15 free indoor family fun ideas for winter in Salt Lake City

Get smart: Two of Salt Lake City's free attractions stand out as the finest by far — and they're both highly educational.

• Clark Planetarium feels like it has no business being free. The exhibits are interactive and high-tech, and the movies you have to pay for are hidden where the littles can't see, so no whining!
• The city and county library systems have countless kids activities for all ages, from family art hour to teen video gaming, play time with toys, performances, story hours — and this month, a stuffie "pet" adoption.

Get art: It might seem too grown-up, but my kid has loved art museums since she was about 2 — as long as I gave her things to look for. "Find me three triangles! How many animals do you see in this room? Can you find art that shows the weather?"

• The Utah Museum of Contemporary Art suggests an $8 donation, but it's OK to offer what you can.
• The Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts in Liberty Park is always worth a stroll.

Play hard: Most indoor playgrounds charge admission, but a few are free (or complimentary if you buy something).

• City Creek's play area is by the food court.
• Kids under 4 get free admission to the West Valley City Family Fitness Center's outstanding Edutainment Play Center.

Things that go vroom and boom: What kid doesn't love that?

• The Hill Aerospace Museum in Roy is well worth the trip.
• Trax and UTA bus rides may sound like a piddly "outing," but my kid could have ridden the free zone all day long when she was in preschool.
• Put down the toy soldiers and visit the Fort Douglas Military Museum; also check out the helicopters and tanks outside.

Hands on: Mark your calendars for these arts, crafts and building workshops.

• The South Town mall in Sandy has crafts, games and music at Kids Club, 11am-noon the third Thursday of each month. Also check out the indoor playground.
• Home Depot gives kids the tools and materials to build a small project from 9am-noon on the first Saturday of each month.
• The Utah Museum of Fine Arts has free admission on the first Wednesday and third Saturday of each month, with family art activities 1pm-4pm on free Saturdays.

Time travel: These sites have enough photos online for you to scan the collections and prepare a simple scavenger hunt for your kids.

• The Pioneer Memorial Museum has a floor-by-floor guide.
• The Utah State Capitol has lots of exhibits, with free guided, self-guided and online tours. (Look for Kim during the legislative session!)
• The Gale Center of History and Culture in South Jordan has hands-on exhibits for kids, with a puppet making project this month.