Education Information | Family Classes | Kids Shows

Looking for something new and different to do with your kids? There are trips to take, meals to make, and fun to be had for everyone. We want to hear from you about what your kids love to do!

Free/Inexpensive Places to Play

Chandler Fashion Center
The play area is located in the mall right in front of Barnes and Noble.

McDonald's Playland
(several in Ahwatukee and surrounding areas)

Toy Town
T 380.496.4393
12020 S. Warner-Loop #105
Toy Town is a child-size village with a doctor's office, fire station, school and more that's perfect for preschools to young school-aged kids. There's also an area with toddler toys. You pay $6.75 per child and can stay as long as you want. No food or drink allowed (sippy cups are fine) but you can order a pizza or sandwiches from next door or buy snacks/drinks from their kitchenette.

Slumber Party at the Sea
California's Aquarium of the Pacific offers family sleep overs. Located at the edge of the Long Beach Harbor, your kids will learn amazing things about their favorite underwater creatures. The sleep overs promote environmental awareness. The emphasis here is on education and fun. From 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. your guide will introduce you to your overnight companions at the aquarium. There are almost 12,000 Pacific inhabitants. They will also provide a pizza dinner, crafts, snacks and breakfast in the morning. Your children will pet stingrays, watch otters, giant octopus and see reef sharks which never sleep, up close. More aquarium's across the United States are offering these programs each year. See the list below for some others you may wish to visit.

Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, California
562-590-3100
Aquarium of the Pacific

Sea World California
500 Sea World Drive
San Diego, California
800-380-3202
Sea World

Monterey Bay Aquarium
Members and Guests of Members Only
886 cannery Row
Monterey, California
800-840-4880
Monterey Bay Aquarium

New England Aquarium
Central Wharf
Boston, Mass
617-973-5206
New England Aquarium

The National Aquarium in Baltimore
Members Only
501 E. Pratt St.
Baltimore, Maryland
410-727-3474
The National Aquarium in Baltimore

Sea World Florida
7007 Sea World Drive
Orlando, Florida
800-406-2244
Sea World

Camping in Costanoa
Most kids love to go camping, even if it's in the backyard, but some parents don't. All that dirt, sleeping on rocks, or tiny cots can make grownups grumpy! Well not at Costanoa, California. This is a lodge and camp located about an hour south of San Francisco. They have 40 acres of California shore in the hills between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay. Next to two state parks, Big Basin Redwoods and Butano filled with Redwood trees, waterfalls and secluded beaches. Activities include hiking, biking and horseback-riding trails.
Here the camping is in "tents" made of canvas, real windows and doors you can close to keep the bugs out and the kids in at night. Wooden floors solve the rock problem, but it doesn't matter with the bed inside. Luxuries abound with down comforters, cozy robes and a general store stocked with gourmet coffee, fine wine and deli specials. The "comfort stations" are shared, and are equipped with outdoor showers, sauna, heated floors and a fireplace that is always burning at night.
There are 12 real cabins on the property that include a mini refrigerator, stereos and data ports and if you need your own bathroom you can have a soaking tub for two in the lodge room.

Costanoa
2001 Rossi Rd. at Hwy. 1
Pescadero, CA 94060
650-879-1100 or 800-738-7477
Costanoa