This is my favorite time of year in Arizona. The weather is perfect and the flowers are just starting to show their color. With the wet “winter” we had, I’m hoping that the desert will have colorful flowers.
A great way to enjoy the weather and also do something educational is to pack a picnic and get outside. You don’t need a fancy basket. Just make some sandwiches grab some fruit and other snacks throw it all into a shopping bag and hit the road. There are plenty of great picnic ideas on this site dedicated to all things picnic.
Once you are at the park you may need to hunt for wildflowers. (Wildflowers grow in the ahem, wild – so you’ll need to check out the Arizona Wildflower Report to find out when and where the most abundant blooms are. Keep in mind the local blooming periods:
Lower Elevations: 1,000 – 3,000 feet
Yuccas—March and April
Annuals—February, March, and April
Cacti—March, April, and May
Kids can search for different flowers, identify them by name, practice taking pictures… or forget all of that and just play a game. Whatever you choose, you’ll make a great memory (and maybe a tradition?) with your kiddos.
Enjoy those flowers and don’t forget to bring your camera!
