090, extension 5

The Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary is a nonprofit organization that includes a surrender facility, educational programs, and rescue and rehabilitation for all kinds of desert (and some non-desert) creatures. You have to book tours ahead of time by calling or registering online; usually, the tours start at 11 a.m. and they’re available on various days. The guided tours last approximately 3 hours, and there’s plenty of time to ask questions along the way.