Free Activities

Are you new to the Scottsdale/Phoenix area or visiting from out of state? Welcome! Maybe your wee babe has grown into a busy toddler who is ready to explore our local parks and playgrounds, or your regular park routine needs...

SMB's Kids Eat Free Guide If you are visiting from out of town or are a local and looking for new restaurant choices, this list is for YOU. Be sure to bookmark it now for those days you don't want...

This post is was originally published in 2011 and is well-worth a revisit - it was actually being guest-blogged by a Scottsdale DAD!  Not that moms can't enjoy hiking with their kids, but it sure is a great way...

It’s Christmas Eve and this fantastic post from last Christmas Eve was just too great NOT to share again. Get your i-phones ready! It's time to start tracking Santa! When you have little ones, this can quite literally be the...

Genius idea, worth re-visiting! If I just had more hours in the day, I would craft and play in the local hobby store all the time! But I don't, so I have to choose my favorite crafts and incorporate...

With the weather as gorgeous as it is, it's time to get you and the kids outdoors. Here is a post from our archives about the best playgrounds in Scottsdale and North Phoenix - click HERE for an...

With the weather improving, it's finally time to get outside and play! Here are some of my kids' favorite backyard activities when they were toddlers and preschoolers. Create Animal Habitats: My kids love doing this, even to this day! Each child...

For this month's "Contributor Corner" question, we are asking our contributors: where is your favorite place to enjoy this cooler fall weather outdoors? Schnepf Farms! While it's a drive, it's so worth it!   -Monika         Queen Creek Olivemill. The olives are harvested...

This cooler weather has me singing a new song! The temperature has dropped and given us just enough relief to spend a few hours touring in the car without sticking to our seats. I turned the radio up, rolled...

In our corner of the country, sweaters and jeans, crisp air, and the crunch of fallen leaves do not abound. But, there are still ways to Ring In Fall with your kids to get in that cozy, homey mood....

Our family has made some great purchases over the years when it comes to backyard water play. From baby's first mini splash mat to a full-sized slip 'n slide last year, it seems like every summer we invest in...

Last month we started a series on the best playgrounds in Scottsdale (and the surrounding areas). Follow along with our contributors as they share their playground picks in various parts of town. This time, Sara Frederick takes on Northeast...

Remember back in the Fall, when we were all sweating from the heat and were completely over the 3-digit temperatures? Remember when we were dying to wear riding boots and scarfs and various shades of brown and orange? Remember when Sarah Powers wrote...

I believe that the magic of childhood is wrapped up in the simple.  One way we've created some lasting memories in our house is by making everyday moments special.  Some days are special just because they are Tuesday.  {Or...

Scottsdale Moms Blog presents a new series: "Pinterest Tried & True!" Join us this week as our contributors share which great ideas from Pinterest really worked for them. We'll be talking about food, fashion, home decor, crafts, and boredom...

It's summer and it's hot which makes it a perfect time to go indoors and read! Here are some great summer reading programs to keep your kiddos busy and reading! Public Libraries The Scottsdale Public Library has a great summer program...

Whole Foods Scottsdale treated members of the SMB team to lunch this week and is generously sponsoring this post. Read on for information about how you can get pampered at Whole Foods this week! In the busy-ness of our days,...

OH MY GOODNESS!!! It is already in the 90's. I know it has actually been a late start to the weather heating up. It is never easy, though, when it starts. It is right about now that I decide...

I had the opportunity last week to attend the HERSHEY'S Family Play Day in Peoria.  While this was my first time ever hearing of this event, HERSHEY'S was celebrating their 36th year of engaging kids in healthy activities.  As...

While it may technically be spring in Scottsdale, somehow it already feels like summer. Since the weather has heated up, we’ve already made several trips to our favorite splash pads. My kids can’t get enough of them. In my humble opinion,...

How do farm fresh eggs sound? Or melt-in-your-mouth homemade caramel? I know you want local delicious fresh fruit and vegetables. Oh, and I bet you can't wait for tomato season to be here, like me? Is your mouth-watering yet? I am...

Hello Scottsdale Moms! I can't believe I am one now too! I grew up here in Scottsdale but craved the city life so I am just moving back here with my husband and two little boys after living in...

With December in full swing we thought it was time to poll YOU, our incredible readers, and see what some of your favorite Valley area Holiday Activities are. The list below is a compilation of all of your Facebook comments...

Did you know it was October? I know, right? That was fast. I swear we were just in the middle of summer fun and back to school. Despite what the thermometer says outside, it is in fact, fall. Fall is...

1. STORYTIME! (AKA Children’s Programs) From Toddlertime at the Phoenix Public Libraries to Shake, Rattle & Roll at the Scottsdale library Branches, to a number of interesting sounding programs for older children that my little guys are still to young...

My husband and I woke up one morning with no plans for the day.  We (correction, I) was giddy with the anticipation of doing something new and adventurous.  After throwing out a number of ideas, we decided we'd drive...

I have never bought shoes with laces for any of my children. Velcro and slip-ons are just so much easier. Plus, with three small children, I have visions of being on the ground tying shoes all day. This is...

It's Archives Week here at SMB and I was asked to comb through Angela's past posts and pick my favorite. I had to narrow it down to three and then choose blindly because this lady writes great stuff! Angela is...

  If you’re new and just stopping in… welcome!  We’re so glad you’ve found Scottsdale Moms Blog! Today we’re back with another Mommy SOS topic.  If you missed our other Mommy SOS posts be sure to check them out.  We’ve covered some great...

Our family is in the process of moving and it’s been….well… a process! Since I’m right smack in the middle of this adventure, I thought I’d take a little break and share some of my experiences.  Just in case...