Summer Childcare Ideas for Salt Lake City Families

By: Miss Raven Wagner
Published Date: June 11, 2026; 2:39pm MT
Last Updated: June 11, 2026
Estimated Reading Time: 8 Minutes

For many children, summer is the most exciting time of year.

For many parents, it can be one of the most challenging.

School is out. Work continues. Schedules change. Children suddenly have long days to fill, and parents are left trying to balance supervision, enrichment, entertainment, and affordability.

Fortunately, Salt Lake City offers countless opportunities for children to stay active, engaged, and learning throughout the summer months.

Whether you're a working parent, a stay-at-home parent looking for ideas, or somewhere in between, here are some of our favorite summer childcare and activity ideas.

Create a Summer Routine

One of the biggest mistakes families make is abandoning structure entirely once school ends.

Children may enjoy sleeping in and having fewer obligations, but most still benefit from predictable routines.

A simple summer routine might include:

• Morning reading

• Outdoor activity

• Lunch

• Quiet time

• Creative project

• Free play

Children thrive when they know what to expect.

Summer should feel relaxed, but not chaotic.

Visit Salt Lake County Libraries

Salt Lake County libraries offer far more than books.

Many locations host:

• Story times

• Craft activities

• Summer reading programs

• Educational events

• Community activities

Library visits encourage literacy while providing free entertainment throughout the summer.

Many children discover new interests simply by wandering through library shelves.

Explore Local Parks

One of Salt Lake City's greatest assets is its park system.

Families can spend entire days exploring:

• Liberty Park

• Sugar House Park

• Jordan Park

• Pioneer Park

• Glendale Regional Park

• Westpointe Park

• Constitution Park

Parks provide opportunities for:

• Exercise

• Social interaction

• Exploration

• Imagination

• Outdoor learning

And best of all, many are completely free.

Turn Reading Into an Adventure

Many children associate reading with schoolwork.

Summer is the perfect opportunity to change that.

Try:

• Letting children choose their own books

• Creating reading challenges

• Reading outdoors

• Visiting multiple libraries

• Reading before bedtime

Children who learn to enjoy reading gain access to a lifelong source of knowledge and entertainment.

Visit Local Museums

Salt Lake City offers several excellent museums for children.

Popular options include:

• Natural History Museum of Utah

• Discovery Gateway Children's Museum

• Clark Planetarium

• Utah Museum of Fine Arts

• This Is The Place Heritage Park

These destinations combine fun with education and often provide air-conditioned relief during Utah's hottest summer days.

Encourage Boredom

This might sound strange.

Many parents feel pressure to keep children entertained every moment of every day.

But boredom often creates opportunities for:

• Creativity

• Problem-solving

• Imagination

• Independent play

Some of childhood's best memories happen when children create their own fun.

Not every minute needs to be scheduled.

Start a Summer Garden

Gardening teaches valuable lessons.

Children learn about:

• Patience

• Responsibility

• Nature

• Nutrition

• Cause and effect

Even a small container garden can become a meaningful summer project.

Watching something grow over weeks and months provides lessons that screens simply cannot replicate.

Explore Salt Lake City's Cultural Diversity

Summer is a wonderful opportunity to introduce children to new cultures, foods, and traditions.

Try:

• Visiting cultural festivals

• Trying new restaurants

• Exploring different cuisines

• Learning about local communities

• Visiting neighborhood events

Children who are exposed to different perspectives often develop greater empathy and curiosity about the world around them.

Make Room for Free Play

Not every activity needs to be educational.

Not every moment needs to be productive.

Children also need opportunities to:

• Play games

• Build forts

• Ride bikes

• Draw

• Imagine

• Laugh

Some of the healthiest childhood development happens during simple, unstructured play.

Consider Summer Childcare Support

For many working families, childcare remains necessary throughout the summer.

Some parents utilize:

• Summer camps

• Family members

• Community programs

• After-school organizations with summer programming

• Nannies

• Babysitters

The best solution is the one that provides safety, consistency, and peace of mind while fitting your family's schedule and budget.

What We Love About Summer at Casa Signora

At Casa Signora, summer is an opportunity to slow down and focus on experiences that children often don't have enough time for during the school year.

That may include:

• Reading

• Outdoor activities

• Creative projects

• Learning responsibility

• Practicing good manners

• Exploring new ideas

• Building friendships

Summer should be fun.

But it can also be a wonderful season for growth.

Final Thoughts

The best summer memories are rarely the most expensive.

Children often remember:

• Park adventures

• Library visits

• Time with trusted adults

• Creative projects

• Learning new skills

• Simple moments spent together

Salt Lake City offers countless opportunities for families to create meaningful summer experiences.

A little planning, a little flexibility, and a willingness to embrace adventure can make summer one of the most rewarding seasons of the year.

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