Edible Slime, Glowing Spinach, and a Break for Parents
We made it, Ahwatukee. The monsoon dust is finally settling, the kids are back in their school routines, and we’re all collectively waiting for the thermometer to drop below 100 degrees.
It’s that weird transitional time of year. The pool days are winding down, but it’s still too hot to spend all afternoon at the neighborhood park. If you’re looking for a way to burn off that lingering summer energy without resorting to screens, we’ve got your September field trip sorted.
The Children’s Museum of Phoenix is bringing back SepSTEAMber, and honestly, it’s exactly what our kids (and our sanity) need right now.
Wait, what is SepSTEAMber?
You’ve probably heard the acronym STEAM thrown around at parent-teacher conferences: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Usually, it sounds like a lot of worksheets and quiet focus.
Not this time.
For the entire month of September, the museum is taking those big, intimidating concepts and turning them into pure, unadulterated play. It’s designed specifically for the toddler-to-early-elementary crowd (up to about age 10), meaning it’s less about “learning” and more about figuring out how the world works by getting their hands dirty.
And the best part for us parents? There are no extra fees. Every single activity is included with your general admission or membership. No handing over a fiver every time your kid wants to touch the cool stuff.
Here’s what they’ll actually be doing:
- Building Forts (and Learning Physics): Over in the BlockMania exhibit, “In the Pipeline” lets kids use lightweight PVC pipes and connectors to build massive, custom ladders, mazes, and structures. It’s basically the ultimate version of stealing the couch cushions, but with better engineering.
- Eating Their Science Projects: “Snackitecture” is exactly what it sounds like. Kids build 2D and 3D geometric shapes using jelly beans and toothpicks. There are also edible slime-making workshops. Because let’s be real: kids learn 100% better when they’re allowed to eat the experiment.
- Glowing Spinach and Toddler Tools: On “Try It Tuesdays,” they’re doing interactive chemistry and physics demos—like crushing spinach to see it naturally fluoresce under special lights. Meanwhile, the “Get with the Gears” station gives the little ones toddler-sized wrenches, nuts, and bolts to figure out basic mechanics.
- Art That Moves: For the younger crew, there’s sensory-friendly STEAM fingerpainting, “Brain Dance” movement classes, and “Animals That Move,” where they construct paper animals with actual working joints.
The Ahwatukee Game Plan
Getting downtown from the Foothills is an easy morning run. Hop on the 202, catch the I-10 West, and you’re at 215 N. 7th Street in about 25 to 30 minutes.
- When: Every day in September, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Pro-Tip: Go early. Beat the mid-day downtown heat, grab a coffee in the Roosevelt Row area before the museum opens, and let the kids burn off their morning energy while the exhibits are fresh and uncrowded. You can easily be back in Ahwatukee in time for afternoon naps or homework.
- Where: Children’s Museum of Phoenix (215 N. 7th Street, Phoenix). Park in the museum’s dedicated garage right next door—it makes loading and unloading the stroller a breeze.
September in the Valley is all about finding that sweet spot between summer fun and fall focus. SepSTEAMber nails it. It’s loud, it’s messy, it’s brilliant, and it gives us parents a chance to sit on a bench and watch our kids just be kids.
Grab your membership card, pack a water bottle, and go make some edible slime.
