One of our favorite reader notes came from a parent who found the Wheeler Sunday Market through the Weekender and said it was exactly what their toddler needed. That's the goal of this guide: the best kid-friendly things to do in Salt Lake City, with real prices, ages and the tips that make outings with kids easier.
Family plans for every weekend. The SLC Weekender sends 60+ things to do in Salt Lake every Thursday, with plenty for kids. Free, and 7,500+ locals read it.
Animals
Utah's Hogle Zoo
Where: 2600 Sunnyside Ave. Hours: 10am–5pm.
Cost (Oct 1 – Apr 30): $22.95 ages 13+, $18.95 ages 3–12, 2 and under free ($2 off online).
Tip: on cold days, the Great Apes building and the Small Animal Building are your warm-up stops. ZooLights runs at night in winter (separate ticket).
Tracy Aviary (Liberty Park)
Where: 589 E 1300 S. Hours: daily 9am–5pm, last entry 4pm. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Cost: $16.95 adults, $10.95 ages 3–12, 2 and under free. Free for up to 4 people with SNAP/EBT through Museums for All.
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium (Draper)
Where: 12033 Lone Peak Pkwy. Hours: daily 10am–6pm, Mondays until 8pm.
Cost: $12.95–22.95 ages 3–12 depending on the date; buy online for the best price.
Museums made for kids
Discovery Gateway Children's Museum
Where: 444 W 100 S at The Gateway. Hours: 10am–6pm, closed Tuesdays.
Cost: kids $13.50 weekdays / $14.50 weekends; adults $16.50 / $18.
Best for: toddlers through about age 10.
Tip: the first hour of parking is free, and there are free sensory-inclusive sessions on Mondays 3–6pm and Sundays 10am–noon (registration required).
Clark Planetarium
Free exhibit floors every day at The Gateway, plus dome and IMAX shows for a small extra cost. It's an easy, cheap rainy-day win.
Natural History Museum of Utah
Dinosaur halls that kids talk about for weeks. $20.95 ages 3–12, 2 and under free. Open daily 10am–5pm, Wednesdays until 9pm.
Farms and outdoor family days
Wheeler Historic Farm (Murray)
Where: 6351 S 900 E. The summer Sunday Market wrapped Oct 11, and the indoor Winter Market typically runs Sundays 9am–1pm from January to April. Holiday events usually include wagon rides through the lights.
This Is The Place Heritage Park
Where: 2601 E Sunnyside Ave. Free to enter the park, with paid passes for the pioneer-village experiences and train. In December, Candlelight Christmas runs Dec 11–23.
Thanksgiving Point (Lehi)
Where: 3003 N Thanksgiving Way. Hours: Monday–Saturday 9am–8pm, closed Sundays.
Cost: Butterfly Biosphere $17 ages 3–12 online; the All-Access Pass to all seven venues is $29 for kids and $39 for adults.
Tip: entry is timed, so buy ahead. During the holidays, Luminaria lights up the gardens at night.
Red Butte Garden
Youth tickets are $10, and they're half price December through February. The Holiday Open House on Dec 5–6 is free.
Utah Olympic Park (Park City)
Free Olympic and ski museums, plus watching athletes train on the jumps. It's a great half-day trip for school-age kids.
Free and low-cost family picks
Liberty Park and Sugar House Park: big playgrounds in summer and the best sledding hills in winter
Library story times: the Salt Lake City Public Library hosts story times and kids' events; see events.slcpl.org
Room Zero Challenge Games: great for older kids and teens; kids 10 and under need an adult in the room
More free ideas are in our free things to do guide.
More guides
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