Summer's here! For the kids, it means endless fun, sleeping in, and making memories that last a lifetime. For the parents, it means trying to wrangle your kids and their friends for eight more hours than you usually do.

Mom tries to work on her laptop while her two kids are vying for attention
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Summers can be overwhelming for parents, especially those with multiple kids to take care of and entertain.

For those looking for a fun, cheap way to keep the kids busy this summer, have I got the places for you.

Waterparks

If you want to cool the family down, just head to the beach! Wait. I'm getting a call. You say there are NO beaches in Arizona???? Okay let's pivot. Waterparks are your best option.

Big sister hugs her little brothers at a waterpark
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These amusement parks keep the kids entertained while you lounge by the wave pool with a daiquiri while also cooling them off in the brutal Arizona heat. Many of which have season passes that, for a small fee, can get you free admission into the parks all summer long. Waylon's Water World in Phoenix and Funtasticks in Tucson both have relatively cheap season passes that pay for themselves after only four or five trips!

Read More: The Most Unique Way to Beat the Arizona Heat!

Indoor Play Parks

Another fantastic way to keep younger kids occupied are indoor play parks. These facilities can come in any number of shapes and sizes, like laser tag, trampoline parks, or even Ripley's Believe It or Not.

Kids going down slides at an indoor play facility
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Admission to these are typically cheaper than standard amusement parks, and the addition of constant shade and air conditioning make these the perfect place to take the kiddos on a hot, boring summer day.

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Museums

Lastly, what better way to spend summer vacation than by tricking your kids to learn even more?! Museums are the perfect way to get out of the house, and have an experience that your kids will love so much, they won't even realize they're basically back at school.

A T-Rex Skeleton at a museum
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From the Arizona Museum of Natural History to the I.D.E.A. Museum, there are museums for every kid's interest, and for every family's budget.

[Yelp/Waylon's Water Park/Funtasticks/Arizona Museum of Natural History/I.D.E.A Museum]

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