Arizona Museum For Youth

The Arizona Museum for Youth is an interactive museum for children. It has a play area called Artville for younger children. This is where we usually spend the most time since my daughter is only 2. She really enjoys playing and making crafts there. Each time we have visited it is set up a little different depending on what the current theme for the exhibit is. Also, on the second Sunday of every month, they offer FREE admission. more

My kids love to visit this museum, and I've recommended it to lots of other moms. It's a great place to let the kids run loose for a few hours, especially when it is too hot to be outside. The section of the Museum called ArtVille is great for young kids (they recommend up to age 5, but I think it's better for ages 2-4). There is a "baby island" in the middle where you can let your crawler move around in a very stimulating (lots of mirrors, shapes, things to touch) padded area. The main section of the museum has changing exhibit; recently they've featured bugs and music (if i remember correctly!). I've never paid to go; every second Sunday of the month it is free; but I think that admission is around $3 per person. For more info check out the website: http://www.ci.mesa.az.us/amfy/ more

The play area for older infants is one of the best things about the interactive side of this museum. It has an enclosed area right in the center for kids under 2 (make sure you bring socks, no bare feet or shoes in there!). The activities for older kids then circle around on the outside. It's very easy to hang out with the older kids and play while keeping a very close eye on the little ones. The other side of the museum is for a little bit older kids, but it has a puppet theater the kids can play with and a cute bumble bee room complete with black light and costumes for the kids to put on. My daughter (18 mo) loved the bumble bee area because it plays music and has mirrors all around so she can watch herself. more

I love the fact that this museum offers art classes for children. My older daughter loves anything to do with art and we are looking forward to some of the upcoming classes. I like that the art gallery changes several times a year. I can take the kids three times a year and see different things. For 3.50 a person to get in you can't go wrong. Public lots next to the museum make parking easy. Mornings can be a little busy, as is the second Sunday of the month since it is free to get in. more

My preschoolers' favorite part of this museum is the play area called Artville. Children are allowed to explore and discover all sorts of tactile and visual items there. It is divided up into rooms where children can pick vegetables, play house, read books, catch fish and dance. The rest of the museum is suitable for elementary age children. There are rotating interactive exhibits that explain and demonstrate all sorts of art and allow children to create their own projects. more

Located in Mesa, this museum is very hands on and always has a special event for the little ones. The admission is very inexpensive making is a nice family attraction. It prides itself for being "a first museum experience" for a family. It's a great introduction for little ones down to even pre-school. Workshops and classes available as well. more