By Melissa Lewis
Arizona Resorts for Kids
Arizona is a beautiful state located in the southwestern
United States. With canyons, red rocks, wild-rock formations, cities, deserts and sunny days all year long, Arizona is a prime destination for vacationers. Many families travel with their kids and, thankfully, there are many
resorts that have programs and activities for the entire family, including kids of all ages.
Arizona Grand Resort
One of the largest water-park resorts in the United States, Arizona Grand resort sports water slides, river tubing and a wave pool that all kids will enjoy. From March through Labor Day, kids ages 5 to 12 can join the Grand Adventure Kids Club, where each day during either the morning or afternoon, kids can play games, do crafts and just have fun. Parents can enjoy the spa, pool or golfing. Adjacent to the resort is South Mountain Preserve, where members of the whole family can hike, mountain bike and horseback ride. On site, there is a steakhouse reminiscent of the Wild West that children will enjoy.
8000 S. Arizona Grand Parkway
Phoenix, Arizona 85044
(866) 267-1321
www.arizonagrandresort.com
Enchantment Resort
Located next to Coconino National Forest, Enchantment Resort is nestled in the famous red rocks in Sedona. Camp Coyote is a half-day program for guests ages 4 to 12 where children will learn about different animals and plants and about the Native American and Southwest history of Arizona. For the whole family, each day is filled with resort-sponsored activities from power walks to water coloring. There is also a large pool that reflects the huge red-rock formations.
525 Boynton Canyon Road
Sedona, Arizona 86336
800-826-4180
www.enchantmentresort.com
Fairmont Scottsdale Resort
From Memorial Day through Labor Day, kids of all ages can be a part of National Geographic Explorer's Camp at the Fairmont Scottsdale Resort. Children will participate in various activities, including learning about GPS systems and just having fun by the pool. Also, this resort has a teen hangout room with comfy couches, a cyber café, a plasma-screen TV, Xbox games and hundreds of DVDs. There is also a complimentary kid's club where kids ages 5 to 12 can play on the computer, play air hockey and participate in crafts and activities. Fairmont Scottsdale Resort also has five pools, two large water slides and a toddler's area. In addition, the whole family can enjoy dine-in movies where each night a different movie is shown in the pool area.
7575 East Princess Drive
Scottsdale, Arizona 85255
(866) 540-4495
www.fairmont.com/scottsdale
Rancho de los Caballeros
This 20,000-acre resort is open only from mid-October until mid-May and is home to more than 100 horses and a pool. The Caballeros Kid's Program is free to guests ages 5 to 12 and offers activities specifically for their age group. The whole family will enjoy evening activities, including dinners cooked over the open fire and sing-a-longs. There are also a spa and golf course on the ranch.
1551 S. Vulture Mine Road
Wickenburg, Arizona 85390
(800) 684-5030
www.sunc.com
Wigwam Resort Golf Resort and Spa
Children ages 5 to 12 can participate in Camp Pow Wow, which is open each day. Along with age-appropriate activities and crafts, Camp Pow Wow educates children on the history of Arizona. The resort also has several tennis courts and two pools, one of which has a slide.
300 Wigwam Boulevard
Litchfield Park, Arizona 85340
(800) 327-0396
www.wigwamresort.com
About the Author:
Melissa Lewis is a former elementary classroom teacher and media specialist. She has also written for various online publications. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
Photo Credits:
http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1047146
