Things to do with kids in Scottsdale, AZ
Listings last checked · Covers next 30 days (from Oct 16) plus places open most days · Past events drop off automatically
Quick answer: We list 8 kid-friendly places in Scottsdale (3 free, 5 indoor) and 14 family events in the next 30 days, including 14 Halloween or fall events. This weekend (Fri, Oct 16 – Sun, Oct 18): MacDonald's Ranch Pumpkin Patch, Scottsdale Sparkle Halloween Market, Scottsdale Fall Festival and Spook-Track-Ula at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park.
Scottsdale mixes free city parks and libraries with some of the Valley's best-known family attractions, plus a busy calendar of city, library and shopping-district events.
Everything below is located in Scottsdale and was checked on the official website. Events in the next 30 days are listed first, then places that are open most days. For nearby towns too, use the search below, which starts at Scottsdale's 85251 zip code.
Halloween & fall events in Scottsdale
MacDonald's Ranch Pumpkin Patch
- When
- Sat, Oct 17 – Sat, Oct 31 (Daily except Tuesdays; closes 3pm on Halloween) · 9am–5pm (last entry 5pm)
- Cost
- $15 per person (under 2 free)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Petting zoo, gold panning, hay-bale maze, pedal cars, carnival games and pumpkins; pony and train rides extra.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Scottsdale Sparkle Halloween Market
- When
- Sat, Oct 17 · 10am–4pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
60+ craft vendors plus free kids' face painting, costume characters, trick-or-treating and costume contests.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Scottsdale Fall Festival
- When
- Sat, Oct 17 · Starts 5pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Free trick-or-treating, carnival games, hands-on arts & crafts, live band & DJ and food trucks.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Spook-Track-Ula at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
- When
- Sat, Oct 17 – Sat, Oct 31 (October evenings; timed-entry wristbands sold online) · 6–9:30pm (entry 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30 or 8pm)
- Cost
- $15 per person (2 & under free)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Gently spooky train ride, carousel, storybook train and a haunted walk-through (best for older kids).
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Cauldron Catapults (Halloween STEM) — Appaloosa Library
- When
- Tue, Oct 20 · 3:30pm (60 min, space limited)
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- Ages 6-11 · Indoor
Build a DIY Halloween catapult and launch candy pumpkins and stretchy skeletons.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival
- When
- Fri, Oct 23 – Sun, Oct 25 (Oct 23–25) · 5–9pm daily
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages (kids 3–12 child ticket, 2 & under free) · Outdoor
Glowing hot air balloons become trick-or-treat stations, plus a free kids zone with bounce houses and a family-friendly haunted trail.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Eek! At the Peak!
- When
- Sat, Oct 24 · 9–11am · registration required (ActiveNet)
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Costume contests, treats, nature education and a Junior Ranger program at the trailhead.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Candy Crawl at Scottsdale Quarter
- When
- Sat, Oct 24 · 1–4pm
- Cost
- Free (optional $18 Superhero VIP for kids)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Trick-or-treat at participating stores, character appearances, crafts, face painting, balloon twisters and a pumpkin-carving demo.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Dunkin' for Pumpkins (floating pumpkin patch)
- When
- Sun, Oct 25 · Starts 1pm
- Cost
- $15 per pumpkin (register in advance)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Pick a pumpkin from the heated pool, then decorate it at activity stations. Advance registration required.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Halloween Family Fun — Arabian Library
- When
- Mon, Oct 26 · 5:30pm (45 min)
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- Ages 0-8 · Indoor
Costumed kids welcome for family-friendly Halloween games and activities.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Halloween Family Fun — Mustang Library
- When
- Mon, Oct 26 · 5:30pm (45 min)
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- Ages 0-8 · Indoor
Costumed kids welcome for family-friendly Halloween games and activities.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Halloween Family Fun — Appaloosa Library
- When
- Tue, Oct 27 · 5:30pm (45 min)
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- Ages 0-8 · Indoor
Costumed kids welcome for family-friendly Halloween games and activities.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Halloween Family Fun — Civic Center Library
- When
- Tue, Oct 27 · 5:30pm (45 min)
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- Ages 0-8 · Indoor
Costumed kids welcome for family-friendly Halloween games and activities.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Cauldron Catapults (Halloween STEM) — Civic Center Library
- When
- Wed, Oct 28 · 4pm (60 min, space limited)
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- Ages 6-11 · Indoor
Build a DIY Halloween catapult and launch candy pumpkins and stretchy skeletons.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Beat the heat & rainy days: indoor places
Butterfly Wonderland
- Price
- Adult $33.95 · Child $23.95 (child 2-12)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Adults 13+
✓ Price verified Oct 17, 2026 · source
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 6–17+ (our guidance)
Scottsdale Civic Center Library
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Great Wolf Lodge Arizona (day pass)
- Price
- $$$ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–14 (our guidance)
OdySea Aquarium
- Price
- $$$ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Parks and outdoor & indoor-outdoor places
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
- Price
- Adult $3 · Child $3 (child 3+)
- Best for
- Ages 0–12 (our guidance)
Park entry free; train/carousel $3 per ride, 2 and under ride free; all-day wristband $12
✓ Price verified Oct 17, 2026 · source
Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Chaparral Park
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Scottsdale this weekend?
For Fri, Oct 16 – Sun, Oct 18: MacDonald's Ranch Pumpkin Patch (Sat, Oct 17 – Sat, Oct 31, Scottsdale, $15 per person (under 2 free)); Scottsdale Sparkle Halloween Market (Sat, Oct 17, Scottsdale, Free); Scottsdale Fall Festival (Sat, Oct 17, Scottsdale, Free); Spook-Track-Ula at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park (Sat, Oct 17 – Sat, Oct 31, Scottsdale, $15 per person (2 & under free)).
What are free things to do with kids in Scottsdale?
Free places: Scottsdale Civic Center Library, Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt and Chaparral Park. Free events coming up: Scottsdale Sparkle Halloween Market (Sat, Oct 17, Scottsdale, Free); Scottsdale Fall Festival (Sat, Oct 17, Scottsdale, Free); Cauldron Catapults (Halloween STEM) — Appaloosa Library (Tue, Oct 20, Scottsdale, Free); Candy Crawl at Scottsdale Quarter (Sat, Oct 24, Scottsdale, Free (optional $18 Superhero VIP for kids)); Halloween Family Fun — Arabian Library (Mon, Oct 26, Scottsdale, Free).
What can kids do indoors in Scottsdale when it's too hot or raining?
Butterfly Wonderland, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Scottsdale Civic Center Library, Great Wolf Lodge Arizona (day pass) and OdySea Aquarium. Verified prices: Butterfly Wonderland: adult $33.95, child $23.95 (2-12).
What Halloween events are in Scottsdale in 2026?
MacDonald's Ranch Pumpkin Patch (Sat, Oct 17 – Sat, Oct 31, Scottsdale, $15 per person (under 2 free)); Scottsdale Sparkle Halloween Market (Sat, Oct 17, Scottsdale, Free); Scottsdale Fall Festival (Sat, Oct 17, Scottsdale, Free); Spook-Track-Ula at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park (Sat, Oct 17 – Sat, Oct 31, Scottsdale, $15 per person (2 & under free)); Cauldron Catapults (Halloween STEM) — Appaloosa Library (Tue, Oct 20, Scottsdale, Free); Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival (Fri, Oct 23 – Sun, Oct 25, Scottsdale); Eek! At the Peak! (Sat, Oct 24, Scottsdale); Candy Crawl at Scottsdale Quarter (Sat, Oct 24, Scottsdale, Free (optional $18 Superhero VIP for kids)); Dunkin' for Pumpkins (floating pumpkin patch) (Sun, Oct 25, Scottsdale, $15 per pumpkin (register in advance)); Halloween Family Fun — Arabian Library (Mon, Oct 26, Scottsdale, Free); Halloween Family Fun — Mustang Library (Mon, Oct 26, Scottsdale, Free); Halloween Family Fun — Appaloosa Library (Tue, Oct 27, Scottsdale, Free); Halloween Family Fun — Civic Center Library (Tue, Oct 27, Scottsdale, Free); Cauldron Catapults (Halloween STEM) — Civic Center Library (Wed, Oct 28, Scottsdale, Free).
Where can kids cool off with water in Scottsdale?
Great Wolf Lodge Arizona (day pass).
How much do Scottsdale family attractions cost?
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park: adult $3, child $3 (3+); Butterfly Wonderland: adult $33.95, child $23.95 (2-12). Copied from official websites. Confirm before you go.
How does Little Outings check these listings?
Every event and verified price here was checked on the organizer's official website or calendar, and each listing shows the date we last checked it and links to that source. Past events drop off the page automatically. Dates, times and prices can change, so confirm on the official page before you go.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website or calendar and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site. Price levels without a source are our estimates. Read how we verify listings.