Budget-friendly activities to keep kids from getting bored this summer
Jun 5, 2018, 9:55 PM | Updated: Feb 7, 2023, 11:20 am
Here’s a summertime dilemma: How can you keep the kids from getting bored without you having to declare bankruptcy? We have 10 ideas to help you do just that.
Treehouse Museum
Don’t let the word museum fool you, it’s no ordinary museum. It’s packed with 30-plus interactive exhibits that will allow kids create, imagine and play as they learn about the arts and sciences, geography, history and much more.
$7 Kids, $5 Adults
Free Fishing Day
Saturday, June 9, is free fishing day in Utah. No need for fishing licenses, as community ponds and reservoirs across the state are stocked full of fish for anglers of all ages.
Red Butte Garden
Exploration lies ahead at Red Butte Garden where Tuesday, July 24, is free entry thanks to the Zoo, Arts & Park program. You’ve got mazes, a splash pad, waterfall, hiking trails, the beautiful gardens themselves and the Nature Connect LEGO exhibit featuring 14 incredible LEGO exhibits that show us how we’re tied to the natural world.
$7 Kids, $14 Adults; July 24th – Free Day
Farmers Markets
There are dozens of farmers markets up and running throughout the season. You’ll find local artisans, live music, and games, not to mention all the great food that perhaps your kids might even try (Good luck!). Edible Wasatch has a huge list of Utah’s farmers markets with the details such as dates and locations.
Kids Bowl Free
Eight Utah bowling alleys participate in the national Kids Bowl Free campaign that lets kids 15 and under knock down pins for free, up to two games each day this summer. Visit the website to register your young bowlers so they can get the coupons they need to bowl free. The program does not cover shoe rentals.
Geocaching
Geocaching is the ultimate treasure hunt and it’ll cost you practically nothing to take the kids and gadgets outside. There are hundreds if not thousands of caches carefully stashed in Utah, just waiting to be discovered. All you need to do is to login to a website, look up GPS coordinates and start your search.
Splash Pads
When it comes to cooling off in a fun, FREE way, nothing beats your local splash pad. Many Wasatch Front cities have one with an incredibly budget friendly admission price of zip, zilch, zero. Coupons 4 Utah has compiled a lengthy list of scores of pads from around the state.
Burraston Ponds
Another free swimming adventure awaits in Mona, about a half-hour south of Provo. Several trees along the Burraston Ponds have platforms and ropes you can use to swing way, WAY out over the water.
Outdoor Evening Movies
When the sun goes down and the stars come out, there’s no shortage of free outdoor evening movies. From the State Capitol to Snowbird to Saratoga Springs, they’re nearly everywhere in Utah. Our colleagues at KSL.com have posted a huge list of free and family-friendly movies.
Summer Events at the Library
Public libraries around Utah have calendars filled with events throughout the summer. From puppet shows to computer coding to games, kids will have plenty to choose from to keep them busy.
