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SALT LAKE CITY — Summer is here, and with it comes the goal of creating fun family memories. Here are several ways to get out of the house, keep spending at a minimum, and enjoy time with those you love best. Unless noted, all activities listed are free of charge.
Outdoor activities
Mural Viewing
Follow this map the Salt Project put together to spend a few hours walking around Salt Lake City while photographing your family in front of some of Salt Lake’s many colorful murals. For more fun murals, see this link from Salt Project.
Find a splash pad
Splash pads are everywhere in Utah, with more seeming to pop up every year. While most people know which splash pads are closest to their homes, try branching out and trying a new one on this list by Coupons 4 Utah or this one that Utah Fun Activities put together.
Observe wildlife
Utah’s Adventure Family has a list of ponds throughout Utah that are perfect for viewing waterfowl.
Stay home
Don’t have much time? Take young children to some nearby concrete, hand them each a cup of water and a paintbrush, and teach them how to paint with water. While their masterpieces won’t stay long, they can be easily entertained for quite a while watching their creations come to life and then evaporate.
Hiking
Utah’s mountains provide thousands of hiking trails. Try installing the AllTrails or Hiking Project apps on your smartphone to find a nearby hike. Make sure to read the comments on hiking apps and sites; users will usually remark how shady a trail is, if there are drop-offs and whether the terrain is possible for children. Try the Wheeler-Icebox-Art Nord Loop in northern Utah or the Jungle Trail in Draper, which connects via Lower Corner Canyon, as detailed on social media by Utah With Kids (Instagram:@utahwithkids).
Walking
You don’t have to gain altitude to have a good time. Many cities have paved walking and biking trails that are perfect for strollers and wheelchairs. Davis and Weber counties have the Denver and Rio Grande Rail Trails. Salt Lake City has the short Temple Quarry Trail, Memory Grove Park, Gilgal Gardens and the International Peace Gardens, to name only a few. Try googling “paved walking paths near me” to plan your next walk.
Geocaching
Download the free Geocaching app and hunt for any of the thousands of containers hidden throughout rural and urban environments.
Hit the beach
Utah is home to several reservoirs, many of which have sandy beaches and are great for day trips. Try perusing the “Best Swimming Beaches and Lakes in Utah” on Utah Fun Activities’ Facebook or Instagram account for more ideas. (Note: many reservoirs charge day-use fees for the beaches.)
Indoor activities
Beat the heat and curtail the summer brain drain by learning outside your home. Here’s a short list of places to get you started:
BYU
Step inside to see the Windswept exhibition at the MOA. Look at the animals at the Bean Museum or attend one of their daily live animal shows.
Gale Center Museum
The Gale Center Museum museum in South Jordan is bursting with fun activities that help kids understand the history of Utah.
Hill Air Force Base museum
Take your kids over the age of 8 to the free Hill Aerospace Museum Summer STEM program activities in Weber County. While waiting, watch the movie, look at the airplanes, or talk to one of the many knowledgeable docents.
Utah Capitol
Ask for a tour of the Utah State Capitol building in Salt Lake City, or download this scavenger hunt for kids.
Library programs
Ask your local library if they have any summer programs.
Sites to follow for more ideas
- Serve: Summer isn’t just for playing. Download the JustServe app and check out service opportunities near you.
- Connect: Connect to your city via social media to keep updated on nearby summer events. The Utah With Kids Facebook page also posts weekly upcoming events going on across the state of Utah.
- More social media: Follow the social media influencers already mentioned, and others, for even more ideas: Salt Project, SLC Moms, Utah Family Fun Stuff, Utah Fun Adventures, Utah With Kids and Utah’s Adventure Family.
There are so many fun things to do during the summer in Utah that listing everything is impossible. Comment below and share what you’re looking forward to doing with your family this summer.
Elizabeth Reid thinks the Great Depression is fascinating, so she earned bachelor's degrees in both economics and history. A wife and mother, she blogs at agoodreid.blogspot.com.
