Save the Date
Sat, Jun 2: Nature Connects with LEGO Bricks at Red Butte Garden
Sat, Jun 30: World Connections Children's Festival at Discovery Gateway Children's Museum
Mon, Jul 2: Utah Symphony at the Waterfall Amphitheater at Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point
Mon, Jul 9: MONDAY FAMILY NIGHT - The Mood Swings Band - Red Butte Garden at Red Butte Garden
Sat, Jul 14: Biggest Family Shower Ever at Salt Palace Convention Center
Fri, Aug 3: LDS Family Festival at Mountain America Expo Center
Sat, Aug 11: Kids Obstacle Challenge - Salt Lake City at Soldier Hollow
*Some events may have additional dates. Click through to see more information.
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
"The best thing about your newsletter," said a reader who met me in person at an event last June, "is the sheer number of things to do in my community, stuff that I didn't already know about, and the fact that they're just packed in there, all in one handy place."
"Thanks!" I said. I may have glowed a little.
"And the worst thing about your newsletter," she continued, "is the guilt trip."
"Er..."
"Oh, I know you don't mean to lay a guilt trip on us," she said. "But every single one of your readers wants to be the best parent possible, and that means taking advantage of all of these wonderful opportunities. But it means we read about so much we can't do. Especially in summer."
She's right, in one sense, of course. June and July are the two most heavily-packed months of the calendar in terms of family fun: The kids are out of school, Americans are ready for recreation, and the communities respond. Each organization gets to post its own events on our calendar (it's free to do so), we choose a bunch of those to feature in the newsletter, and so what's happening is right there in front of you. So I get her point: It can feel like pressure to do it all.
I'm here today to take that pressure, and the guilt, off. Ego te absolvo. Sure, good parents try to expose their kids to all kinds of things their communities offer. But no one has the time, money, or energy to do it all. This stuff needs to be spread out over a childhood, folks, not packed into a single summer, much less a single weekend. So sure, make a family bucket list for summer. (A great way to do that is to take our annual survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids, which is open through June 16.) Make sure to use the links to everything that's free on our site (green menu bar, on the left) to go easy on your wallets. Use our 50 Ways to Love Your Summer for ideas that require zero technology, zero travel, and zero dollars.
But don't worry about grading yourselves. The only prize is the summer that's right for your family.
—Debra Ross, publisher
KidsOutAndAbout's 2018 survey of the Top 20 places to take kids in our area is hopping!
Support your favorite local places in our annual survey of the Top 20 places to take kids, plus voting in 9 other categories. We do this each year from mid-May to mid-June as a way BOTH of kicking off the summer AND to celebrate the best our region has to offer. It takes just 3 minutes to vote, and by doing so you'll be able to see dozens and dozens of great places to take kids nearby, all in one place. It's the perfect way to create your summer bucket list!
Current leaders for Favorite Indoor Play are:
Make YOUR voice heard. Click here to vote!
Natural History Museum of Utah 2018 Summer Camp Newsletter
The Natural History Museum of Utah has an amazing selection of natural science and STEAM-related Summer Camps lined up for kids this summer. In our 20th year of providing engaging youth programming, NHMU’s experienced Summer Camp staff is once again teaming up with exciting community partners to create a diverse camp lineup. With more than 70 camp sessions scheduled over 10 weeks, exploring everything from the Great Salt Lake to robotics and coding, NHMU has the perfect summertime adventure for your child entering K–8th grades. See what memorable experiences NHMU can offer your child by visiting nhmu.utah.edu/summer-camp.
Little Scientist
Children are encouraged to ask questions about nature and to seek answers through collecting things, counting and measuring, making observations, and experimenting. Made possible by the Henry W. and Leslie M. Eskuche Foundation, AT&T, Lawrence T. And Janet T. Dee Foundation, and the Ruth Eleanor and John Ernest Bamberger Memorial Foundation. For children ages 2 – 5 years. Parents must remain with their child during entire session. Sign up to participate at the Info Desk. Limit 12 students per class.
Click here for more information.
The Music Man
Seventy-six Trombones - Here they come! This classic Broadway/Film blockbuster bursts onto Hale's world-class stage with sparkling dancing and celebrated songs ... Lida Rose ... Goodnight, My Someone ... By Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey. Get in line! Join the band! March to your seats! Don't miss this parade!
Click here for more information.
Places to Pick Strawberries, Cherries, Berries, and Other Summer Fruit in Salt Lake City area
Fruit picking is a great activity to do together as a family. It helps little ones understand where their food actually comes from, and it's a fun tradition to share every year right through the teens. Here's where you can go for strawberry picking, cherry picking, blueberry picking, raspberry picking, peach picking, and other pick-your-own opportunities all around Salt Lake City.
Click here for more information.
Family Game Night
Looking for a fantastic Friday night activity? On the first and third Friday of every month from 5:30-7:30 pm, get your game on with a variety of classic and new board games during our Family Game Night. Family Game Night is a family-focused evening for kids and parents of all ages.
Click here for more information.
Family Nature Club
Want to get out into nature, but you’re not sure where to go or how to do it? Join Utah’s Hogle Zoo for a monthly outing to learn more about the world around us, get outside, and have some fun! We’ll bring the tools and information you need; you bring enough water to drink and the right clothes to enjoy a morning outdoors.
Click here for more information.
Birdosity
Have you ever wondered about winged warblers? Have you been curious about carnivorous condors? Come explore at our Birdosity program. Discover the life of birds, brush up on your identification skills and learn about a variety of bird related topics. Whether you are an eggs-pert or have a new found love of birds, Birdosity is a program the whole family will enjoy.
Click here for more information.
Music in Motion
Sing, dance, and explore with musical instruments! Children learn to express themselves creatively through sound and movement in this class. Made possible by Salt Lake County Zoo Arts & Parks, Wells Fargo, and Snell & Wilmer Foundation. Class for children 18 months and older. Parents must remain with their child during entire session. Sign up to participate at the information desk. Limit 12 students per class.
Click here for more information.
Faith to Grow - Simple Gardening with Children: a KidsOutAndAbout resource
Gardening with children provides a wonderful opportunity to do something special together that will inspire wonder and maybe encourage them to try something new. Our article includes easy plants to grow with children, garden tools for children, and encouragement that even if you're not a gardener, plants will grow!
Click here for more information.
A Week-by-Week Guide to Summer Camps around Salt Lake City
Looking for a summer camp for your child in the Salt Lake City area? Look no further! Dozens of summer camps post: day camps, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, preschool, & more! They are presented week by week through summer 2018.
Click here for more information.
