Save the Date
Mon, Jul 9: Disney's My Son Pinocchio at Hale Centre Theatre, Sandy
Tue, Jul 10: For Teens By Teens: Taking Flight Nights: Water Health - Tracy Aviary
Thu, Jul 12: Superhero Party at South Jordan Community Center
Sat, Jul 14: The Biggest Family Shower Ever! - Salt Lake City at Salt Palace Convention Center
Tue, Jul 24: Pioneer Days - This Is the Place Heritage Park
Wed, Jul 25: Made in Utah Festival
*Some events may have additional dates. Click through to see more information.
Dear KidsOutAndAbout.com readers:
I care about what YOU care about. Seriously, I do.
That's why we asked the 13,000 people who took our annual survey this year from mid-May to mid-June what they care about when they're planning family travel. The results were fascinating, mostly because they were so similar all across the country. It didn't matter whether people live in Salt Lake or St. Louis, Phoenix or Buffalo or Denver: With only the tiniest of regional differences, y'all have a lot in common! Here are the factors that North American families regard as very important when planning family travel (4 or 5 on a scale of 1 to 5 in ranking importance).
Ability to keep costs low: 67%
Opportunities to be physically active: 64%
Things to do for a variety of kids' ages: 64%
Outdoors activities: 61%
Educational / cultural / learning activities: 53%
Driving distance: 49%
Internet accessibility: 37%
Must see something unusual / spectacular: 35%
Multigenerational travel: 32%
Special needs accommodations: 19%
Travel with pets: 17%
How similar is YOUR family to what's presented here? Mine is in that 17% who want to travel with pets, and I'm personally in the 37% who care deeply about internet access (I'm assuming you want to get your newsletter even when I'm on vacation, yes)?
I was happy to see that being physically active and being outside are almost as important as controlling costs... and of course so many of those types of activities, like hiking, are free, anyway. A little more than half of you want to make sure your vacation includes educational activities; I was about to be depressed at that low number when I realized that I'd just booked the Ross summer trip to Acadia National Park in Maine by giving a lot more thought to nature than to culture, so I stopped worrying. About a third of us want to travel with grandparents, and about 1 in 5 families need accommodations for special needs family members.
What's most important (well, to me, anyway) is that you bring us along on your trip: KidsOutAndAbout is in 36 regions in the U.S. and Canada. So just download the KOAA app for iPhone or head to our mobile-friendly site, choose your summer fun spot, and check out the calendar to plan some great activities when you're there. We'll be on our best behavior, we promise.
—Debra Ross, Publisher
Take Your Child to the Theater
Going to the theater is one of life’s great pleasures, but it can be intimidating when your kids are young. With theater in the park and special programs for families, summertime offers up tons of opportunities for relaxed, fun entertainment that will also teach your child how to be a good audience member. Our Strategic Content Editor Katie Beltramo asked theater professionals for some tips on how to help introduce kids to the magic of the stage.
Click here for more information.
Pioneer Day Celebrations in the Greater Salt Lake Area
Stomp your feet! Clap your hands! Get ready for some old-fashioned pioneer fun. Rodeos, parades, fireworks, western food, concerts--there are so many fun things for you and your family to enjoy.
Click here for more information.
This Year's Winners of the KidsOutAndAbout Top 20 Survey
Once again, our readers have spoken! Thousands of parents voted in the KidsOutAndAbout survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Our Top 20 results page includes a list of your top picks, including winners in special categories like favorite spot for indoor play, favorite nature center, favorite museum, and much more! Check out your fellow readers' favorites, and enjoy exploring the best of the region!
Click here for more information.
Enjoy the classic story of Pinocchio like never before!
Enjoy the classic story of Pinocchio like never before as Hale Centre Theatre proudly presents Disney’s My Son Pinocchio: Geppetto’s Musical Tale playing July 7 – September 8. Told through Geppetto’s eyes, the musical follows the timeless tale and explores loving life lessons the father and son duo learn as Pinocchio grows up into a real boy. Hear familiar songs like I’ve Got No Strings, When You Wish Upon a Star and additional music from Wicked composer, Stephen Schwartz. This special engagement is open to ages 3 and up, a new play full of entertainment for the entire family! To order tickets, go to: www.hct.org/Online/default.asp
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.
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.
Kids Adventure Tours Sundays - Snowbasin Resort
Drop your kids off for a mountain adventure while you enjoy the live music at Blues, Brews & BBQ! When you pick them up, they will be tired, happy, and have a little more knowledge about exploring Snowbasin Resort! Come prepared for a mountain adventure: closed-toed shoes and water bottle are required. Sunscreen, hat and rain gear are recommended.
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.
Hooray for Summer
Long, hot days. Time outside. Exploring and playing. No school. You and your kids will love all that summer has to offer. And to make sure that you don't miss out on any fun, be sure to check out our Master Guide to Local Summer Fun.
Worried the kids will spend the day watching Netflix and playing video games? We have plenty of ideas for good, old-fashioned summer fun in our article 50 Ways to Love Your Summer.
If you're interested in your kids having a summer camp experience without sending them to day or overnight camp, check out our timeless article It's Their Vacation and You're the Tour Guide: How to Organize Camp Mom. That piece provides almost endless ideas for things to do and how to structure your day. But remember: a little boredom is good for kids, too!
