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. Staff will engage guest with interactive storytelling followed by process-driven and play-based art, literacy, and/or science activities that connect to the story theme of the day.
Tuesday – Museum of Ancient Life
Wednesday – Farm Country
Thursday – Museum of Natural Curiosity
Friday (June - September) – Ashton Gardens
Starting January 2019:
Monday - Museum of Ancient Life
Wednesday - Farm Country
Friday - January - February - Museum of Natural Curiosity
March - May - Butterfly Biosphere
June - September - Ashton Gardens
October - December - Butterfly Biosphere
Upcoming Schedule:
December 18 | How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague
From decorating the tree to wrapping presents, little dinosaurs love to celebrate Christmas-and everything about it. With ornaments on the branches and carolers singing at the door, the spirit of Christmas is finally here and filling the hearts of families everywhere.
December 25 | No Tales for Tots Today
January 7 | When Dinosaurs Came with Everything by Elise Broach
Just when a little boy thinks he's going to die of boredom from running errands with his mom, the most remarkable thing happens. He discovers that on this day, stores everywhere are giving away a very special Jurassic treat. How do you convince Mom to let you keep them?
January 14 | Ocean Wonders by Dorothea DePrisco Wang
This fun and interactive book reveals brightly illustrated sea creatures on every page, while teaching young children about the creatures of the open sea and how they live.
January 21 | Whatever Happened to the Dinosaurs by Bernard Most
In this humorous look at some possible (and impossible) explanations for what made the dinosaurs disappear, bold lines and bright colors portray the prehistoric beasts at large in cities, in jungles, underground, and even in disguise.
January 28 | The Wind Blew by Pat Hutchins
The wind blew, and blew, and blew! It blew so hard, it took everything with it: Mr. White's umbrella, Priscilla's balloon, the twins' scarves, even the wig on the judge's head. Is the wind going to carry everything out to sea?
December 19 | Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson
Bear's friends are determined to keep Bear awake for Christmas! So they wake Bear up and have him help them find a Christmas tree, bake cakes, hang up stockings, and sing Christmas songs.
December 26 | Penguin Problem by Jory John
This penguin has come to tell you that life in Antarctica is no paradise. For starters, it is FREEZING. Also, penguins have a ton of natural predators. Plus, can you imagine trying to find your mom in a big ol’ crowd of identical penguins? No, thank you.
Janaury 2 | P. Bear’s New Year’s Party by Paul Owen Lewis
A dapper polar bear has an elegant New Year's party and invites all of his animal friends—one whale, two horses, three cows, and so forth until midnight. As each party animal arrives, children learn to count . . . AND tell time.
January 9 | Whoosh Went the Wind by Sally Derby
A little boy tells his teacher about the tricks of a mischievous wind that made him late for school. But his teacher just won’t believe him. Is he telling the truth or just inventing some outrageous excuses?
January 16 | The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
Kids need words to name their feelings, just as they need words to name all things in their world. The Way I Feel uses strong, colorful, and expressive images which go along with simple verses to help children connect the word and the emotion.
January 23 | Who Ate all the Cookie Dough? by Karen Beaumont
Kanga wants to make cookies, but someone has eaten all the cookie dough. Who could it be? Join in the fun and find out!
January 30 | That is Not a Good Idea by Mo Willems
This is a tale of a hungry fox who invites a plump goose to dinner. Come find out what happens to the goose.
December 20 | Froggy’s Best Christmas by Jonathan London
Froggy has never celebrated Christmas; usually he's taking his long winter's nap. But not this year! Froggy's best friend, Max the beaver, wakes him up. Join Froggy as he celebrates his very first, and very best, Christmas!
December 27 | Fancy Nancy - There’s no Day Like a Snow Day by Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser
It's a blizzard. School is canceled. Nancy, JoJo, Bree, and Freddy are excited to go outside and play. Even after the sun sets, the snow day won't end if Nancy can convince her parents to take the family on their most thrilling adventure yet!
December 31 | No Tales for Tots today
January 4 | Where Do Balloons Go? by Jamie Lee Curtis
Pip is a little penguin with a big imagination! Dissatisfied with being black and white, he asks his dad why he can’t be colorful. Through his discussion with his dad, follow Pip on his journey of discovery.
January 11 | Otis by Loren Long
Otis is a special tractor. He loves his farmer and he loves to work. And he loves the little calf in the next stall, whom he purrs to sleep with his soft motor. In fact, the two become great friends: they play in the fields, leap hay bales, and play ring-around-the-rosy by Mud Pond.
January 18 | Sam and Dave Dig A Hole by Mac Barnett
Sam and Dave are on a mission. A mission to find something spectacular, so they dig a hole. And they keep digging. What do you think they will find?
January 25 | Robo-Sauce by Adam Rubin
FACT: Robots are awesome. They have lasers for eyes, rockets for feet, and supercomputers for brains! Plus, robots never have to eat steamed beans or take baths or go to bed. If only there were some sort of magical “Robo-Sauce” that turned squishy little humans into giant awesome robots.
No Tales for Tots during the Ashton Gardens Winter Season.
Enjoy a morning full of music and movement exploration 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:
November 20 | Let’s Give Thanks
What are you thankful for? Let’s sing songs about thanksgiving and learn a new songs “I Know an Old Lady Who shallowed a Turkey.
November 27 | A Dragon on The Doorstep
What would you do if you found a dragon on your doorstep? Do you think he wants to play? Today we will sing, dance, and play with our dragon friends.
December 4 | Splash into the Ocean
Come splish and splash with all our underwater friends. Sing, dance or swim to the music of the sea.
December 11 | Blast Off Into Space
3...2...1... Blast off! Zoom in a rocket ship, pretend to be an astronaut, and journey through space with songs and play.
December 18 | It's Christmas
Remember the symbols of the winter season as you sing and dance to your favorite holiday songs!
December 25 | No Melody Makers
November 22 | No Melody Makers due to the Thanksgiving Holiday
November 29 | Color Me Music
Discover the colorful world of music. Do you have a favorite color? Colors are all around us and in the music we sing.
December 6 | Jingle All the Way
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bell and ring-a-long. Have fun with bells, tambourines, triangles and other sounds with instruments that ding.
December 13 | Musical Adventures
What kind of music do you like? Fast beats? Slow and smooth? Join us on a musical adventure as we explore different music styles.
December 20 | Holiday Classics
What are your favorite holiday songs? Come sing and dance with Frosty the Snowman, Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer and many more holiday friends.
December 27 | Count Down to the New Year
3, 2, 1 The New Year is almost here. What songs can you sing to ring in the New Year? Join in our musical games and learn songs that count down.
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:
October-February at the Museum of Ancient Life
March-September at Farm Country
Upcoming:
December 8 | Winter Birds
There’s an amazing array of birds in Utah that we call birds of prey, or raptors. Some live here all year long but others are winter – only visitors! Come meet some of those visitors in Jim Fower’s flock of beautiful rescued native birds.
November 24 | Measure Up
How do you measure up to the creatures of yesterday? Join us at the Museum of Ancient Life to explore just how large dinosaurs were.
December 22 | Ocean Critters
Oceans have covered the earth long before cities and streets ever did. Do you think that Utah used to be an ocean? Come discover some fossils found here and see if you can figure out why we found them in our great home state
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.
4:30 - 7:30 pm. Location varies by season. See below.
January, February, March: Museum of Ancient Life
July, August, September: Farm Country
April, May, June: Ashton Gardens
October, November, December: Museum of Natural Curiosity
Museum of Natural Curiosity
December 17 | Winter Wonderland
Join in the festive fun as we explore the sounds of the season, observe the wonders of the weather and learn about the science of water, snow and ice.
December 24 | No Monday Night Activity
December 31 | No Monday Night Activity
Museum of Ancient Life
January 7 | Be a Paleontologist!
Explore the field of paleontology and learn what it takes to discover ancient life!
January 14 | Under the Sea!
Take a deep dive into the ancient oceans. Learn more about the wild and wacky creatures that used to roam there and how they survived and thrived.
January 21 | Crash into the Cretaceous!
Take a closer look at one of the most dynamic periods of earth’s history. Learn more about T. Rex, Triceratops, and other iconic animals that lived in the Cretaceous.
January 28 | Dinosaur Descendants!
Discover the connections between ancient creatures and their modern-day relatives.
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 Friday of each month: Museum of Natural Curiosity
Third Friday of each month: Museum of Natural Curiosity (October-May)
Third Friday of each Month: Ashton Gardens (June-September)
Upcoming
December 7 | Life Size Pac Man
Come play in our life size Pac Man game! Can you escape the ghosts?
December 21 | Holiday Party
Party with us as we celebrate the holidays with great party 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! It is free to participate. Each month you’ll have the opportunity to come learn about an engineering concept and put your knowledge to the test by designing and completing a challenge. 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 any given problem.
Third Saturday of each month from 2-4 pm: Museum of Natural Curiosity
Upcoming
December 15 | Keva Planks!
Keva Planks are a wooden block toy; sized approximately one fourth of an inch by four and a half inches. Come test your engineering skills and creativity as you attempt various building challenges and games using only Keva Planks!
We are excited to introduce our new Itsy-Bitsy Science sensory bins, happening every Tuesday at the Butterfly Biosphere. Itsy-Bitsy Science is designed specifically for families with children ages 5 and under. This hands-on experience lets children explore insects and the natural world through their senses, making early science concepts playful and fun!
Tuesdays at 2:00pm - Butterfly Biosphere
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