Phoenix, Scottsdale, and surrounding cities have amazing weather in the fall, winter, and spring so we should all get outside! Summers are fun too when water is involved (plus lots of sunscreen). Explore Arizona’s amazing deserts, mountains, lakes, and rivers. Attend an outdoor event, eat, play a sport…the options are endless.
40+ Things to Do With Teenagers in Phoenix Outside
One: Hike the many trails all over our state. South Mountain, Camelback Mountain, Thunderbird Conservation, Pinnacle Peak, McDowell Mountain Preserver are all popular places to hike. During the summer, search for cooler hiking weather up north in Sedona and Flagstaff.
Two: Go Fishing at one of the local lakes or ponds.
Three: Mountain Biking
Four: Kayak on one of Phoenix’s lakes. Several lakes have onsite rentals or there are shops where you can pick up rentals if you don’t own your own.
Five: SUP
Six: Head down the river with Salt River Tubing
Seven: Ride bikes along the canals
Eight: Visit the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix
Nine: Rent an electric scooter and explore downtown. Keep a lookout for the many stunning wall murals and take fun photos to document your day and share on social media.
Ten: Order takeout and eat at a local park
Eleven: Food festival – a few of our favorites for families with teens are the Arizona Taco Festival, Scottsdale Culinary Arts Festival, Downtown Donut Festival, and the Phoenix Pizza Festival (most of these have been postponed so keep on eye on their websites for new dates). The Arizona Taco Festival recently announced their new dates for 2021, October 23rd-24th at Salt River Fields.
Twelve: Attend an outdoor music festival
Thirteen: Head to one of the many Farmer’s Markets to browse and buy locally made foods along with fresh fruits and vegetables.
Fourteen: Arizona is home to several water parks including 6 Flags Hurrican Harbor, Golfland & Sunsplash in Mesa, and Big Surf (closed for 2021) in Tempe. Have fun and stay cool.
Fifteen: Arizona is known for its amazing resort pools – purchase a day pass and enjoy the day poolside.
Sixteen: Airsoft or paintball at one of the local outdoor fields.
Seventeen: Spend the day skateboarding and practicing tricks at one of Phoenix’s many Skateboard Parks
Eighteen: Love a hunt? Try the Tempe Tails scavenger hunt using their clues to find all the rabbit statues around downtown Tempe.
Nineteen: spend the day with the animals at the Phoenix Zoo.
Twenty: Head up north for snow play – skiing, sledding, or snow tubing.
Twenty-One: Spring Training baseball game
Twenty-Two: Hit up a golf course or hit some balls at the driving range
Twenty-Three: Watch a golf tournament. The Waste Management Open and the LPGA Founder’s Cup are played in Phoenix every year (note: for 2021 the Founder’s Cup in being held in New Jersey and not Phoenix)
Twenty-Four: go on a Hot Air Balloon for an ariel view of the desert landscape.
Twenty-Five: Go rockhounding
Twenty-Six: Give geocaching a try
Twenty-Seven: Go camping
Twenty-Eight: Miniature Golf
Twenty-Nine: Batting Cages
Thirty: Go on a horse trail ride in Cave Creek or Scottsdale.
Thirty-One: Attend Scottsdale’s Polo Party
Thirty-Two: Play tennis or pickleball. Check your local parks and country clubs for courts.
Thirty-Three: play Sand Volleyball
Thirty-four: Stargazing
Thirty-Five: Go to a You-pick farm and pick fresh fruit and vegetables. Schnepp’s Farm offers U-Pick Peaches every May along with their U-pick garden.
Thirty-Six: Go water skiing or jet skiing at one of Arizona’s many lakes.
Thirty-Seven: Sign up for flying trapeze school at Trapezius in Scottsdale
Thirty-Eight: Run a 5k, 10k, or half marathon
Thirty-Nine: tour the Southwest Wildlife Conservation in North Scottsdale
Forty: Tour Phoenix’s Japanese Friendship Garden Spring is the perfect time to visit when the Cherry Blossoms are starting to bloom.
Forty-one: Go on a road trip to explore Arizona’s National Parks and State Parks. Visiting the Grand Canyon is a must if you haven’t been.
Forty-two: enjoy an outdoor Hot Air Balloon festival
Forty-three: Is your teen a car fanatic like mine? Visit one of the car shows hosted by local car clubs. The best way to find out about these is to follow the car clubs’ social media accounts. Many are held at High Street in Desert Ridge or by Scottsdale Fashion Square.