We are so excited you found the Scottsdale Moms Guide to Surviving Summer. This is our 10th 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.
Scroll down to see tons of articles on Things to do, Inside Activities, Summer Crafts, Summer Recipes, and all of 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
Camp Geronimo
Tucked into the bas of the historic Mogollon Rim, surrounded by one of the world’s largest Ponderosa Pine forests, and filled with 65 years of camping tradition, Camp Geronimo is the place to be this summer. For older scouts, there are advanced programs like, Fish Camp, Spade Ranch Adventures, Drone Flight School, Brownsea Island and Geronimo DIY programs.
Week 1: June 5 -11
Week 2: June 12 – 18
Week 3: June 19 – 25
Week 4: June 26 – July 2
Week 5: July 3 – 9
Week 6: July 10 -16
Engineering for Kids
Engineering For Kids of Phoenix Metro is the all-in-one solution for your child’s summer fun & learning experience! Since 2014, we’ve been offering week-long STEM camps to kids ages 4-14 at the coolest indoor entertainment facilities across the Valley. Our expert instructors use hands-on, collaborative curriculum to teach all manner of STEM subjects: robotics, programming, chemistry, physics, LEGO, Minecraft, Roblox and much more. Each week is a new, separate set of curriculum and all programs easily scale with age and ability level, so there’s truly something for every child. We are currently offering early-bird pricing, installment plans, no-hassle cancellations.
Goldfish Swim School
We offer a wide variety of swimming programs, including infant swim lessons, toddler swim lessons, and programs for children between 4 months and 12 years old. At Goldfish Swim School, our swimming classes for kids have a low student-to-teacher ratio to ensure maximum safety, learning and fun. We also host birthday parties and various clinics for those that want to improve their swim skills quickly.
International School of Arizona
The International School of Arizona’s unique camp experience will provide your camper with a summer to remember! We offer a one-of-a-kind program for children ranging from 18 months to 14 years. We offer a taste of our language-immersion school with activities like LEGO Engineering, Baking, Yoga, and plenty more being supported in both Spanish and French. Whether your child is new to the language, or an expert, 2022 will be a summer to remember with ISA!
Xtreme Gymnastics Camp
FIT-N-FUN camps promote health and fitness while having a blast. Each week, children ages 3-12 will enjoy gymnastics, trampoline, group challenge activities, obstacle courses, team sports, relay races, inflatables and much, much more! The Xtreme Gymnastics staff is high energy, USA Gymnastics Safety Certified, with complete background checks. Our facility is state of the art and fully air conditioned.
Places to go/Things to do
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 […]
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 [...]
Ideas for Family Vacations and Road Trips From Arizona
Arizona is a state that does not seem to run out of gorgeous views and landscapes. It’s naturally beautiful, making it perfect for family vacations and road trips. There are […]
Tie Dye Party Summer Fun
If you’re looking for a way to add some color to your summer, a tie dye party is the way to go! This spring we hosted a virtual tie dye […]
15 Activities You Can Do With a Balloon
Summer is here and I always feel so desperate for new activities to keep the kids entertained both inside and out. When I worked with kids growing up we always […]
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)
Five Indoor Play Places in Scottsdale
The summer heat is approaching us quickly and it is getting less and less bearable to survive the park playdates. I gathered a few Scottsdale indoor play places that you […]
Summer Reading Programs
Another summer is upon us which means that reading programs have begun. School is done and since the kids are usually not interested in books or visiting the library, these […]
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 […]
Avocado Toast Served Four Ways
If you’re around my husband, please try to avoid the subject of avocado toast. It’s very triggering for him because he’s the one who actually invented avocado toast when he […]
Try Some Poptails This Summer
Poptails to the rescue! If you parent children through an Arizona summer, these three statements are big facts: It is ridiculously hot. You have a bunch of popsicles in your […]
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 […]
Three Ways to Stop the Summer Slide
Summer sliding may just make you think of waterparks and backyard slip-n-slides, but the “summer slide” I’m referring to is about your child’s success in the classroom. In a recent […]
Road Trip Essentials When Traveling With A Baby And Toddler
Road trips can be a wonderful way to create memories, but let’s be real: although trips can be fun, they can be challenging, especially if you’re traveling with a baby […]
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 […]
