There’s nothing more important than spending time with your family. For those with kids, finding something that’s fun for the whole family becomes a priority. You want to make sure that, no matter what you do, everyone has a good time. Finding those activities, however, can sometimes be a challenge.
Fortunately, at Liv, you’re never far from some of the most exciting events in the area. No matter which community you call home, you’re sure to find something everyone will love. Here are some of the best kid-friendly events and activities not far from where you live.
Liv Avenida - Chandler, AZ
Home to an assortment of family-friendly activities and year-round events, Chandler is an ideal place for families with kids of all ages. One of the best-known attractions here is the Crayola Experience. One of five in the US, the Crayola Experience offers hands-on activities and fun for everyone. Families can create melted wax spin art, star in their own coloring pages, customize crayons, and so much more. It’s the perfect opportunity for expressing and developing creativity.
The Chandler Center for the Arts features a range of international, national, and regional performing arts entertainment. Families can enjoy live music, see magic shows, or watch a ballet. Exposing your kids to the arts is a great way to expand their worldview and help them learn something new.
Chandler has plenty of family-friendly museums, too. The Chandler Museum features six to eight exhibitions each year, showcasing a mix of in-house and nationally traveling setups. Learn about the history of Chandler and the rest of the country, too. Families can explore vintage rail cars at the Arizona Railway Museum, explore the area’s agricultural roots at Tumbleweed Ranch, or view public art displays while walking around Downtown Chandler.
Liv North Scottsdale - Scottsdale, AZ
One of the best things about Scottsdale is the picturesque parks. The city features hundreds of miles of hiking and multi-use paths, most of which families can use for free. You can enjoy the natural landscape, check out the plants, and even spy critters in their natural habitat with your kids.
Scottsdale offers families an opportunity to learn more about what lies beneath the sea with the OdySea Aquarium. Located at Arizona Boardwalk, the Southwest’s largest aquarium takes you on an incredible journey through the world’s rivers and oceans. Along the way, you’ll see an array of sea-dwelling creatures while you experience the world’s only revolving aquarium.
That’s not all the Arizona Boardwalk has to offer. Families can learn about dinosaurs (and even see animatronic dinos roaming the floor!), dig for fossils, and view live shows at Pangaea: Land of the Dinosaurs. You can also experience the rainforest at Butterfly Wonderland, the largest butterfly conservatory in the US.
If you’re looking for something with free admission, you still have plenty of options. You can visit the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art on Thursdays (or Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 9 PM). Or you can enjoy a local family-friendly event like the Family Fun Action and Adventure Festival.
Liv Crossroads and Liv Northgate - Gilbert, AZ
Gilbert features a whole host of local family and kid-friendly events each year, like Gilbert Days. The annual community celebration features the Gilbert Days Parade, a half-marathon and 10K, and a rodeo. In 2021, the festivities also included a music festival. Residents can also enjoy Gilbert Family Nights, which occur on select Friday nights throughout the year. The themes vary, but they’re all free admission. For a small fee, you can upgrade to VIP seating.
Families can visit Agritopia, an 11-acre urban farm with a community garden, onsite restaurants, and seasonal U-picks. There are also free farm tours every second Wednesday of the month. The hour-long event teaches you about the farm’s history and what’s currently growing. It’s a great opportunity for kids (and adults) to learn about where food comes from and how it’s grown.
Gilbert is also home to Mother Nature’s Farm. Every October, the farm creates an adventure maze, opens its pumpkin patch, and offers hayrides. In December, the farm hosts its annual snow day, offering families an opportunity to enjoy real snow, fun activities, and Santa.
Liv Ahwatukee - Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix is flush with family-friendly activities and events, keeping families of all sizes and ages active and entertained. For those who enjoy learning, there’s the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, which features more than 300 play experiences that encourage kids to explore their creativity. The Arizona Science Center offers hundreds of hands-on exhibits, an I-MAX theater, and a planetarium. The Arizona Museum of Natural History lets you explore the history of the Southwest from 4.5 billion years ago to today.
For some family-friendly entertainment, check out the Great Arizona Puppet Theater. Here, you’ll enjoy some classic kid’s stories acted out by some incredible puppeteers. You can even download your chosen play’s study guide before you go. They feature information about the story and offer activities to do with your kids.
Liv Arbors - Traverse City, MI
Known as the four-season playground, Traverse City experiences drastic weather changes during the year. No matter what the season, though, families can expect to enjoy numerous fun kid-friendly activities and events. Annual events abound, with family favorites such as the Downtown Art Walk in the spring, and the National Cherry Festival in the summer. Get dressed up in costumes and partake in the Downtown Halloween Walk in the fall. In December, you can join in the festivities and watch Santa’s arrival with the Light Parade.
Traverse City also features a range of family-friendly attractions, including the Dennos Museum Center for Kids Activities at Northwestern Michigan University. The museum, featuring permanent and temporary exhibits, lets you and your family explore the visual arts, performing arts, and science.
Don’t Forget to Look Right Where You Liv
Sometimes, the best kid-friendly events are the ones happening right where you live. All of our Liv communities offer families like yours a variety of activities everyone can enjoy. While those activities can vary from one property to the next, families can partake in movie nights, food truck events, pancake breakfasts and brunches, and more. Check your property’s calendar to see what’s happening each month.
Find Events the Whole Family Can Enjoy Only a Short Distance from Your Front Door
When you have kids, you want quick and easy access to family-friendly events and activities. At all Liv apartment communities, you’ll never be far from something fun and engaging. From family favorites like museums to annual local events, you and your family will be able to find something fun to do year-round.
