We are so excited you found the Scottsdale Moms Guide to Surviving Summer. This is our 8th year of bringing you tips, tricks and things to do, all written to help YOU survive summer with your littles!
We don’t know what this summer is really going to look like, but we do know that it is going to be extra hard this year. We hope the world is “back to normal” soon so we will include all of the regular articles and tips. But we will also include information that is helping us navigate the summer in the middle of a pandemic.
Since we really have no way of knowing what places are open or if we are even able to get within 6 feet of other people, please double check the websites and use your best judgement to keep your family safe.
We truly will get through this together, even if we can’t physically be together!
We couldn’t do what we do without our sponsors! Thank you to the following businesses for continuing to support Scottsdale Moms, our Guide to Surviving Summer and our community of readers.
Scottsdale Moms Sponsors
Music Together
Give your child the gift of making music . . . with YOU, in the comforts of your very own home! With Music Together Online, the teachers you know and love from Music Together in Phoenix will bring music class to your living room. Like all the classes, the program is designed to teach the way young children learn: through play! Your whole family will have a blast singing, dancing, and jamming along to Summer Kazoo songs during daily interactive classes. Digital family resources, including recordings and bonus activities through our award-winning Hello Everybody app, plus a hard-copy songbook, will inspire you to make music all day. Live classes may be possible depending on public health guidelines.
Primrose School of North Scottsdale
Primrose School of North Scottsdale is a locally owned, private accredited early education and care preschool. They are more than just a daycare. Through research-informed Balanced Learning® approach, they provide meaningful learning experiences for children beginning at 6 weeks of age. The curriculum in the classrooms for infants, toddlers, preschool, kindergarten and after-school not only inspire a love of learning but also empower children’s potential preparing them for lifelong success.
Arizona Sunrays Gymnastics and Dance Center
SUPERCAMP includes World-Class Gymnastics Instruction, fun in the “Ninja Zone”, Dance, Sports and more! Half day and full day available. Ages 3-13 years included.
Each child will receive a SUPERCAMP shirt during their first full week.
Each week has a different fun theme.
Half Day – 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Full Day – 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
Shop Agave Social
Shop Agave Social is local, mama-owned online boutique. They focus on size-inclusive fashion combined with an opportunity to socialize with other women. Shop their fresh Summer styles, and enjoy new releases every Tuesday and Thursday!
Desert Stages Theatre
Welcome to SUMMER CAMP 2020 with Desert Stages Theatre!
Young actors receive hands-on theatrical experience in a non-competitive, fun environment. Each session covers all aspects of a musical production including auditions, staging, and choreography. A typical day includes voice, dance, acting, games, and arts and crafts. Each session concludes with an enhanced Video Showcase Performance.
Ages 6-12
Summer Camp Sessions:
Session #1: Honk Jr. | June 15th – June 26th, 2020
Session #2: Gerry Cullity’s Cinderella | June 29th – July 10th, 2020
Session #3: Dear Edwina Jr | July 13th – July 24th, 2020
Places to go/Things to do
Scottsdale Moms Summer Camp Guide
Living in Scottsdale means our hot HOT summers need to be filled with busy camp days for our kids. Because we know, if we don't plan our kids summers, we [...]
2021 Staycation Deals
Resort Summer prices come out mid May or early June. We do our best to update this page when we find great staycation deals, but check out each resort's website [...]
Splash Pad List 2022
You have to come up with all kinds of inventive ways to try to stay cool here in the Valley. Best local find is the splash pads! These glorious spots […]
Inside Scoop on Fun: Six Local Memberships You Haven’t Thought Of
The Valley is brimming with kid-friendly exhibits and attractions! There are so many great places to visit again and again, why not consider a membership? Memberships pay for themselves […]
Arizona Sunrays Summer Camp {sponsored post}
Are you looking for an active summer camp for your child?! We’ve got the place for you! Arizona Sunrays Gymnastics and Dance offers the highest quality summer camp available with […]
SMB Summer Camp Recommendations!
[updated 04/2019] Spring break is over, so you know what that means! Summer is right around the corner and we should start planning our camp schedules before the kids are out from […]
How to Celebrate National Beach Day in Arizona
If it seems like there’s a national day for just about everything now, you’d be right. In the month of August alone, we can celebrate National Days for mustard, oysters, […]
Top Ten Arizona Day Trips
You’ve probably heard of a “staycation” – a vacation within driving distance of your home that doesn’t require a hotel stay. Whether you’re short on vacation days, trying to build […]
Perfect Day for a Getaway: Escape to Crescent Moon Ranch
After months of closures and slow re-openings, my mom lifer, Jennie, suggested we throw our boys in the car and escape Phoenix in search of the perfect day away. Our […]
Summer Travel Adventures {all while staying safe}
Thank you to RVShare for being a sponsor of Scottsdale Moms and for supporting our community.
Family Friendly Ways to Celebrate Armed Forces Day
Among the many things that living through a global pandemic has taught me, one significant realization has been that it is important to celebrate – pretty much anything. Big occasions, […]
Indoor Play Places {to beat the heat}
When the summer heat has you stuck indoors, but your own house is getting a bit too small (and messy!) pack up the kids and try out these great indoor […]
Day Trips around AZ
Our state has so much to offer just a short car trip away. Check out one {or all} of these fantastic destinations in AZ. How to See Northern Arizona in [...]
Inside Activities (for those 110 degree days)
The Best Year to Celebrate National Coloring Book Day!
August 2nd marks National Coloring Book Day and let me tell you, 2020 is the best year to celebrate this holiday. “Why?” you ask. Did you know that adult coloring […]
Summer Sensory Bins
Try your hand at these easy summer sensory bins! This summer is the first summer that I’ll be home with three children ages five and under. I’m so excited, but […]
Indoor Play Places {to beat the heat}
When the summer heat has you stuck indoors, but your own house is getting a bit too small (and messy!) pack up the kids and try out these great indoor […]
Indoor Energy Busters for Hot Summer Days
Is the AZ summer heat making your kids stir crazy?? When my kids first got out of school it was still cool out! What? I wasn’t about to let this […]
Fun Summer Crafts
Create a Summer Bucket List {FREE Printable}
No matter where you live, the summer days can start to drag after the first week or two. An easy solution is to create a summer bucket list, so when […]
Melting Crayons with the SUN {DIY Summer Fun}
Feeling Crafty this summer?! I have been saving small pieces of crayons for awhile with the intention of melting them into new crayons. We finally had enough pieces ready and […]
Easy DIY Home Projects Delivered Locally
Thanks to Craft and Vinyl Studio for providing this kit for review. I found easy DIY home projects delivered locally curbside. This is so helpful for us now that we […]
Summer Sensory Bins
Try your hand at these easy summer sensory bins! This summer is the first summer that I’ll be home with three children ages five and under. I’m so excited, but […]
A Boredom Jar for the “Mom, I’m bored” Summer Moments
“Mom, I’m bored,” my six-year-old states after a full morning of summer camp, swimming and playing x-box. In my head, I exclaim, “really?!?!” Out loud, I say, “look around honey, […]
Indoor Energy Busters for Hot Summer Days
Is the AZ summer heat making your kids stir crazy?? When my kids first got out of school it was still cool out! What? I wasn’t about to let this […]
Flip Flop Wreath {a Fun and Frugal Summer Craft}
The long, hot days of summer have arrived, and so has the daily search for fun (but not too pricey or complicated) activities to do with your kids. Flip flop […]
Summer Recipes
All About The Dinner Bowls
Dinner Bowls are my jam lately. They might take a little extra work on the front end, but they provide some healthy, well-rounded dinner options, usually WITH leftovers. If you […]
Sunday Meal Planning Series {Chicken Salad}
With the temperatures rising in AZ, I have zero desire to turn my oven on. One of my favorite meals to make when avoiding the added heat to my kitchen […]
Easy Summer Dinners – Minimal Effort Required
It was a very busy day and when dinner time rolled around I was pretty much over the whole thing. I surveyed what I had in my fridge, freezer and pantry and […]
The Appliance that Changed My life
My sister turned me on to Instant Pot several years ago. She had purchased one to give away as a Christmas gift, but ended up keeping it. 24 hours later […]
Watermelon Slushie {A Win for Every Member of the Family}
One of my kids favorite summer treats is a watermelon slushie. It is so easy to make and super healthy. Here are the steps so you can make a pitcher […]
Creamy Broccoli Avocado Soup; Light & Fresh Summer Soup
I know what you’re thinking. “Soup in the summer? Jennie, you’re crazy!” I know, I know. But trust me that this creamy broccoli avocado soup is so light and fresh […]
3 Ways to Avoid Using your Oven in the Summer
It’s juuuuusssst about summer time here in AZ. This means hibernating inside watching movies and coloring a million pictures. It means venturing outside into only 1) an air conditioned car […]
Spring Salad
Every time I visit my parents in Newport Beach, I swing by Greenleaf Chopshop for one of my all time favorite salads. Since I don’t always have the luxury of […]
Mini Ice Cream Sandwiches (For Your Mini People)
Did you know August 2 is National Ice Cream Sandwich Day? Now anyone that knows me knows that I L-O-V-E ice cream in all forms and flavors. I couldn’t pass […]
3 Foolproof Sides You Want At Your Next BBQ
Know what’s wicked? AZ summers. She been sayin’ it for 4 years, and Mama ain’t gettin’ tougher. #preggo #dueinAugust #wasntthinking But know what’s wicked yummy? Summer BBQ’s!! And not like healthy, […]
Favorite Summer Salads You Want to Eat Every Day
When the summer temps start to hit the level of blazing hot, I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want to do is… Eat anything heavy. Turn […]
Cheers! Summer Sangria Recipe
Whether you’re celebrating an occasion or just enjoying some time at the pool, sangria is a perfect summer addition. Here’s a sweet recipe to keep you cheers-ing all summer long. […]
Scottsdale Moms’ tips for surviving summer in AZ
Don’t Let Summer Interfere with your Exercise Routine
The kids are home from school and it is easy to use them as an excuse as to why you’re not exercising. Let’s face it – there are so many […]
How to Make a DIY Reward Jar + a Chore Jar for Kids
I was looking online for suggestions for encouraging the kids to use good behavior. In the past I’ve used a reward system like reward jars which have worked for my […]
The Benefits of Letting Your Kids Be Bored
That universal whine of childhood: “I’m bored.” As parents, we’ve all heard it countless times, and have all struggled with how to respond. Handing your kid some kind of screen […]
No Pool? No Problem. 14 Summer Ideas When You Don’t Have a Pool!
The temperature consistently hit the 100s before the end of April this year. Usually, that would be met with lots of trips to the splash pad or neighborhood pool. But […]
A Boredom Jar for the “Mom, I’m bored” Summer Moments
“Mom, I’m bored,” my six-year-old states after a full morning of summer camp, swimming and playing x-box. In my head, I exclaim, “really?!?!” Out loud, I say, “look around honey, […]
How Teacher-Moms Really Spend Their Summer Break
There is an old joke that goes: What are the three best parts about being a teacher? June, July, and August!!! And while most teachers will tell you they have […]
3 Ways to Avoid Using your Oven in the Summer
It’s juuuuusssst about summer time here in AZ. This means hibernating inside watching movies and coloring a million pictures. It means venturing outside into only 1) an air conditioned car […]
