Each week at Thanksgiving Point are tons of educational and fun activities for families of all ages and abilities! Our Family Programs include, Tales for Tots, Monday Night Activities, and Design Challenge, just to name a few. All activities are FREE for Thanksgiving Point Members, as they are included with venue admissions.
The programs are always adapting and changing throughout the year so check back often for updates. They are also led by our trained educational team to ensure each person at the activity has a great time learning and playing together as family and friends. Click each drop-down menu below to learn more about these one-of-a-kind educational opportunities at Thanksgiving Point and to see dates, locations, and times for each one. See you soon!
Join us for our hands-on storytelling adventures, Tales for Tots, held each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 11 am. Each day a new story is read followed by a fun activity that goes along with that story.
Monday (June - October) –Ashton Gardens
Tuesday – Museum of Ancient Life
Wednesday – Farm Country
Thursday– Museum of Natural Curiosity
Upcoming Schedule:
June 20 | We Are Growing by Mo Willems and Laurie Keller
Walt and his friends are growing up fast! Everyone is the something-est. But . . . what about Walt? He is not the tallest, or the curliest, or the silliest. He is not the anything-est! As a BIG surprise inches closer, Walt discovers something special of his own!
June 27 | Follow the Silver Trail
The pages of Follow the Silver Trail reveal that Ant has a mysterious problem. Once Ant discovers Caterpillar has a very similar problem, the chase is on. Follow the trail to find out what or who has been leaving this silvery strand.
July 4 | No Class
Enjoy the Holiday!
July 11 | Johnny Appleseed, a Tall Tale retold by Steven Kellog
The larger-than-life story of a true American hero -- John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. The life of John Chapman, whose distribution of apple seeds and trees across the Midwest made him a legend and left the legacy still enjoyed today.
July 18 | The House Takes a Vacation by Jacqueline Davies
After the Petersons leave for vacation, their house decides it wants to take a holiday, too! But the different parts of the house can’t agree on where to go. Finally, the sunporch suggests the house go to the beach. It turns into a vacation that no will ever forget!
July 25 | If the Dinosaurs Came Back by Bernard Most
In this delightful book, a small boy imagines a world where dinosaurs perform public services. What do you think would happen if the dinosaurs returned? Could they wash a car? Carry people around like the bus? What would you have a dinosaur do?
June 21 | Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems
Trixie, Daddy, and Knuffle Bunny take a trip to the neighborhood laundromat. But the exciting adventure takes a dramatic turn when Trixie realizes bunny was left behind. Find out what happens when Daddy's in charge and things go terribly, hilariously wrong.
June 28 | Bees, Snails, and Peacock Tails by Betsy Franco
The peacock's flashy tail is a masterpiece of color and shape. A buzzing beehive is built of tiny hexagons. Even a snake's skin is patterned with diamonds. What patterns and shapes can you discover with the animals on the farm? Come explore the hidden shapes and patterns in nature.
July 5 | A Porcupine Named Fluffy by Helen Lester
Should Mr. and Mrs. Porcupine name their baby Lance? Needleroozer? Quillian? Perhaps they should, but they don't. Instead they decide on the unlikely name of Fluffy. Fluffy's name is a source of sorrow to the sharp-quilled youngster, until he meets and befriends a rhinoceros named . . . Hippo!
July 12 | Westlandia by Paul Flieshmann
Enter the witty, intriguing world of Weslandia! Now that school is over, Wesley needs a summer project. He’s learned that each civilization needs a staple food crop, so he decides to sow a garden and start his own - civilization, that is.
July 19 | Mrs. Wishy-Washy Farm by Joy Cowley
Duck, Cow, and Pig are leaving mean old Mrs. Wishy-Washy’s farm for good! They run away to the big city. But they get lost, wander into a restaurant, and even stumble into a hardware store and get covered in paint! Where is Mrs. Wishy-Washy when they need her? Maybe her farm isn't so bad after all.
July 26 | My Very First Book of Motion by Eric Carle
In My Very First Book of Motion, children can match each animal with the way it moves. Which animal hops? Which one waddles? Join us today as we pretend to be animals by acting out how they move.
June 22 | Nanette’s Baguette by Mo Willems
Nannette is on her first big solo trip to the bakery. But...will Nanette get the baguette from baker Juliette? Or will Nanette soon be beset with regret? Get set to crack into an irresistible tale you won't soon forget!
June 29 | What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You? By Steve Jenkins
What would you do if something wanted to eat you? Walk on water? Stick out your tongue? Play dead? Animals in the wild use all kinds of methods to protect themselves from their enemies. Can you think of any fascinating animal adaptations?
July 6 | If You Were a Parrot by Katherine Rawson
The parrot’s special feet allow it to climb curtains, bookshelves, and plants. The hooked beak lets the parrot chew all kinds of great food: seeds, nuts, chair legs, popsicles sticks and all. Come and imagine together what life would be like if you could be a parrot.
July 13 | Grow Flower, Grow! By Lisa Bruce
How do you make a flower grow? Spaghetti, pizza, and ice cream don’t seem to work. When Fran gives up and tosses the flower pot outside, it gets rain, wind, and sunshine…and Fran gets a big, beautiful flower!
July 20 | How I Spent My Summer Vacation by Mark Teague
Some kids spend their summer vacation at camp. Some kids spend it at Grandma's house. Wallace Bleff spent his out west...on a ride, a rope, and a roundup he'll never forget.
July 27 | Equal Schmequal by Virginia Kroll
What does it mean to be equal? Mouse and her friends want to play tug-of-war but they can't figure out how to make teams that are equal. Nothing works until Mouse starts thinking mathematically.
June 26 | Some Bugs by Angela DiTerlizzi
Grab your magnifying glass! Find your field guide! And come hop, hide, swim, and glide through this buggy backyard world! Enjoy this field trip type exploration of backyard-bug behavior.
July 3 | You Nest Here with Me by Jane Yolen
As a mother describes to her child how many species of bird’s nests, from pigeons on concrete ledges to owls in oak tree boles to swallows above barn doors. The soothing refrain of “you nest here with me” eases her little one to slumber.
July 10 | The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, narration by Susanna Davidson and Illustrated by Alan Marks
Come join us today for a young children’s narration of a timeless classic. Did you know there is a secret garden at the Ashton Gardens? What will you discover today? Open a whole new world and explore with us.
July 17 | Peppa Pig and the Great Vacation by Candlewick Entertainment
Will this be Peppa’s greatest vacation ever? The Pig family are off to the warm, sunny seaside. There’s lots to do on vacation — send postcards, have pizza for lunch, take a nature walk, and of course go to the beach. It’s a great vacation indeed.
July 24 | No Class
Enjoy the Holiday!
July 31 | Waiting for Wings by Louis Ehlert
Every spring, butterflies emerge and dazzle the world with their vibrant beauty. But where do butterflies come from? How are they born? What do they eat--and how?
Bring your tots and enjoy a fun morning of exploring music and movement at the Museum of Natural Curiosity and Farm Country. Led by our education staff, Melody Makers is the perfect opportunity for little kids to dance and move in a fun and friendly environment. Included with regular venue admission.
Tuesdays at 11 am: Museum of Natural Curiosity
Thursdays at 11 am: Farm Country
Upcoming:
June 20 | Visit the Orchestra
Explore music with us as we learn about the instruments in the orchestra and make up rhythms to go with the songs. Make a rubber band and box instrument today.
June 27 | Splish-Splash!
Summertime is a great time to take a cool bath or go for a swim! Come relax with some of our favorite water songs! Make a decorative, unique water bottle shaker.
July 4 | No Class
Enjoy the Holiday!
July 11 | Performance Day: Animal Parade
Come be a part of our animal parade! Learn more about your favorite animals through songs. Make a drum for the take home instrument.
July 18 | On the Pond
What kinds of animals live on a pond? Join us as we leap like a frog and swim like a fish. We will be making a fish stick puppet for you to take home.
July 25 | Water Fun!
Come explore the wonders of the underwater world as we turn ourselves into a multitude of fun exotic sea creatures! Be a Slippery Fish with Us! Glug! Glug! Water bottle shakers is the take home today.
June 22 | Leaping Lizards
Come learn about our fantastic scaled friends by becoming a dragon, and snapping with the alligators! Make and take a percussion instrument made from plastic lids.
June 29 | Wiggle and Giggle
It’s time for silly songs today. Try to make a funny face, make a silly sound, or try a few silly phrases as we sing, dance and play to silly songs. Wiggle and giggle and join us for fun and games through songs. Today’s instrument to make and take is a kazoo.
July 6 | Going to the Zoo
We will be featuring music to explore the many types of animals you might see at the Zoo. Swing back and forth like a gorilla, clap like a seal, jump like a kangaroo, and join in the fun of pretending. Make a comb rhythm instrument.
July 13 | Line it Up!
Learn a line dance today as we sing, dance and jig it out to country songs. It’s time to say Howdy Partner as you dance to a traditional song called The Chicken Dance. Today we are making a rhythm tapper.
July 20 | Move to the Beat
It’s time to move to the beat and shake it up. Move, clap, and make a beat to various rhythm patterns as we use shakers, maracas and drum sticks to enhance the music. The take home instrument today is a maraca.
July 27 | On the Farm
Old MacDonald had a farm and we love all the animals on his farm. Come explore with us as we learn songs about the many animals you can find on a farm including BINGO the farmer’s dog. Make a rhythm instrument today with a cup.
It’s not every day you could meet an alligator or greet a skunk. Animals are all around us, some live in your backyard, some live far away, but all are important to our world. Come get up close and personal with some of the most interesting animals you will meet as we explore some of the curious critters that make our world wonderful.
Second Saturday of each month at 11 am: Museum of Natural Curiosity
Fourth Saturday of each month at 11 am: Farm Country
Upcoming:
July 8 | Animals in Motion Featuring Wild Wonders
From flying to jumping and scooting to running animals move in some of the best and most unique ways. Could you move like the animals we will see during this month's Curious Critters?
July 22 | Ponies and Draft Horses
They are smaller than horses, but how much smaller? We get to compare the different sizes of horses. You will also get a chance to brush a pony.
Have you ever wondered about winged warblers? Have you been curious about carnivorous condors? Come explore at our Birdosity program. Discover the life of birds, brush up on your identification skills and learn about a variety of bird related topics. Whether you are an eggs-pert or have a new found love of birds, Birdosity is a program the whole family will enjoy.
First Saturday of each month at 10:30 am: Museum of Natural Curiosity
Third Saturday of each month at 11 am: Museum of Ancient Life
Upcoming
July 1 | Rainbow of Birds
Come meet Jim and Kathy Fowers and their colorful flock! Why are birds colored they way they are? Are all birds colored the same? Or different? Come join us at the ladybug stage in the discovery gardens!
July 15 | Radical Raptors
Think dinosaurs are extinct? Think again!! See live raptors up close and personal, and learn the connections! Be ready to ask questions and be amazed!!
Featuring new activities each week, Monday Nights at Thanksgiving Point focus on a single theme with various activities designed to entertain and educate the whole family.
January, February, March: Museum of Ancient Life
April, May, September, October: Farm Country
June, July, August: Ashton Gardens
November, December: Museum of Natural Curiosity
Upcoming
July 3 | Family Fun | 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Enjoy some family fun in the Ashton Gardens with lawn games such as giant connect 4, Frisbee golf, ladder ball and kick ball.
July 10 | The Secret Garden | 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Come to our Secret Garden… If you can find it! What discoveries will you make on the way?
July 17 | Sound is All Around | 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
How many senses can you use in the garden? Explore smells, textures, sounds, and beauty in the Ashton Gardens.
July 24 | Holiday
July 31 | Featuring the Staircase Garden | 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Come enjoy the staircase garden as you learn about water-wise plants. Discover and explore how these plants survive Utah’s dry climate.
Looking for a fantastic Friday night activity? On the first and third Friday of every month from 5:30-7:30 pm, get your game on with a variety of classic and new board games during our Family Game Night. Family Game Night is a family-focused evening for kids and parents of all ages.
First & Third Friday of each month at 5:30 pm: Museum of Natural Curiosity and Ashton Gardens.
Upcoming
July 7 | Classic Board Games
Tonight we will be playing some classic board games like Candyland, Clue, and Trouble.
July 21 | Lawn Games - located at the Ashton Gardens
Come play some traditional lawn games and a few giant versions of your favorite games.
Come have fun while innovating! Design Challenge is a Museum program that gets everyone engaging in the engineering design process. Make a team with your family and join us! Up to eight teams may compete at each challenge. It is free to compete and all supplies will be provided but if you wish to take your project home there will be a small fee to cover the cost of supplies. Come ready to design, build, test and prototype a solution to a given problem. The top three winners for each challenge will receive a trophy and every team will receive a participation certificate.
Third Saturday of each month from 2-4 pm: Museum of Natural Curiosity
Upcoming
July 15 | Earthquake Architecture
Because buildings like The Museum of Natural Curiosity sit very near to the Wasatch Fault, they are specially designed to be able to withstand an earthquake. Earthquakes occur all over the world and when buildings are built to withstand an earthquake it can save many lives and lots of money. In an earthquake, the building must be able to absorb the movement from the earth quake, must be able to bend and sway but not break or fall. Your challenge will be to design a structure using pasta and gumdrops that will withstand an “earthquake”. We will then test your structure to see which one can survive the longest. Come ready to problem solve and design. All supplies will be provided.
Do you know the people in your Neighborhood? What are their jobs and hobbies? Come meet a diversity of guests at Thanksgiving Point and get to know them and their passions.
Dates and locations vary, see below for details.
Upcoming
*no programs are scheduled at this time. Please check back soon*
Stay updated and subscribe to our monthly newsletter!