Pre-Trip Fun for Phoenix, Arizona

"Aladdin" -- Not exactly the Phoenix desert, but a desert-set story complete with romance and a magic carpet. (Toddlers and Up)

"Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" -- Parts of this comedic buddy adventure were shot in Phoenix, though set in San Dimas, CA. (Pre-Teens and Up)

"Raising Arizona" -- Cult-classic farce about a well-intentioned kidnapping gone wrong. Quirky humor and wild chase scenes will appeal to older kids. (Teens)

To eat or cook:

Not-So-Spicy Bean Burritos -- Introduce kids slowly to the fiery Spanish/Mexican influences of Arizona cuisine.

Homemade Tortillas -- Just a few simple ingredients make a world of difference from the store-bought variety.

Navajo Fry Bread -- Top with chili to make it a meal, or drizzle on honey and sugar for a warm, sweet dessert.

"Saguaro Moon: A Desert Journal" by Kristin Joy Pratt-Serafini -- Details the beauty of Arizona's Sonoran Desert, inspiring readers to make their own desert diaries. (Ages 4 to 8)

"Cactus Desert" by Donald M. Silver -- Takes a fascinating peek at every detail of one small square in the desert. (Ages 4 to 8)

"A Desert Scrapbook: Dawn to Dusk in the Sonoran Desert" by Virginia Wright-Frierson -- The artist's sketches, from bugs to prickly pears, are great for early readers an school kids studying the desert. (Ages 4 to 10)

"Desert Giant" by Barbara Bash -- Lap-size picturebook illustrates how plants, animals, reptiles and insects depend on each other for survival. (Ages 6 to 10)

"Chief Yellow Horse Lives On!" by Lisa Schnebly-Heidinger -- The authority on Arizona's most interesting people, places and stories (Sedona, AZ was named after her great-great grandmother) (Ages 15 and Up)

Paint a Terra Cotta Pot -- After the pots are decorated, fill them with cactus plants, native to Phoenix and easy to care for.