Schools in Utah are getting close to letting out for the summer and it’s time to start making plans for what you want to do this year. Avoid summer boredom by planning ahead. You’ll find that having fun doesn’t always need to cost money and there are several places and events available in Utah for your family. You might try having each member of the family write down and prioritize their ideas from this list and others they think of.
- Picnic and outdoor games at a local park
- Hiking, hot dogs and smores up the canyon
- Swimming at a local pool
- Create art with sidewalk chalk with the sidewalk as a canvas
- Water fun with a kiddie pool/sprinklers
- Attend Kids Workshops at Home Depot to build fun projects out of wood
- Library story time (some have special summer programs)
- Dollar movie, kids can have fun watching a movie on the big screen
- Get the hose, water guns and water balloons for an all-out water fight (set some ground rules first)
- Play outdoor games such as Bocce Ball, Jarts and Latter Ball
- Start a book club in your family by reading a book the whole family can enjoy
- Utah is home to 3 fun jump places, including Kangaroo Zoo, Jump on It, and Jumpin Jacks
- Farmers markets are popular in Utah and a great place to get unique crafts and good home-grown food
- Explore ocean life with your family at an aquarium in Utah, such as the the Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy
- Yard sales are a good place to deals. Look in your local newspaper or on Craigslist for postings
- Take the family bowling, there are several bowling alleys in the Salt Lake City area
- Visit Utah’s Hogle Zoo and enjoy seeing all the animals
- If your kids are into sports, attend their events or play sports as a family
- Local plays or concerts are great entertainment for families
- Feed the ducks at a local pond or park
- Set up a scavenger hunt in your yard or neighborhood
- Play night games outdoors such as hide and seek or kick the can
- Lay under the stars and look for different constellations
- Visit a botanical garden to marvel at beautiful flowers
- Take the family window shopping along a main street to get out for a stroll
- Host a neighboorhood potluck block party to get to know your neighbors
- Get your kids into a summer reading program through your local library or school
- Go on a family bike ride up a paved trail
- Visit Thanksgiving Point for one of their summer events
- Get a variety of bubbles and wands and have a bubble blowing contest
- Build sandcastles in sand at a local park or home sandbox
- Set up a slip and slide in your yard or park for fun on a hot day
- Have a lemonade or sweet treats stand (make it more about having fun than the money)
- Enroll your kids in swimming lessons or teach them yourself
- Have a neighboorhood car wash
- Help the kids come up with a good cause and have a fundraiser
- Have a family talent show and help kids show their creative side
- Reorganize or redecorate your kids room for fun
- Make frozen treats together
- Have a barbeque and outdoor games
- Create fun summer-themed crafts with the kids
- Plant flower or care for a garden together
- Go for a nature walk and really listen to the birds and notice flowers and trees
- Visit a local museum for a more educational activity
- Take the family out for ice cream and let each choose their favorite scoop
- Have a family board game night with some yummy appetizers
- Go camping in tents in the backyard
- Plan a simple olympic games with the kids, involving obstacle courses and other challenging activites
- Ride a local tram, train or bus just to give kids the experience
- Give the kids props and costumes to put on a play for family and friends
Sources: Activites- My own ideas and from Family Education.
