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What is There to do with Children in Salt Lake City, Utah?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

If you're spending time in Salt Lake City, Utah, with your children, there are plenty of things to do to keep the kids occupied and entertained. Salt Lake City is an especially kid friendly place, given the large population of members of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Among other things, the Church of Latter Day Saints emphasizes the importance of kids and family, and many parts of the city are built with this emphasis in mind. When you're visiting Salt Lake City, you may not have time to enjoy all the family activities and centers available.

One of the fantastic options when you're with children in Salt Lake City is visiting Discovery Museum — a great museum for kids. Plan to take at least more than half a day for a visit to the museum, which has great interactive exhibits. A child can create stories, become a DJ or design their own webpage. There are many exhibits to explore and many touring exhibits that will make each visit to the museum a fresh experience.

The Salt Lake Temple, a Latter Day Saints temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Salt Lake Temple, a Latter Day Saints temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Another great place to see is Hogle Zoo, home to over 1000 animals. You'll find rare animals like the white rhino and the snow leopard, and other animals that come from over 250 regions across the world. If you haven't had your fill of animals after visiting Hogle Zoo, consider seeing some of the local animals at the Wheeler Historic Farm. Additionally, the Tracy Aviary is a great place to see many endangered bird species, with over 150 species of birds to visit.

The Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City is home to over 1000 animals.
The Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City is home to over 1000 animals.

It's hard to think of Utah without thinking of the many fantastic dinosaur digs there. A great place to explore the world of dinosaurs with children in Salt Lake City is the Utah Museum of Natural History. Again there are interactive activities for kids as well as many learning opportunities at the museum.

When kids have had their fill of the many museums in Salt Lake City, it may be time to pursue some outdoor activities. When you want to amp up the excitement, consider a visit to Raging Waters for a day of water park sun. Alternately, play paintball at Paintball Planet, or take the older kids racing at FastKart's indoor track.

The Utah Museum of Natural History features dinosaur exhibits.
The Utah Museum of Natural History features dinosaur exhibits.

For evening entertainment, consider visiting many of the family friendly theaters that offer live productions in town. In particular, check schedules for the Desert Star Playhouse, which offers many family-oriented productions. The other theaters in town may also have musicals or family friendly productions of interest. In particular, take a look at upcoming events at the Grand Theater, and the Pioneer Theater. Or you might want to explore the night skies, at any time of day, at the Clark Planetarium.

You’ll find many gorgeous local parks to visit. Check schedules of different festivals held throughout the year. There are numerous yearly events that may coincide with your trip and will make it even more entertaining. For instance the Utah State Fair, held annually at the Utah State Fairpark definitely makes a visit with children in Salt Lake City a fun time for all. The fair runs in early September, but check with the Fairpark for other seasonal events throughout the year.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

ilovejapan5

The Children’s Museum of Utah has changed its name and is now called Discovery Gateway. The museum is located in downtown Salt Lake City near the Gateway mall. It has 6 permanent exhibits and numerous traveling exhibits that come and go throughout the year.

allienoelle

anon82829- Actually, the official name of the LDS church is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

anon82829

The correct name of the church is the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints".

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    • The Salt Lake Temple, a Latter Day Saints temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.
      The Salt Lake Temple, a Latter Day Saints temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.
    • The Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City is home to over 1000 animals.
      By: yellowj
      The Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City is home to over 1000 animals.
    • The Utah Museum of Natural History features dinosaur exhibits.
      By: markrhiggins
      The Utah Museum of Natural History features dinosaur exhibits.