Best Playground
Gene C. Reid Park
900 S. Randolph Way
520-791-4873
tucsonaz.gov
Gene C. Reid Park offers playground space within its 156-acre central Tucson grounds, alongside ponds, picnic areas and walking paths. Families can also find open green space and other recreational amenities throughout the park, including sports fields and nearby aquatic facilities.
Reader Recommended
Brandi Fenton Memorial Park
3482 E. River Road
520-724-5000
pima.gov
Himmel Park
1000 N. Tucson Boulevard
520-791-4873
tucsonaz.gov
Best Place for a
Children’s Party
Children’s Museum Tucson
200 S. 6th Avenue
520-792-9985
childrensmuseumtucson.org
Children’s Museum Tucson hosts birthday celebrations with private party rooms and all-day museum admission for guests. Families can bring food and decorations, while larger celebrations can reserve the entire museum after hours for private access to its interactive exhibits and courtyard.
Reader Recommended
Golf N’ Stuff
6503 E. Tanque Verde Road
520-296-2366
golfnstuff.com
Wild Katz
4629 E. Speedway Boulevard
520-415-7955
wldktz.com
Best Toy Store
Mildred and Dildred
1725 North Swan Road, Tucson
520-615-6266
mildredanddildred.com
Mildred and Dildred carries a variety of toys for all age groups. They have everything you could need for your child, from toys for fun to educational flashcards and reading materials for all levels. They feature toys for every kid for whatever they are interested in.
Reader Recommended
Bricks and Minifigs
4730 East Broadway Boulevard, Tucson
520-703-7483
bricksandminifigs.com/tucson-az
Tucson Games & Gadgets
4500 North Oracle Road, Tucson
520-460-6891
5870 East Broadway Boulevard, Tucson
520-603-4037
tucsongamesandgadgets.com
Best Public Pool/
Splashpad
Oro Valley Aquatic Center
23 West Calle Concordia, Oro Valley
520-297-7946
orovalleyaz.gov
The Oro Valley Aquatic Center has a variety of features for the whole family to enjoy. It offers a lap pool, a splash pad and a water slide. They offer affordable memberships and monthly events. Its proximity to Pusch Ridge makes it a scenic location for the whole family to enjoy a day at the pool.
Reader Recommended
Brandi Fenton
3482 East River Road, Tucson
520-724-5000
pima.gov/brandi-fenton-memorial-park
Manzanita Park
5110 South San Joaquin Avenue, Tucson
520-578-2458
pima.gov/manzanita-pool
Best Kids’ Clothing Store
Twice as Nice
7333 East Broadway Boulevard
520-298-7375
facebook.com/twiceasnicebroadway
Twice as Nice sells high-quality second-hand children’s clothes and accessories. They work primarily on consignments where customers can bring in their garments and the staff will exchange them for cash. The store features affordable prices for high-quality fashions for the whole family.
Reader Recommended
Little Bird Nesting Co
4508 East Broadway Boulevard, Tucson
520-203-7372
littlebirdtucson.com
Sweet Repeats
7936 North Oracle Road, Tucson
520-219-0675
sweetrepeatstucson.com
Best Story Time
Pima County Library
101 N. Stone Avenue
520-791-4010
library.pima.gov
Pima County Public Library hosts storytimes for children to enjoy. They feature different story times at different locations to fit every child’s unique needs — from family storytimes to bilingual storytimes. They serve all age groups and have other literacy resources for children.
Reader Recommended
Drag Queen Story Hour
dragstoryhouraz.org
Mildred and Dildred
1725 North Swan Road, Tucson
520-615-6266
mildredanddildred.com
Best Restaurant With a Kids’ Menu
Little Anthony’s Diner
7010 East Broadway Boulevard, Tucson
520-296-0456
littleanthonysdiner.com
Little Anthony’s Diner has a retro ‘50s diner vibe with live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights and special car show events. They also have a well-rounded kids menu that any child would love. Their “Little Be-Bopper” menu has all the essentials from a P.B. & J. to burgers and corn dogs, all for affordable prices.
Reader Recommended
The Barnyard Crafthouse and Eatery
11011 East Tanque Verde Road, Tucson
520-600-7570
barnyardaz.com
Pinnacle Peak
6541 East Tanque Verde Road, Tucson
520-269-0911
pinnaclepeaktucson.com
Best Fun For the Whole Family
Reid Park Zoo
3400 East Zoo Court, Tucson
520-791-3204
reidparkzoo.org
Reid Park Zoo was founded in 1965 with a small collection that has now expanded to a 24-acre property that features hundreds of animals in naturalistic exhibits. They are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and focuses on ensuring its animals are well taken care of. The zoo features daily events like the giraffe encounter, where zoo guests can feed the giraffes. They also have a knowledgeable staff who do different presentations throughout the park.
Reader Recommended
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N. Kinney Road
520-883-2702
desertmuseum.org
Old Tucson
201 South Kinney Road, Tucson
502-883-0100
oldtucson.com
Best Summer Camp
Reid Park Zoo
3400 East Zoo Court, Tucson
520-791-3204
reidparkzoo.org
Reid Park Zoo has five-day camp sessions for students going into grades 1-5. The camps include multiple opportunities for kids of all ages to learn through hands-on activities about the animals that inhabit the planet. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday for the week you select.
Reader Recommended
Tucson Jewish Community Center
3800 East River Road, Tucson
520-299-3000
tucsonjcc.org
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N. Kinney Road
520-883-2702
desertmuseum.org
Best way to entertain kids during summer
Children’s Museum Tucson
200 S. Sixth Avenue
520-792-9985
childrensmuseumtucson.org
They have a variety of exhibits intended for kids up to the age of 10 years old. They have 10 exhibits and an outdoor courtyard with interesting and enriching exhibits. They have a series of different events they host over the year that create unique and fun experiences for kids.
Reader Recommended
Reid Park Zoo
3400 East Zoo Court, Tucson
520-791-3204, reidparkzoo.org
Gaslight Theatre
7010 East Broadway Boulevard, Tucson
520-886-9428, thegaslighttheatre.com
Best Day care
Tucson Jewish Community Center
3800 East River Road, Tucson
520-299-3000
tucsonjcc.org
Tucson Jewish Community Center provides a variety of day care services to meet your needs. They offer after-school programs with transportation services for some schools. Each day, Tucson Community Center focuses on providing children with enriching experiences while serving the community.
Reader Recommended
Strauss ECE
225 North Country Club Road, Tucson
520-325-0390
straussece.com
YMCA
Multiple Locations
tucsonymca.org
Best Children’s
Entertainer
Mr. Nature
mrnaturesmusicgarden.com
Mr. Nature’s Sound Garden provides engaging and enriching musical performances and experiences to children and their families. Mr. Nature can be hired for all kinds of events like birthday parties, playgroups or even in the classroom. All of his programs can be themed to fit your unique circumstances.
Reader Recommended
Children’s Museum Tucson
200 S. Sixth Avenue
520-792-9985
childrensmuseumtucson.org
Mamma Coal Plays Kids’ Country
517-449-6620
facebook.com/kidscountrytucson
