Utah Life · Family Activities 2026
Utah is Built
for Families.
The youngest state in America, by median age. The highest birth rate. World-class schools, mountains 25 minutes from home, and more ways to spend a Saturday with your kids than you can fit into a childhood.
Utah is not just a state that tolerates families — it is a state that has organized itself around them. The infrastructure for family life here is extraordinary: recreation centers in every community, excellent school systems, a culture of youth sports, national parks within day-trip distance, ski resorts 30 minutes from most front doors, and a calendar of family festivals and events that fills every season. The neighborhoods feel like neighborhoods — neighbors know each other, kids play in the streets, and the sense of community that has faded in many American cities is still alive here. This guide is your map to everything your family can do.
Utah Families — At a Glance
Youngest median age in the US31.0 years
Highest birth rate in the USYes
State parks within driving distance43 state parks
National parks within day-trip5 national parks
Ski resorts for family skiing14 within 90 min
Utah State Parks annual pass$100/year family
Free family attractionsMany — listed below
Full-Day Destinations
Northern Utah’s Major Family Attractions
These are the anchor family destinations — the ones worth planning a full day around, that every Utah family visits multiple times across a childhood. Each is well-developed, professionally managed, and genuinely excellent.
Lagoon Amusement Park
Farmington · Davis County · I-15 Exit 324
Utah’s beloved amusement and water park has operated in Farmington since 1886 — one of the oldest continuously operating amusement parks in the United States. Lagoon combines traditional amusement rides (including several classic wooden roller coasters) with a full water park, a Pioneer Village historical section, and Lagoon-A-Beach for warm summer days. The park is a Davis County family institution — families with annual passes visit dozens of times across summer. Rides span all ages from toddler areas to the Cannibal roller coaster, which reaches 116 mph. Halloween season’s Frightmares and Christmas season’s Lagoon Nights extend the appeal year-round.
Tip: Season passes pay for themselves in 2 visits and are a Davis County family staple. Purchase online for significant discounts versus gate pricing.
lagoonpark.com
Utah’s Hogle Zoo
Salt Lake City · 2600 E. Sunnyside Ave.
Salt Lake City’s zoo has operated at the mouth of Emigration Canyon since 1931 and holds over 800 animals across a beautifully maintained 42-acre campus. The zoo is organized around natural habitat zones — African Savanna, Asian Highlands, Rocky Shores, and the elephant and big cat exhibits. The new Rocky Shores complex features polar bears, sea lions, and gray seals with underwater viewing windows. The ZooLights holiday event from November through December transforms the zoo into one of Utah’s most beloved family holiday experiences. Annual memberships provide unlimited admission and are excellent value for families who visit 3+ times per year.
Tip: Arrive when the zoo opens (10am) — animals are most active in the morning. ZooLights sells out on weekends; buy tickets online in advance.
hoglezoo.org
Thanksgiving Point Campus
Lehi · Utah County · 3003 N. Thanksgiving Way
Thanksgiving Point is a campus of five separate attractions in Lehi, each excellent individually and staggering as a combined day: Museum of Ancient Life (55 mounted dinosaur skeletons — the world’s largest dinosaur museum), Farm Country (working farm with animal interactions), Ashton Gardens (50 acres of world-class botanical gardens), Museum of Natural Curiosity (massive indoor exploration center for children), and Butterfly Biosphere (year-round tropical butterfly conservatory). Annual membership covers all five venues and is one of the best family entertainment values in the state. Silicon Slopes families use the membership constantly.
Tip: The campus combo pass and annual membership are dramatically better value than paying per attraction. The Cornbelly’s fall event adds seasonal family programming.
thanksgiving-point.org
Natural History Museum of Utah
Salt Lake City · University of Utah
One of America’s finest natural history museums, built in 2011 on the edge of the University of Utah campus with sweeping views of the Salt Lake Valley. The museum holds one of the world’s best dinosaur collections — including species discovered in Utah’s uniquely rich fossil beds — along with remarkable exhibits on Utah’s Native American cultures, the Great Salt Lake ecosystem, geology, and life at altitude. The architecture alone is worth visiting — the building cascades down the hillside and large windows frame Wasatch Range views throughout. The paleontology floor is consistently rated among the best in North America. The museum has excellent programming for school-age children including hands-on paleontology workshops.
Tip: Visit on a weekday morning for dramatically smaller crowds. The geology exhibit is undervisited and extraordinary. Evening programs for teens and adults run monthly.
nhmu.utah.edu
Living Planet Aquarium
Sandy · 12033 S. Lone Peak Pkwy.
Utah’s aquarium is the only facility in the Mountain West providing access to ocean life ecosystems, and it does so remarkably well for a landlocked state. The highlight is the shark and ray tunnel — a full 360-degree walk-through acrylic tunnel with sharks, rays, and sea turtles overhead and to the sides. The penguin exhibit with underwater viewing is perennially popular with young children. The jellyfish display is one of the most mesmerizing family experiences in Utah. Annual memberships are good value; the aquarium pairs well with a Sandy-area lunch before or after.
Tip: Members get early entry on weekends. Stingray touch tanks are staffed — ask about feeding schedules. The River Otter exhibit delights younger children.
thelivingplanet.com
Dinosaur Park (Ogden)
Ogden · 1544 E. Park Blvd.
Ogden’s beloved outdoor dinosaur park features over 100 life-size dinosaur replicas in a garden setting — an interactive outdoor experience that works best for children under 12 who are in their dinosaur-obsession phase. The park is affordable, outdoors, and combines well with Ogden’s other George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park attractions including fossil digs and interactive displays. A perfect half-day excursion for young dinosaur enthusiasts. The venue pairs naturally with the nearby Ogden Nature Center for a full day of outdoor family exploration.
Tip: Fossil dig programs for kids are available seasonally — book in advance. The park is uncrowded on weekday mornings. Best for ages 2–12.
dinosaurpark.org
Learn While You Play
Museums, Science & Discovery
Downtown SLC · Free admission
Clark Planetarium
SLC’s science and space museum at the Gateway offers free floor exhibits covering astronomy, physics, and Earth science, with IMAX and dome theater shows ticketed separately. The 3D and dome film programs are excellent for school-age children. Evening laser light shows are a family tradition for older kids.
clarkplanetarium.org ↗
Downtown SLC · Ages 0–11
Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum
SLC’s dedicated children’s museum at the Gateway Mall with hands-on exhibits across creativity, science, construction, and storytelling. The KidTown area for toddlers is excellent; the water play and engineering zones serve older children well. Community free days make it accessible for all budgets.
discoverygateway.org ↗
University of Utah · SLC
Red Butte Garden
The University of Utah’s 100-acre botanical garden above the east bench is a superb family destination — children’s garden, water features, paved paths for strollers, and summer concert series. The Children’s Garden has interactive water and plant features that make it a summer favorite for families with young children.
redbuttegarden.org ↗
Downtown SLC
The Leonardo Museum
SLC’s art-science intersection museum runs rotating exhibits connecting scientific discovery with creative exploration. Leonardo After Dark and family programming nights create evening family entertainment. The permanent exhibits on color, light, and scientific innovation are particularly engaging for curious school-age kids.
theleonardo.org ↗
Ogden · Weber County
Treehouse Children’s Museum
Ogden’s wonderful children’s museum is one of Northern Utah’s most underrated family destinations — a full-scale interactive museum with storytelling, science, art, and exploration zones specifically designed for children ages 0–12. Excellent for Weber County families; far less crowded than SLC alternatives.
treehousemuseum.org ↗
Lehi · Utah County
Museum of Natural Curiosity
Part of the Thanksgiving Point campus — one of the largest indoor children’s museums in the US, with 60,000 square feet of themed exploration zones including an Amazon rainforest, ancient Egypt, and an innovation lab. Best for ages 2–12 and part of the Thanksgiving Point annual membership that makes it extremely cost-effective for frequent visitors.
thanksgiving-point.org ↗
Murray · Salt Lake Valley
Wheeler Historic Farm
A working historical farm operated by Salt Lake County that provides children’s farm experience including animal feeding, milking demonstrations, hayrides, and seasonal activities. Free to visit the farm grounds; nominal fees for activities. One of Salt Lake Valley’s best free family outings and an education in Utah agricultural history.
wheelerfarm.com ↗
Ogden · Weber County
Ogden Nature Center
152-acre wildlife sanctuary in Ogden with trails, a nature center, and resident wildlife including owls, raptors, deer, and wetland birds. Excellent school group destination and a remarkable urban nature escape. The naturalist-led programs for children run year-round and are consistently excellent.
ogdennaturecenter.org ↗
Park City · Summit County
Utah Olympic Park
The 2002 Winter Olympics facility is open year-round as a family attraction — bobsled rides, ski jumping demonstrations, a museum covering Olympic history, and summer activities including mountain coaster rides, zip lines, and freestyle skiing airbag training. One of Utah’s most unique family destinations.
utaholympiclegacy.org ↗
Outside Every Season
Outdoor Family Adventures
The single greatest family asset Utah provides is outdoor access — and it’s not just theoretical. These are the specific outdoor experiences that Utah families do regularly, season after season, that would be a special once-a-year trip anywhere else.
Antelope Island State Park
Great Salt Lake · 45 min from SLC
A 28,000-acre island in the Great Salt Lake with bison herds roaming freely, pronghorn, mule deer, and exceptional bird watching. The causeway drive alone provides extraordinary wildlife viewing. Family hiking trails circle the island’s volcanic peaks. Annual pass covers all state parks — one of Utah’s best family value outdoor investments.
stateparks.utah.gov ↗
Jordan River Parkway
Salt Lake Valley · 45 miles of trail
45 miles of paved multi-use trail running the length of the Salt Lake Valley along the Jordan River. Free, accessible, and beautiful — a family biking and walking corridor that connects communities from Utah Lake to the Great Salt Lake. Multiple access points from every Salt Lake Valley community.
slco.org ↗
Utah State Parks Pass
43 State Parks · Statewide
$100/year provides unlimited entry to all 43 Utah state parks — Antelope Island, Dead Horse Point, Goblin Valley, Jordanelle, Deer Creek, Hyrum, and more. For families who use it 5+ times, it pays for itself quickly. The single best family outdoor investment in Utah.
stateparks.utah.gov ↗
Family Hiking (Wasatch Front)
Multiple canyons · 25–40 min from home
The Wasatch Front has hundreds of family-friendly trails within a short drive. Silver Lake Loop at Brighton (stroller-accessible), Bell Canyon Lower Falls (2.5 miles), Donut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon, and the Pipeline Trail above Millcreek Canyon are among the most popular family trails near SLC.
alltrails.com ↗
Reservoir Swimming & Boating
Jordanelle, Deer Creek, Pineview
Utah’s reservoirs are major family summer destinations — Jordanelle near Heber City, Deer Creek between Provo and Heber, and Pineview near Ogden all offer swimming beaches, boat launches, paddleboarding, and camping. Summer weekends fill these reservoirs with Northern Utah families; state park pass covers entry.
stateparks.utah.gov/jordanelle ↗
Family Skiing & Snowboarding
14 resorts within 90 min
Brighton Resort is the premier family ski destination — extensive beginner terrain, excellent ski school, and night skiing. Snowbasin near Ogden offers Olympic-quality terrain with uncrowded family access for Davis County families. Ikon Pass provides free passes for children ages 5–12 with a paying adult.
brightonresort.com/learn ↗
Liberty Park (SLC)
800 E. 900 S., Salt Lake City
SLC’s largest urban park with a free splash pad (summer), duck ponds, tennis courts, a children’s amusement ride area, bird sanctuary, and extensive playgrounds. The free Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts is on-site. A full summer day is easy to fill without spending a dollar at Liberty Park.
slcgov.com/parks ↗
National Parks Day Trips
Zion, Bryce, Arches, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands
All five Utah national parks are within a half-day drive from Northern Utah — a fact that is extraordinary by any national standard. Zion Canyon (4.5 hrs), Bryce Canyon (4 hrs), and Arches (3.5 hrs from SLC) are manageable day trips for families. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers all national parks entry.
nps.gov/utah ↗
Snow Tubing & Sledding
Multiple resorts & parks
Utah’s excellent snow provides extraordinary sledding opportunities in city parks, neighborhood hills, and resort-operated snow tubing facilities. Soldier Hollow Olympic Venue runs a dedicated snow tubing park. Multiple city parks have traditional sledding hills; Murray City’s Southgate Park is a SLC-area family favorite.
soldierhollow.com/snowtubing ↗
Active Families
Family Sports & Recreation
Utah’s youth sports culture is among the country’s most active — the combination of young families, strong community infrastructure, and an LDS cultural emphasis on organized activity creates a youth sports ecosystem that is both excellent and genuinely accessible. For families moving here with sports-active children, Utah is an extraordinary place to raise athletes.
Pro Sports for Families
Salt Lake Bees Baseball
Smith's Ballpark · Salt Lake City
Smith’s Ballpark is one of Utah’s best family experiences — affordable tickets, Wasatch Range backdrop, and Friday night fireworks after select games.
Family four-packs and Friday fireworks nights are the best value family sports outings in Northern Utah.
milb.com/salt-lake ↗
Utah Jazz
Delta Center · Downtown Salt Lake City
Family sections at the Delta Center with kid-friendly promotions and the best professional basketball atmosphere in Utah.
Book family section seats for mid-week games — much better pricing and nearly the same atmosphere as weekends.
nba.com/jazz ↗
Utah Mammoth Hockey
Delta Center · Downtown Salt Lake City
The NHL’s newest franchise has quickly become a family favorite. Hockey is fast-paced, exciting, and one of the best live sports experiences for children ages 5 and up.
Loud, fast, and instantly exciting for kids — a first hockey game is often a lifelong fan-making experience.
nhl.com/utah ↗
Real Salt Lake Soccer
America First Field · Sandy
America First Field is a soccer-specific stadium with excellent sightlines from every seat — a natural family sport for soccer-playing kids to see professional play up close.
The supporter sections add genuine atmosphere; family sections are quieter with great lower-bowl views.
realsaltlake.com ↗
Recreation Centers & Facilities
Salt Lake County Rec Centers
Multiple Valley Locations · One County Membership
Multiple full-service rec centers with pools, fitness, classes, and youth programming. One county membership unlocks all facilities — exceptional value for active families.
Kearns Oquirrh Park Fitness Complex has an exceptional aquatics facility including an Olympic-size pool.
slco.org/parks-rec ↗
YMCA Utah
Multiple Wasatch Front Locations
Multiple Wasatch Front locations offering youth programs, swim lessons, childcare, sports leagues, and summer camps. One of Northern Utah’s most comprehensive family fitness resources.
YMCA summer camps and after-school programs are among the most affordable full-day childcare options available.
ymcautah.org ↗
Utah Olympic Oval
Kearns · 2002 Winter Olympics Speed Skating Venue
Public skating on the world’s fastest ice surface — the 2002 Winter Olympics speed skating venue is open for public recreational skating and learn-to-skate programs year-round.
A genuinely unique Utah experience that most locals have never tried. Affordable and extraordinary.
utaholympiclegacy.org ↗
Davis County Recreation
Clearfield · Multiple Davis County Parks
Davis Aquatics Complex, Legacy Events Center, and multiple community parks with exceptional facilities — particularly well-suited for Hill AFB military families across Davis County.
daviscountyutah.gov ↗
Topgolf Midvale
Midvale · Central Salt Lake Valley
Technology-driven golf entertainment that works for families with mixed skill levels — hit microchipped balls at giant targets while tracking your score. Full food service and a casual, loud atmosphere.
Book a bay in advance on weekends — waits can be 1–2 hours for walk-ins during peak times.
topgolf.com/midvale ↗
Match Activities to Your Family
Family Activities by Age Group
Every age group has its perfect Utah activities. This guide helps you match what’s available to where your children are developmentally.
Babies & Toddlers
Ages 0–3
Wheeler Farm — free farm walks
Hogle Zoo — best ages 2+
Liberty Park splash pad (summer, free)
City parks & playgrounds — every community
Red Butte Garden children’s garden
SLC Farmers Market — Saturday mornings
Preschool
Ages 3–6
Discovery Gateway — designed for this age
Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point
Treehouse Museum (Ogden)
Lagoon — kiddie rides area
School Age
Ages 6–12
Museum of Ancient Life — dinosaurs
Lagoon — full park experience
Utah Olympic Park bobsled rides
Family hiking — Donut Falls, Silver Lake
Clark Planetarium dome shows
Teens
Ages 13–18
Lagoon — Cannibal & thrill rides
Skiing & snowboarding — all major resorts
Front Climbing Club — lead climbing
Mountain biking — Corner Canyon trails
Escape rooms — Utah County options
National parks — Zion Angels Landing (16+)
Year-Round Adventure
Family Activities by Season
Winter
November – February
Skiing & snowboarding lessons (Brighton, Snowbasin)
Snow tubing (Soldier Hollow)
Temple Square Christmas Lights
ZooLights at Hogle Zoo
Ballet West Nutcracker
Utah Olympic Park activities
Indoor rec centers & pools
Sledding in city parks
Spring
March – May
Ashton Gardens (tulips, spring bloom)
Wheeler Farm spring animals
Wasatch hiking — trails open
Salt Lake Bees season opener
Farmers market opens (May)
Canyon wildflower hikes
Spring skiing through May
Red Butte Garden opening
Summer
June – August
Lagoon daily (water park open)
Reservoir swimming (Jordanelle, Deer Creek)
Liberty Park splash pad (free)
Pioneer Day parade (July 24)
Cornbelly’s and county fairs
Red Butte Garden concerts
National parks road trips
Farmers market every Saturday
Fall
September – October
Utah State Fair (September)
Wasatch fall color hikes
Cornbelly’s Corn Maze (Lehi)
Lagoon Frightmares (October)
Apple orchards & pumpkin patches
Mountain biking peak season
Hogle Zoo fall programming
National parks off-peak visits
Your Area
Family Activities by County
Salt Lake County
Hogle Zoo
SLC East Bench · 2600 E Sunnyside Ave
Salt Lake City's major zoo — 42 acres, African Savanna habitat, Rocky Shores, and Utah’s only elephant exhibit. Best for ages 2–12; budget a half day minimum.
hoglezoo.org ↗
Natural History Museum of Utah
University of Utah Campus, SLC
Utah's world-class natural history museum — the dinosaur collection alone justifies the trip. The Past Worlds gallery houses full skeleton mounts of species found right here in Utah.
Free on the first Wednesday of each month for Utah residents.
nhmu.utah.edu ↗
Clark Planetarium
Downtown Gateway, Salt Lake City
Four floors of interactive science exhibits with a free admission to the exhibit floors. IMAX dome shows and star shows are ticketed — excellent value family outing downtown.
clarkplanetarium.org ↗
Discovery Gateway Children's Museum
Downtown Gateway, Salt Lake City
Utah's premier children's museum — interactive exhibits covering science, creativity, engineering, and cultural arts. Best for ages 1–10 with programming that keeps kids fully engaged for 2–3 hours.
discoverygateway.org ↗
Wheeler Farm
Murray · Free Farm Access
A free, working Victorian farm in the middle of the Salt Lake Valley — kids can see farm animals, wagon rides, and agricultural history up close. One of Utah’s best free family destinations.
wheelerfarm.com ↗
Liberty Park
Salt Lake City · 900 E 1300 S
SLC's largest urban park — free splash pad, playgrounds, tennis, volleyball, a small amusement park, and the Tracy Aviary. The anchor of Salt Lake City's east-side family recreation.
slcgov.com ↗
Living Planet Aquarium
Sandy · 12033 Lone Peak Pkwy
Utah's premier aquarium — stingray touch pools, shark tunnel, penguin encounters, and 4,000+ animals. Best for ages 2 and up; plan 2–3 hours.
thelivingplanet.com ↗
Red Butte Garden
University of Utah, Salt Lake City
Utah's premier botanical garden — 100 acres of formal gardens and natural areas with stunning mountain backdrop. Summer outdoor concert series is one of SLC's most beloved entertainment events.
redbuttegarden.org ↗
Utah County
Thanksgiving Point Campus
Lehi · 3003 N Thanksgiving Way
Five major attractions on one campus — Museum of Ancient Life (Utah's best dinosaur museum), Butterfly Biosphere, Farm Country, Ashton Gardens, and the Electric Park. Budget a full day.
Annual passes pay for themselves in 2 visits and are the best value in Utah County family entertainment.
thanksgiving-point.org ↗
Scera Park & Shell Theatre
Orem · 699 S State St
Free outdoor park with splash pad, playground, and sports facilities alongside the beloved Scera Shell outdoor amphitheater — summer concerts and theatrical productions for the whole family.
scera.org ↗
Provo River Parkway
Provo / Orem · 15-Mile Trail
The Provo River Parkway Trail runs 15 miles along the Provo River through Provo and Orem — flat, paved, and perfect for family bike rides and walks with the river as a constant companion.
Sundance Mountain Resort
Provo Canyon · 8 Miles East of Orem
Family skiing, snowboarding, and tubing in winter; lift-served mountain biking, hiking, and art activities in summer. The mountain setting makes every season genuinely special.
sundanceresort.com ↗
Utah Lake State Park
Provo · Utah’s Largest Freshwater Lake
Utah's largest freshwater lake — boating, fishing, paddleboarding, and swimming with the Wasatch Mountains framing the eastern shoreline. Day use and camping available.
stateparks.utah.gov ↗
Rock Canyon Park
Provo · East Bench Canyon Entrance
Free city park at the mouth of Rock Canyon with beginner and intermediate rock climbing routes, hiking trails into the Wasatch, and a creek for kids to explore — an outdoor family classic.
Davis County
Lagoon Amusement Park
Farmington · Season Passes Essential
Utah's iconic amusement park — roller coasters, water park, Pioneer Village, and Frightmares in October. Season passes are the best value if you plan to visit more than twice.
lagoonpark.com ↗
Antelope Island State Park
Great Salt Lake · 45 min from SLC
Utah's most dramatic state park — a wild island in the Great Salt Lake with a free-roaming bison herd, stunning mountain views, hiking, and the surreal experience of swimming in hypersaline water.
stateparks.utah.gov ↗
Kaysville City Park & Splash Pad
Kaysville · Free Summer Water Play
One of Davis County’s best free family parks — a large splash pad, playgrounds, picnic areas, and sports courts make this a summer staple for Kaysville and surrounding community families.
Legacy Events Center
Farmington · Youth Sports & Community Events
Davis County’s premier events facility — youth sports tournaments, trade shows, performing arts events, and community programming year-round. Adjacent to Station Park retail.
daviscountyutah.gov ↗
Fort Buenaventura
Ogden · Pioneer Reenactment Park
A reconstruction of the 1845 mountain man fort on the Weber River — costumed interpreters, canoe rentals, mountain man rendezvous events, and riverside camping in a genuinely historic setting.
co.weber.ut.us ↗
Snowbasin Family Skiing
35 Min from Layton · Ogden Valley
2002 Winter Olympics downhill venue — world-class mountain infrastructure without the crowd levels of Park City resorts. Excellent beginner terrain and ski school make it ideal for families learning to ski.
snowbasin.com ↗
Weber County
Eccles Dinosaur Park
Ogden · Life-Size Outdoor Dinosaurs
Life-size dinosaur sculptures in a natural outdoor setting — 112 dinosaur reproductions along walkways through Ogden’s Eccles Community Art Center grounds. One of Northern Utah’s most photogenic family stops.
dinosaurpark.org ↗
Treehouse Children’s Museum
Ogden · Historic 25th Street Area
Ogden's beloved children's museum — story and literature-based interactive exhibits on four floors. One of Utah's best small-city children's museums with a loyal community following.
treehousemuseum.org ↗
Ogden Nature Center
Ogden · 152-Acre Wildlife Sanctuary
152 acres of wetlands, ponds, and forests with raptors, migratory birds, and wildlife observation. Nature education programs for all ages and one of Ogden’s most underrated family destinations.
ogdennaturecenter.org ↗
Pineview Reservoir
Eden / Ogden Valley · 30 Min from Ogden
Weber County’s premier summer water recreation destination — boating, wakeboarding, paddleboarding, and swimming with Snowbasin and Powder Mountain as the backdrop. The Ogden Valley version of Lake Powell, much closer.
recreation.gov ↗
Powder Mountain Family Skiing
Eden · Lowest Crowd Density in Utah
Utah's largest ski area by acreage with the state's lowest crowd density — maintained intentionally low-capacity. Genuinely uncrowded powder days that families from all over the country seek out.
powdermountain.com ↗
Golden Spike National Historic Site
Promontory Summit · 90 Min North of Ogden
Where the first Transcontinental Railroad was completed in 1869 — full-size replica steam locomotives, ranger programs, and the dramatic Promontory landscape. A genuinely moving piece of American history.
nps.gov/gosp ↗
No Budget Required
Free & Low-Cost Family Activities
Utah has an extraordinary number of genuinely free family activities — a reflection of the state’s public investment in parks, trails, and community spaces. Here are the best free options across Northern Utah.
Wheeler Farm
Murray · Free Admission
Free to walk the working Victorian farm, see animals, watch farm operations, and enjoy the grounds year-round. One of Utah’s best free family outings.
wheelerfarm.com ↗
Jordan River Parkway
45-Mile Free Multi-Use Trail · Salt Lake Valley
Free paved trail running 45 miles through the Salt Lake Valley — perfect for family biking, walking, and exploring with multiple park access points along the route.
slco.org ↗
Liberty Park
Salt Lake City · Free
Free splash pad, fishing ponds, playgrounds, tennis courts, volleyball, and open green space. The anchor of SLC’s east-side family recreation.
slcgov.com ↗
Clark Planetarium Floor Exhibits
Downtown Gateway · Free Exhibit Floors
Free admission to four floors of interactive science exhibits. IMAX dome shows and planetarium shows are ticketed separately — an excellent rainy-day family stop.
clarkplanetarium.org ↗
Temple Square Christmas Lights
Downtown SLC · Free · November–January
Millions of lights across the Temple Square and Church campus grounds. Free nightly viewing — one of Utah’s most beloved free winter family traditions.
templesquare.com ↗
City Splash Pads
Statewide · Free · June–August
Most Utah communities operate free public splash pads open through the summer months. Check your city parks department for the nearest location and hours.
Wasatch Hiking Trails
Hundreds of Free Trails · Wasatch Front
Hundreds of free hiking trails within 30 minutes of most Wasatch Front communities — waterfall hikes, canyon trails, and summit routes for every age and fitness level.
alltrails.com ↗
Discovery Gateway Community Days
Downtown SLC · Monthly Free Days
Monthly free admission days for Utah residents — check the website for the current schedule. One of the best ways to experience this excellent children’s museum.
discoverygateway.org ↗
Days of '47 Parade Viewing
July 24 · South Temple Street · Free
60,000+ spectators line two miles of South Temple Street for free. Arrive early for a good spot — pioneer wagons, marching bands, and equestrian units in one of the West’s great parades.
daysof47.com ↗
SLC Farmers Market
Downtown SLC · Free Admission · May–October
Free admission; best Saturday morning family outing in Salt Lake City. Local produce, food vendors, artisans, and live music in Pioneer Park every Saturday morning.
downtownslc.org ↗
Public Libraries
Statewide · Free
Free story time, summer reading programs, community events, and activities at branches across every Northern Utah county. Deeply underutilized by newcomer families.
slcpl.org ↗
Ogden Nature Center Trails
Ogden · Minimal Fee · 152 Acres
152 acres of wildlife sanctuary with raptors, migratory birds, and nature trails. Minimal entry fee — one of Weber County’s best low-cost family nature destinations.
ogdennaturecenter.org ↗
Family Questions
Family Activities FAQ
Is Utah a good state for families?
Consistently ranked among America’s best. Utah has the youngest median age (31.0) and highest birth rate of any US state — the entire infrastructure of community life is organized around families. Excellent school districts in Davis, Alpine, and Cache counties. Extraordinary outdoor access — ski resorts 30 minutes away, national parks within a half-day drive, hundreds of hiking trails accessible from every community. Safe suburban communities with genuine neighborhood culture. And significantly lower housing costs than comparable-quality neighborhoods in California, giving families more disposable income for experiences. The caveats: Utah County communities are heavily LDS in culture, which shapes the social environment; urban SLC has a more mixed cultural landscape. Choosing the right neighborhood for your family’s cultural fit matters.
What is the best family attraction in Northern Utah?
Depends on your children’s ages and interests, but the strongest cases: Lagoon for all-around family amusement park experience (Davis County families should get season passes). Thanksgiving Point campus for the combination of dinosaurs, gardens, farm, and children’s museum under one membership. Natural History Museum of Utah for the best museum experience in the state. And the collective outdoor offerings — ski resorts, reservoirs, hiking trails — which represent a family activity infrastructure that simply doesn’t exist in most American cities.
When should kids start skiing in Utah?
Most Utah ski schools accept children from age 3, and kids who start at 3–4 are typically skiing parallel runs independently by age 6–7. Brighton Resort is the top recommendation for first ski lessons — the most extensive beginner terrain, excellent instructors, and a patient, family-oriented atmosphere. Ikon Pass provides free passes for children ages 5–12 with a paying adult on the Base or full Ikon pass — covering Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, Solitude, Deer Valley, and Snowbasin. Children who learn to ski in Utah grow up with a sport that defines their winters here. Start them young; the investment in lessons pays back in a lifetime of family ski days.
What can families do in Utah in winter?
Utah winter is genuinely excellent for families. Skiing and snowboarding — the obvious answer, and it’s world-class. Snow tubing at Soldier Hollow for families not ready for full skiing. Temple Square Christmas Lights for the holiday season. ZooLights at Hogle Zoo through December. Ballet West Nutcracker for a holiday theater tradition. Utah Olympic Oval for family public skating. And sledding in any of dozens of city parks when the snow conditions are good. Utah winter is not a reason to stay inside — it’s one of the state’s greatest family seasons.
Utah Life Real Estate
Find the Home
Where Your Family
Thrives.
The right school zone. The right distance to the ski resort. The right neighborhood where your kids can walk to the park and you know the neighbors. Randall finds it for you.
