By Reid Bock
It’s 110 degrees in Phoenix, heat where the air shimmers above the pavement, and even the idea of a shaded park bench feels unbearable. Your kids, however, don’t seem to notice that it’s hotter than the sun’s surface; they still have energy to spare, and they’re bouncing off the walls. You’ve already gone through your arsenal of indoor crafts, snacks, and screen time, but the day is far from over…
That’s when you remember: the Children’s Museum of Phoenix is calling your name!
The moment you step inside, the blast of cool, refreshing air instantly melts away the heat of summer. Gone are the worries about sunburn, dehydration, or finding yet another patch of shade that’s never cool enough. Here, the light is bright but gentle, the air is crisp, and there is nothing between your family and a full day of play.
Here at the Museum, there are endless possibilities. One child rushes toward the Climber, already mapping their route to the top. At the same time, another takes you by the hand and pulls you into the Art Studio, wide-eyed at the colors and materials waiting to be transformed into masterpieces. In another room, little chefs are “cooking” up treats in the pretend cafe, their imaginations as alive as their laughter. And somewhere nearby, little ones are playing happily in a Baby Zone designed just for them, safe and close so caregivers can relax knowing everyone is nearby.
This is what summer looks like without overheating: kids dashing between exhibits, faces flushed not from the sun, but from laughter and motion. They’re climbing, imagining, creating, sometimes all at once, and doing it without a single screen. Best of all? By the time you head home, they’re joyfully spent, the good kind of tired that only comes from a day filled with real, active play.
Inside the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, time feels different. Afternoons stretch into hours of fun, towers are built from colorful blocks, and a forest of pool noodles reminds you just how fearless children are when trying something new. So, the next time Phoenix’s summer feels unrelenting, skip the struggle of finding another indoor distraction. Step into the Museum, where you can cool down, stretch out your day with laughter and learning, and watch your kids enjoy the kind of play that fills their hearts (and your camera roll).
About the Author
Reid Bock is a rising junior at Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut. He grew up in Phoenix and visited the Children’s Museum of Phoenix frequently. His favorite exhibits as a child were the Market, Noodle Forest, and Pedal Power. According to his parents, he enjoyed the play time so much that in order to get him into the car to go home, they had to promise to come back. The Museum is thrilled to have Reid intern with the Museum this summer, where he can feed his love of writing and the Museum at the same time!
