Explore Salt Lake City: Fun for Kids & Families

Editor: Kirandeep Kaur on May 14,2025

If you are traveling with your kids, Salt Lake City must be the number one on your list. This beautiful Utah city has an array of fun family activities Salt Lake City has to offer children, ranging from indoor play places to top museums, interactive kid's attractions, and outdoor recreation. No matter if you are traveling with toddlers or tweens, Salt Lake City family activities have something entertaining for every age group.

In this guide, we will provide the best things to do with kids in Salt Lake City that are fun, educational, and life-long memories. Time to plan the best family vacation that both the kids and parents will remember.

Hogle Zoo: A Wild Family Experience

Hogle Zoo is one of the most popular children's attractions in the city and is home to over 800 animals from all around the world.Located near the entrance to Emigration Canyon, this 42-acre zoo welcomes families to learn and discover. From polar bears to African lions, all exhibits are meant to be fun as well as educational.

Interactive exhibits such as the giraffe feeding platform or the sea lion shows on a daily basis keep children entertained. Seasonal events are also held at the zoo, making every visit different. For families traveling with children, stroller rentals and shaded areas make for a comfortable visit, guaranteeing fun with children of all ages.

The Leonardo Museum: Science and Art in Action

In the heart of Salt Lake City, The Leonardo is a vibrant science and technology museum designed to ignite curiosity. Children are able to play hands-on with exhibits that blend art, science, and creativity. It's one of the best indoor activities for families in Salt Lake City to enjoy during the colder weather.

The flight simulator, robotics displays, and STEAM-themed workshops provide engaging attractions for children of all ages. Educating fun-seeking families, The Leonardo is a must-see attraction.

Discovery Gateway Children's Museum: Where Learning Meets Play

Located at The Gateway, this is a place for interactive play. The Discovery Gateway Children's Museum has more than 60,000 square feet of exhibits made just for children. The "Kid's Eye View" attraction provides children the opportunity to role-play in a model town featuring a grocery store, construction zone, and other settings.

Ideal for rainy-day play indoors, this museum offers hands-on play that encourages creativity and brain development. Parents may join in or simply sit back in observation areas as children discover. It's the perfect spot for a blast of fun with children of any age and makes learning an exciting adventure.

Clark Planetarium: Space Adventure for the Family

Families with young astronauts in training will enjoy the Clark Planetarium. With spectacular 3D films, laser light shows, and solar system exhibits, this is an entertaining and educational attraction.

The best news? General admission is free! That makes this one of the most inexpensive family things to do in Salt Lake City. Displays such as meteorite exhibits, astronaut simulators, and the Mars rover replica make it simple for children to relate to the universe.

Liberty Park: A Nature Playground in the City

Covering 80 acres, Liberty Park is Salt Lake City's second-largest city park and an excellent location for outdoor family activities in Salt Lake City for children. It includes playgrounds, tennis courts, a pond where paddle boat rentals are available, and huge picnic areas.

You’ll also find the Tracy Aviary within the park, another top children’s attraction featuring over 400 birds from around the world. Kids will love the bird shows and the opportunity to feed pelicans and flamingos. It’s a two-for-one family outing that promises fun and fresh air.

Utah Museum of Natural History: Prehistoric Fun

If your kid is into dinosaurs, don't miss the Natural History Museum of Utah. This cutting-edge museum on the University of Utah campus exhibits the state's rich prehistoric heritage in the form of dinosaur bones, fossils, and interactive displays.

It also features sections on geology, ecology, and the history of Native Americans. This museum combines fun and learning in harmony, so it is a must for family activities in Salt Lake City for children. Families can dig and discover in hands-on digging areas and seasonally changing rotating exhibits.

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium: Dive into Discovery

Just south of Salt Lake City in Draper, the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium brings ocean life to the mountains. From penguins and sea otters to sharks and stingrays, this aquarium provides a dive into ocean ecosystems.

Interactive touch pools enable children to have close-up interactions with sea urchins and starfish. With more than 4,500 animals, it is a family's electrifying adventure. It is yet another exemplary display of kid fun for kids of all ages and is combined with educational appeal. 

Urban Air Adventure Park: Indoor Play at Its Peak

When you're seeking indoor play options, Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park is an excellent choice. With trampolines, climbing walls, obstacle courses, and indoor skydiving, it's kids' heaven for hyperactive youngsters.

The facility is secure, clean, and divided by age groups, so toddlers to teenagers can play in peace in their own areas. Birthday parties, snack bars, and parent lounges make it a win for the whole family.

Classic Fun Center: Roll, Bounce, and Slide

kids sliding with help of a man in ice

In Sandy, right outside Salt Lake City, Classic Fun Center is a multi-attraction complex. From roller skating and a bounce house to laser tag and an arcade, it's a day-long adventure under one roof.

Families seeking action-filled family activities Salt Lake City residents enjoy will love the value and diversity of this location. It's perfect for birthday parties or just working off some energy.

Red Butte Garden: Nature Walks and Seasonal Events

A secret gem for families who love nature, Red Butte Garden features trails, gardens, and seasonal activities such as storytime in the garden and scavenger hunts. Butterflies are seen in spring and summer, while autumn features colored leaves and children's Halloween festivities.

It's the ideal combination of outdoor playfulness and serene loveliness, providing yet another means of enjoying family-friendly activities in Salt Lake City for children while promoting an environmental appreciation.

Utah Olympic Park: High-Energy Adventure

Teenagers and older children will enjoy the adrenaline-inducing attractions at Utah Olympic Park in nearby Park City. With zip lines to alpine slides and a ropes course, this attraction brings action-packed variety to your Salt Lake City plans.

The on-site museum is free as well and provides information on the 2002 Winter Olympics, so it's an educational visit too.

Watch a Utah Jazz Game or Family Event

Salt Lake City is the home of the NBA's Utah Jazz. Going to a game at the Delta Center can be a thrill for sports-conscious families. Family nights and children's zones at games make sure that even the youngest visitors have a good time.

Other family events such as Disney on Ice or monster truck rallies are often held at the arena, so plan your trip accordingly.

Trolley Square: Historic Shopping with a Family Twist

Shopping may not be something that sounds like fun for kids—unless it's at Trolley Square. This historic shopping center has quirky boutiques, toy shops, and casual restaurants. Seasonal activities such as Santa visits, face painting, and local art fairs make it a casual, enjoyable way to see the city.

Bonus Tips for Family Travel in Salt Lake City

  • Transportation:  Public transportation throughout the city, including TRAX, is family-friendly and economical.
  • Lodging: You can find hotels that have pools, and family suites, making sure that you have tons of kid-friendly fun.
  • Dining: Restaurants can offer kid's menus, allergy options, and an overall casual atmosphere, to help with kids dining experiences.
  • Weather Prep: Salt Lake City has four seasons, so pack accordingly it will allow for both indoor and outdoor play.

Why Salt Lake City is a premier Family Destination

Salt Lake City offers a unique blend of education, recreation, and adventure! All while being family friendly.Whether your itinerary is packed with museums, zoos, or high-energy parks, or you’re just looking for a relaxed day in nature, the city is full of family-friendly things to do in Salt Lake City for kids.

Families continue coming back year after year to the friendly community, walkable town and affordability of the area. You will find the perfect balance of comfort, culture and limitless opportunities for fun with children of all ages.

Final Thoughts 

Planning your family’s next getaway?Don't miss this treasure of a city. With lots of indoor and outdoor attractions, family fun Salt Lake City brings the big-time entertainment, learning, and quality time. From indoor play areas to top-notch children's destinations, the city is an unforgettable playground waiting to be discovered.

No matter if it's your first time or your fifth, there's always something new to explore when traveling with children in Salt Lake City. Pack your bags—and your sense of adventure—and make memories that will last a lifetime.


This content was created by AI