Moving to a new place with school-aged kids is overwhelming to say the least. When we first landed in Albuquerque, I felt like every outing came with a checklist of questions: What do we do first? Where do we go that won’t be a total flop? What’s actually a hit with kids (not just a cute photo op)? What feels safe, what’s age-appropriate, and what’s genuinely worth the money?
If you have older kids, check out this list → things to do with teens & tweens
So I did what any parent would do: we started exploring. One weekend, one ticket purchase, and one “let’s just try it” at a time. This list is the result. These are 50+ things to do with school-aged kids in and around ABQ that my family has personally visited, paid for (when it wasn’t free), and would recommend again and again and again. If you’re new here, think of this as your shortcut to the good stuff, because I wish I had had this when we moved here! And if you’ve lived here a while, I’m hoping you’ll still find a few fresh ideas because even locals can use a solid, kid-tested plan for the next day off.
Museums | Zoos | Hands-On Learning
When I’m not sure what to do (or when the weather isn’t cooperating), we default to places like museums, the zoo, and gardens because they are easy to plan and packed with things to see, touch, and learn.
- Explora Science Center & Children’s Museum – Yearly memberships available
1701 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104 - New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
1801 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104 - American International Rattlesnake Museum
202 San Felipe St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104 - Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum – Free Sun, 9 am – 1 pm and the first Friday of every month, all day
9201 Balloon Museum Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113 - Tinkertown Museum – Only open April-October, Friday-Monday
121 Sandia Crest Rd, Sandia Park, NM 87047 - Wheels Museum – Free/donation-based
1100 2nd St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 - National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
601 Eubank Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123 - Coronado Historic Site (Coronado State Monument) – Free for kids under 16
485 Kuaua Rd, Bernalillo, NM 87004 - ABQ BioPark Zoo – Memberships available, includes aquarium and botanical gardens
903 10th St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 - ABQ BioPark Aquarium
2601 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104 - ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden
2601 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104 - Santa Fe Children’s Museum – Memberships available
1050 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87505 - Wildlife West Nature Park
87 North Frontage Rd, Edgewood, NM 87015 - ABQ Dragway – Thrilling and earplugs recommended
5600 Broadway Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87015
Play Places | Indoor Fun | Arts and Crafts
When we need to burn off energy (especially on hot days, cold days, or windy days), these are the go-to spots that keep the kids moving, laughing, and busy. And let’s us mamas sit back and dare I say relax a bit!
- Electric Playhouse
5201 Ouray Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120 - Meow Wolf Santa Fe
1352 Rufina Cir, Santa Fe, NM 87507 - Main Event Entertainment
4040 Pan American Fwy NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107 - Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park – Memberships available
3930 Pan American Fwy NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110 - Jungle Jam – Memberships available
9221 Coors Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114 - Skidmore’s Holiday Bowl – Newly redone and a great one-stop shop
7515 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110 - Hinkle Fun Center
12931 Indian School Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112 - Stone Age Climbing Gym
4130 Cutler Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110 - Elevate Trampoline Park – Memberships available
3300 Rincon Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107 - Boba Catch
1630 Rio Rancho Blvd SE Ste 107, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 - Round1 Bowling & Arcade – Inside Coronado Mall
6600 Menaul Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110 - Dave & Buster’s Albuquerque
2100 Louisiana Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110 - Kids Empire Albuquerque – Inside Cottonwood Mall
6100 Coors Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120 - Outpost Ice Arena
9530 Tramway Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122 - Art Attack
3137 San Mateo NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110 - Chatter Paint – Walk-ins welcome
10131 Coors Blvd NW Suite B-03, Albuquerque, NM 87114 - Creativity Warehouse – Walk ins welcome for pottery 10 am – 6 pm, Mon-Sun
1950 Juan Tabo Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112
Free Things to Do
When we want to get out of the house without spending much (or anything), these are some of our favorite ABQ spots for walking, playing, exploring, and letting the kids run.
- Tingley Beach – Fishing, trail walking, and exploring
1800 Tingley Dr SW, Albuquerque, NM 87104 - Old Town Albuquerque – Lots of history and events
200 N Plaza St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104 - Rail Yards Market – Seasonal; every Sunday in May through October
777 1st St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 - Manzano Mesa Park
801 Elizabeth St SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123 - Juan Tabo Hills Park
5200 Juan Tabo Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111 - A Park Above – Inclusive and accessible playground
2441 Westside Blvd SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 - Haynes Park
2006 Grande Blvd SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 - Alameda Open Space – Fishing, exploring, natural trails
8710 Alameda Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114 - Rio Grande Nature Center State Park – Loads of events on the weekends
2901 Candelaria Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107 - North Domingo Baca Park
7521 Carmel Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113 - Vista Del Norte Park – Great place to watch the balloons during Fiesta Week
1000 Osuna Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113 - Arroyo del Oso Park
7001 Osuna Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 - Tiguex Park
1800 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104 - Winrock Park – Loads of events here during the weekends
2100 Louisiana Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110 - UNM Duck Pond
1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 - Capulin Snow Play Day Area – Check the site to see if it’s open before heading up
R 536, Albuquerque, NM 87122 - Wells Park – Newly redone
500 Iron Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Skate Parks | Pump Tracks
When my kids need a place to ride hard and burn energy, skate parks and pump tracks are an easy win, so grab the scooters, bikes, or boards and let them lap it out.
- North Domingo Baca Skate Park
7521 Carmel Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113 - Los Altos Skate Park & Pump Track
9717 Copper Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87123 - Calvary Skate Park
4001 Osuna Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 - Northwest Modular Skate Park
10400 Unser Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114 - North Valley Bike Park
6501 4th St NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM 87107 - Paradise Hills Skate Park
9900 Paradise Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114 - Corrales Park & Recreation (Skate Park)
500 Jones Rd, Corrales, NM 87048 - Phil Chacon Park
7600 Southern Blvd SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
Pools | Aquatic Centers | Splash Pads
When the Albuquerque heat hits, we don’t try to “tough it out”; instead, we head straight for a pool or splash pad so the kids can cool off and still have a full day of fun. There are many more pool options, but these are our favorites.
- A Park Above (Splash Pad)
2441 Westside Blvd SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 - Rio Rancho Aquatic Center – Kids swim only Friday – Sunday
2800 Southern Blvd SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 - Manzano Mesa Multicultural Center (Splash Pad) – Newly renovated
501 Elizabeth St SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123 - Wells Park (Splash Pad)
500 Iron Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 - West Mesa Aquatic Center
6705 Fortuna Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87121 - Corrales Pool – Our number one pick!
500 Jones Rd, Corrales, NM 87048 - Los Altos Pool
10100 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112 - Haynes Community Center Pool
2006 Grande Blvd SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 - Cesar Chavez Community Center (Splash Pad)
7505 Kathryn Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
Honestly, there’s just so dang much to explore in and around Albuquerque that I don’t think I could ever say, “I’m bored.”
Whether you want to plan a big day out, spend absolutely nothing, or just find a quick way to burn off kid energy, there’s an option for every mood, every day, and every budget.
And don’t forget one of the best-kept family secrets here: your local library card! Albuquerque has tons of libraries packed with free resources, storytimes, maker classes, LEGO classes, and events that keep kids learning and entertained year-round. When you’re ready to get outside, the adventures stretch even farther: hiking the Sandias, exploring the Petroglyphs, wandering the trails in Jemez, or heading up to Santa Fe for a mountain day. The list never ends. ABQ is definitely a place where adventure is always just around the corner!
