Arizona Museum for Youth
i.d.e.a. Museum


The Arizona Museum for Youth Mesa is a great place to take your children and discover the fun of art.

“Amy” was the name of the museum for short. It has been renamed the i.d.e.a Museum (imagination, design, experience, art). It was founded in 1980 as the only children's museum in the United State that is dedicated to fine art.

Is YOUR child a future Remington or Picasso, or maybe a Monet? Remember when you were a kid and art was so fun?    




Check out the view from the street.  An interesting fact is this used to be a 1950's grocery store! 

Here is another fun museum located in the heart of Mesa. And it’s dedicated to kids. Most museums are so adult! This one is mostly for children between crawlers and 12 year olds. Bring a kid and you can play too!


i.d.e.a. Museum view from the streeti.d.e.a. Museum view from the street


Walk in the front door and turn right and you enter a place called ArtVille! It'll make you wish you were a kid again.

ArtVille is a cozy experience for toddlers and small kids around 4 and younger. A place to explore. Lots of carpet and sock-only areas. The first thing you notice is the activity areas with giant crayons, fine arts, and just fun hands-on things to do.



Artville is a fun place for kids 4 and youngerArtville is a fun place for kids 4 and younger


Then there is an art gallery that has different shows from time to time. A past show was "Jim Henson's Fantastic World."


Art Show PosterArt Show Poster


Where is Arizona Museum for Youth or now the i.d.e.a. Museum?


The i.d.e.a. Museum is located at 150 W Pepper Place in downtown Mesa, a block west of Mesa Southwest Museum. It’s just north of Main Street between Country Club and S Center St. Please see map below. Phone is (480) 644-2467. Click here for general information and hours. Check often to find out free visit dates.

Used to be there just wasn't much for kids to do. Now here are all kinds of fun places and museums to visit.  And the location is excellent and feels safe. 

Keep in mind that they can be very busy at times, like in the summer and school breaks and free days.  And try to avoid the 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. crowd time.  Get this and more tips from their website.






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