Things to do with toddlers in and near Scottsdale
Listings last checked · Covers next 30 days (from Oct 16) · Past events drop off automatically
Quick answer: We list 22 toddler-friendly places within 15 miles of Scottsdale (13 free, 9 indoor) and 8 upcoming events for kids 8 and under in the next 30 days.
These are places and events within about 15 miles of Old Town Scottsdale that work for kids from about 1 to 4. Upcoming programs made for young children, like library storytimes and toddler events, are listed first. The age ranges on places are our own guidance, and prices with a source link are verified.
Upcoming events for little kids
Room on the Broom art activity — Burton Barr Library
- When
- Mon, Oct 19 · 10:30am–noon
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- Ages 0-5 · Indoor
Little witches and wizards stamp a bubbling cauldron potion painting.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Family Movie Night: Hotel Transylvania — Burton Barr Library
- When
- Wed, Oct 21 · 4–6pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- Ages 0-5 · Indoor
Silly, spooky family movie night in the 4th-floor Lecture Room.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Spooky Sponge Ghosts — Burton Barr Library
- When
- Fri, Oct 23 · 10:30am–noon
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- Ages 0-5 · Indoor
Sponge-stamp friendly ghosts, a giggly Halloween craft for tiny hands.
✓ 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
Toddlertime: Halloween Boo StoryWalk
- When
- Thu, Oct 29 · 10–11am
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- Ages 0-5 · Outdoor
Dress up, grab a treat bag and trick-or-treat along a Halloween StoryWalk with City of Mesa departments.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Indoor places
Scottsdale Civic Center Library
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
OdySea Aquarium
- Price
- $$$ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
i.d.e.a. Museum (Mesa)
- Price
- Adult $12 · Child $12 (child 1+)
- Best for
- Ages 0–12 (our guidance)
$12 per person; under 1 free
✓ Price verified Oct 17, 2026 · source
SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium
- Price
- Adult $18 · Child $18 (child all)
- Best for
- Ages 0–12 (our guidance)
'Tickets from' price, varies by date
✓ Price verified Oct 17, 2026 · source
Children's Museum of Phoenix
- Price
- Adult $19 · Child $19 (child 1+)
- Best for
- Ages 0–10 (our guidance)
Non-member general admission
✓ Price verified Oct 17, 2026 · source
Burton Barr Central Library
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Uptown Jungle Fun Park (Mesa)
- Price
- $$ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 1–12 (our guidance)
Chandler Downtown Library
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
✓ Details checked Oct 17, 2026 on the official website
Southeast Regional Library (Gilbert)
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Overlooks the Riparian Preserve; under construction improvements, expect fencing
✓ Details checked Oct 17, 2026 on the official website
Outdoor and mixed places
Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Chaparral Park
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Desert Botanical Garden
- Price
- Adult $32.95 · Child $14.95 (child 2-17)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Oct 1-Dec 31 'starting at' prices
✓ Price verified Oct 17, 2026 · source
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
Papago Park (Hole-in-the-Rock)
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Phoenix Zoo
- Price
- Adult $44.95 · Child $32.95 (child 3-13)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Daytime general admission; ages 14+ adult
✓ Price verified Oct 17, 2026 · source
Tempe Beach Park & Splash Playground
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–12 (our guidance)
Kiwanis Park (Tempe)
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Enchanted Island Amusement Park
- Price
- $$ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 1–10 (our guidance)
Encanto Park
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Freestone Park
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Playgrounds, skate park and the Freestone Railroad (miniature train, carousel; rides extra). Tot lot closed for work Sep 14–Nov 20, 2026; lakes closed through May 2027
✓ Details checked Oct 17, 2026 on the official website
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Fountain Park (Fountain Hills)
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Frequently asked questions
What are free things to do with toddlers in Scottsdale?
Scottsdale Civic Center Library, Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt, Chaparral Park, Papago Park (Hole-in-the-Rock), Tempe Beach Park & Splash Playground, Kiwanis Park (Tempe), Burton Barr Central Library, Encanto Park, and 5 more. Free upcoming programs: Halloween Family Fun — Arabian Library, Halloween Family Fun — Mustang Library, Halloween Family Fun — Appaloosa Library and Halloween Family Fun — Civic Center Library.
Where can I take a toddler indoors near Scottsdale?
Scottsdale Civic Center Library, OdySea Aquarium, i.d.e.a. Museum (Mesa), SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, Children's Museum of Phoenix, Burton Barr Central Library, Uptown Jungle Fun Park (Mesa), Chandler Downtown Library, and 1 more.
Are there toddler events near Scottsdale this month?
Room on the Broom art activity — Burton Barr Library (Mon, Oct 19, Phoenix); Family Movie Night: Hotel Transylvania — Burton Barr Library (Wed, Oct 21, Phoenix); Spooky Sponge Ghosts — Burton Barr Library (Fri, Oct 23, Phoenix); 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); Toddlertime: Halloween Boo StoryWalk (Thu, Oct 29, Mesa).
How does Little Outings check these listings?
Every event 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.