9 Fun Activities for Utah Families This Winter
At My Childcare Academy, we love to see our families getting out and having fun! As temperatures drop in Utah, finding fun things to do can require some creative planning. To make life a little easier, we’ve made a list of some of our favorite attractions and activities for Utah families this winter. Whether you like to play in the snow, see festive lights, or stay warm inside, there is something for everyone!
Did you know that Utah is home to five national parks? Known for majestic red rock landscapes, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches all span the southern half of the state and are open to the public during winter months. We recommend dressing in layers—especially if you’re planning on a family hike—and exploring more than one park if you have the chance!
If you love festive light shows, you won’t want to miss out on Luminaria. Walk around Thanksgiving Point’s Ashton Gardens, transformed into a mile-long winter wonderland. Enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and check out the attraction during New Year’s Eve for a festive fireworks display. This event goes from November 17 – December 31, 2022.
Another must-see light show is Christmas in Color at the Salt Lake County Equestrian Park in South Jordan, UT. Drive through an interactive experience that syncs up with your car radio, and features over one million holiday lights.
If you want to mix things up a little, the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake will be lit up during the Christmas season as well! Stroll through the zoo after dark and see if you can spot any animals among the amazing light displays.
If you’ve never visited the Ice Castles in Utah, you’re missing out! Walk through breathtaking LED-lit structures made by professional ice artists, sit on an icy throne, and slide down an ice tunnel with your family at this amazing attraction. Tickets go on sale on November 28, 2022.
There’s a reason millions of people flock to Utah during the winter months each year to ski. The Wasatch mountains have beautiful deep-powder snow, perfect for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. Visit one of the many resorts in Salt Lake, or venture a little further for fan-favorite spots like Sundance and Park City. If you’re new to winter sports, Utah’s resorts offer professional lessons and equipment rental as well.
Since 2012, this German Christmas Market has drawn hundreds of families to Salt Lake City. The Christkindlmarkt features local vendors, festive parades, pictures with St. Nikolaus, and a live Nativity. Be sure to check out this event from November 30th – December 3rd, 2022!
The world-renowned Sundance Film Festival will be back this January 19 – 20, 2023. Explore beautiful Park City dining and shopping, and be part of the excitement by catching a family-friendly flick. Tickets go on sale on January 12, 2023.
Take your family for a magical sleigh ride this winter at Deer Valley Resort in Park City! Bundle up under a blanket and experience a whimsical horse-drawn ride with up to 14 family members. Bring the whole family along with everyone’s friends, because there’s plenty of room!
You can’t beat soaking in a natural hot spring, surrounded by a snowy landscape. Visit one of Utah’s many natural hot springs this winter! We highly recommend Crystal Hot Springs, located in Honeyville (near Brigham City), just off the 1-15. There are campgrounds nearby and multiple water slides to play on. It’s a great place to relax, warm up, and have a great time in nature!
Nothing quite says wintertime like ice skating. Northern Utah boasts a variety of well-known ice skating rinks like the Utah Olympic Oval and the rink at Gallivan Plaza. If you’re looking for a less popular rink, we recommend The Ice Ribbon at J. Lynn Crane Park in Herriman. It’s a beautiful outdoor ice rink and has a food truck that sells hot chocolate and s’mores supplies to roast over the fire pits.
Whatever you plan on doing with your family this winter, there are plenty of options to stay busy and have fun!
What Makes My Childcare Academy Unique
Children in our care are actively engaged in fun learning activities every single day. We love focusing these activities around themes, and we are very excited to celebrate the winter months with festive art projects, snow-themed science experiments, holiday music lessons, and lots of fun outdoor play. This is one of our favorite times of the year!
If you’d like to have your child join the fun, contact us today to get more information, and schedule a tour!