Free Things to Do with Kids in Salt Lake City | Easy Day Out

Salt Lake City offers free planetarium exhibits, Capitol tours, parks, gardens, library spaces, and short family hikes.

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A family day in Utah’s capital does not need a stack of admission tickets. Build a flexible outing around free things to do with kids in Salt Lake City: hands-on science downtown, open lawns, unusual public art, mountain views, and indoor stops for hot or snowy weather.

Start with one indoor anchor, add one outdoor stop, and leave room for snacks and transit. That simple plan keeps younger children from tiring out and lets older kids spend longer at the places that catch their attention.

Where Should Families Start Downtown?

Downtown Salt Lake City gives families three dependable no-admission anchors within a compact area: Clark Planetarium, the Main Library, and the Utah State Capitol. Clark Planetarium is the easiest first stop for most ages because the interactive exhibit floors work even when the weather does not.

Clark Planetarium

Clark Planetarium has more than 10,000 square feet of free hands-on exhibits spread across three floors. Children can examine meteorites, learn how earthquakes work, and see pieces connected to the Moon and Mars; the dome and IMAX films cost extra, so stay in the exhibit areas for a fully free visit.

Salt Lake City Main Library

The Main Library at 210 East 400 South is more than a place to borrow books. The children’s area, changing art displays, broad interior walkways, and outdoor terrace can fill a calm hour, and the library calendar often includes storytimes or family programs with no admission charge.

Utah State Capitol

The Utah State Capitol suits school-age children who like architecture, government, or scavenger hunts. Self-guided visits can begin during building hours, while guided tours normally run Monday through Friday on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the Capitol’s visitor materials include worksheets and coloring activities.

Families who later decide to add a paid city tour can compare current options here:

Free Salt Lake City Activities For Kids: Indoor Picks

Indoor choices are strongest downtown, where Clark Planetarium, the Main Library, Temple Square, and the Capitol can be paired without a long drive. Each stop offers enough substance for 45 to 90 minutes, but none requires a full day.

Temple Square tours and surrounding campus experiences are free, and the new Temple Square Visitors’ Center opened to the public on May 18, 2026. Construction around the Salt Lake Temple can still change walking routes, so treat the Visitors’ Center, Conference Center, and open garden areas as the dependable parts of the visit.

For toddlers, the library is the lowest-pressure indoor option. For elementary-age children, Clark Planetarium usually holds attention longest. For older children, the Capitol’s art, dome, legislative rooms, and grounds give more room for discussion.

Quick Comparison Of Free Family Stops

The right stop depends on the weather, children’s ages, and how much walking the family wants. The table below separates truly free admission from places where optional extras can add a cost.

Parks, Gardens, And Short Hikes

Salt Lake City’s outdoor choices range from flat garden paths to a short climb above the city. Liberty Park works for a long break, while Gilgal Sculpture Garden and the International Peace Gardens suit families who want a shorter stop.

Liberty Park And Memory Grove

Liberty Park covers nearly 100 acres, with lawns, paths, picnic space, and room for children to move. The Rotary Play Park has been under reconstruction in 2026, so do not build the whole outing around playground access; the loop, lake area, and open space remain useful.

Memory Grove Park offers a gentler outing near the Capitol, with a walking path, memorials, picnic tables, and access toward City Creek Canyon. The route works well with a stroller on the paved sections, but families should keep children close near the creek and shared paths.

International Peace Gardens And Gilgal Sculpture Garden

The International Peace Gardens presents garden sections representing 28 countries inside Jordan Park. Give children a simple challenge: find three national symbols, compare garden designs, or choose a favorite statue.

Gilgal Sculpture Garden is smaller and stranger, which makes it useful for a 20- to 30-minute art hunt. The garden contains 12 original sculptures and more than 70 engraved stones, so older children can search for faces, animals, lines of poetry, and carved symbols.

Seasonal programming can add free movies, music, children’s events, and ranger activities. Salt Lake City’s 2026 free parks schedule lists family events such as Children’s Day, Ballpark Blockbuster, Music in the Meadows, drone shows, and an October movie night.

Where To Stay For Shorter Family Days

Downtown is the easiest base for families planning to use the planetarium, library, Capitol, Temple Square, and light rail. A room near the downtown core reduces car time and makes it easier to return for naps or a clothing change.

Use the map below to compare family-friendly stays near the downtown stops:

Ensign Peak Nature Park

Ensign Peak is a short but uphill option with broad views over the Salt Lake Valley. The common out-and-back route is about one mile, and exposed sections can feel hot in summer, so go early, carry water, and choose Memory Grove instead when children are not steady on loose ground.

Cost Check: Free admission does not always mean a zero-dollar outing. Downtown parking, transit, theater films, farm rides, snacks, and special programs may still cost money.

How Much Time Do You Need?

Three to five hours is enough for two major stops and one short park visit. A full day works when the family takes a long lunch break and avoids crossing the valley more than once.

• Two hours: Clark Planetarium plus a short walk around downtown.
• Half day: Planetarium, Main Library, and Liberty Park or Memory Grove.
• Full day: One downtown cluster in the morning, a picnic, then a garden or short hike.
• Rain or snow: Planetarium, Main Library, Capitol, and Temple Square’s indoor visitor spaces.

Summer afternoons can be hot on exposed trails, while winter weather can change road and walking conditions. Put Ensign Peak first in warm weather, save the library or planetarium for midday, and check same-day building hours before leaving.

A No-Cost One-Day Family Plan

A strong free day starts indoors, moves outside after lunch, and ends with a view or a garden walk. The sequence below limits backtracking and leaves paid attractions out of the plan.

1. 9:30 a.m. — Clark Planetarium: Spend 60 to 90 minutes on the free exhibit floors and skip the ticketed theaters.
2. 11:15 a.m. — Main Library: Browse the children’s area, look for public art, and check whether a free program is running.
3. 12:30 p.m. — Picnic break: Bring food or use a downtown lunch stop, then allow younger children time to reset.
4. 2:00 p.m. — Pick one outdoor finish: Choose Liberty Park for space, Memory Grove for an easy walk, Gilgal for art, or Ensign Peak for older children who still have energy.

Families with toddlers should favor the library, planetarium, and a flat park. Families with children around age eight and older can swap the library for the Capitol and finish at Ensign Peak. That age-based split keeps the day free without making it feel like a string of compromises.