10 fun May events for kids, families

A sandcastle contest, comic-book day, garden walks and a balloon festival are just a few of the family-friendly events to note on your May calendar.

5/1-3: SandFest 2015

Dust off your shovels, grab a bucket and make your way down to the free community festival and sandcastle competition. The event kicks-off Friday with a 21 and older event where guests can meet the "Sand Guys" from Travel Channel's "Sand Masters," enjoy a cash bar, food trucks and loads of sand. Saturday's activities include live music, the "Sand Guys," sandcastle competitions and beach-inspired activities followed by "Sand-Parents Day" on Sunday where grandparents are encouraged to attend.

Details: May 1-3. 7-11 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Children's Museum of Phoenix, 215 N. Seventh St. $20 at door, $15 online for Friday's event; free for Saturday-Sunday; $8 discounted museum admission. 602-648-2775, childrensmuseumofphoenix.org.

5/2: Free Comic Book Day

To celebrate Free Comic Book Day, the main Mesa Public Library is hosting comic-book artist and novelist James A. Owen and will hold a superhero-costume contest at noon. Other events include comic-book swaps and comic-themed arts and crafts. Gotham Comics, Mesa Comics and Samurai Comics will be giving out free comics at all Mesa Public Library locations that day, while supplies last.

Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 2. 64 E. First St., Mesa. 480-644-3100, mesalibrary.org.

5/6: Saguaro Blossoms Walk

Take time to smell the fresh air and flowers. Learn more about the saguaro and its large white blossoms on the quarter-mile Desert Hawk Trail. Guests will meet at the Nature Center and are encouraged to wear closed-toed shoes and bring water.

Details: 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 6. Usery Mountain Regional Park, 3939 N. Usery Pass Road, Mesa. $6 vehicle parking entrance fee. 480-984-0032, maricopa.gov.

5/8: National Public Gardens Day at Desert Botanical Garden

Celebrate National Public Gardens Day while learning about cactus blooms, participating in yoga demonstrations and more. The garden provides discovery stations for children along with a morning photography tour from 9-11 a.m. (on a first-come, first-served basis). Visitors can stop in at the Spring Butterfly Exhibit at no extra charge during the event.

Details: 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, May 8. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. $22 for ages 19-59; $20 for ages 60 and older; $12 for students ages 13-18; $10 for ages 3-12; free for members and ages 3 and younger. 480-481-8188, dbg.org.

5/9-10, 16-17: Peach Festival

Celebrate 50 years of the fuzzy fruit in Arizona. In 1965, Ray Schnepf planted the Southeastern staple at his humble farm, which has turned into the largest peach grower in Arizona. Enjoy hay rides, train rides, carousel rides, live music, arts and crafts and all sorts of peachy goodies, from a peachy pancake breakfast to cobblers, pies and savory salsas. And you can pick your fill of the delicious fruit. Admission is free; additional charge for peaches, foods and other gifts.

Details: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, May 9-10, 16-17. Schnepf Farms, 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek. Free. 480-987-3100, schnepffarms.com.

5/10: Free Mother's Day admission

Mothers and grandmothers get free admission to the Children's Museum of Phoenix on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 10. The museum for ages 10 and under features three floors of hands-on play, including a three-story climber, fort-building room, kids supermarket, noodle forest and more. Children can also make free momentos including Mother's Day cards and tissue-paper flowers in the art studio. For $3-$4, kids can also make bath minerals for mom or grandma.

Details: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, May 10. Children's Museum of Phoenix, 215 N. Seventh St. $11 admission, free to children under 1. 602-648-2775, childrensmuseumofphoenix.org.

5/16-17: 'The Wild Kratts' production

If your child is a fan of PBS's "The Wild Kratts," you'll want to bring them to this live theater production with animals performed by Storybook Entertainment and Jungle Jill Animal Encounters. "The Wild Kratts" teaches children about biology, zoology and ecology and shows kids small ways in which they can impact the world. Children can interact with the animals, get their photos taken with Wild Kratts characters, and enjoy a party tattoo station. Advanced reservations are required.

Details: 4-5:30 p.m., Saturday, May 16 and 2:30-4 p.m. Sunday, May 17. Toys & Playtime Oasis, 13802 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 116, Scottsdale. $15 per child. Free for adults. 480-948-4630, azdollhouse.com.

5/16: Babies Bonanza Showcase & Expo

New and expecting parents are invited to a baby expo. Parents can prepare from prenatal to preschool at this free event with more than 100 exhibitors that includes product demonstrations, parenting tips, free samples, entertainment, a baby pageant and more. Supertots Party will provide a free toddler play area, and kids can enjoy free face painting. Safe Kids Maricopa will provide car-seat checks from 9 a.m.-11 a.m.

Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 16. SanTan Village's Courtyard Pavilion, 2218 E. Williams Field Road, Suite 235, Gilbert. pbjevents.com.

Starts 5/18: Blitz Swimming Lessons

Hubbard Family Swim School's three Valley locations — in Phoenix, Peoria, and Mesa — is offering "Four-Day Blitz Lessons" all summer starting on May 18. Dates vary by location. These 30-minute swim lessons are held on four consecutive days in one specific week and are a great way for children to tune up their swimming skills this summer.

Details: Dates vary starting May 18. Hubbard Family Swim, 13832 N. 32nd St., Phoenix; 8402 W. Thunderbird Road, Peoria; 1061 N. Dobson Road, Mesa. $75 per week for ages 3 and older; $112 per week for semi-private classes for ages 30-36 months. 602-971-4044, hubbardswim.com.

5/23: Cave Creek Balloon Festival

The entire family can enjoy an evening of live music, food, a kids zone and more at the outdoor event. Wine, cocktails and Four Peaks beer are part of the event which features brightly colored balloons taking flight over the driving range.

Details: 5:30-10 p.m. Saturday, May 23. Rancho Mañana Golf Course, 5734 E. Rancho Mañana Blvd., Cave Creek. $10; $5 for ages 12 and younger; free for ages 2 and younger; $5 for parking. 480-488-0698, cavecreekfestivals.com.

Ashley Whalen and Michael Senft contributed to this story.

Morrison covers the Kids and Families beat. Reach the reporter at kara.morrison@arizonarepublic.com.