As the temperature tips the scales, Valley residents are scrambling for refuge from the oppressive heat, and indoor entertainment is the day's lemonade. While outside may feel like an oven, there are plenty of cool options to beat the heat, starting with the newly opened Bubble Planet Experience at Arizona Mills, where guests can meander through bubble-themed rooms, described as a "multisensory adventure," as per a news release obtained by ABC15.
For the hands-on tinkerers, there's also IDEA LAB in Mesa, a maker space where "AI, motion, sound, upcycling, and more" converge in an educational playground equipped with 3D printers and laser cutters. According to a quote from the museum to ABC15, it's a place where art meets tech. Those with a taste for history can step back in time at the Martin Auto Museum in Glendale, where the doors of nearly 180 classic cars are wide open for dreamers to "hop in, sit, and remember the 'Good Old Days,'" Joe Bridgewater, General Manager, told ABC15.
Meanwhile, Real Simple suggests turning up the AC and constructing an indoor obstacle course or engaging in a family detective game to keep the temperatures high without the sweat of stepping outside.
For the creative household, the options are as endless as the summer days are long. Crafting ice cream sandwiches or sundaes becomes not just a savory escape but also a delicious bonding activity. And if the heat has you dreaming of Christmas in July, just lace up your boots and get to an indoor ice skating rink for some frosty relief, as suggested by Real Simple.
Educational escapades aren't left in the dust either, with attractions like 'The Power of Poison' exhibition at the Arizona Science Center offering brain-chilling experiences through August 24. At the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, exploration is free of cost on certain days, ensuring "all children have the opportunity to play and learn," Ernesto Muñoz, director of visitor development, shared during an ABC15 tour.
And for those on a budget looking to maximize their fun without melting their wallets, the Explorer Pass might be the cool ticket. With the entire family's sanity at stake as temperatures soar, these indoor sanctuaries provide a summer oasis that's both accessible and varied enough to keep even the most heat-averse among us happily entertained indoors.
