By Valentina Rodriguez
Are you looking for family-friendly fun in the Salt Lake City area? We got you covered! Salt Lake City is full of opportunities to explore the outdoors and stretch your creative minds! Whether it’s a park, museum, or a library, Salt Lake City offers educational experiences to all visitors.
Considering STEM and maker learning within your itinerary can be an amazing way to inspire learners of all ages. Here are a few memorable and fun places to visit.
- The Innovation Hub at the Utah STEM Action Center
Have a project idea? Want to learn a new skill? The Innovation Hub is the perfect place for people of all ages to unleash their creativity and engage in skillful STEM-related projects. The 2000 sq. ft. makerspace is open every Friday for Open Tinker Time, an opportunity for others to explore and discover their own personal projects. Participants have access to an amazing range of machines and softwares allowing them to venture through the creative process of 3D printing, laser cutting, sewing, milling, and more. The STEM Center also offers classes taught by the AmeriCorps team. Join us during class to make cool things! Tinker Time is free to attend but requires registration. Sign up at stem.utah.gov/hub.
- Craft Lake City: DIY Fest
What better way to unleash your inner artist than to attend the 16th annual DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Festival on Aug. 9,10 and 11! DIY Fest is a fun way to celebrate music, art, science, and technology while discovering hundreds of local artisans, vintage vendors and entrepreneurs. Attendees will enjoy performances by local musicians and stunt performers, participate in innovative STEM workshops, and enjoy delicious festival food. This activity is for the entire family to enjoy (including pets), starting at $13 per person! Get tickets here: https://craftlakecity.com/diy-festival-2024
- Spy Hop Digital Media Arts Center
Looking to improve your media skills? Spy Hop offers free film, music, audio, and design classes for students ages 12-19. Learn to produce your own music and get a feel for recording, using instruments, music production software, drums and more. This is the perfect opportunity to explore the tools used to express ideas and tell stories using film, music, or design! Learn more at https://spyhop.org/
- Sunset Yoga at the Gateway
Grab your yoga mats and join the Gateway every Thursday for a free outdoor yoga class! Enjoy a relaxing sunset yoga session at the Olympic Plaza run by an incredible Salt Lake City yoga instructor. The classes are for people of all ages and it is an all-level class! Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sunset-yoga-the-gateway-tickets-906131352267
- Summer Outdoor Film Series
Get ready to enjoy those perfect Utah summer nights by exploring the magic of cinema! The Utah Film Center kicks off this summer by introducing the Summer Outdoor Film Series at Liberty Park. Each event features a diverse line up of curated and award-winning cinematic stories, some which include oscar-nominated film Robot Dreams. Find more information here: https://utahfilmcenter.org/outdoor/
- Draw Inc
Draw Inc is a nonprofit organization focused on exposing resources to free fine arts classes and events for people of all ages in the Salt Lake community. The organization offers free figure drawing classes at the Salt Lake City Arts Hub. Draw Inch also gives a platform for local artists to showcase and sell their artwork at the DRAW Inc Gallery. Learn more: https://www.drawinc.org/calendar
- The Salt Lake City Public Library
Many would be surprised by how many events occur daily at the Salt Lake City Library. The public library works to encourage community engagement and learning in many ways for people of all ages. It features a wide range of workshops and events that unleash curiosity and spark creativity. From constellation jar crafting to dance classes and mocktail making, the library partners with local organizations and businesses to provide experiences in art, science, technology, and sports. Check out their events calendar to sign up: https://events.slcpl.org/events
- International Peace Gardens
The International Peace Gardens is worth a visit if you are planning to stroll around the Salt Lake City area. The International Peace Gardens is a botanical garden located in Jordan Park in Salt Lake City and it is home to many enchanted floral architecture and cultural displays. The garden welcomes visitors to fun events such as afternoon tea parties, fashion shows, and folk festivals. Read more: https://www.internationalpeacegardens.org/
- Clark Planetarium
Ready to embark on an out-of-this-world adventure? The Clark Planetarium located at the Gateway Plaza is a fun and educational experience for all ages. The planetarium features an Imax Theatre and the Hansen Dome Theatre where you can enjoy a variety of light shows (even a Taylor Swift show). The planetarium hosts events covering earth science, astronomy, chemistry, and much more. Learn more: https://slco.org/clark-planetarium/
- The Leonardo Museum
The Leonardo Museum is home to exhibits and art installations for visitors of all ages. The center welcomes adults to showcase their artistic abilities through monthly paint nights and figure drawing classes. They also offer STEM summer camps each year. To find upcoming events and news about their latest exhibits, visit their website: https://theleonardo.org/