Growing up in Tucson can be pretty special.
Even more so if you experience some of the things that make Tucson so unique as a kid.
Start making memories and traditions with your family by going to these events and places around Tucson.
1. Hike and play in the water at Sabino Canyon
Sabino Canyon is beautiful any time of the year, but especially after monsoon season — and after the winter snow melts from Mount Lemmon — when the water is flowing.
Your kids will love the memories of playing in the water at the dam or exploring along the creek while hopping across it on large rocks. You'll love the amazing photo opps.
Members of the Martinez and Pineda family spend some time a pool of water below the first bridge at Sabino Canyon.
2. Escape the summer heat on Mount Lemmon
Who doesn't remember piling in the car on a hot summer day for a little break on the mountain? It's about 20-30 degrees cooler up there, and it's so pretty and green.
While you're there get cookies at the Cookie Cabin or fudge from the Mt. Lemmon General Store & Gift Shop in Summerhaven.
Hikers on the Marshall Gulch Trail in the Catalina Mountains pass many kinds of wildflowers along the way.
3. Dress up and walk in the All Souls Procession
Sure, your kids can go to this as adults. But, start the tradition while they're little. It's a great way to celebrate and honor lost loved ones and pets. Don't worry, it's not as somber as it sounds. It's a CELEBRATION and it's awesome.
Jamie Elliott uses a hula hoop as part of her dance performance on Sixth Avenue before the start of the All Souls Procession in downtown Tucson on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
If you're iffy about huge crowds and late nights, try the Procession of Little Angels the day before, which is geared toward little kids and includes art, performances and a children's altar.
Procession weekend is Nov. 5-6.
Costuming workshops help families prepare for the Procession of Little Angels, set for Nov. 7 at Armory Park.
4. Go to a show at Valley of the Moon
Most places don't have a storybook land. But, we do. And, it's pretty enchanting. It's part watching a play and part adventure, so the kids will love it because they don't have to sit still. Guests walk down the windy paths of the property, which is full of interesting and quirky things to look at, including a few pieces that used to reside at Magic Carpet Golf, and stop at different stations to watch actors perform parts of the play.
5. Find some water
After a big storm, when the Rillito River, Pantano Wash or neighborhood washes are flowing, head outside and watch the water. Half of Tucson will be out there and it's exciting for everyone. Just don't go in the washes in case of flash flooding.
Danica Escalante, 9, seems none too pleased with the splashing from four-year-old sister Sammi, middle, while they play in rainwater runoff with Jazz Escalante, 1, near West Aragon Road and South 12th Avenue on June 29, 2016, in Tucson, Ariz. A large storm cell moved across South Tucson and Tucson International Airport on Wednesday afternoon.
When it's not rainy, get in the car and look for water in other places like Patagonia Lake, Rose Canyon Lake or Madera Canyon.
A boat heads towards the marina at Patagonia Lake as it passes some reeds along the bank on Thursday, June 19, 2008, in Patagonia, Ariz.Photo by A. E. Araiza/Arizona Daily Star
6. Learn about science at Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium
Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium hosts laser shows and has tons of fascinating hands-on exhibits for the kids. Plus, it has a huge mineral room.
Phoenix Graykeenan, 8, on a field trip with his third-grade class from Fulton Elementary School in Chandler.
7. Winterhaven Festival of Lights
A holiday tradition for many, walking — or riding a trolley — through Winterhaven during its annual festival of lights can be a magical experience for all. Residents of the neighborhood go all out to decorate for the season. There are also food trucks, hot chocolate and fake snow.
Liliana Valenzuela takes a selfie with her children Gaby, Sofia and Ana Valenzuela in fake snow on the corner of Kleindale Road and Fox Avenue during the opening night of the Winterhaven Festival of Lights on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015. Photo by: Rebecca Noble / for Arizona Daily Star
8. Pima County Fair
Kids (and many, many adults) love the fair and make it an annual spring tradition. Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to spend a lot of money to have a good time. Younger kids love looking at the livestock, the petting zoo and the free areas like Kiddie Kingdom. Plus you can get discount ride tickets at Fry's before the fair starts each year.
The fair will run April 20-30 next year.
Elizabeth Kurtti gets a kiss from Nemo the sea lion, one of the performers from the California State University Moss Landing Marine Laboratories' Sea Lion Encounters, one of the acts on the opening day of the Pima County Fair, Thursday, April 14, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
9. Watch a cowboy show
Old Tucson Studios is the perfect place to go for a Wild West experience. The kids will love the shows — especially the cowboy ones — historic tours, rides and games.
The whole property looks like and Old Western town, with dirt roads, weathered wooden buildings, wagons and actors dressed in character.
Cowboy stunt shows are part of the draw of Old Tucson Studios.
10. Pick a pumpkin
Some of the cutest fall pictures are little kids picking out pumpkins. Luckily, we have several pumpkin patches nearby.
The Marana Pumpkin Patch and Farm Festival is a great one to make a day of. There's a 50 acre pumpkin patch, corn mazes, a petting zoo, jumping pillow, a train ride, a huge mountain made of straw and kids play are, pig races, rubber duck races, peddle cart ride, pumpkin cannon, pony ride and a zipline.
The festival runs from October 1-30.
While drought in the Midwest has caused a nationwide shortage of pumpkins, Arizona’s farms, like the Marana Pumpkin Patch shown above, have maintained local prices.
11. Go to the book festival
The Tucson Festival of Books has so many things for kids to do. Some of our favorites are Science City, the literary circus, the art workshops and the story blanket.
Avid readers will enjoy getting to meet some of their favorite authors. Last year's event included big names like R.L. Stine and Chris Gall.
Next year's festival will take place March 11-12.
Girls use bananas instead of books to practice their posture during Fancy Nancy author Jane O'Connor's presentation.
12. Look at desert wildlife
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is part zoo, part natural history museum and part botanical garden, all in one.
It's a great place to see mountain lions, snakes and all the creatures that make our desert special from a safe distance.
Jesus Garcia, not shown, shows off a gopher snake to a fascinated crowd at the live animal presentation in the Warden Oasis Theater during Cool Summer Nights at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
