My parents are taking my 9yr old son on a vacation this summer.

1 week staying in Sedona, AZ and the next week on the Utah border near Zion and Byrce National parks.

What sites and activities should not be missed. Are there so good trip books or website where I can get more info on horseback riding, raft trip etc.

9 years olds can quickly become bored with rock formations so some fun nature activites that are good for young boys (grandpa's an "in shape" guy too - very "outdoorsy"

Here are a couple...

The old mining town of Jerome in AZ.

Floating in innertubes down the river flowing out of Zion.

My kids love rock scrambling. We can stay nearby and keep an eye on them without actually having to climb with them. They also really enjoy ranger hikes. I would think they would enjoy jeep tours. Picnics at roadside stops are great, too. They enjoy rafting and tubing. I'm thinking that your son might really like a couple of hours in the Narrows of the Virgin River at Zion.

My kids are perfectly happy to spend 2 or more hours a day in a pool. I've noticed that they really like piddling around in rock shops and places where they can handle a lot of merchandise. Another thing they like is staying or eating at old or historical places.

When I've taken horseback rides, the kids I see tend to be well-behaved. (The same company does horseback rides for Bryce, Zion and the Grand Canyon, so one web site ought to cover a few options.) The nps.gov web site has information about individual parks, and there are often resources on the site just for kids.

I can post only on Sedona, but here goes: Some will say that a wk in Sedona for a 9 yr old is a long time. But I've done it twice w/my kids (both my kids at different times when they were each 9.) Have them try one of the horseback rides in Sedona. I have posted on my experience w/Day in the West (not a good experience) and a good time w/another outfit, I think it was Trailride Adventures or something like that- out by Red Rock State park. Do a search on here or look at the Sedona posts I have done (click on my name above) and check that out.
They should definitely take him to Slide Rock State Park just outside Sedona going towards Oak Creek Canyon- I've posted on this also, so check that by searching. "Natural water park" is the best way to put it- they will love that, can spend greater part of a day there- take chairs and a book and cooler w/lunch.
If they are there at time of full moon, Red Rock State Park does full moon hikes at late evening when moon rises- incredible views up where you go, and afterwards they have big telescopes set up.
Even if they aren't there at full moon, they could go to Flagstaff to Lowell Observatory one night and look through the telescopes, this is where Pluto was discovered. And bonus is it is nice and cool up there (we had to buy sweatshirts at end of June to go outside up there in Flag!)
Also, don't miss fishing in Oak Creek. It is stocked w/trout in spring, and by summer you can catch some big fish (easy- just put a line down w/corn on it- locals taught us that.) there is a fishing place on the HWy going into Oak Creek from Sedona, or you can just stop in other areas and fish.
There are 2 sets of Indian ruins in area of West Sedona, Pulaki (sp?) or something like that is one I think-- they are close by each other and worth a visit, not too much hiking involved.
If Grandpa is in real good shape, could perhaps do some mountain biking around Bell Rock or maybe even the Red Rock Crossing around Cathedral Rock one day- can rent bikes at several locations, including Bike and Bean. My son LOVED this w/his Dad when he was 10.
It will be hot and the kid and grandparents esp. need to stay hydrated constantly- they should be advised to have lots of drining water on their persons (not just in the car) at ALL times outside.
Check my post to the fella who wanted lodging info recently in last few wks-- I posted some good websites towards the end of that thread. Also, good info available when they get there from the tourist office at the "Y" area; they can get some help there on what else to do to w/their remaining time.
Others have done jeep tours, you'll get lots on info by searching here on that. We prefer to hike and haven't done the jeeps.
Unfortunately I have no 1st hand knowledge on Zion and Brice yet- but I am going in two weeks for 4 days to both those places!! Can't wait!

When our boys were young & even after they got older, it was easy for us to spend a week in just Zion. There are many different hikes, playing & tubing in the Virgin River. I don't know how old Grandpa is but at age 50 I still was tubing in the River!

Bryce is so different and many great hikes there too. A drive up Hwy 12 to Escalante and there is Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. A hike to see petrified wood and then you can go for a swim in the little lake there to cool off.

I would recommend the boat tours on Lake Powell and the Float Trip on the Colorado River for any age. When we went last summmer there was a little 5 year old boy that kept telling his Mom to take this picture and take that picture. It was really fun experience.

As mentioned, there are plenty of Rock Shops all over the area and my boys loved to walk around them.

All the national parks have Jr. Ranger programs, Ranger lead activities and evening programs. I think it will be hard to get borded in that short of time.

Utahtea