Family Excursions: A Fun, Real-Life Approach to Tucson Family Photography (things to do in Tucson with kids outdoors)
As a Tucson family photographer specializing in documentary family photography, I photograph your connections. The chaos. The inside jokes. The way your kids move. The way you naturally reach for them.
And one of my favorite ways to do that is through something I call Family Excursions.
What is a Family Excursion?
A Family Excursion is a documentary family photo session planned around a fun outing you’d genuinely enjoy anyway.
Instead of showing up and trying to “perform” for the camera, you’re doing something real: exploring, wandering, eating, playing, talking, laughing, taking breaks, and just being together.
You don’t need to be photogenic. Your kids don’t need to be cooperative. You just need to be present.
What counts as an excursion?
An excursion can be:
a short walk and exploring
a picnic
a little day trip
a simple tradition
a favorite weekend spot
even a “run errands together” kind of afternoon
It’s less about the location and more about the feeling: we did something together.
Favorite Family Excursion ideas in Tucson
Below are a few excursion ideas that photograph beautifully and feel easy for families.
1) Desert exploring at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
Perfect if your kids like to lead the way, climb, collect rocks, swim or splash in the dam, and move their bodies.
Reflection in a puddle at Sabino Canyon.
Excursion ideas:
slow wandering with lots of kid-led detours
snack break on a big rock
“treasure hunt” (cool sticks, smooth stones, tiny discoveries)
Spring bonus: In Tucson’s early spring, there’s often water running in places like Sabino (typically February through March, and sometimes into April, depending on the year). When that happens, it’s basically instant childhood magic. Kids can:
splash in the water
float little toy boats
build sand castles along the edge
play frisbee or beach ball nearby
build forts with sticks and found “treasures”
It turns the session into a real experience, and the photos feel alive.
2) “Beach play” at Catalina State Park
Catalina State Park in the spring.
A great choice when you want mountain views, open space, and kids who can just be kids.
Excursion ideas:
trail strolling with breaks for cuddles and snacks
fort building with sticks
games like red light green light
Spring bonus: Catalina can also get that early-spring water (again, usually February and March, sometimes April). It’s not the ocean, but to kids it absolutely feels like a beach day. They can:
splash and wade
float toy boats
build sand castles
toss a frisbee or beach ball
build forts
wander and collect rocks and sticks
If your kids love water, this is one of the easiest ways to make a session feel fun and effortless.
3) A sunset wander in Saguaro National Park
Iconic Tucson scenery, but with a real-life feel.
Excursion ideas:
short family walk with piggyback rides
letting kids run ahead and come back to you
a silly scavenger hunt (find the tallest cactus, a heart-shaped rock, etc.)
picnic
4) A mini day or camping trip to Mount Lemmon
This one feels like a real outing and gives you a totally different look from the desert.
wandering through the forest at night on Mt. Lemmon
Excursion ideas:
picnic blanket + exploring
cocoa/treat stop as part of the story
letting kids climb and wander while you stay close
building forts in the forest
cookie break at the Cookie Cabin
winter - snow play, sledding, snowman building
fall - playing in the fall leaves
Playing at Mt. Lemmon
5) A playful park day
Park Play
Simple logistics, lots of movement, lots of joy.
Excursion ideas:
playground time (documentary photos here are magic)
races, swinging, climbing
a “treat break” to finish the outing
feeding the ducks at Reid Park
Park Play
6) A campus wander at University of Arizona
If you want an excursion that feels like a mini “best day ever” without needing a trail or a long drive, the University of Arizona campus is perfect. There’s room to roam, kids can move freely, and the variety makes your gallery feel like a story.
Excursion ideas:
visiting the turtle pond (kids can watch, squat, point, whisper, and get totally absorbed)
climbing the olive trees
running and rolling down the hills
a “tea break” at Scented Leaf
ice cream at Main Gate Square
ride the streetcar
7. Your own tradition
Some of the most meaningful excursions are the ones that are uniquely yours.
Ideas:
Saturday morning donuts
farmers market wandering
wandering 4th Avenue/the Mercado/Annex
ice cream + a walk
backyard fire + s’mores
a family walk/walk the dog around the neighborhood
Summer - splash pad and a picnic
mini-golf
roller skating
bowling
Spring Fling or the Pima County Fair
daytrip to Apple Annie’s orchard for apple or pumpkin picking (fall)
Second Sky Home - Second Sky
Apple Annie’s Orchard
scooter ride
puddle play on a neighborhood walk
What a Family Excursion session feels like
Relaxed. Like you can breathe.
You’ll get guidance where it helps (choosing the outing, timing, light, flow), but the session itself is not about directions. It’s about letting the experience unfold while I document the moments that matter.
You’ll never be stuck wondering what to do. We plan just enough to feel confident, and then we let real life do the rest.
What to wear for a Family Excursion
Keep it comfortable and movement-friendly.
A few quick guidelines:
Choose outfits you can sit, walk, and play in
Avoid big logos and neon (they pull attention away from faces)
Pick colors that feel good together without matching exactly
Bring a layer if we’re heading somewhere cooler (hello, Mount Lemmon)
If we’re planning a spring water excursion, consider water-friendly shoes and a small towel in the car
If you want, I’ll help you choose outfits based on the specific location and season.
Who are Family Excursions perfect for?
Family excursions are especially perfect if:
your kids don’t love being told what to do
you want candid moments instead of posed portraits
you want photos that feel like your life in Tucson
you’d rather do something fun together than “endure” a photo session
They’re also a beautiful fit for:
newborn and baby photography (a calm in-home “excursion” is often the dream)
high school seniors (an excursion built around their actual interests feels so much more personal)
birthday coverage (documentary-style storytelling of a celebration)
Ready to plan your Family Excursion?
If you’ve been searching for Tucson family photography that feels natural, meaningful, and actually enjoyable, a Family Excursion might be exactly what you’ve been wanting.
Plan something simple. Go do it together. Let me photograph the story.