Summer Events for the Whole Family
When summer temperatures rise, family-friendly attractions in Tucson offer a cool, comfortable way to stay engaged while discovering the city’s mix of culture, science, and creativity.
Cool Summer Nights
Presented by the Desert Museum every Saturday night throughout the summer to beat the heat, a way to experience the desert coming to life once the sun goes down - watch scorpions glow under blacklight, bats catch their dinner, and so much more.
Night Ops - Pima Air and Space Museum
Join Pima Air & Space Museum and the Tucson Military Vehicle Museum and experience both museums on select evenings with discounted admission and themed activities. SOFIA Airborne Observatory or Orbis Flying Eye Hospital tours are included on alternating nights.
Tohono Chul: Chillin at the Chul
On Saturday's Tohono Chul brings extra fun family activities in partnership with the Children's Museum Oro Valley to provide all types of play to keep kids entertained. Enjoy live music, refreshing drinks, family-friendly activities and tasty eats from the Garden Bistro! Relax in the cool shade of beautiful gardens, where the mature trees provide a welcome much welcome drop in temperature.
Summer Safari Nights
Summer Safari Nights, presented by TMC Health and the Zoo in the cooler evening hours! Each week will feature keeper chats, animal encounters, artifact stations, carousel rides, crafts and games. Enjoy dinner and a cold drink at the Flamingo Grill, listen to live music by some of Tucson’s best bands. Take a ride on the Jungle Carousel and play games in the Event Garden. There will be a different theme each week, so every visit brings something new and plenty of photo opportunities to remember a great evening.
Museums
Museums are a Tucson summer essential, get a break from the heat and explore something new with the whole family. Children's Museum Tucson is a go-to for interactive exhibits, camps, and hands-on learning, while Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium brings science to life through engaging exhibits and immersive planetarium shows. The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures showcases an extraordinary collection of detailed dollhouses and miniature environments, making it a standout among Tucson museums for all ages. Art and culture lovers can explore Tucson’s creative side at Tucson Museum of Art and DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum.
Play and Exercise
Families searching for indoor activities in Tucson for kids will find plenty of ways to stay active without the heat. These indoor play spaces are designed for movement, creativity, and all-day energy. At Wild Katz, younger children can explore imaginative play zones that support motor skills, creativity, and social interaction—all in a climate-controlled environment. For bouncing, climbing, and high-energy fun, Jumping Cholla Trampoline Park offers inflatable obstacle courses and play areas that make it one of the best indoor play places in Tucson for younger kids.
Movie Nights in the Park
Free family event presented by Cox Communications. Evening movie screenings at Reid Park Demeester Outdoor Performance Center with pre-show entertainment including local performers, games, and prizes. Local food trucks are available as well. Movies begin playing at sundown. For a full schedule of upcoming movies visit COX movies in the park.
The Loft Kids Fest returns to The Loft Cinema this summer for 11 days of free entertainment and excitement, starting with an Outdoor Movie Party followed by indoor screenings every Saturday and Sunday morning. Each day of Loft Kids Fest brings fun with big screen presentations of some of the best family-friendly films of all-time, games, activities, giveaways, prize raffles, tons of popcorn and more!