Introduction
Winter in Utah is nothing short of magical, and it brings a unique set of seasonal activities and events that can’t be enjoyed any other time of year. But as temperatures drop, it can be tempting to hunker down at home and getting out of the house can feel like an effort.
Finding affordable, engaging, and weather-friendly ways to spend time with your family is essential, especially during the winter months when we often feel cooped up. Embracing winter with fun family activities can boost everyone’s mood and strengthen bonds, and while staying home may seem easier, winter outings are an excellent way to bond as a family and embrace the magic of the season.
In this post, we’ll discuss why getting out during winter is important, the benefits of seasonal family activities and share a list of 15 winter-only experiences in the greater Salt Lake City area that are perfect for kids of all ages. Let’s make the most of the snowy season!
How to Prepare
To ensure smooth and enjoyable outings, follow these steps:
Layer Up: Dress your kids in warm, waterproof layers. Bring extra gloves, hats, and socks.
Pack Essentials: Snacks, water, a first aid kit, and hand warmers are must-haves.
Plan Ahead: Check activity schedules, weather conditions and requirements like reservations or fees.
Set Expectations: Prepare kids for what they’ll experience and plan breaks to avoid overtiring them.
Stay Flexible: Winter activities can depend on weather; always have a backup plan.
Family-Friendly Winter Activity Ideas In Utah - 2024
Location: 2600 Sunnyside Ave S, Salt Lake City, UT
Cost: $18.95 adults, $15.95 ages 3-12, free ages 2 and under. Discounts available for Zoo members.
Date: December 1, 2024 - January 5, 2025. Check the Hogle Zoo website for closure dates.
Hours: 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Duration: 2-3 hours
Tips: Dress warmly and bring a camera for photos with light displays.
The Hogle Zoo transforms into a winter wonderland with its dazzling ZooLights event. Families can stroll through nature-focused and holiday-themed light displays and even visit Santa. It’s a magical experience your kids will love!
Location: 500 West Center Street, Provo, UT 84601
Cost: Free
Date: December 7, 2024
Hours: 4:00 - 8:00 PM. Tree lighting at 5:15 PM.
Duration: 2-4 hours
Tips: Dress warmly and arrive early to beat the crowds if you plan to do any shopping.
Join friends and neighbors to celebrate the first 2024 lighting of the Provo City Christmas tree! This event not only features a tree lighting ceremony, but also includes a meet and greet with Santa, live music, snow dog petting, food trucks and a variety of ice sculptures. In addition to all of that, you can do some holiday shopping at the market of local artisan vendors! With so many options, this event is great for the whole family.
Location: Mountain America Exposition Center. 9575 State St, Sandy, UT 84070
Cost: $10 adults, $7 kids, free ages 2 and under. Family discounts available, view website for details.
Date: December 4 - December 7, 2024
Hours: 10 AM - 9 PM
Duration: 1-2 hours
Tips: Plan ahead to allow yourself plenty of time to find parking.
This charity-driven event benefits the children at Primary Children’s Hospital. Attendees can enjoy live entertainment, participate in a silent auction, snack on holiday-themed treats and view beautifully decorated trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses.
Location: Soldier Hollow Nordic Center. 2002 Soldier Hollow Ln, Midway, UT
Cost: $30 - $55 depending on day and time.
Date: Opens for the 2024 season on Saturday, December 14.
Hours: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Duration: 2 hours
Tips: Reserve slots online ahead of time to ensure availability and to receive best pricing. No children under 3 allowed.
For an adrenaline-pumping winter experience, Soldier Hollow offers the longest tubing lanes in Utah at 1,200 ft long, and their conveyor lift makes it easy for young kids to participate.
Location: Salt Lake County Fairgrounds. 11161 S 2200 W
South Jordan, UT 84095
Cost: $40 per vehicle
Hours: 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Duration: 30-45 minutes
Tips: Tune your car radio to the designated station for synchronized music.
Stay cozy in your car as you drive through a mesmerizing display of lights synced to holiday music.
Location: Wasatch Mountain State Park. 1251 N Warm Springs
Midway, UT 84049
Cost: $10 per vehicle (plus equipment rentals if needed)
Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Duration: 3-4 hours
Tips: If needed, ski and snowshoe rentals are available at the park’s visitor center in Midway.
Introduce (or remind) your kids to the beauty of winter hiking with snowshoes or cross-country skiing! This is a quieter alternative to crowded ski resorts and a great way to experience nature in winter. Wasatch Mountain State Park maintains a beautiful, family-friendly 7.2 mile track for snowshoeing and cross-county skiing, which offers both flat and hilly terrain. There is something here for every member of your family, regardless of your experience level!
Location: Canyon View Park, 3300 E. Powerhouse Rd.
Cost: $10 online, $15 in person
Date: November 28, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Hours: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Duration: 30 minutes
Tips: This is a very popular attraction. Purchase tickets online in advance to ensure you will be able to get in!
Turn on your radio to 99.7 FM to listen to holiday music as you drive through the displays.
Location: Richard K. Hemingway Orangerie at Red Butte Garden. 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT
Cost: $15 general public, $12 members
Date: December 21, 2024
Hours: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Duration: 3 hours
Tips: Take a walk around the gardens after the celebration for some added fun.
This festive and meaningful gathering teaches attendees about the traditions behind the winter solstice from cultures around the world! You and your family will be able to create winter-themed crafts, play games and make your own solstice wishes to usher in the new year.
Location: Soldier Hollow Nordic Center, 2002 Olympic Drive, Midway, Utah 84049.
Cost: $26 ages 12+, $17 ages 4-11, free ages 3 and under.
Date: January 17 - February 8, 2025
Hours: 5:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Duration: 1-2 hours
Tips: Book tickets early as they often sell out.
Step into a frozen fairy tale! Kids can explore and marvel at this one-of-a-kind winter attraction made of hundreds of thousands of icicles that are placed by professional artists. The Ice Castles feature tunnels, slides, and sculptures made entirely of ice. This one-of-a-kind experience will leave the whole family in awe.
Location: 239 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT
Cost: $14 adults, $12 ages 4-11, $5 ages 3 and under. Price includes skate rentals, discounts available if you bring your own. Check website for details.
Date: November 22, 2024 - Early March 2025
Hours: 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM weekdays, longer on weekends
Duration: 1-2 hours
Tips: Arrive early for the best skate sizes.
Bundle up and enjoy skating under twinkling lights. The rink is beginner-friendly and perfect for little ones learning to glide.
Location: 1330 E 2100 S, Salt Lake City, UT
Cost: Free
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Duration: 1-2 hours
Tips: Bring your own sled and check the hill’s snow conditions.
A local favorite, Sugarhouse Park’s sledding hill offers thrills for kids and parents alike.
Location: The Tree Room. 8841 N Alpine Lp Rd, Sundance, UT 84604
Cost: $49 adults, $35 ages 4-12, free ages 3 and under.
Date: December 14 and 21, 2024
Hours: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Duration: 1.5 hours
Tips: Take a walk around the resort property afterwards to soak in the mountain air and beautiful scenery.
Join Santa for a delicious brunch at the Tree Room and make memories that will last forever! Your kids can enjoy one-on-one time with Saint Nick as you enjoy a festive meal in a beautiful, cheerful atmosphere.
Location: Ogden Municipal Building. 2549 Washington Blvd, Ogden, UT 84401
Cost: Free
Date: November 30, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Hours: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM weekdays, later on weekends.
Duration: 1 hour
Tips: Take a walk around the resort property afterwards to soak in the mountain air and beautiful scenery.
Come visit this village to see what makes it one of USA Today’s Top 20 Best Holiday Lights Displays in America! The Christmas Village is modeled after Santa’s village at the North Pole and features an amazing display of lights with a variety of small structures and holiday displays.
Santa makes free visits to the Christmas Village every Monday through Friday from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and on Saturday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM It is free to see Santa. Additionally, you can bring your preschool aged kids between 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Tuesday-Friday to participate in a guided tour given by Mrs. Claus! To set up a tour, call Ogden City at 801-629-8252.
Location: Heber Valley Railroad Depot, 450 South 600 West, Heber City, Utah.
Cost: $49 adults, $35 ages 4-12, free ages 3 and under.
Date: November 20 - December 30, 2024
Hours: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM weekdays, 12:00 PM - 7:30 PM on Saturdays.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Tips: Reserve tickets online in advance as they sell out very quickly!
Take a trip to the North Pole on the North Pole Express train ride! Join hosts, elves, cocoa chefs and other special guests in singing along to Christmas songs. Each child gets to meet with Santa and receive a special gift from him, and all passengers receive hot chocolate, a chocolate chip cookie and a souvenir mug.
Location: JQ Lawson Capitol Theatre. 50 W 200 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Cost: $36+
Date: December 6 - December 28, 2024
Hours: 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM depending on the day of the week.
Duration: 2 hours
Tips: Recommended for ages 5 and up. No children under age 3 permitted.
For older kids, this performance of The Nutcracker is a unique and awe-inspiring opportunity to see a classic Christmas story reenacted in a beautiful way. Some showtimes offer a meet-and-greet with Santa and the main characters of the show!
The Importance of Getting Out of the House in Winter
As temperatures drop, it’s easy to fall into the habit of staying indoors, but doing so can leave your family feeling restless and disconnected. Studies show that spending time outdoors and engaging in activities can combat seasonal depression, reduce stress, and promote physical health for both parents and children.
Winter is the perfect time to explore the season’s unique offerings, from festive lights to snow-filled adventures.
Family outings are an opportunity to connect, destress and foster lifelong memories for kids and parents alike. For kids, active play is crucial for their development. Whether it’s exploring nature or engaging in hands-on learning, these fun and seasonal experiences can build creativity, social skills and resilience. For parents, family outings can create cherished memories while fostering closer connections.
No matter what activities you and your family enjoy, winter in Utah provides a wealth of seasonal options to make the chilly months enjoyable for everyone.
Benefits of Wintertime Family Activities
Appreciation of Nature and Seasons: Engaging in winter-specific activities helps children appreciate the beauty and fun of the colder months. When kids experience the unique things that winter offers, like snow-covered trees and animal prints on the snow, they learn more about the world around them.
Sensory Stimulation: Winter brings a variety of different sensory experiences for kids. When they feel the cold air on their face, hear snow crunch beneath their boots, or see snowflakes on their gloves, they are developing valuable sensory processing skills while enjoying new and exciting experiences.
Physical Health: Staying active in winter prevents sedentary habits. Activities like sledding or visiting indoor play centers ensure your kids stay healthy and strong, and can improve coordination, balance, and strength.
Motor Skills Enhancement: Whether your younger kiddos are learning to put on their gloves or your older kiddo is crafting snowflakes, winter offers a unique opportunity for kids to develop their motor skills.
Resilience and Risk-Management: Let's face it— winter can be unpleasant if you're not properly prepared both physically AND mentally. From walking in an icy parking lot to ice skating, winter presents a unique and important opportunity for kids to develop mental resilience and a better understanding of how to manage risky situations like walking on ice.
Mind-body connection: Participating in activities like snowshoeing, sledding and ice skating helps kids develop their spatial awareness and coordination, a crucial aspect of their development!
Mental Well-Being: Outdoor winter play increases endorphins and reduces stress for both kids and adults, helping to combat the “winter blues.”
Family Bonding: Shared experiences during the holidays or snowy adventures strengthen emotional bonds.
Social Interaction: Group activities like sledding or building a snowman allow kids to make new friends and practice teamwork while giving parents a chance to connect with other families. These social interactions aren't just fun for kids but crucial for their socio-emotional development. It's a win-win!
Cultural and Community Connection: Participating in winter festivals and local events creates a sense of belonging and enriches children’s understanding of their community.
Tips and Reminders
Plan Ahead: Check weather and road conditions before heading out. Buy tickets online in advance whenever possible to avoid delays or the risk of being turned away.
Be Flexible: Things like weather conditions, business hours, and even the moods of your family members can change quickly, so always be sure to have a backup plan.
Capture the Moment: Bring a camera to document your adventures and tag us on Instagram or Facebook!
Closing
Utah is brimming with family-friendly winter activities and adventures that make this season exciting for families. By embracing the weather, you can create lasting memories, stay active and experience the beauty of Utah in winter!
Like these ideas? Bring a camera along to document your adventures and tag us on our Instagram or Facebook!
About Us
Lollipops Daycare & Preschool is a licensed childcare center in Utah with seven locations throughout Salt Lake County and Utah County. We proudly go beyond basic health and safety requirements to provide a warm, nurturing and stimulating environment which supports the physical, social-emotional and cognitive development of every child in our care. To learn more about our services or schedule a tour, give us a call at (801) 509-5411, or send us a message through our contact form.
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