Things To Do in St. George, Utah, With Kids
Southern Utah is the perfect winter escape for anything in the Western United States. The weather is moderate and you can spend lots of time outdoors! In the summer, you’ll experience desert life, but with lots of pools and other adventures you’ll have a great time. One of our favorite cities to visit in Southern Utah is St. George. Here are all of the best things to do in St. George, Utah, with kids.
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Kid-friendly Nature Experiences in St. George
One of the best things about St. George is the access to nature. There are so many places to hike and explore. In addition to the state parks and hiking areas, there are also beautiful gardens and city parks to enjoy.
Tonaquint Park
Tonaquint Park is a city park along the Santa Clara River (an offshoot of the Virgin River). There are miles of walking paths and biking paths. My kids also love visiting the pond and feeding the ducks and birdwatching. Last time we were there, we saw a crane! The Thunder Junction All-Abilities playground is also located at Tonaquint Park and makes for a fun activity after exploring the park.
Pioneer Park
Pioneer Park is a rugged red rocks area where you can hike, climb, explore small slot canyons and caves and more. It’s a perfect place to explore in St. George, Utah, with kids!
We love exploring this area and there is something new to see every time. My kids love that they can have freedom to move and climb. There are also great views of the city as well as picnic areas and a pavilion.
Red Hills Desert Garden
The Red Hills Desert Garden is a botanical garden located in Pioneer Park. There is a stream that runs through the garden, native flora and fauna and even a fish tank where you can see local species of fish. During the holidays, the Red Hills Desert Garden puts on a light display that is particularly beautiful.
Snow Canyon State Park
Snow Canyon State Park is an incredible state park with lots of different areas of interest for little kids. It’s one of our favorite things to do in St. George, Utah, with our kids. There is an entrance fee of $10 per vehicle for Utah residents or $15 for non-residents to enter the park.
Our favorite part of Snow Canyon State Park is the petrified sand dunes. These sand dunes are hundreds of millions of years old and turned to rock. They are now an incredible place to hike and explore. Similar to Pioneer Park, you can explore the petrified sand dunes pretty freely, which is always fun for kids who have a hard time staying on a trail!
Other areas of the park to visit with kids include hiking to the Pioneer Names and visiting the slot canyon in Jenny’s Canyon.
Playgrounds for Kids in St. George, Utah
The St. George, Utah, area has a lot of great playgrounds that kids love. From giant playgrounds to those with great views, there is something for every family.
Town Square Park
Historic St. George is a really cute old part of town and at the middle sits Town Square Park. Town Square Park is really fun for kids! There are community events like summer movies and the Saint George Marathon. There is also a splash pad, a lazy river and a carousel!
Thunder Junction All-Abilities Park
The Thunder Junction All-Abilities Park is located in Tonaquint Park and is fantastic, Jurassic-themed playground. The playground is accessible and has way more than just a few accessible swings. There are oversized slides, ramps and more for all kids to enjoy.
Don’t miss the volcano that erupts occasionally or the train ride!
St. George Municipal Pool
St. George, Utah, is home to an incredible municipal pool that your kids will love! There is a lap pool, a zero entry area, a poolside basketball hoop and an incredible water slide. The “Hydro Abyss” is more than 300 feet, and you can use an inner tube for maximum fun! There is a nominal fee per person to attend the pool. You can see current rates here.
Shopping and Entertainment with Kids in St. George, Utah
If you are looking for entertainment, St. George doesn’t disappoint! Check out these places to learn, be entertained and shop!
Tuahcahn Center for the Arts
The Tuahcahn Center for the Arts is an incredible outdoor theater that hosts broadway productions and more. It’s beautiful and kids will be captivated by the scenery and the production! This may be best for older kids, but you know your kids well and what they can handle! The center also offers child care during shows if you want to enjoy a concert or musical adults only!
If you don’t want to go for a show, you can also visit the Saturday Market year round!
The Shoppes at Zion
These outlet shops make for a great place to do some shopping! There are lots of options for kids clothing, dining and fun. We frequently stop here when we are passing through to see what we can find!
St. George Children’s Museum
The St. George Children’s Museum is a make believe paradise. From a fairy tale castle, to a music room and a science discovery lab! The museum also offers organized tinker play, music time and guided crafts! The Children’s Museum is located on Main Street near Town Square.
Dinosaur Discovery
Check out real dinosaur footprints and dinosaur fossils at the Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm! Here, you’ll find educational exhibits, picnic tables and play areas. The museum includes fossils, dinosaur models and history about Utah in prehistoric times. Kids will love it!
Day Trips from St. George, Utah, with Kids
One of the great things about Saint George, is that there are several incredible places to visit nearby! It’s only 2 hours from Las Vegas, Nevada, if you want to visit The Strip. There are also several attractions just over the border in Arizona for the most adventurous travelers! But you don’t even have to leave Utah to experience a fun day trip.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
The Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is in Kanab, Utah. It’s about an hour drive from Saint George. This state park features living sand dunes (as opposed to the petrified dunes at Snow Canyon State Park!). You can hike, rent UTVs, sled or sandboard.
Our personal favorite was sandboarding! There is a $10 entry fee ($15 for nonresidents) and the boards cost $25 to rent. There are dunes of all sizes and your kids will love challenging themselves to go bigger!
Zion National Park
Of course, we have to mention zion National Park. This is one of the country’s most popular national parks and there’s a reason! It’s gorgeous! There are so many things to do from camping to rock climbing to hiking.
Zion National Park is about an hour from St. George. The entrance is located in Springdale, Utah.
Here is a list of our favorite kid-friendly hikes in Zion National Park.
If you have some time to spend in Utah, I highly recommend visiting all of Utah’s national parks! You can see more information here.
