Farmington Christmas

Along with the Festival of Wreaths and Utah's boutique & Craft show, there is entertainment from local singing and dancing groups. There is als a carnival for children and the show "Babes in Toyland". The festival is located at the Davis County Event & Legacy Center (the former Davis County Fairgrounds).
The merriment runs Nov. 16-Nov 18.

Christmas Mini Concerts

FM 100 has half hour mini concerts at the ZCMI mall from Nov.17-Dec.21. Concerts are free (and parking is free for 2 hours). The concerts are a fun way to hear different Utah musicians. To find info. look at
www.fm100.com

Fun Parks

Here are a couple great parks that are pretty unique.

The International Peace park is very unique and a great place for kids to run and climb and play. It is a large park, with areas representing different countries. From a mini alps, to Korean lions, to Japanese bridges over a small stream, this park is worth a visit.
Located: 9th West and about 10th South in SLC.


Castle Park in Nicholls Park is a large playground that is built like a castle. There are swings, sandbox, tire swings, ladders, etc. There is an area for younger kids, and then the castle part is great for older kids, too. Plus, a great bonus on hot summer days is that one area sprays a mist of water when you push a button.
Located: Take 89 North, the street after Cherry Hill Park is Nicholls Rd, turn left and the park is shortly on your right.

SLC Art Galleries

Alice Merrill Horne Gallery
617 East South Temple (801)533-3581
www.arts.utah.org
Mon-Fri 9-5

Art Access Gallery
339 West Pierpont (801) 328-0703
www.accessart.org
Mon-Fri 10-5

Finch Lane Gallery-Art Barn
54 Finch Lane (801)596-5000
Mon-Fri (;30-5;Sun 1-4

Rio Gallery
300 Rio Grande St (801)533-3582
www.arts.utah.org
Mon-Fri 9-5

SLC Free Museums P-Z

Pioneer Memorial Museum
300 N. Main (801)532-6479
www.dupinternational.org
Mon-Sat 9-5
*Not super kid friendly for toddlers, other than the fact that there is a lot of space that they can run around. Luckily, almost everything is displayed behind glass and away from little fingers

Salt Lake Art Center
20 S. West Temple (801)328-4201
www.slartcenter.org
Mon-Thurs, Sat 10-5; Fri 10-9pm, Sun 1-5

Salt Lake County Art Collection
2001 S. State Street (801)468-3517
www.finearts.slco.org
Mon-Fri 8-6pm

Utah State Historical Society Museum
300 Rio Grande (801)533-3500
http://history.utah.gov
Mon-Fri 8-5;Sat 9-1

Wheeler Historic Farm
6351 S. 900 E. (801)264-2241
www.wheelerfarm.com
dawn to dusk. charge for farm-wagon rides, house tours, & special events

SLC Free Museums A-M

Beehive House
67 E. South Temple (801) 240-2681
9:30-4:30pm
*Kind of fun to go through once. It is definitely for older children...or maybe just older people. My kids had fun running around the halls (much to the chagrine I'm sure of the missionary guides) and at least it was something interesting to look at

Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Art
Center of Lberty Park
www.folkartsmuseum.org

Fort Douglas Military Museum
32 Potter Street, Fort Douglas (801)581-1710
www.fortdouglas.org
Tues-Sat 12-5pm

Girl Scouts of Utah Heritage Museum
445 E. 4500S. (801)265-8472
www.gsutah.org
Mon-Fri. 8:30-5pm

Hellenic Cultural Museum
279 S. 300 W. Lower level of Cathedral (801)328-9681

Museum of Church History and Art
45 N. West Temple (801)240-4615 for office; (801)240-3310 for info.
Mon-Fri 9-9; Sat-Sun 10-7
*Big thumbs up. It had exhibits for older kids, and my little ones LOVED the kids room, where they have some things just for kids to do.

Museum of Utah Art & History
125 S. Main Street (801)255-5554
www.muanet.org.
Tues.-Sun. 11-3; $3 suggested donation

Fairmount Aquatic Center

Located in Sugarhouse, this is very kid friendly! There are fountains, slide, and the pool slopes slowly, so little ones can sit on the side. Plus, the water is plenty warm for indoor winter water fun. For a daily pass, prices range from $1 (under 3) to $4.50 for adults. You can get monthly or yearly passes. You can take lessons there and there is a playground outside.

Location: 1044 E. Sugarmont Dr. in SLC.
(801) 486-5867

Website for Museums

A great website for info. on museums around Utah is

www.community.utah.gov/museum_services

Navigating it will give you access to all different small museums, cultural events, etc.

Candy Factory

A really fun activity for preschool and elementary kids is touring a candy factory. Sweets is great and FREE. The tour takes about 40 minutes, and plan on walking a lot. You must call ahead for an appointment at (801) 886-1444. My friends kids absolutely loved it.

for more info:
www.sweetcandy.com/index.php?content=press&idx=35

Other options:
Kencraft in Alpine has viewing windows for self tour. Call ahead.
www.kencraftcandy.com

Taffy Town in SLC has a video, but is currently closed with remodelling. Their website is:
www.taffytown.com

Mrs. Cavanaughs has a 45 minute tour on Tues. & Thurs. but does have a fee of $2.50-$4 for everyone over 5. www.mrscavanaughs.com/factorytours.html

Halloween fun

There are a number of places with corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and haunted houses all over UT. Thanksgiving point has a very large Halloween area, including a gigantic corn maze. Last year I went to a lovely little farm that had a small (and free) corn maze just the right size for preschoolers. You could also pick a pumpkin from their patch and take pictures with the scarecrows. You take the Farmington exit, head west, and follow the signs. There are a number of other ones in Syracuse, but I've never been there.

Gardiner Village Halloween

Gardiner Village hosts lots of fun activities around Halloween. They have a petting zoo; there is also pony rides, a horse-drawn wagonette ride with a witch (on Mon, Fri, and Sat. evenings), and of course, their witches displays... with tons of costumed witches in every corner. There is also a witches night out Oct. 20 & 21, where you can come in costume to enjoy live music, raffles, and lots of fun. I think Gardiner village is cute anyway, but Halloween must be the most fun.

Country dancing at Westerner

When we first saw the large "Absolutely no weapons allowed" sign on the front door, we kind of wondered about the place. But we had so much fun! Early each night they have different things, from a class to learn the Western Swing, to Line Dancing, to Texas Two-Step. Then there is dancing and live music on Friday dn Saturday nights. Covercharge free before 7:30, and membership fees are only $4 for 3 weeks or $20 for the year. Great way to try something different.

Located: 3360 south Redwood Rd. (1700 west) (801)972-5447
www.westernerclub.com

Scarecrow Festival

Get ready for Halloween! Sandy has an annual scarecrow festival each year with a petting zoo, games, performances from local groups, food and games. Tons of fun. It's an annual don't miss treat. This year it runs from Oct. 12-14. Kids under 5 get wrist bands for $5 so they can do pretty much everything, but admission to the festival is free.

For directions and info: call 282-1040 or sandy.utah.gov

Christmas Lights on Temple Square

Temple Square is always kept beautiful, but Christmas is especially lovely, with tons of Christmas lights. The lights are turned on Friday, November 24 and are definitely worth a visit with the family! An ariel view can be seen at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (across from the ZCMI mall) on the floor with the Garden and Roof restaurants (also a nice place to stop).

Temple Square Christmas Concerts

Free concerts on temple square. Most of them are local choirs and music groups in an informal setting. Great for small kids (where you don't want to pay money to sit for 5 minutes before your toddler takes off).

They run from November 25-December 23. Location and times as follows:
Assembly Hall - Tuesday-Sunday 5:30, 6:30, 7:30, 8:30
South Visitor Center - Tuesday-Sunday 6:00, 7:00, 8:00
Joseph Smith Memorial Building - Monday-Saturday 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00
Church Office Building - Monday-Friday 12:00, 1:00

Temple Square Concerts

On most Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30, you can find a free concert going on in the Assembly Hall on temple square. It is low-key; you can come and go as you like. For information, go under: lds.org and look under the link for temple square events

Thanksgiving Point

Thanksgiving Point has a number of things to do with children. Perhaps the funnest is the Farm, a petting zoo which includes a wagon ride or a pony ride. My daughter didn't want to get off the pony. They have all sorts of barnyard animals, and the price is only $3.50 for adults and $2.50 for ages 3-12. Cheap and lots of fun!

There is also the Museum of Ancient Life, a 3-D movie theater, and Gardens. (There is a small garden area for free, the rest costs). And of course, Thanksgiving Point often hosts special events, like the boo fest, corn maze, Holiday lights, and Museum Monday Nights.

web site: Thanksgivingpoint.com

Hogle Zoo

Lots of fun! Small zoo, but great exhibits. My kids LOVE it! I think the animals are more active around 10am ish. There is a great playground and a train that is only 75 cents. Memberships are $50-75 for families.

Free days: Last Wed. of each month from November thru February.

Website: www.hoglezoo.org

Utah Museum of Natural History

A small museum, but very kid friendly! There aren't a lot of exhibits, but the ones they have are well done. My daughter loved the exhibit with native Utah animals. Plus there is a playroom on the main floor with toys for young ones and where you can watch an archeologist at work (if you can take your eyes off of the kids).

Free: First Monday of each month is free! Parking is free, just pick up a pass at the front desk.

website: www.umnh.utah.edu

Red Butte Garden

Beautifully, well kept gardens. Very child friendly. There is a children's section in the garden that my kids loved: from climbing on statues of large lizards, wandering around a garden maze, to playing in their water fountain. There is also another section where kids can feed large goldfish. The dinasour exhibit ends Oct. 30, so hurry in. Fun exhibit!

And of course, free days: Arbor Day: April 28, Pioneer day: July 24, Labor Day: Sept. 4, and Holiday Open House & Craft Fair Dec. 2 & 3rd

www.redbuttegarden.org

Museum of Fine Art

Museum better for older kids. I think. Actually, when I went, they were closed (closed on Mondays). But, the museum is free the 1st Wednesday each month. And kids under 6 are always free.

Website: www.umfa.utah.edu

Free events pass

SLC Library offers a steal deal for SLC library cardholders. Once every 6 month, you can pick up a pass that will get you into the Children's Museum, the Art Museum, the Natural History Museum, and Red Butte Garden for FREE! And not just you, but 3 other people, too.

All you have to do is go to the checkout desk on the first day of the month and ask for a community events pass. Each SLC library only has I believe 8 passes, so go early. Fun and FREE!

Discovery Gateway

Discovery Gateway is a lot of fun for kids of all different ages. The bottom floor is geared for toddler and preschoolers, while the upper floors have lots of things to do for elementary school kids. My kids LOVE it.

Tickets are kind of pricey. For locals over the age of one, admission is $8.50. You get a wrist band, which allows you to leave and come back. Their memberships begin at $115 for 4 people. Don't forget, you are still paying for parking, too (although they do have discounted parking tickets.

My overall opinion: Love it, but way overpriced. However, it's a really fun place to go during bad winter days. I just don't want to think about all of the germs that my kids picked up chewing on the toys.

Free days: 5-9pm of the first Monday of each month, but call first because they only have it if they have a sponsor.

website: www.discoverygateway.org phone: 801-456-KIDS