FIRST TIME ARIZONA WITH KIDS! HELP PLEASE!
 

Hi please let me know if this is a good itinerary for a family trip with a 7 and 10 year old. Also lodging and activity recommendations are welcome. Thank you so much!
This is for June 2015
Fri evening fly into phoenix and drive to sedona (will be very late by the time we arrive)
Sat Sedona
Sun Sedona
In sedona broken arrow pink jeep tour, and rent a dune buggy. Stay at Best western- other recommendation uptown?
Mon morning to south rim GC stay at yavapai (el tovar all booked up,) activities? I think my kids are too young for the mule ride. Need safe activities for their ages.
Tues GC
Wed GC to Page which hotel???
Thurs Page
In page lower antelope canyon, river rafting, ???
Fri Page then drive to scottsdale, stay at Hyatt
Sat relax all day in scottsdale
Sun fly home

In GC:
Yavapai is ok, but if Bright Angel Cabins,Kachina or Thunderbird are available they are much closer to the rim as is el Tovar. If they say they are full, keep your Yavapai res and keep calling back for cancellations. People really do make reservations a year in advance and then cancel as the time gets close.
Sign the kids for the Jr. Ranger program and/or take some of the ranger led activities. They sometimes do a fossil/geology hike, night time sky, etc.

I would not recommend driving to Sedona so late at night! It's quite a drive-at times quite desolate on I17 and then 89A ! I suggest you stay in Phoenix,relax for a day then get an early start and enjoy the drive to Sedona.
My kids loved the Gran Canyon train from Williams to Grand Canyon but then you would have to redo your itinerary.
Page does not excite me that much, IMO it doesn't warrant 3 days.
On your way up/back stop at Flagstaff.
In Winslow there is a fabulous Meteor crater-the world's largest! My kids still talk about it!
In Phoenix, he Heard and the Children's museums are great for kids,lots of hands on activities.
One last reminder, wear hats/sunscreen and drink plenty of water-it will be toasty by June!

I have done the drive from Phoenix to Sedona late at night and in daylight--the drive is doable, but the views are spectacular along the way. So if you have just the one chance to do it, I, too, think you should stay in Phoenix the night you arrive and get an early start the next morning.

Thanks! Bright angel had a couple rooms but looked too small for 4 people. They all said only rooms for 3. Plus no Ac. I would think it would be very hot in June! Do they have bigger more modern rooms? I will check back as it gets closer.

Bright Angel rooms aren't modern at all, which is part of their charm. Try for a BA cabin instead. Still may not have AC, but the location is worth it, and it cools down quickly at night.

But if El Tovar is what you want, I'm sure you'll get it. People book way ahead because there's no downside to doing so, but they will have cancellations. Just keep checking.

While at the grand canyon be sure to hike down either Bright Angel or Kahib trails. We got up early - took the hiker tram to Kahib and hiked down for one hour. It was hard not to continue but we knew the hike back up was longer. It's an entirely unique experience - much different than your views from above. The hike back up took twice as long but we're old. Even if you just go down for half that time you won't forget the experience. Bring water of course.

Do you think I should keep 2 nights at Grand Canyon or just 1 night and add a night in Sedona or Scottsdale?

>>I would not recommend driving to Sedona so late at night! It's quite a drive-at times quite desolate on I17 and then 89A ! I suggest you stay in Phoenix,relax for a day then get an early start and enjoy the drive to Sedona.<<

Not a bad idea. Besides, and as NewB notes, some of the most interesting views of the red rocks are when you drive into Sedona in daylight.

There are companies that run float tours that might be better suited for younger kids. The emphasis is more on views of the canyons and wildlife and less on the rafting.

The Bright Angel cabins are small. I think they are barely large enough for two, much less three or four people.

I think Yavapai is a good choice for families. It has the advantage of being near the general store and the ampitheater. Agree that South Kaibab trail is a good option for a day hike (do it in the morning if possible).

We just stayed in Maswik in their motel units and the rooms were okay but the dining is so bad that next time I would stay at Yavapai if I couldn't get a room in a BA cabin (no kids).

We stayed in a Bright Angel cabin that connected to another one--so we were in one and our two relatives were in the other. This would work well for a family, I'd think.