We are so excited you found the Scottsdale Moms Guide to Surviving Summer. This is our 9th year of bringing you tips, tricks and things to do, all written to help YOU survive summer with your littles!
We are hoping this summer is better than last summer…..but we really have no way of knowing what places are fully open, so please double check the websites and use your best judgement to keep your family safe.
We truly will get through this 2nd summer of a pandemic together!
Scroll down to see tons of articles on Things to do, Inside Activities, Summer Crafts, Summer Recipes, and our Tips for making it through an Arizona Summer!
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
The Musik Box
Looking to get out with your little one while encouraging their social, emotional, & physical development? Kindermusik® at The Musik Box is partnering with AZ Musicfest to bring music and movement classes for little ones age newborn – 5 years to N. Scottsdale. Our small class sizes are perfect for exploring the joy of music! We are passionate about equipping parents and caregivers through the power of music so children can reach their fullest potential!
Phoenix Summer Arts Camp
Join Rising Youth Theatre in partnership with Phoenix Center for the Arts for an online Summer Arts Camp! A multi-arts experience where young people use theatre, dance, visual art and more to connect and create together. Choose from four different two-week sessions, where campers can bring their “fandoms” to life using their own creative voices, with the support of amazing professional artists. Different Mystery Bags containing all the camp supplies and surprises included for each session!
When: June 7 to August
Time: 9 am to 12 pm
Where: Virtual Camp!
Ages: 7-14
Prices: $250 – Early Registration before May 1, $300 – Regular Registration Starting May 1 – Financial aid available!
KidsTech Summer Camp
KidsTech Summer Camps go way beyond your average coding camp! Kids at our camps explore robotics, microprocessors, circuitry, and even cybersecurity! Kids from ages 5 to 15-years-old of all skill levels (including advanced) are welcome – projects are designed around each child’s ability and age level. We also have a Chill Gaming Zone every weekday from 4-6 p.m. where kids can play on their own system or ours, including our Star Wars Jedi VR goggles!
Full and half-day sessions available.
Give your kid an awesome summer discovering the latest technology and book today
Engineering for Kids
Engineering for Kids is the largest STEM Summer program in the valley for kids age 4-14. Camps are located in Scottsdale, Gilbert, Ahwatukee, Central Phoenix and Anthem. Many of our camps are held at some of the coolest kid friendly venues in the valley and offer different, hands-on learning opportunities each week.
Full-Day and Half-Day and Virtual Camps are available.
For additional information, please visit us at www.engineeringforkids.com/phoenix and click on the Register Now button at the top of the page!
Name Bubbles
Are you sending your kids to camp? You need Name Bubbles to keep track of all their stuff! Order the family packs now and you will be thrilled all your kid’s things are covered! They are great for water bottles, shoes, t-shirts, hats and more! They have all the styles, sizes and types of logos that you are looking for.
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 [...]
4th of July Events In and Around Scottsdale
The 4th of July is going to be here before we know it! Start planning your fun now with our annual guide. When it comes to celebrating Independence Day, Scottsdale [...]
The Best Splash Pads in Scottsdale
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 […]
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 [...]
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)
Engineering Camp for your child!
Featured Summer Camp of 2021! Thank you so much, Engineering for Kids of Phoenix, for sharing this information with all of us. Engineering For Kids of Phoenix Metro is the […]
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 […]
Our Tips & Tricks for Surviving the AZ Summer
Here is all the tips and tricks that we use during the summer to make it through the extreme heat and the predictable boredom. Whatever it takes to get us [...]
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 […]
