Best Museums for Children in Salt Lake County

By: Miss Raven Wagner
Published Date: June 11, 2026; 3:06pm MT
Last Updated: June 11, 2026
Estimated Reading Time: 9 Minutes

Children are naturally curious.

They want to know how things work.

Why dinosaurs disappeared.

How airplanes fly.

What happens in space.

Why ancient people lived the way they did.

Museums provide a wonderful opportunity to encourage that curiosity while creating memorable family experiences.

Fortunately, Salt Lake County is home to several outstanding museums that make learning fun, interactive, and engaging for children of all ages.

Whether your child loves science, history, animals, art, or exploration, there's something nearby worth discovering.

Discovery Gateway Children's Museum

If there is one museum specifically designed for children, it's Discovery Gateway.

Located near downtown Salt Lake City, Discovery Gateway focuses on hands-on learning and interactive play.

Children can explore:

• Science exhibits

• Construction activities

• Creative play spaces

• Problem-solving challenges

• Interactive educational experiences

The museum encourages children to learn by doing rather than simply observing.

For many families, it's one of the best rainy-day destinations in the valley.

Natural History Museum of Utah

Few places capture a child's imagination quite like dinosaurs.

The Natural History Museum of Utah offers an incredible experience for curious children.

Highlights include:

• Dinosaur fossils

• Utah wildlife exhibits

• Native history

• Geological displays

• Scientific discoveries

Children often leave with dozens of new questions—which is usually a sign of a successful museum visit.

Clark Planetarium

Space has a way of capturing children's attention.

Clark Planetarium provides opportunities to explore:

• Astronomy

• Space exploration

• Planets

• Stars

• Scientific discovery

Interactive exhibits help make complex topics accessible and exciting for younger visitors.

For children interested in science, it's often a favorite destination.

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Part museum, part living history experience, This Is The Place Heritage Park allows children to experience Utah's past in a unique way.

Children can explore:

• Historic buildings

• Pioneer history

• Demonstrations

• Hands-on activities

• Educational exhibits

History feels much more engaging when children can experience it firsthand.

Utah Museum of Fine Arts

Art museums can sometimes seem intimidating for children.

But the Utah Museum of Fine Arts offers opportunities for families to explore creativity together.

Children can:

• Observe different artistic styles

• Discuss what they see

• Explore visual storytelling

• Develop creative thinking skills

Art encourages observation, interpretation, and imagination.

All valuable skills for growing minds.

Leonardo Museum

The Leonardo blends science, technology, art, and innovation.

Its exhibits often focus on:

• Creativity

• Engineering

• Problem-solving

• Human achievement

• Interactive learning

Children who enjoy building, experimenting, and exploring new ideas often find plenty to enjoy.

Why Museums Matter

Museums offer something increasingly rare in today's world:

Focused curiosity.

Unlike scrolling through endless digital content, museums encourage children to slow down and explore a subject more deeply.

Children learn:

• Observation skills

• Critical thinking

• Curiosity

• Patience

• Appreciation for learning

These benefits extend far beyond a single visit.

Making Museums More Fun for Children

Parents sometimes worry that children won't enjoy museums.

A few simple strategies can help:

• Let children lead the experience.

• Follow their interests.

• Ask questions instead of giving lectures.

• Keep visits age appropriate.

• Allow time for exploration.

Not every child needs to read every exhibit.

Sometimes one fascinating dinosaur skeleton creates a more meaningful experience than an entire afternoon of rushed learning.

Museums and Reading Go Hand in Hand

One of our favorite things about museums is how often they inspire further learning.

A child visits a dinosaur exhibit.

Then they want dinosaur books.

A child visits a planetarium.

Then they want books about space.

Museums often spark interests that continue long after the visit ends.

What We Believe at Casa Signora

At Casa Signora, we believe curiosity should be encouraged.

Children thrive when they are given opportunities to ask questions, explore ideas, and discover new interests.

Museums provide exactly those opportunities.

Not every lesson happens in a classroom.

Some of the most meaningful learning happens through exploration.

Final Thoughts

Salt Lake County offers families an impressive collection of museums and educational attractions.

Whether your child loves dinosaurs, art, science, history, engineering, or space, there is something available to spark their imagination.

The best museum is often the one that leaves a child asking:

"Can we learn more about that?"

Because curiosity is one of the greatest gifts childhood has to offer.

And museums help keep that curiosity alive.

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