15 Fun Things to Do in Salt Lake City with Kids
Salt Lake City is also one of Utah’s busiest and most populated urban areas as the state capital.
Tourists love coming here with their families because many activities are geared toward children.
Many luxurious and intimate hotels and restaurants in Salt Lake City offer various culinary options.
The city of Salt Lake offers a wide variety of attractions, including museums, zoos, playgrounds, amusement parks, theaters, and shopping.
I’ve compiled a short list of exciting and memorable family-friendly activities in Salt Lake City below.
- Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum
Incredibly engaging and fun for kids of all ages, the Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum is a must-visit destination in the area.
More than twelve displays, four programs, and numerous other events are happening at this museum.
Why We Recommend This Activity
The Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum is an excellent option if you’re looking for a place to bring kids of all ages to Salt Lake City.
One of the most well-liked displays at the museum is called “The Kids Eye View,” and it includes miniature versions of familiar places like a supermarket, farm, home, and a water play area.
Your children can practice their motor skills at the Hatch, Waddle, and Fly.
The Garden is a family favorite because it allows you to learn about the importance of bees through hands-on demonstrations and numerous fun activities.
The Honey Climber, a beehive-themed maze of climbing, sliding, and hopping fun, is included.
Beyond the above tourist traps, there are many other things to do as a group.
Recommended Ages
This is the entry point to discovery. The Hatch, Waddle, and Fly exhibit at the Children’s Museum is designed specifically for children ages two and younger, but the museum welcomes visitors of all ages.
- Utah’s Hogle Zoo
Hundreds of animals representing a wide range of ecosystems live at the Hogle Zoo in Utah, which occupies an area of about 42 acres.
This zoo has welcomed visitors since its opening in 1931 and is home to many exciting rides and activities for children and their parents.
Why We Recommend This Activity
The Hogle Zoo in Utah is a great place to take the kids to learn about and interact with animals worldwide.
Feeding giraffes and elephants is an unforgettable experience for kids, making this one of the best places to take them in Salt Lake City.
In addition to viewing the animals, your children can participate in exciting activities such as Tot Tuesday, where the little ones can learn about animal interaction, and Kids, Critters, and Crafts, where they can meet an animal and then create an art project inspired by that animal.
In addition to the animals, there are many other exciting activities to enjoy, such as the carousel, the splash pad, and the Zoofari Express miniature train.
Recommended Ages
Children ages 2 through 5 are welcome at Tot Tuesday, while children ages 6 through 11 are better suited to Kids, Critters, and Crafts.
- Tracy Aviary
The Tracy Aviary is an 8-acre aviary in Liberty Park that is home to more than 135 different species of birds and a wide variety of bird habitats.
The facility also features a gift shop, a theater where visitors can watch birds, and restrooms.
Why We Recommend This Activity
The Tracy Aviary is a great place for families to visit in Salt Lake City.
Children will have a blast not only seeing but also feeding over 400 different species of birds.
Your children can observe these magnificent birds in their habitat at Swan Pond.
If you buy duck food, you can help sustain some of the most endangered birds in North America.
Visit Treasures of the Rainforest, a fantastic exhibit that recreates a tropical rainforest in a controlled environment.
In addition to feeding and observing the birds in their natural settings, there are stunning bird shows.
This is also among the most enjoyable and educational activities in Salt Lake City that doesn’t cost a dime.
Recommended Ages
The Tracy Aviary welcomes visitors of all ages, as it caters to families.
- Clark Planetarium
When it opened in 2003, the Clark Planetarium focused on three main themes: Earth, Near Earth, and Beyond.
As a bonus, it also has an IMAX theater and a Hansen Dome theater where you can watch various exciting and entertaining shows about the cosmos.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Visit Clark Planetarium today with your family and discover a world of exciting adventures.
The museum’s many interactive displays make it enjoyable for visitors of all ages.
Visitors can learn about Earth and the Moon’s unique features at the Earth exhibit.
At the Near Earth exhibit, your loved ones can take in some much-needed education on space, weather, and magnetic fields.
The breathtaking beauty of our solar system, black holes, and otherworldly landscapes are all on display in the Beyond exhibition.
Black holes, the Big Bang, Antarctic dinosaurs, asteroid impacts, and a whole lot more are all the subjects of incredible documentaries that the entire tribe can enjoy together.
Recommended Ages
Clark Planetarium is a great place to bring family and friends of all ages.
- Temple Square
Among visitors to Utah, Temple Square ranks high on the list of must-see spots.
This 10-acre complex features historical buildings, gourmet restaurants, and stunning architecture, drawing tourists from all over the country.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Temple Square is perfect for low-cost family fun because a simple stroll around the area is all you need to have a fantastic time with loved ones while taking in the beautiful scenery and making many memories through photography.
The Salt Lake Temple is an iconic landmark in Temple Square.
This neo-gothic masterpiece is a symbol of the Latter-day Saint faith.
The Beehive House is a historic mansion that has been lovingly restored, making for a beautiful day trip for the whole family.
Going to Temple Square is a fantastic idea for shopping because it is home to many stores selling locally produced goods and various other items.
In addition, there are many restaurants to choose from, including many that cater to families with young children and offer local and international cuisine.
Recommended Ages
Everyone, regardless of age, will enjoy Temple Square.
With a stroller in tow, you can easily navigate city streets with your infant.
- This Is The Place Heritage Park
One of Utah’s many state parks, This Is the Place Heritage Park features kid-friendly attractions like a nature trail, a train ride, a pony ride, classic games, and even some pioneer-era chores.
Why We Recommend This Activity
The place is fantastic and well worth your time. Experience something extraordinary with your loved ones at Heritage Park in Salt Lake City.
To ensure that your family’s tour meets your needs and your children’s needs, please call ahead and schedule your visit.
Train rides with knowledgeable guides, water parks, panning for gold, arts and crafts, pioneer games and chores, pony rides, touring historical homes, and exploring native American villages are options for family fun.
Get some rest and refuel at one of the resort’s restaurants serving kid-friendly, freshly prepared cuisine after a day of sightseeing.
Visit the ice cream parlor when the temperature outside rises.
Recommended Ages
Heritage Park welcomes families of all sizes, from infants to the elderly.
- Red Butte Garden and Arboretum
The University of Utah maintains the beautiful Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, a botanical garden with a conservatory and an amphitheater.
There are numerous themed gardens to discover.
Why We Recommend This Activity
This weekend, take a trip to the Red Butte Garden and Arboretum with your family and friends to stroll through beautiful gardens.
Private guides are available for custom-designed excursions.
In addition to strolling through the gardens, numerous family-friendly activities are available.
For instance, you could enroll your children in a program like Garden Adventures, where they can make personal connections with plants while discovering the wonders of nature.
Em’s Apothecary is another enjoyable option; it teaches you and your tribe how to use blueprints to create a herbal concoction that can be used for practically anything.
Recommended Ages
An adult must accompany young people (aged 4 to 12) during Garden Adventures.
- Color Me Mine
Salt Lake City’s Color Me Mine is a pottery studio that hosts birthday parties, classes, and other events suitable for the whole family.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Going to Color Me Mine is an excellent option if you’re looking for things to do in Salt Lake City with kids but are still at a loss.
Painting ceramic figurines, pottery, plates, mugs, and other items that can be taken home is a fun activity for the whole family here.
Kids can blast decorating miniature pottery in the shape of their favorite animals, birds, princesses, gnomes, fairy houses, mythical creatures, and more.
Children’s birthday party packages are also available from Color Me Mine.
Recommended Ages
The entire family will enjoy Color Me Mine, but kids aged four and up will enjoy it the most.
- Natural History Museum of Utah
The state-of-the-art Natural History Museum of Utah is inside the University of Utah’s research park.
There are twelve permanent displays and numerous temporary and traveling exhibits.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Your trip to the Natural History Museum of Utah as a family will be informative and entertaining as you learn about the fascinating natural history of our planet.
The Natural History Museum of Utah’s Past Worlds exhibition is a massive hit with visitors.
Bones and fossils from a variety of dinosaurs are showcased.
You can pretend to be a paleontologist for the day and observe the scientists as they prepare new specimens by visiting a dinosaur dig.
In addition to First People, an exhibit about prehistoric people, and Native Voices, an exhibition about Utah’s eight federally recognized tribes, there are many other exhibits to explore.
Recommended Ages
Although all ages are welcome at the Natural History Museum of Utah, younger kids might not find as much to interest them as their older counterparts.
- The Leonardo
The Leonardo, dedicated to art, invention, and originality, opened its doors in 2011.
A wide variety of kid- and family-friendly exhibits, programs, and hands-on activities are available to visitors.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Visiting The Leonardo in Salt Lake City is a great family-friendly activity.
Nothing here won’t be enjoyable for everyone in the family at this museum.
Leonardo’s Workshop is a fascinating display that everyone in your tribe will love.
The exhibit is designed for children and includes many interactive elements, such as a LEGO table and a marble table where youngsters can experiment with the laws of physics by building obstacles for a marble to overcome.
This museum hosts entertaining activities like Trivia Night, where visitors can test their knowledge and win prizes, and Make and Take, where they can use their creative skills to make something new by fusing art, science, and technology.
Recommended Ages
Incredible in every way, Leonardo is a museum that welcomes guests of all ages.
On the other hand, Trivia Night is reserved for adults and those over 13.
- City Creek Center.
City Creek Center is an outdoor shopping and dining destination that ranks among the best in the world.
The mall’s convenient location near numerous hotels and other tourist hotspots makes it a top choice among Utah consumers.
Why We Recommend This Activity
If you’ve spent the day exploring Salt Lake City’s many attractions—including museums, amusement parks, zoos, and more—you deserve a break to shop at a world-class mall.
Toys, books, clothes, shoes, appliances, gifts, household items, makeup, accessories, and so on can all be found at City Creek Center.
Private guides are available for custom-designed excursions.
Recommended Ages
The City Creek Center is a beautiful place for people of all ages to spend time together.
- The Utah State Capitol
The Utah State Capitol is a beautiful structure and serves as the state’s legislature.
Why We Recommend This Activity
The Utah State Capitol is a stunning structure, and tours of the building are available so that you and your loved ones can learn about its history and marvel at its architecture.
Take advantage of the picturesque scenery by going on long walks as a family and taking lots of pictures of everyone.
Large grassy lawns can be found at the Utah State Capitol, perfect for a family picnic while munching on delicious packed meals and playing fun family games like tag or frisbee with the kids.
Recommended Ages
Visitors of any age are welcome in the Utah State Capitol.
- Living Traditions Festival
At Library Square, a massive cultural celebration known as the Living Traditions Festival is held annually.
It has a ton of great stuff for kids to do and shows that the whole family can enjoy.
Other activities, such as concerts, food stands, and craft workshops, are also included.
Why We Recommend This Activity
The Living Traditions Festival is a fantastic event for families, with plenty to do and eat and opportunities to see talented artisans at work and listen to incredible musical performances.
There will be a particular area for children at this cultural festival where they can participate in a wide variety of kid-friendly activities, such as making crafts, listening to artists discuss their processes, and more.
Playing bocce ball with your kids is a great way to have fun together.
Recommended Ages
No minimum age is specified for attendance at the Living Traditions Festival, making it ideal for families.
- Trolley Square
Trolley Square is an upscale, semi-enclosed shopping district.
The majority of Trolley Square consists of barns constructed in 1908.
Why We Recommend This Activity
Trolley Square is a one-of-a-kind shopping center with beautiful architecture that makes going to the mall with friends and family a pleasure.
There is a wide variety of stores to choose from, selling everything from clothing to antiques to artwork.
Fitness areas are available for those wishing to squeeze in a quick yoga session or workout.
The Trolley Square Water Tower Tour is an excellent activity for any group.
The local tower is open for visitors to scale with their families.
You’ll be rewarded with stunning views of Salt Lake City when you get to the top.
Recommended Ages
Tourists must be 12 years old to take the Trolley Square Water Tower Tour.
- Lagoon Amusement Park— Farmington
From downtown Salt Lake City, a visit to Lagoon Amusement Park takes only 19 minutes.
More than 55 rides and attractions can be found in this park.
Why We Recommend This Activity
The Lagoon Amusement Park is excellent for families to have fun in Salt Lake City.
Enjoy the rides at this exciting amusement park with the knowledge that every member of your family will find something to their liking.
At Lagoon Amusement Park, you can enjoy various rides, including roller coasters, water parks, Ferris wheels, train rides, tilt-a-whirls, bump cars, catapults, drop towers, merry-go-rounds, and many more.
Recommended Ages
At Lagoon Amusement Park, guests of all ages can enjoy the rides.
Free park admission is offered to children under the age of two.
