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7 Utah County places to take your children on a chilly winter day

7 Utah County places to take your children on a chilly winter day

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If you're a parent of young children, you know the struggle of long winter days when cabin fever strikes. Too much time stuck inside will have even the best crew contemplating a mutiny.

Luckily, Utah County offers a wealth of amazing kid-friendly indoor destinations perfect for curious minds and active bodies. There's so much to do and explore!

From museums to kid-friendly activities and adventures, here are seven of the best local picks for indoor fun in Utah Valley this winter.

7 Utah County places to take your children on a chilly winter day
Photo: Adobe.com/Tuwaporn

Mountain America Museum of Ancient Life

At Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, you'll find one of the world's largest displays of mounted dinosaurs at the Mountain America Museum of Ancient Life—also known as the dino museum.

With 60 complete dinosaur skeletons on display, visitors can travel back in time and explore what life was like more than 65 million years ago. There are dozens of hands-on exhibits to sink your teeth into, like the erosion table and the quarry dig.

You can even watch paleontologists and volunteers unearth a 150-million-year-old Barosaurus.

Already a crowd favorite among the dinosaur-loving set, the museum recently leveled up with their new playground area called the Jurassic Jungle. The brand new five-story play space features dozens of interactive elements that will excite all ages.

Huge volcano slide? Check. Interactive dinosaur animatronics? Yup. Kids can conquer jungle challenges like tracking down a T. Rex or escaping a volcano eruption, then exchange points for prizes!

The addition of Jurassic Jungle solidifies this museum as the perfect place to take your kids for an entire day of dino-filled fun.

Roots of Knowledge

For a more artistic and cultural experience, check out Roots of Knowledge stained glass exhibit at Utah Valley University in Orem.

This awe-inspiring installation features 80 intricately designed panels that chronicle the history of human knowledge from ancient times up until now.

Part gallery, part interactive learning, this exhibit is free to the public. You can spark conversations about history, art, and the power of learning with older children. And while the depth of the exhibit may resonate most with teens or adults, the vibrant colors and fascinating stories embedded in the glass are sure to catch the eye of even the youngest children!

7 Utah County places to take your children on a chilly winter day
Photo: Adobe.com/apratim

Butterfly Biosphere

As Utah's only butterfly conservatory and insectarium, the Butterfly Biosphere at Thanksgiving Point is an experience unlike any other. In the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Butterfly Conservatory, a thousand live butterflies from around the world delight and awe guests of all ages.

The Discovery Zone is home to live insects that all play important roles in Earth's ecosystems—and you can meet some during daily Critter Encounters!

It's a special treat on a dreary day to be transported to the warm, humid tropical paradise of the Butterfly Biosphere.

Kids and adults will both be charmed by the opportunity to see these delicate creatures up close and connect with nature even on the chilliest winter day.

7 Utah County places to take your children on a chilly winter day
Photo: Beauty IG - stock.adobe.com

The mall

This may sound totally 90s, but the mall is an underrated spot to spend some time indoors when your kids are stir-crazy. University Place in Orem and Provo Town Centre have you covered for a place to browse your favorite stores while getting those steps in.

Bring the stroller so your littlest ones are safely corralled and maybe even enjoy a smoothie or soda while you stroll. Bonus points for also getting those returns done that have been sitting in your house for weeks.

Bean Life Science Museum

Visit Brigham Young University campus to visit the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum. The Bean, as it is affectionately called, is a treasure trove of natural history and biodiversity throughout the ages. Best of all—admission is free!

The museum's mission is to inspire wonder, understanding, and reverence for our evolving planet. This means there are a variety of exhibits ranging from the memorable life-size elephant to exhibits featuring Provo River's watershed, insects, or the toddler play area.

You're sure to learn something new while fostering a love of science and nature in your children.

Provo Beach Resort

If your family is craving something more active, head over to Provo Beach Resort for hours of indoor fun. Located in the Shops at Riverwoods, this entertainment center has something for everyone.

Highlights for the whole family include bowling, miniature croquet, and an arcade filled with classic and modern games.

Visitors wanting an adrenaline rush can test their mettle 30 feet above the ground at the indoor ropes course.

Or get a taste of the beach at the flowrider, an indoor surfing simulator. Make it an all-day outing by eating at one of the restaurants located in the Shops at the Riverwoods.

7 Utah County places to take your children on a chilly winter day
Photo: Africa Studio - stock.adobe.com

Museum of Natural Curiosity

This list wouldn't be complete without perennial kid favorite The Museum of Natural Curiosity. One of Thanksgiving Point's crown jewels, the museum offers more than 400 interactive exhibits where children can climb, crawl, build, learn, and problem-solve.

The museum has different sections: from Rainforest to Kidopolis to Discovery Garden, secret passageways challenge the adventurous and nature comes alive in different ways. In the Water Works exhibit, kids expand their understanding of wind, water, and earth in a hands-on way.

Check out the rotating Innovation Gallery for a new experience each visit. With endless options for curious minds of all ages, the Museum of Natural Curiosity is one of Utah's coolest and most unique museums.

Get more ideas from the Utah Valley Chamber

If you're looking to utilize all the family-friendly activities that Utah County has to offer—and support local businesses at the same time—the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce is a great resource. Visit their website for more information and to discover new local businesses.

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Utah Valley Chamber

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