6 indoor family activities to shake off the winter blues
Jan 19, 2026 11:13AM ● By Peri Kinder
Indoor skydiving at the iFLY wind tunnel (for ages 3 and older) is a safe way to experience flying with wind speeds of 150 mph. (Tom Haraldsen/City Journals)
January’s gray skies and cold weather often send Utah families inside to find warmth and fun. Luckily, indoor activities allow parents and children to discover new spaces, learn something new and spend the winter exploring museums, galleries and other places that invite interactive, immersive experiences.
Clark Planetarium (110 S. 400 West, Salt Lake City)
How long has it been since you travelled the stars at the Clark Planetarium? If you haven’t been to the planetarium since you chaperoned a first-grade field trip, it’s time you went back.
Along with the stunning Hansen Dome Theatre, the Northrop Grumman IMAX Theatre and three floors of exhibits, Clark Planetarium is open seven days a week. Test your knowledge with the Solar System quiz, form a black hole, step inside a tornado and learn about the moon.
Visit saltlakecounty.gov/clark-planetarium to buy tickets or learn about featured movies, laser light shows and Planetarium star shows.
Clip ‘n Climb (11196 S. Redwood Road, South Jordan)
Get everyone moving at Clip ‘n Climb, where family members aged 2 and up can learn the ropes at this indoor climbing adventure. Each session lasts 90 minutes, including a 15-minute safety briefing and harness fitting.
Clip ‘n Climb features climbing walls for every level, featuring bright colors, interesting obstacles, skill-appropriate challenges and a toddler area for soft exploring. To learn more, visit southjordan.clipnclimb.us.
Natural History Museum of Utah (301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City)
If you have a dinosaur fan in the family, an afternoon at the Natural History Museum of Utah is a necessity. Not only does it exhibit dozens of dinosaur skeletal reconstructions, but it has the world’s largest display of horned dinosaur skulls.
The museum provides 12 permanent exhibits that detail Utah’s ancient history, spanning hundreds of millions of years.
On Friday, Jan. 16, from 2-4 p.m., the museum hosts an afternoon of STEAM activities for scientists of all ages and join the family one-hour yoga class on Sunday, Jan. 18 at 10:15 a.m. For more info, visit nhmu.utah.edu.
iFLY Indoor Skydiving (2261 Kiesel Ave., Ogden)
Jumping out of a plane from 12,000 feet isn’t for everyone. That’s why iFLY Indoor Skydiving’s wind tunnel is a safe alternative for the whole family. The team will fit everyone in your party (ages 3 and up) with the right gear and teach you how to fly in the tunnel’s 150 mph wind speeds.
No experience is necessary. There’s no need to jump out of a plane, purchase expensive equipment or sign up for parachute training; just gear up and fly. For experienced flyers, the facility’s world-renowned instructors can take your experience to the next level. Learn more at iflyutah.com.
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium (12033 Lone Peak Parkway, Draper)
Interact with stingrays, walk through a shark tunnel, watch the playful river otters and enjoy feeding time for penguins at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. With nearly 5,000 animals, representing more than 600 species, each family member will find a favorite.
Sonja Bowman, a third grader at Beehive Science and Technology Academy, visited the aquarium during a field trip. “I love seeing the sharks,” she said. “Because sharks are my favorite animal and the coolest animal. I saw stingrays, too. They weren’t poisonous.”
Through Saturday, Jan. 10, the aquarium’s outdoor Rio Tinto Kennecott Plaza is transformed into the annual Lantern Festival with nature-inspired light displays illuminating the night.
Museum of Natural Curiosity at Thanksgiving Point (3605 Garden Drive, Lehi)
When the kids get stir-crazy, a trip to the Museum of Natural Curiosity offers myriad opportunities to explore, discover and create. Hundreds of on-hand exhibits encourage curious minds to visit businesses in Kidopolis, climb through a rainforest, engineer a waterway, put on a puppet show or make a fun craft.
A variety of rotating exhibits can be found in the innovation gallery, and if the weather is accommodating, the outdoor discovery garden includes playground equipment based on STEM concepts. Discover more at thanksgivingpoint.org.
