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Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum
The Bean Museum was voted one of the top three places to take children in a 2000 survey of Utah Valley Magazine readers.
“Saturday Safari” classes are held on Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to noon. Cost is $8 per student.
One of the newest exhibits is “Wild Sheep of the World.” Admission to the museum is free. Open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Call (801) 378-5051 for information.
BYU Museum of Art
Every Monday night is “Artful Tales” at BYU’s Museum of Art, with events at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Admission is free.
Summer Kid’s Club Art Classes start the week of June 5th. Call (801) 378-8286 for more information.
June 26-28 is “Family Art Days,” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free.
Regular museum hours are Monday and Thursday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday noon – 5 p.m.
Museum of Peoples and Cultures
Another free museum is the Musuem of Peoples and Cultures, at 700 North and 100 East in Provo.
Galleries are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For tours, library access, and information, call (801) 378-6112.
Thanksgiving Point
Thanksgiving Point was named as the top place to take children in Utah County in Utah Valley Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards. .
The Thanksgiving Garden Combo Pass (entrance to Thanksgiving Garden and the Children’s Discovery Garden) is $8/adults, $5/children. A pass to the Children’s Discovery Garden is $5/adult, $3/children. Gardens are open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to sunset.
The Agricultural Center houses animals and vegetable gardens. Entrance is $2, which includes a wagon ride.
Call 768-4900 for more information.
North American Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point
When completed, the North American Museum of Ancient Life will be the largest dinosaur museum in the world. After its Grand Opening this summer, the $23 million museum will be home to over 50 dinosaur skeletal displays and to hundreds of large and small fossils.
Call (801) 766-5000.
Springville Musuem of Art
Utah’s oldest museum for the visual fine arts was completed in 1937. June 8th is the Children’s Art Festival.
Located at 126 E. 400 South, Springville
(801) 489-2727. Admission is free.
Lehi’s John Hutchings Musuem of Natural History
School groups love the John Hutchings Museum of Natural History. Open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Saturday; this museum has six main areas, including the bird and egg room, the fossil and shell room and the pioneer room. Butch Cassidy’s rifle and Porter Rockwell’s pistol are also displayed.
Admission is $2.50/adults, $2/seniors, $2/children over 12; $1.50 for children under 12. Pre-arranged tours offer a discount of 50 cents per person. Call (801) 768-7180 for more information.
Crandall Historical Printing Museum
If you have a group of 15 or more, schedule a tour of the Crandall Historical Printing Museum, which tells the story of how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was restored and how printed material such as scriptures came to be part of the religion.
Cost is $3/person. 275 East Center Street, Provo. Call (801) 377-7777.
Startup’s Historic Candy Factory
Located in a building on the historical register, Startup’s Historic Candy Factory specializes in candies that are hard to find. Unique candies and goodies from the past are created.
Open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Call (801) 377-6475.
Peppermint Place
This candy factory put Alpine on the map, and now it is a popular place for a free look at candy-making, as well as to purchase yummy treats. Tours are available 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., with a half-hour lunch break at noon. Call (801) 756-6916 ext. 600 for more information.
Timpanogos Cave
Cave tours begin May 5th, weather permitting. The first tour is 8:30 a.m., with the last tour around 6:30 p.m. Purchase tickets at the vistitors center before 4:30 p.m. Allow 1 1/2 hours to climb to the cave.
Cost is $6/adults, kids 6 to 16 are $5; kids 2-3 are $3; under 2 are free. Call (801) 756-5239 or visit www.nps.gov/pica.
Utah Lake
Although Utah County communities line its shores, many Utah County residents forget that Utah Lake is a popular recreation spot. At $6/car, the state park is a cheap day trip. Camping is $15 per night (Call 1-800-322-3770 to make reservations.) Located at 4400 W. Center, Provo, park hours are 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Families enjoy the grassy areas, fishing, swimming, five boat ramps, sailboats, playground, restrooms and picnic tables.
Orem City Library
Storytime is offered Tuesday through Thursday, with babies and toddlers at 10 a.m. and older children at 10:30 a.m.
Monday nights include activities such as Timp Tellers and “Best Books Night.”
Other summer activities include Teddy Bears Picnic. Call (801) 229-7161 for more information.
Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum
Pioneer artifacts from this valley are displayed at the Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum. Hours are Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Free, 500 N. 500 West, Provo. Call (801) 377-7078 for more information.
The Little Gym
Starting the week of June 25, The Little Gym offers day camps for children ages 2 1/2 to 9. Camps are designed around themes and include arts and crafts, obstacle courses and fun activities. (801) 226-3800, 150 West Center Street, Orem.
Free Fishing/Free State Park Day
June 9
Day entrance to 45 state parks is free. No license is required to fish, although other laws and regulations still apply. Call (801) 538-7220 for information on state parks. Call (801) 538-4700 for more information on free fishing day.
Seven Peaks
Seven Peaks is Utah’s largest water park, with 25 heated water attractions, such as the Boomerang, wave pool and kids areas. The park is open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Adult passes are $16.50, and swimmers ages 4 to 11 are $12.50. Seniors and children under 3 are free.
Half-day and season passes are also available. Call (801) 373-8777 for more information.
Repartee Gallery
Children from 0-99 will enjoy the variety of art showcased at Repartee Gallery and FrameWorks at the Shops at Riverwoods. There is no charge to enter the gallery. Call (801) 764-0398 for more information and to find out about summer events.
Tracy Aviary
Tracy Aviary, which is in the southwest corner of Liberty Park in Salt Lake City, houses 400 birds of 135 species. “Birds of a Feather” free-flight bird show is free with Aviary admission. The Lory Walk exhibit allows kids to hand-feed colorful Australian parrots. The aviary is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call (801) 322-BIRD for more information about classes and events.
The Quarry
The newest climbing gym in Utah offers adventures for families using the latest gear. Kids climbing camps start now. Call (801) 418-0266, 2494 N. University Parkway, Provo.