If you’re considering bringing your younger kids to Enchant, here are a few tips and tricks from a mom of two girls (4 and 7!) that will help ensure a magical time for the whole family.
- Age-Appropriate Attractions 👦 👧🧑
Enchant Christmas is inherently family-friendly. The light maze, village, and ice skating trail cater to people of all ages, but there is something so magical about these light sculptures for the littles – they’re huge and my girls act like they’ve been transported to another world. I love to watch their joy and they love to use the scratch cards they get at the entrance of the maze to guide their quest to find each missing sculpture.
The maze coming to Salt River Fields at Talking Stick this season is called The Mischievous Elf – in this experience, you’ll search for eight toys a little elf named Eddie hid from Santa. Here’s a look at one of those beautiful sculpture pieces from this maze last season.
Hot Tip! We take safety very seriously and the light maze is truly massive. Should you get separated from your little one, find your closest Enchant team member or Security Guard to assist. Doesn’t hurt to put your phone number inside their coat, too.
- Try Not To Miss The Opening Ceremony🧝
If you can swing it, the opening ceremony that happens as the gates to Enchant open is super entertaining for littles. Mrs. Claus will welcome everyone – there will be music and dancing elves – it’s darling and not to be missed. The littles will be entranced.
- Dress for the Occasion🧣🧤
Oh, the weather outside is frightful… It’s winter, after all, and it might get a little chilly. May we suggest layers! Check the weather before your visit – as it gets later in the day, it can get a bit chillier, so come prepared. We suggest bringing along a pair of gloves, scarves, a hat, and comfortable walking shoes for everyone.
- Book VIP for Efficiency ❇️
The Enchant Christmas experience is roughly 10 acres of fun – but that said, there are some attractions within the experience that are super popular. Like, say, visits with Santa. If you’re looking for efficiency and ease because you have small kids in tow, snag the VIP add-on so you can bypass the lines – we think this is one of the best VIP add-on perks for parents of small kids.
- Visit the Kid Zone ✨
Amidst Enchant’s festive wonder, families will find activities away from the hustle and bustle at the Kid Zone. Access is included with any admission ticket and children 0-7 will find all kinds of fun to explore.
- Kid Food & Snacks 🍿
There are a great number of food options at Enchant and the event has a no outside food policy. So, plan accordingly and know you’ll find lots of festive snacking or meal options in the Village.
Parent to parent – Earth Sugar is my suggested snack stop for young ones at Enchant Scottsdale.
- Family 4-Pack 4️⃣
This applies to groups of two adults and two young people 3-17 years old (junior tickets). This particular ticket type offers families a special ticket rate on the package of four tickets – we hope you’re able to take advantage! Special note – infants 0-2 are free.
- Hot tip! No Strollers Allowed In The Maze 🛞
Strollers and wagons are not allowed in the maze at Salt River Fields for Enchant Christmas. You may bring a stroller and use it throughout the Village experience, but it must be parked in the concourse before your trip into the maze. I urge you to consider this in advance so you’re mentally prepared.
There are specific bag policies that are beneficial for those carrying little babies and, generally, for parents used to schlepping big bags around for their kid’s various needs (it’s a universal truth!). Read the Salt River Fields bag policy here.
- Entertainment Schedule ⏰
There is SO much going on at all times at Enchant that it can be helpful to plan your stops in advance when you have littles. Storytime with Mrs. Claus, photos with Santa, snack time, some live entertainment – there are options and some elements vary day-to-day. Check back at EnchantChristmas.com for the full entertainment schedule in November.
- The Photos 📸
I’m sure I don’t have to tell you this – but you’ll want these photos for years to come. Here’s my little girl at her first Enchant show in Dallas 2018 and it sits in my office to this day making me happy. I snapped this on my phone, but we have professional photographers on-site and a variety of fun photo opportunities that would be worth checking out so that the special moment can last forever. (I’m not crying, you’re crying!)
Just like doing anything with small kids – it’s going to be an adventure bringing your littles to Enchant this season, but we hope you’ll do it! This will be a magical experience they will always remember. And, as you’re gearing up for the show, plan to read the story behind the maze to help them get excited about the sculptures they’ll be on the hunt for inside the World’s Largest Christmas Light Maze!
