By Chris Olvera
Arizona may not be the wild, wild West it once was, but that doesn't mean the whole family can't get a little wild while on vacation. These
resorts in Arizona provide plenty of kid-friendly and parent-approved activities.
Arizona Grand Resort
The Oasis Water Park at the Arizona Grand resort features an 8-story high tower with three water slides, a lazy river, a wave pool and a 25-person hot tub. Wild Cat Springs offers splashes and refreshment from the sun for the younger kids. When you've had enough of the water, the hotel has horseback riding and mountain bikes. Guided hiking tours of the South Mountain Preserve also are available.
8000 S. Arizona Grand Parkway
Phoenix, AZ 85044
(866) 267-1321
Rancho De Los Caballeros
The children's program at Rancho De Los Caballeros is free for guests ages 5 to 12. Breakfast is served at 8 a.m., then kids 7 and under learn horsemanship skills. Kids 8 and up go horseback riding (for an additional fee). All the kids then meet up for swimming, crafts, tennis lessons, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts and lunch. At 6 p.m., the kids meet for dinner, marshmallow roasts and a campfire. Baby-sitting services also are offered.
1551 S. Vulture Mine Road
Wickenburg, AZ 85390
(800) 684-5030
Phoenician
The Phoenician's Funicians Kids Club is available for kids ages 5 to 12. Supervised activities include puppet shows, swimming, scavenger hunts, fish and duck feeding, water balloons and sandcastle building. On Friday and Saturday evenings, the dinner-and-a-movie program is offered. Teens can become camp counselors and help with the little ones. Also, teens can partake in water basketball and aerobics. Baby-sitting services are available.
6000 East Camelback Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 941-8200
Tanque Verde Ranch
Tanque Verde Ranch is a dude ranch with its own nature center. The resort has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a children's wading pool. Guided hiking tours are available for all skill levels. A "helmet cam" can capture the experience while riding the ranch's 600 acres of desert on mountain bikes. The ranch also has a 1.5-acre catch-and-release fishing lake for beginners and pros. Group tennis lessons are available each morning.
14301 E. Speedway
Tucson, AZ 85748
(800) 234-3833
About the Author:
Based out of Brookfield, Ill., Chris Olvera is a writer and editor with more than 15 years experience. He was editor of Manufactured Home Merchandiser for 10 years. Chris also was an editor for CSP Magazine and of the Villa Park Review. He is a graduate of Columbia College in Chicago.
