Looking for ways to keep kids entertained and burn off that extra energy? Mesa is packed with unique spots where little ones can leap, climb, create, and discover—no matter the weather or the season.
Let’s get to it.
Superplay
Looking for a way to tire out the kids without heading outdoors? Superplay could be your new best friend. This 4,000-square-foot indoor play area is built for kids 10 and under, with slides, climbing structures, a trick-shot air court and a massive 1,000-square-foot ball pit. While kids run wild, parents can kick back in the adult lounge, walk laps on the observation track or grab a snack at the café.
Tickets are about $18 on weekdays and a bit more on weekends, and grippy socks for little ones are included (adults are free with a child). There’s free Wi-Fi throughout, plus charging stations if you want to get some work done. The facility is padded from top to bottom, has enclosed play zones, family-friendly restrooms and even quiet pods for kids who need a sensory break.
Staff members are always nearby to keep things safe, and you don’t need climbing experience to join the fun. If you plan to visit often, memberships can save you some cash. Superplay makes indoor play a breeze, even when it’s too hot or rainy outside.
Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum
At the Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum in Mesa, history isn’t stuck behind glass. The hangar holds fully restored WWII planes, interactive flight simulators and original propellers you can get up close to. Signs and monitors explain cockpit instruments without feeling like a textbook.
Every second Saturday from January to October, there’s a Family Fun Day for $5 per person or $10 per family. Kids can take on an Adventure Hunt or try the Aviation Technology Challenge. If you really want to dive in, summer camps and Aviation 101 classes are led by FAA-certified instructors, covering STEM lessons and safety basics.
Outdoors, you’ll find glider rides and hidden history tours that give you a fresh take on the airfield. Civil Air Patrol volunteers and museum staff are on hand to answer questions about gauges, dials and flight paths. No pilot license required, just curiosity. It’s an affordable, hands-on way to explore aviation without feeling like you’ve landed in a lecture.
Arizona Museum of Natural History
For families chasing hands-on science and dinosaur thrills, the Arizona Museum of Natural History hits the mark. The indoor Dino Mountain exhibit features towering animatronic T-rex and Triceratops, complete with timed “flash floods” that add a fun twist. Kids can try gold panning in the outdoor sluice, explore the Exploration Station for preschoolers or join a lab demo.
Paths are wide and accessible, and the museum provides noise-canceling headphones and quiet rest areas for sensory breaks. Exhibits cover Arizona’s geology, paleontology and cultural history. Rotating displays and hands-on stations keep tweens and preschoolers entertained in equal measure.
Admission fees are reasonable, and you can plan around off-peak hours—Wednesdays tend to be the calmest. The café offers grab-and-go snacks, and there’s a small gift shop with educational toys. With both indoor and outdoor elements, the museum works rain or shine, letting you pack in science, history and a bit of adventure all in one visit.
Desert Arroyo Park
Tired of the same old grassy fields? Desert Arroyo Park puts the Sonoran desert on display across 58 acres in Mesa. A paved Discovery Loop connects five themed learning nodes, each focusing on different desert features, animal tracking trails, a giant sundial, a sand pit for digging, wind chimes and a fixed telescope for spotting birds.
Benches, shaded ramadas and picnic tables are spread out along the trails, so you can take breaks without leaving the scenery. Parents and kids can check out plants, insects and animal footprints up close, thanks to interpretive signs along the way. The outdoor classroom area sometimes hosts free workshops led by park rangers.
There’s free parking, no entrance fee and even free Wi-Fi near the outdoor classroom. Hours run from sunrise to 10 pm, year-round, so you can plan visits around cooler mornings or sunset views. Desert Arroyo Park proves you don’t need a mountain getaway to get a taste of Arizona’s wild side.
Elevate Trampoline Park- McDowell Road, Mesa
Stepping into Elevate Trampoline Park on McDowell Road feels more like walking into an extreme playground than a gym. Spanning 30,000 square feet, it’s packed wall to wall with trampolines, a ninja obstacle course, foam pits, dodgeball courts, dunk lanes, rock climbing walls, and even a dedicated toddler zone for the littlest jumpers. It’s a great place for everyone, from preschoolers to teens, or anyone wanting to relive childhood bounce sessions.
You choose your session length—90 minutes, two hours, or three hours—and they have deals on monthly or seasonal passes. Monday Family Night comes with discounts, and Sensory Sunday features low lights and soft sounds for a gentler vibe. Little ones under 18 months get in free with a paying adult, and the whole place is padded and policed by staff to keep things safe. Grippy socks are mandatory, and you’ll see plenty of coaches on patrol. They host birthday parties and big events too, so if you’re aiming for a larger-than-life celebration, this is your go-to spot.
idea Museum
If hands-on creativity is your goal, the i.d.e.a. Museum in Mesa is the place to go. Instead of just looking at displays, this spot invites you to jump right in. Little ones in the ArtVille area (ages 0–4) can crawl through soft spaces, while older kids build, tinker in the idea Lab, or join summer camps and workshops.
Admission is free for babies under 1, $10 for everyone else, with discounts for EBT cardholders and members. The museum layout lets you flow from classrooms to the Snackery lounge when it’s time for a break. Outside, there’s a music garden, and rotating themed exhibits keep things fresh.
Staff members are everywhere, offering safety guidance, sensory support, and stroller parking. They even have a mothers’ room if you need a quiet spot. The museum stays open most days of the year—just watch for holiday closures. You won’t feel like you’re in a white-walled museum; it’s more like a playground for curious minds.
United Escapes of America – Mesa
Ready to hit pause on reality? United Escapes of America – Mesa delivers an hour of pure puzzle fun inside a restored downtown building. Rooms range from the Zookeeper challenge for ages 6-12, with simple clues and playful props, to Candyland for beginners who want a lighthearted mystery. More intense rooms test adult puzzle fans with layered locks, secret doors and time-sensitive riddles.
Teams book online and have 60 minutes to break out, with game masters monitoring your progress. Hints are offered if you get stuck, and some rooms can fit up to 10 players. Anyone under 16 needs an adult in the group, which can add an extra pair of eyes, and hands on the puzzles.
A couple of rooms are wheelchair-accessible, and sessions run pretty much every day. Prices depend on group size and room difficulty, but advance booking often brings discounts. No phones, no Wi-Fi, just logic, teamwork and a good dose of friendly competition.
UPTOWN JUNGLE FUN PARK | Mesa, AZ
If you’re looking for a spot where kids can really burn off energy, Uptown Jungle Fun Park in Mesa has you covered. It’s all indoors and super air conditioned, which is a total relief in Arizona heat. The park is divided into zones for toddlers up to ninja-warrior–style teens. You’ll find trampolines, climbing walls, a mini zipline, slides, plus a cityscape theme with climbable skyscrapers. Kids under five feet tall get their own gated area so the little ones can play safely away from bigger jumpers.
They charge by the hour, from about $11 to $20, so you can drop in for just an hour or stay as long as the kids can handle. Parents get in free to watch and half off if you feel like tackling the rock wall yourself. You’ll need grip socks, and yes, they tend to wander off. There’s a comfy adult lounge with massage chairs and Wi-Fi for that post-play cooldown. Staff keep an eye on the chaos, and the soft foam obstacles plus wheelchair-accessible layouts mean everyone can join in safely. It’s loud, it’s busy, and the kids will leave officially wiped out.
Kids Empire Mesa
One of the coolest spots for indoor fun, Kids Empire Mesa covers over 15,000 square feet with slides, climbing towers, mini trampolines, and a playful dragon-and-candy theme. There’s a bumper car track and even a mini soccer field to let kids sprint off steam. Adults get in free, so you can either jump in with the crew or relax at the snack bar while keeping an eye on things. Everything is temperature-controlled, so sweltering days or unexpected cold snaps won’t ruin your plans.
They’ve set up a secure toddler corner with latching doors so little explorers can’t wander into bigger-kid zones. Entry is behind a locked gate and staff members are always around, joining in dances or cheers during group songs. Play all day and come back later the same day if you need a break—unlimited access makes it easy to stretch out a visit. The space is wheelchair accessible and really clean. Between the décor, variety of play areas, and friendly team, this place delivers nonstop excitement for any group or party.
KTR Mesa
At KTR Mesa you’ll find a serious indoor playground where kids’ energy has full reign. The facility spans over a thousand square feet and includes trampolines, a ninja warrior area, a parkour course, and even a skatepark with its own pump track and mega ramp. Up in the air there’s a Sky Bridge loaded with obstacles, plus a Mini Zone for under-fives so younger kids can play safely away from bigger riders.
They offer everything from open-play drop-in sessions to skill-specific camps and year-round classes, starting as young as 18 months old. On Friday mornings they run Toddler Time, which is a quieter, kid-focused hour. Coaches are trained and on the floor supervising so it never feels like unstructured mayhem. Nearly every surface is padded or filled with foam and many spots end in airbag pits. Drop-in rates start around $10, or you can enroll in longer classes for more regular action. It’s a great spot for building skills, socializing, and just having a blast.
Golfland Sunsplash
If you want a combo of water thrills, mini golf, and arcade action, Golfland Sunsplash in Mesa has you covered. The water park runs from mid-May to mid-September with slides for the brave, a shallow splash zone for toddlers, and zero-depth areas for anyone who prefers wading over plunging. Lifeguards are on duty throughout, and life jackets are free for little swimmers.
Mini golf runs year-round across three 18-hole courses—themed around King Arthur, princess adventures, and the Lost Dutchman mine. Inside the arcade you’ll find laser tag, bumper cars, and a racing zone for kids five and up. Ticket options include day passes, night sessions, and annual memberships if you plan to go often. Parking is easy, lockers are available, and they host seasonal events like Spooktacular Golf when Halloween rolls around. With both indoor and outdoor attractions, it’s a solid choice for families looking to mix it up without feeling overwhelmed.
FUNBOX Bounce & Party Center
Get ready for a high-energy play space at FUNBOX Bounce & Party Center in Mesa. You’ll find a sea of giant inflatables with fun names like Marshmallow Mountain and Gumball Gallop. There are slides, obstacle courses, and even a Ninja Wall ready for the next mini American Ninja Warrior. If you have a kid who bounces off the walls, this place will be their dream spot.
It’s all indoors, so you don’t have to worry about rain or sunburn. Just swap your shoes for their brightly colored grip socks and dive into a padded playground for either 90 or 110 minutes. Kids under 13 need an adult with them, and little ones under 2 get in free when an adult pays full price. They limit attendance so it never feels overcrowded, and staff keep a close eye on everything to make sure play stays safe.
You’ll want to buy tickets online ahead of time—no refunds, but you can transfer your spot to someone else. There aren’t memberships or gourmet treats, but it’s a perfect way to tire out your crew or celebrate a birthday without missing a beat.
