While some kiddos outside of Arizona just started school my kiddos are getting ready for fall break, really? Yup, really! and if you are lucky enough you have two weeks with them. Wondering what the heck you should do. Today I would love to share some of the things that will most likely make it into the kiddos fall school break bucket list. Read on to get an idea or two to do with your kiddo(s).
1. Ice cream date at an old fashion ice cream parlor right here in Gilbert….Petersen’s Ice Cream is a must try in the middle of the day during the week, less crowd means faster service.
2. Experience the old west, Rawhide has opened it’s doors again this past Sept. 4th with their western shows and walking around this western town checking out the stores are always fun for my kiddos. Been to Rawhide? Visit Ghostfield goldmine instead.
3. Visit a pumpkin patch…Sure it’s early but the early bird avoids the crowd. You can actually take your time and take as much pictures almost without the photobombers.
My favorites are: Vertucio Farm (Power rd/Higley), Schnepf farm (queen creek) and Mother Nature’s farm (Gilbert/Baseline).
4. Go apple picking after sliding at Slide Rock Park after hiking to Slide rock itself. The water could be cold so be sure to be prepared. Call ahead to make sure that the park is open and that the apples are ready…If it’s not, visit Apple Annie Orchard instead.
5. Take a tour of a Candy Factory, Cerreta Candy Company in Glendale offers free factory tours that the kiddos will love. The hour long tour is a treat to attend but the chocolate shop is even sweeter. Make it a day and visit Cabella’s check out their fish tank and stuffed wildlife and top it off with a late lunch where Guy Fieri has visited for Dinners, Drive-ins and dive, Thee Pits Again!
6. Go Camping…Pitch a tent and enjoy the great outdoors. Hiking and nature walks if you are by the mountain and paddle boarding and kayaking if you happen to be by the water. Not a fan of no toilet or showers? Fool Hollow Lake in Show Low is a great place to start. Want to head north, Try the KOA in Flagstaff. Both these places has toilets and hot showers. Go play outside!
7. Eat Lunch and enjoy being serenaded by the World’s Largest Wulitzer Organ in Mesa at the Organ Stop Pizza. The food is great but the sound and songs being played from the pipe organ is a sight to be seen. Just remember they are a CASH only establishment and they are only open for dinner hours.
8. Go explore the night sky with rangers at the Riparian Preserve Observatory located in the Riparian Preserve next to the Southeast Regional library. The night sky is so much nicer when looking through the Mead scope.
9. Take the kiddos for a hike up the Hole in the Rock at Papago Park. Hike it early and mid week to avoid the crowd. Pack lunch and a blanket in your backpack and enjoy a picnic up top before you head down.
10. Watch a free movie courtesy of the town of Gilbert. Held at the park just behind Gilbert Community Center, this event is free and popcorn is usually served. This is a perfect time to call up some friends and bring dinner and snacks to share, but please remember the bug spray. It Rio 2 for September and Muppets Most Wanted in October.
11. Enjoy another free event from the town of Gilbert. Listen to live music under the water tank in downtown Gilbert. Get dinner to go from one of the may delicious restaurants in downtown Gilbert and enjoy the music and let the kids dance around. I love taking burgers to go from ZinBurger and the chocolate death ray from Liberty Market is a must try for dessert.
12. Lastly go have fun and let them ride all the rides at the carnival. Town of Gilbert is hosting a fall carnival at Gilbert Crossroad park where rides, vendors and carnival food will be in attendance.
13. Buy and use your POGO passes. You can get a new pass for only $40 if you use promo code EVmomsblog, that’s an amazing deal for 17 different venues (Phoenix Zoo and IDEA museum is amongst the 17). This pass is good for 12 months. So worth it specially now that the temperature is getting cooler.
14. Need to work??? Send them to camp at for break…There are tons of options for kids to have fun at. Look at the city websites first to see what they offer (usually most affordable) then look at the places your kiddos love to visit, etc…gymnastic places, Science center or maybe a acting/theater camp. There are so much to choose from…Let them have fun.
15. Go play on the beach. For my family it means sunny San Diego where the water is almost always cold but the air is still salty and your toes comes out sandy. Nothing says break from school like visiting San diego and building sandcastle.
I hope that I helped you plan out a day or two or even a week out of your kiddos school break. There are a ton of ideas above that some are free to you and some that could cost a pretty penny but in the end I think they all spell FUN and a great time. What are your plans for break? Pls do share by commenting below. Make it a great day!
XoXo,
Roe from gigglesnlaundry.com
