Fun Kid-Friendly Entertainment the Whole Family Can Enjoy in Utah

Utah is an absolute playground for families. Between the Wasatch Mountains and the Great Salt Lake, the state packs an incredible variety of kid-friendly entertainment into a surprisingly compact region. From legendary amusement parks that have been thrilling generations to sprawling family entertainment centers and splashy water parks, you will never run out of ways to keep the whole family smiling.

Whether you are a longtime local looking to shake up your weekend routine or a family considering a move to the Wasatch Front and wondering what there is to do, this guide covers the very best kid-friendly entertainment options in Utah. We highlight the top venues, share insider tips for each one, and help you decide which experiences are worth your time and money. Let us dive in.

Lagoon Amusement Park: Utah's Iconic Family Destination

If there is one amusement park that defines childhood in Utah, it is Lagoon. Located in Farmington about 20 minutes north of Salt Lake City, this family-owned park has been operating since 1886, making it one of the oldest amusement parks in the country. And unlike the corporate mega-parks, Lagoon has kept a distinctly local, family-friendly character that generations of Utahns have grown up with.

Roller Coasters & Thrill Rides

Lagoon offers a solid mix of coasters for every bravery level. Roller Coaster, the park's original wooden coaster dating to 1921, is a national historic landmark that still delivers a classic rickety ride. Colossus: The Fire Dragon is a suspended looping coaster that remains one of the park's most popular draws. Jet Star 2 is a zippy Schwarzkopf coaster that feels faster than it looks. Newer additions include Cannibal, a towering coaster with a beyond-vertical drop that launches riders 208 feet straight up before plunging them down a 116-degree angle. For younger thrill-seekers, Puff The Little Fire Dragon and The Bat offer a gentler introduction to coasters.

Rides for Little Kids

Lagoon does an excellent job accommodating younger children. The Kiddie Land section is packed with gentle rides such as the Lady Bug Bounce, Dragon Flyer, Merry-Go-Round, and a small Ferris Wheel scaled perfectly for toddlers and preschoolers. Many families spend their entire first hour or two in this area alone. The park also has a dedicated children's play area with climbing structures and soft surfaces for the smallest visitors who just need to burn off energy between rides.

Lagoon-A-Beach Water Park

Included with general admission, Lagoon-A-Beach is the park's on-site water park featuring a large wave pool, several water slides, a lazy river, and a dedicated kids' splash area with scaled-down slides and spray features. The water park is open during the warmer months and is a fantastic way to cool off on a scorching July afternoon. The wave pool alone can keep kids entertained for hours, and parents appreciate the plentiful lounge chairs and shaded areas around the perimeter. Because Lagoon-A-Beach is included in the standard ticket price, you effectively get two parks for the price of one.

Pioneer Village

Tucked into the back of the park, Pioneer Village is a living history museum that offers a different kind of entertainment. Kids can explore authentic pioneer cabins, a blacksmith shop, a one-room schoolhouse, and a working steam-powered carousel. There is also a small petting zoo with goats and sheep, and during Frightmares in October, this area transforms into a haunted experience. The village adds a welcome educational element to a day that is otherwise all about speed and thrills.

Season Pass Value

For families who plan to visit more than twice in a season, Lagoon's season passes are an exceptional value. A season pass typically costs about the same as two single-day admissions and includes unlimited visits, free parking, and discounts on food and merchandise. Many families in Davis and Salt Lake Counties buy season passes and make Lagoon their go-to Saturday destination from May through October. The pass also covers the park's Halloween event, Frightmares, which is a major draw in its own right.

Tips for Visiting with Kids

What makes Lagoon truly special is the multigenerational nostalgia factor. Parents who visited as kids now bring their own children, and grandparents who rode the original wooden coaster in the 1950s can still share the experience with the youngest generation. That sense of tradition is something no new theme park can replicate.

Boondocks Family Entertainment Centers

Boondocks is Utah's premier chain of family entertainment centers, with locations in Kaysville (Davis County), South Jordan (Salt Lake County), and Draper (Utah County border). Each location packs go-karts, mini golf, bowling, laser tag, arcade games, batting cages, and an indoor play structure into a single destination that can easily fill an entire afternoon.

Go-Karts

The multi-level go-kart tracks at each Boondocks location are the centerpiece attraction. Karts reach speeds that feel fast enough for teens and adults while remaining safe for younger drivers. The Draper location features a particularly exciting elevated track with banked turns and straightaways. Height minimums apply, but most kids ages 8 and up can drive on their own, while younger children can ride as passengers with an adult.

Mini Golf

Each Boondocks has two themed 18-hole mini golf courses. The courses are colorful and creative, with water features, ramps, tunnels, and obstacles that challenge all ages without being frustrating for younger players. Mini golf is one of the best activities for families with a wide age span because everyone from a 4-year-old to a grandparent can participate and have fun at their own pace.

Bowling, Laser Tag & Arcade

Boondocks offers cosmic bowling with black lights and glow-in-the-dark lanes, which is a huge hit with older kids and teens. Their laser tag arenas are multi-level with fog effects and dark corridors that make each round feel immersive. The arcade at every location is packed with redemption games, ticket-dispensers, and prize counters stocked with everything from bouncy balls to electronics. Kids can spend their winnings on small toys or save up for bigger prizes over multiple visits.

Best Age Groups by Activity

Birthday Parties & Value Tips

Boondocks is one of the most popular birthday party venues along the Wasatch Front. Party packages include reserved tables, a dedicated party host, meal options, and activity credits. The packages scale well for different budgets, and you can add extra activities if the basics are not enough. For value, visit on weekday afternoons when Boondocks runs discounted play specials and the crowds are lighter. Check their website for online-only deals on game cards and activity bundles before you go.

Cowabunga Bay Water Park: Draper's Summer Water Playground

Cowabunga Bay in Draper is the Wasatch Front's premier outdoor water park, perched at the mouth of Corner Canyon with stunning views of the Wasatch Mountains rising behind the slides. The park has become a summer rite of passage for families up and down the corridor, and it is easy to see why.

Attractions by Section

Wave Pool. The centerpiece of Cowabunga Bay is its massive wave pool, which generates rolling swells that are gentle enough for young kids to splash in near the shallow end and strong enough near the deep end to make older kids and adults feel like they are at the ocean. Life jackets are available at no extra charge, and lifeguards are positioned throughout.

Lazy River. The winding lazy river circles the park's perimeter, offering a relaxing float between more active attractions. Kids can drift on tubes while parents lounge in the current. It is the perfect midday reset when the sun is at its strongest.

Kids Cove. This dedicated children's area features scaled-down slides, spray guns, dump buckets, and shallow zero-entry pools. It is the safest area in the park for toddlers and preschoolers, with depths never exceeding a foot or two. Parents can sit on the surrounding benches and watch while their little ones splash in complete safety.

Speed Slides & Tube Slides. For older kids and adrenaline seekers, Cowabunga Bay offers several high-speed body slides and enclosed tube slides that twist and turn before splashing into catch pools. The Ragin' Rapids tube slide is a favorite for families who want to ride together in a multi-person tube.

Best for Different Age Groups

• Toddlers & Preschoolers: Kids Cove and the shallow end of the wave pool are perfect. Zero-entry access means no intimidating plunge for little ones.
• Elementary Kids (ages 5-12): This age group gets the most out of Cowabunga Bay. They can handle the wave pool, lazy river, most slides (with height checks), and the Kids Cove spray features.
• Teens: Speed slides and the deep end of the wave pool are the main draws. The tube slides are also popular with groups of friends.
• Parents: The lazy river and lounge chairs around the wave pool offer plenty of relaxation opportunities. The park has ample shaded seating areas under umbrellas and canopies.

Season Pass Value

Like Lagoon, Cowabunga Bay's season pass pays for itself in about two visits. Passholders get unlimited access all summer, discounts on food and retail, and early entry on select days. For families living in Draper, Sandy, South Jordan, or anywhere along the south Wasatch Front, a season pass makes Cowabunga Bay a go-to afternoon escape when temperatures climb past 95 degrees.

Tips for a Great Day

Cowabunga Bay's setting at the base of Corner Canyon gives it an advantage over other water parks. The mountains provide natural shade in the late afternoon, and the cooler canyon breezes make even the hottest days feel comfortable. It is a fantastic option for families in Draper, Sandy, and the surrounding south valley communities.

Splash Indoor Water Parks: Year-Round Water Fun

While outdoor water parks close when the weather turns cool, Splash indoor water parks keep the fun going all year long. With locations in Layton (Davis County) and South Jordan (Salt Lake County), Splash offers a full water park experience under a roof, making it a go-to destination for winter birthday parties, rainy spring days, and any time the forecast does not cooperate with outdoor plans.

What Splash Offers

Both Splash locations feature a wave pool, multiple water slides, a lazy river, a flow rider surf simulator (at select locations), and dedicated kids' play areas with smaller slides and spray features. The indoor setting means the water is always heated to a comfortable temperature, and the air temperature stays balmy regardless of the weather outside. The South Jordan location is particularly popular because of its proximity to the Daybreak community.

Best Time to Visit

Splash is busiest during after-school hours on weekdays and all day on weekends, especially in winter when outdoor activities are limited. The best strategy is to visit weekday mornings, when the crowd is thinnest and you can cycle through slides multiple times without waiting. Splash also offers discounted admission on select slower days, so check their website before you plan your trip.

Cowabunga Bay vs. Splash: Which One Is Right for Your Family?

For many families, the answer is both. Use Cowabunga Bay for sunny summer weekends when you want the full outdoor experience, and keep Splash in your back pocket for winter months, rainy spring afternoons, or any time the kids are bouncing off the walls and you need a reliable indoor outlet.

Bonus: More Great Kid-Friendly Spots in Utah

Beyond the big four entertainment destinations above, Utah is packed with other fantastic places that families love. Here are some of the best.

Discovery Gateway Children's Museum

Located in downtown Salt Lake City's Gateway District, Discovery Gateway is a hands-on children's museum that kids ages 2 to 10 absolutely adore. The museum features a kid-sized town with a grocery store, a fire station, a construction zone, and a theater. There is also a dedicated toddler area for the youngest visitors. The rotating exhibits keep things fresh for return visitors, and the museum's location near City Creek Center and Temple Square makes it easy to pair with a downtown outing. It is the perfect indoor option for cold or rainy days when you need a few hours of structured play.

Tracy Aviary & Botanical Garden

Nestled inside Liberty Park in Salt Lake City, Tracy Aviary is one of the oldest and largest free-standing aviaries in the United States. Kids love the interactive bird shows where they can see owls, eagles, and parrots up close. The newmed Botanical Garden expansion added beautiful landscaped areas with a children's discovery garden, a sensory garden, and a pollinator garden. The aviary is compact enough to cover in a half-day, making it a manageable outing for families with young children who have limited attention spans.

Utah's Hogle Zoo

Located at the mouth of Emigration Canyon in Salt Lake City, Hogle Zoo is home to over 800 animals and has undergone extensive renovations in recent years. The Rocky Shores exhibit is a standout, featuring polar bears, seals, and otters in naturalistic habitats. The Elephant Encounter area gives visitors close views of the zoo's elephant herd, and the Zoo Terrace offers a shaded playground and splash pad for hot days. Hogle Zoo also runs an excellent Zoo Camp program during school breaks, which fills up months in advance.

This Is The Place Heritage Park

This living history park in Salt Lake City's northeast foothills transports families back to the 1800s. Kids can ride a historic train, pan for gold, visit a working blacksmith, and explore authentic pioneer-era buildings. The park features a Native American Village and a Discovery Zone with hands-on pioneer activities like candle dipping and rope making. Special events throughout the year, including Harvest Days and Christmas at This Is The Place, make return visits worthwhile. It is both educational and genuinely fun, which is a rare combination.

Utah Olympic Park

Built for the 2002 Winter Olympics, Utah Olympic Park in Park City is a year-round adventure destination. In summer, the park offers the Extreme Zip (one of the longest zip lines in the country), the Summer Bobsled experience where riders hit speeds over 60 mph on the actual Olympic track, an alpine slide, a ropes course, and a climbing wall. The Flying Ace All-Stars Freestyle Show features aerial ski and snowboard athletes performing tricks into a splash pool. This is a fantastic option for families with older kids and teens who crave adventure. Park City is about a 30-minute drive from Salt Lake City, and the mountain scenery along the way is spectacular.

Local Farmers Markets

Farmers markets along the Wasatch Front are surprisingly family-friendly. The Downtown SLC Farmers Market at Pioneer Park runs Saturdays from June through October and features live music, a kids' craft tent, and a designated play area alongside fresh produce and artisan food vendors. The Draper Farmers Market & Food Truck Nights on Tuesday evenings transform Smith Fields Park into a lively community gathering with blankets on the grass, face painting, and inflatables. The Daybreak community in South Jordan hosts its own market events with kid-centric activities. These markets make for a relaxed, low-cost family outing that supports local farmers and small businesses.

Planning Your Family Fun Calendar

One of the best things about raising a family along the Wasatch Front is how many high-quality entertainment options are within a 30-minute drive. You can hit Lagoon on a Saturday, cool off at Cowabunga Bay on a Tuesday afternoon, do Boondocks mini golf on a Friday evening, and spend a rainy Saturday at Discovery Gateway or Splash without ever feeling like you are stretching your options thin.

A few strategic moves make the most of your family fun budget:

• Buy season passes early. Lagoon and Cowabunga Bay offer their best prices in early spring before the season starts. Lock in summer fun at the lowest rate.
• Subscribe to venue emails. Boondocks, Splash, and other entertainment centers send weekly deal alerts. A single "buy one get one free" mini golf email can save you the price of a family lunch.
• Pair venues with nearby parks. The area around Cowabunga Bay in Draper connects directly to the Corner Canyon trail system, so you can combine a morning hike with an afternoon at the water park.
• Check community calendars. South Jordan, Sandy, Draper, and Herriman all run free or low-cost community events throughout the summer, including outdoor movies, concerts in the park, and splash pad days that can supplement your main entertainment outings.