Chandler is a great place for kids. Whether you’re on vacation or looking for something to do with the kids for summer break, you’ll find plenty of fun summer activities guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face.

Water fun

Temperatures on the rise? Cool off at one of Chandler’s six aquatic parks and pools: Hamilton Aquatic Center, Desert Oasis Aquatic Center, Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center, Nozomi Aquatic Center, Arrowhead Pool, or Folley Pool. In addition to lap pools, several offer amenities such as water slides, interactive aquatic play areas, and big buckets that dump water on those below. Mesquite Groves even has a lazy river.

Daily admission starts at 75 cents for kids and $2 for adults, but season passes are also available if you have the time to make them worthwhile. The city also offers beginner, intermediate, advanced swim classes at its pools. Check online for more information.

Swimming isn’t the only water fun in Chandler. The city has three spray pads with spurting, bubbling, and gurgling water features: Chuparosa Park Spray Pad, Desert Breeze Park Spray Pad, and Espee Park Spray Pad. And find a refreshing end to your shopping day at Chandler Fashion Center where the kiddos can enjoy a fun spray pad with patio seating for all.

 

Indoor adventure

Staying inside doesn’t mean you have to forfeit active play. Chandler has several venues where kids can run, jump, slide, and more, including Makutu’s Island (pronounced Ma-coo-two’s), one of the largest indoor play areas in the country. The island-themed family fun center features tunnels, tubes, mole-holes, fire-poles, slides, a bungee, and a toddler zone. During the summer, it also offers a summer camp with crafts, science, music, and playtime on the “island.”

Kids who seem to bounce off the walls will love a visit to one of Chandler's family fun centers where they can bounce to their heart's delight! Young and pre-teen children will enjoy a visit to Uptown Jungle Fun Park for trampolines, inflatables and more while pre-teens, teens and adults ready for adventure will find excitement at Rush Xtreme which features trampoline dodgeball, large indoor ropes course and many more activities.

Active families will find plenty to do at Kids that Rip, a 60,000-square-foot facility with an obstacle course, huge skating park, and trampolines. Throughout the day, Kids that Rip also holds clinics on activities ranging from tumbling and cheerleading to skateboarding, parkour/ninja warrior, and beginning gymnastics. Day passes and monthly memberships are available.

 

Bowling and skating

For an activity that the whole family can do together, test your skills at one of Chandler’s three bowling alleys: AMF Chandler, AMF McRay Plaza, or Bowlero. Pricing starts at $2 per person, per game plus shoe rental, but all three also offer a summer pass that allows the holder three free games and a pair of shoes every day, all summer long.

Or, try roller skating at USA’s Skateland. In addition to open skate times (check the online calendar for details), the brightly-colored rink holds beginning skate lessons for kids every Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. for $6.50 and summer camps that include skate rental, breakfast, snack, and lunch.

Want to really beat the heat? Head to the Ice Den Chandler to ice skate. Public skate times vary, so you’ll want to check the online calendar before you go. If your kids have never ice skated before or want to improve their skills, the Ice Den Chandler’s learn-to-skate program is recognized as one of the top programs in the nation.

 

Legos, cookies, and art

You don’t have to be quite so active to have fun indoors during the summer. At the Lego Store in Chandler Fashion Mall, kids can complete a free mini-build that changes every month. If you go on a Wednesday afternoon, make your next stop in the mall Wildflower Bread Company, where kids can receive a free milk and cookie from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Have a creative kid? Burst of Butterflies Art Studio lets kids express themselves as they paint pottery, glass, or canvas walk-in projects. The studio also offers art classes for kids as well as summer art camps where kids ages 9 to 14 complete projects ranging from canvas painting to fused glass art, clay projects, and mixed media.

You can also sign your kids up for a variety classes, including art, cooking, dancing, and sports through Chandler Parks & Recreation. Some classes meet once; others are ongoing.