9 fun adventures to plan in Salt Lake with your kids
Want to plan some fun adventures for your family this year? Try these 9 ideas…
A few weeks ago, I was sitting on the couch with my laptop making a list of cool things to do around Utah this year.
I wanted to make sort of a “Utah Bucket List” of places and adventures every Utahn should do.
Visit Utah landmarks like Delicate Arch.
The Four Corners Monument.
Bonneville Salt Flats.
But how many times have you wanted to plan an epic adventure in Utah for your family, but somehow find yourself stuck in the routine of daily life?
The kids have sports on the weekends, piano lessons after school, and by the end of the day, you’re so tired that the last thing you want to do is sit in front of your computer again.
If you want to give your family a Spring and Summer they’ll never forget, here’s a 9-step guide to help you plan an epic Utah family adventure this year.
1. Sign your kids up for Spark! at The Leonardo.
Kids can interact with art, writings and live performances at The Leonardo’s newest exhibit. Also check out the interactive It Is Possible art installation from Dallas Graham.
2. Search for signs of Spring along the Jordan River Parkway.
Today we did 0.2 mile! #iridebike #ekamai #saltlakecity #utah
It’s no secret that Utah’s winter was pretty lame this year, in terms of snowfall. We didn’t get much snowfall (I only had to get my shovel out of the garage once), and the temperatures were pretty mild.
Still, sings of Spring are popping up all over Utah, and this is a great time of year to make a game out of it for the kids.
Just print out a scavenger hunt on separate pieces of paper, laminate them if you want to reuse them, and give each child a dry erase marker and a cloth bag to put their collections in.
Here are some ideas:
- Leaves
- Flowers
- Insects
- Pine cones
- Seeds
- Animal tracks
3. Plant flowers in your backyard.
Nothing says “Hello, Spring!” like visiting your local Gardening Center and seeing all the yard care tools!
There are a few species of flowers that will thrive in the cool temperatures of early Spring, such as Pansies, Lilacs and the Grape Hyacinth.
4. Plan to go out for Saturday breakfast.
I’ll admit, I love to make waffles for breakfast most Saturday mornings, but sometimes it’s fun to get in the car and drive to have someone else make waffles.
Check out Ruth’s Diner up Emigration Canyon or The Park Cafe by Liberty Park in Salt Lake City for some epic breakfast options the whole family will appreciate.
5. Plan a road trip.
Here we go.
Utah has five national parks within a day’s drive, and if you live along the Wasatch Front, the mountains are so close you could reach out and touch them.
Charge up the battery on your camera, pack a sack lunch, and bring the family out to the Bonneville Salt Flats. While you’re there, take some new pictures of each of your family members to post on Facebook, and set your camera on a timer for an awesome and unique family photo that you can frame and hang in your hallway.
6. Spend a day at the pool.
The Murray Aquatic Center has a fun leisure pool with a lazy river, 3-story water slide and jungle jim for the kids. This Summer, the outdoor pool will open, and will be a great way to cool off from the heat.
7. Go zip-lining!
Get your adrenaline pumping, and your family’s hearts racing on a local zip-line!
This is a great chance to teach your kids about facing their fears. Zip-lining can be pretty terrifying for someone who’s never done it before, but the thrills can easily outweigh the little bit of apprehension.
The Mountain Flyer at Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort is the perfect way to enjoy fresh, mountain air and the joy of soaring down the mountain.
8. Spend an evening at a bowling alley.
Not only is bowling with the family fun, but it can really be a bonding experience.
Your kids may not know the ins and outs of the sport, but you can teach them the basics, and cheer them on when it’s their turn.
Check out Fat Cat’s in Salt Lake City, and their arcade, glow in the dark mini golf and billiards tables too.
9. Go fishing.
Kokanee Salmon from today at Strawberry Reservoir #Utah #wildlife #fish #Gopro
Fishing is a great opportunity to teach kids about responsibility and a new skill that will take them into adulthood.
There are plenty of great community fisheries around Salt Lake, such as Willow Pond in Murray or the Sandy Urban Fishery. You can also plan a day trip to one of Utah’s reservoirs, such Jordanelle, Strawberry or Deer Creek.
You can totally do this!
Hopefully your Spring and Summer plans are easier to make now that you have an idea of what you want to do.
Get started by making your own bucket list, with approximate dates and times you want to do each activity, and the addresses of each destination.
Leave a comment below and tell me what you have planned this year!
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