Editor's note: Hi friends, things have changed quickly since this story was written and events and activities noted below will be updated if there are any changes.
This story was created by #ThisIsTucson and underwritten byΒ Children's Museum Tucson, registering for fun spring and summer camps now. Thank you for supporting the local organizations that support us!
Does it feel like spring break snuck up on you? Same.Β
Most Tucson area school districts are off next week, which is a welcome and well-deserved break for the hard-working teachers and school staff, but can be panic-inducing for parents and caregivers. How will you fill those days? Where will the kids spend the week if you have to work?
Don't worry, we've gathered a few ideas for you to fill your days with all the fun and rounded up a list of local camp options if you still need to make child care plans.Β
Go for a swim
Sisters Aubree, right, 6, and Alena Lawless, 9, play in the water at Clements Center, 8155 E. Poinciana Drive. The Clements Center is one of four City of Tucson pools open year-round.Β
If the weather's nice you can dig out your swim suits and hit the pool at one of the four City of Tucson pools that are open year-round. The Catalina Pool, Clements Pool, Edith Ball Adaptive Recreation CenterΒ and Sunnyside PoolΒ all have recreational swim hours every day of the week and are heated to comfy temps of 80-82 degrees. It's worth noting that the pool at the Edith Ball center is covered and has play features and beach entry.Β
See a movie (this event has been canceled)
Bookmans Northwest is hosting four days of films and related crafts during March 17-20 as part of its Spring Break Movie Club.Β
The northwest location of Bookmans Entertainment Exchange,Β 3733 W. Ina Road, is bringing back its Spring Break Movie Club next week from March 17-20. Films start at 2 p.m. each day. The kid-friendly films part of the week's line up are "The Secret of the Kells," "The Fantastic Mr. Fox," "Frozen 2," and "Toy Story 4." Kids can also make a themed craft at each screening and best of all, these events are free. See the schedule and learn moreΒ here.
Enjoy nature
Wildflowers line the paved pathways at Tangerine Sky Community Park in Marana, March 5, 2020.Β
Go on an outdoor adventure to enjoy some fresh spring air and the colorful blooming wildflowers. You can find some ideas for trails and spaces to specifically check out for some beautiful blooms here. The Tangerine Sky Community Park, 4411 W. Tangerine Road, is awash in yellow poppies, so you can check out the flowers and then let the kids burn off some energy on the playgrounds and zip lines.Β
For general hiking some good family-friendly options that are manageable for little legs to add to your list are the Yetman Trail to the Bowen House, Canyon Loop Trail in Catalina State ParkΒ and the Painted Hills Trail.Β
Check out a quirky museum
Kids love climbing on Tucson's celebrity, Locomotive 1673, which starred in the classic film, "Oklahoma", and is on display at the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum.Β
Take a trip to one (or more) of these 14 quirky museums we wrote about last winter. There are some great options for those days you prefer to stay indoors or during the possible rainy days in the forecast next week. Take the kids to admire collections of old airplanes and neon signs or to step inside a historic post office or aboard a steam locomotive and more fun activities at these museums that are off the beaten path.Β Β
Try out a new camp
Camp at Hi-Five Sports Club will include a variety of games, sports and fun activities.Β
If your spring break plans include heading to work and finding camp for your kids to fill their days with fun and educational activities. Check out this big list of Tucson organizations hosting daily and week-long camps where kids can do everything from circus arts to soccer.Β
β’Β Teen Camp at the Humane Society of Southern ArizonaΒ - March 16-19
β’Β Puppet Camp with Red Herring PuppetsΒ - March 16-20
β’Β Wildlife Camp at International Wildlife MuseumΒ - March 16-20
β’Β Spring Break Camp at Children's Museum TucsonΒ - March 16-20
β’Β Playformance CampΒ - March 9-13 and March 16-20
β’Β Spring Break Camp at the University of Arizona Campus RecΒ - March 16-20
β’Β Summer Sampler Spring Break Camp at Heart & Soul Oro ValleyΒ - March 16-20
β’Β Spring Break Camp at Circus Academy of TucsonΒ - March 16-20
β’Β Tucson Parks and Recreation SchoolzOut kids and teen camps - March 16-20
β’Β Hi-Five Sports Camps at MaracanaΒ - March 16-20 and March 23-27
β’Β Horsemanship Camp at TRAKΒ - March 16-20 and March 23-27
Explore science, art and imagination atΒ Children's Museum Tucson spring and summer camps
Help your kids spend their spring and summer exploring atΒ Children's Museum TucsonΒ camps. SummerΒ Camp topics include: KidzArt Let's Party; Creature Feature; Sonoran Glass Camp; Lego camps; Getting Fizzy With It; Out of This World; Our Icky Insides; Board Game Camp; and Maze Makers.
Where:Β All camps are held at the downtown location,Β 200 S. Sixth Ave.Β
When:Β Spring Break Camps: March 16-20; Summer camps:Β June-July
Find more information and registerΒ here.
