Staying in town for fall break? Here are four free or inexpensive ways to keep the kids entertained in Tempe:
Kids Swim Free at Kiwanis
Bring the family and enjoy the calm waters at the Kiwanis Pool Monday-Thursday. Up to two kids age 10 and under are free with one $4 adult admission through Nov. 1.
Midday Swim: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Evening Swim: 5-8 p.m.
The Cloud at Kiwanis Park is also open all week long, along with the city’s three splash pads at Esquer, Jaycee and Hudson parks. All four are free to attend and open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Info: www.tempe.gov/pools.
Edna Arts camps
Aspiring artists have two great options for fall break at Edna Arts.
Young Artist Studio Camp, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to noon
Students will spend their mornings painting, drawing, sculpting and diving deep into visual art creation. Each day of camp will bring new themes, allowing children to expand and grow their skills that week. Campers must provide their own food and beverages for lunch and snacks. Fee: $55 for the full week, $15 daily drop in rate available. Registration: https://bit.ly/2PXFa2C
Performing Arts Camp, Monday-Friday, 1-5 p.m.
Students will enjoy drama, dance, music and design classes while learning what goes on behind the scenes as well as center stage. Each day will bring new themes and allow for students to build upon existing skills. $55 for the full week, $15 daily drop rate in available. Registration: https://bit.ly/2xNgAdz
Both camps will be held at Edna Vihel Arts Center, 3340 S. Rural Road, Tempe.
Contact [email protected] at 480-350-5287 for more information.
Tempe History Museum exhibits
The museum is a great place to keep young minds sharp and entertained. Admission is free. The museum is closed on Mondays but will be open the rest of fall break from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Info: www.tempe.gov/museum.
Feature exhibit: Humans of Tempe
The museum’s feature exhibit, Humans of Tempe, showcases informal portraits of Tempeans accompanied by short quotes or stories. The portraits feature people of all ages, ethnicities and from all walks of life, connecting visitors with real, ordinary people who live, work or spend time in Tempe.
Changing exhibit: Greetings from Tempe – Quite a Little Town Here
Long before social media existed, people used postcards to stay connected. This exhibit paints a picture of historic Tempe, featuring nearly 300 postcards that brought images and stories from the city to a worldwide audience. This exhibit runs through Oct. 21, 2018.
Main Gallery
The museum’s Main Gallery features an eclectic collection of Tempe memorabilia, including antique vehicles, pictures, pottery, artifacts – even nostalgic ASU football and band uniforms. The gallery is arranged into four themes: Surviving in the Desert, Building Our Community, College Town and Living Together.
Kid’s Place
An interactive space where children and their families can engage in fun, informal learning through play and storytelling. Hear an old time radio show, “drive” the farm truck, dress up, sort and sell toy produce, read stories and see the display on board games.
Tempe Public Library Star Wars and CompuGirls classes
The library has new and ongoing programs throughout fall break. All offerings can be found at www.tempe.gov/LibraryCalendar. Highlights include CompuGirls Camp, which introduces girls ages 13-16 to electrical circuits and computational thinking. The camp is free; registration is required: 480-350-5327.
Star Wars Made Real is a fun workshop for kids ages 5-12 that will bring the universe to life through movie-inspired activities and crafts. All library events are free to attend.
Golf camp
Free transportation!
Working parents, don’t forget! Tempe students can get a free Youth Transit Pass or take Orbit buses to many of these destinations. Find info here: www.tempe.gov/YouthPass.
