Blog
Ticket Tuesday with DRAW Inc
August 22, 2017
A winner has been chosen for this giveaway courtesy DRAW Inc.
Stay tuned for the next ZAP Ticket Tuesday.
Ticket Tuesday to the Bumble Bee Bash
August 15, 2017
A winner has been selected for this giveaway courtesy Discovery Gateway Children's Museum.
Stay tuned for the next #ZAPTicketTuesday.
ZAP Kids Summer Passport Final Weeks
August 09, 2017
Back to school, back to school...
The ZAP Kids Summer Passport program is drawing to a close, as the new school year is on the horizon. Fit a few more adventures in before class starts.
Passport opportunities run through August 20, and are free unless otherwise noted.
OBT Presents: Utahoma!
Select dates starting August 11 | 7:30 PM Off Broadway Theatre
The Off Broadway Theatre offers original family-friendly comedies and musical parodies for parents and kids alike. Utahoma! is an original musical parody based on the classic Oklahoma. Threading some of the major events in Utah's history through the show, OBT ties them to the Oklahoma plot. Present the ZAP Kids Summer Passport, and each member of the family will receive a $2 discount off the regular (Adult, Student/Senior, or Child) price.
Honk Junior presented by Empress Youth Theatre
August 11-12 | 7:30 PM, or 2 PM Saturday Matinee Empress Theatre
Exprience family-oriented theatre fun at Magna's historic Empress Theatre. Honk Junior is a heartwarming celebration of being different that is sure to delight audiences of all ages with its sparkling wit, unique charm and memorable score. Present the ZAP Kids Summer Passport at the box office, and the passport holder will get in free with the purchase of an adult ticket ($12).
Alta Kids Day
Saturday, August 12 | 10 AM - 2 PM Albion Base
Join Alta Community Enrichment for Alta Kids Day -- filled with fun for children and adults alike with birding station, family nature walks, interactive watershed models and kids art activities.
Tomato Garden Tour
Wednesday, August 16 | 4 PM Wasatch Community Gardens
Explore the Wasatch Community Gardens Tomato Garden and learn what it's like to grow your own food in the city. Tour the gardens, meet their chickens, taste some fresh garden produce and make and take a seed pot while supplies last.
Explore the Conservation Gardens
Mondays-Saturdays | 8 AM - 8 PM Conservation Garden Park
Stroll through the gardens, walk through a water pipe, learn to make compost or identify plants at the Conservation Garden Park in West Jordan. Explore the Garden any day of the summer and get a stamp in your passport! In addition, join them for a Party in the Park on Saturday, August 19 (4-7 PM) for butterfly releases, food trucks, and more.
Memory Grove Park Scavenger Hunt
Mondays-Fridays | 9 AM - 5 PM Memorial House
Go on a scavenger hunt courtesy Preservation Utah and discover the art and architecture of Memory Grove Park! Get your passport stamp and scavenger hunt guide at the Memorial House (375 North Canyon Road in Downtown Salt Lake City).
Save $2 off the price of admission with your ZAP Passport at these destinations
- Discovery Gateway Children's Museum
Visit Discovery Gateway and explore educational workshops, programs and exhibits that inspire the whole family to discover the power of play together. - The Leonardo
The Leonardo is a museum of creativity! Inside, you can discover the wonder of FLIGHT in their newest exhibit, delve into the mind-bending wonder of our exhibit on PERCEPTION, unleash your inner artist, scientist or engineer in one of our three hands-on laboratories, and even be moved by the exhibits in our Human Rights Gallery. Whatever you're interested in, The Leonardo will spark creativity and help you discover a whole new way to see the world. - Tracy Aviary
Tracy Aviary has more than 135 species and 400 individual birds on display. Guests are encouraged to wander its 8 acres and appreciate the different colors, sizes and sounds of our feathered friends.
Once you've earned your five stamps from five different destinations, make sure you take your passport back to your nearest Salt Lake County Library. They'll show you how to reserve your spot for the Out-of-this-World Final Destination Celebration.
The Celebration includes a private party at the Clark Planetarium, where explorers and their families can enjoy the exhibits, a free IMAX movie, and the opportunity to win prizes from some of your favorite ZAP-supported organizations.
We lift off on August 30, and hope to see you there!
Learn more about the ZAP Kids Summer Passport
Ticket Tuesday with Living Planet Aquarium 2017
August 08, 2017
Check back weekly for more ZAP giveaways.
ZAP Kids Summer Passport Week 10
August 03, 2017
The summer's not over yet! ZAP Kids Summer Passport opportunities run through August 20. Make sure to earn 5 stamps at different destinations to attend the Final Destination Celebration, August 30 at Clark Planetarium.
To be eligible to attend:
- Collect at least 5 stamps from different destinations by August 20
- Explorers must bring their completed Passport to any Salt Lake County Library location
- Get information from your librarian on how to reserve your spot!
In addition to free movies and laser shows, we will be raffling off some BIG prizes from some of your favorite ZAP-supported organizations including:
Hale Center Theatre
Living Planet Aquarium
Red Butte Garden
Utah's Hogle Zoo
Utah Presents
Destinations are free unless otherwise noted.
Sounds of Summer Concert*
Friday, August 4 | 6:30 PM
Enjoy free summer concerts on Friday evenings in the park this summer with Midvale Arts Council. Activities provided by the Boys & Girls Club, Copperview Community Center and the local library. This week enjoy tunes from: acoustic rock musician, Ben Brinton and 80's pop/new wave/rock band Channel Z. *Final concert of the season
Blue Moon Arts Festival
Saturday, August 5 | 2 - 10 PM
Holladay Arts Council will have free admission to the Blue Moon Arts Festival along with a free children’s craft, music, food and art vendors. 4580 So. 2300 E. August 5 2 to 10:00 PM.
Make Your Own Pinata
Saturday, August 5 | 2 PM
Create your own mini piñata and learn about its origins with Artes de México en Utah! Supplies will be provided in this bilingual (Spanish/English) visual arts workshops.
Honk Junior presented by Empress Youth Theatre
Select dates through August 12 | 2 PM or 7:30 PM
Exprience family-oriented theatre fun at Magna's historic Empress Theatre. Honk Junior is a heartwarming celebration of being different that is sure to delight audiences of all ages with its sparkling wit, unique charm and memorable score. Present the ZAP Kids Summer Passport at the box office, and the passport holder will get in free with the purchase of an adult ticket ($12).
Destinations you can visit all summer long
Earn stamps at any of these locations throughout the summer.
Explore the Conservation Gardens
Stroll through the gardens, walk through a water pipe, learn to make compost or identify plants at the Conservation Garden Park in West Jordan. Explore the Garden any day of the summer and get a stamp in your passport! Garden hours are from 8 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Saturday.
Memory Grove Park Scavenger Hunt
Go on a scavenger hunt courtesy Preservation Utah and discover the art and architecture of Memory Grove Park! Get your passport stamp and scavenger hunt guide at the Memorial House (375 North Canyon Road in Downtown Salt Lake City), Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM).
Save $2 off the price of admission with your ZAP Passport at these destinations
- Discovery Gateway Children's Museum
Visit Discovery Gateway and explore educational workshops, programs and exhibits that inspire the whole family to discover the power of play together. - The Leonardo
The Leonardo is a museum of creativity! Inside, you can discover the wonder of FLIGHT in their newest exhibit, delve into the mind-bending wonder of our exhibit on PERCEPTION, unleash your inner artist, scientist or engineer in one of our three hands-on laboratories, and even be moved by the exhibits in our Human Rights Gallery. Whatever you're interested in, The Leonardo will spark creativity and help you discover a whole new way to see the world. - Tracy Aviary
Tracy Aviary has more than 135 species and 400 individual birds on display. Guests are encouraged to wander its 8 acres and appreciate the different colors, sizes and sounds of our feathered friends.
Having fun on your adventures? Tag your photos with #exploreZAP for a chance to have your photo shared on ZAP's Instagram @slcoZAP!
Ticket Tuesday with Wasatch Food Fest
August 01, 2017
ZAP Kids Summer Passport Week 9
July 26, 2017
There is more fun going on this week across Salt Lake County. We hope you'll get out and explore with us. Earn your stamps at any of the following free destinations, July 27 through August 3.
Sounds of Summer Concert
Friday, July 28 | Midvale City Park
Enjoy free summer concerts on Friday evenings in the park this summer with Midvale Arts Council. Activities provided by the Boys & Girls Club, Copperview Community Center and the local library. This week enjoy tunes from: Royal Academy and Jarabe Mexicano.
2017 Wasatch Wildflower Festival
Saturday, July 29 | 9 AM - 2 PM Alta Ski Area
Join Alta Community Enrichmentfor wildflower walks, acoustic music, and kid's art projects while learning about the wide diversity of wildflowers that are found in the Wasatch Mountains.
Utah Pacific Island Heritage Month Kick Off Party
Saturday, July 29 | 5 PM to 10 PM Sorenson Multicultural Center
Celebrate Pacific Island Heritage Month with a variety of cultural booths, music, dance, and fun. Hosted by Pik2AR at the Sorenson Multicultural Center, 855 West California Avenue in Salt Lake City.Listen to a Classical Musical Performance
Monday, July 31 | 2:30 PM Columbus Library
Experience folk and classical music with a performance by students from the Salty Cricket El Sistema program.
Learn Classical Indian Dance
July 31 | 7 PM Sandy Library
Enjoy an evening with ChitraKaavya Dance, including a short Ganapathi Kauthuvam, a song in praise of the Lord Ganesha, the elephant headed god. Then join in some interactive fun and learn abstract dance movements with the group.
The Final Destination Celebration is Out of This World!
Are you close to completing your ZAP Kids Summer Passport? Save the date for our FINAL DESTINATION CELEBRATION at the Clark Planetarium : August 30, 2017, 3-7 PM! To be eligible to attend:
- Collect at least 5 stamps from different destinations by August 20
- Explorers must bring their completed Passport to any Salt Lake County Library location
- Get information from your librarian on how to reserve your spot!
In addition to free movies and laser shows, we will be raffling off some BIG prizes from some of your favorite ZAP-supported organizations including:
Utah's Hogle Zoo
Hale Center Theatre
Red Butte Garden
Living Planet Aquarium
We hope to see you there!
Ticket Tuesday with Flamenco del Lago
July 25, 2017
Planning an adventure to the Natural History Museum of Utah this summer? Get ready for a surprising and fascinating adventure!
Now through January 1, 2018, unravel fact from fiction at our newest special exhibition, Vikings: Beyond the Legend.
Travel back in time to 750 – 1100 CE to investigate what scientists have uncovered about the Norse culture and the period now known as the Viking age. Discover the true meaning of the term “Viking.” Gather your own archaeological team to help you digitally excavate a traditional Norse ship. Hear stories about life as a Viking trader from Thorgrim the Dane, or master the secrets of rune reading from Volva Rundis Elidottir. Examine rare artifacts never before seen outside of Scandinavia.
NHMU's resident Vikings
Challenging Stereotypes
Would it surprise you to know that some of the most popular Viking characterizations are little more than myth? Legends and some historical accounts depict these early Norsemen as blood-thirsty raiders, but modern archaeological evidence has begun to challenge many of these long-held beliefs.
Norse men and women, living in what is now Norway, Sweden and Denmark, were highly skilled and knowledgeable craftsmen. They transformed many raw materials such as wood, bone, leather, stone, iron, steel and precious metals, into the tools and treasures of everyday.
Young archaeologists excavating a Viking Age boat
Vikings in Utah
Today, about 14.9% of Utah’s 3,000,000 residents are of Scandinavian descent. Many continue to celebrate and honor their ancestral connections by carrying on the skills and cultural traditions of the ancient Norse crafts.
Aaron Richardson is one Utah artisan who creates, teaches and demonstrates the art of blacksmithing, using Viking-age methods, from his shop in Eden, Utah. Richardson is a historic interpreter, who draws inspiration for his creations from traditional Norse objects found during archaeological excavations. His story, and examples of his work are currently on display outside the third-floor elevators of the museum.
Display about common Viking funeral practices
More Viking Activities and Events
All summer long, and into the Fall, the museum is celebrating all things Viking, with special opportunities and events to discover more about ancient Norse culture and its people.
- Don’t miss Explore Your Viking Roots - Wednesday, July 19, 2017, 4pm to 8pm. Nordic research specialists will be on hand to help visitors explore their own family history. At 5:30pm, Geoff Morris, Nordic Specialist for FamilySearch, will share details from his research into Scandinavian history and genealogical records as well as provide insights into some of the rare objects on display in the Vikings exhibit. Find out more at: https://nhmu.utah.edu/events/familysearch-viking-ancestry
- For a full day of Viking adventure, mark your calendar to attend Norse Fest, Saturday, September 23, 2017 – 10am to 5pm. Experience a variety of Norse arts, with performances and demonstrations by dancers, blacksmiths and weavers. Research your Viking roots, hear from Norse experts and historians, even sample Norse foods. Learn more at: https://nhmu.utah.edu/events/norse-fest
- Learn the ancient Norse art of weaving at NHMU’s Craft Night: Viking Textiles Workshop, October 7, 2017, 12:00pm – Presented by NHMU and Craft Lake City. Sign up online at: https://nhmu.utah.edu/events/craft-night-viking-textiles-workshop
Sky Gallery visitors enjoying the views
About the Natural History Museum of Utah
The Natural History Museum of Utah is a premier scientific research and cultural institution. It opened to the public in 1969 and moved into a spectacular, award winning new home in 2011. The Museum’s 30 scientists oversee active field research programs throughout Utah, and elsewhere, and help care for natural history collections of more 1.6 million objects. NHMU offers innovative exhibitions and educational programs to thousands of residents and visitors each year, including timely and interactive temporary and permanent exhibits, numerous special events and other programs. The Museum reaches 450,000 people annually, at the Rio Tinto Center and in communities and classrooms statewide.
-Kris Chapman
Kris Chapman, Public Relations Assistant at the Natural History Museum of Utah, has been writing and highlighting exciting museum happenings for just over two years. With a bachelor’s in communications, she has also worked as a photo assistant, a textbook editor and a freelance writer for magazines and corporate blogs. With a passion for all things creative, she dreams of one day writing from a tropical island, where her toes are free to wiggle in the sand.
ZAP Kids Summer Passport Week 8
July 19, 2017
Wondering where you can get your ZAP Passport stamped this week? Look no further! Earn your stamps at any of these destinations July 20 through July 27.
Just getting started and having trouble finding remaining Passports at your nearest Salt Lake County Library location? You can download your own here.
Destinations are free unless otherwise noted.
Improv with Youth Theatre at the U
Thursday, July 20 | 4:30 PM Herriman Library
Join Youth Theatre at the U and their KAZUM JACKSON'S HILARIOUS PLAGUE improvisation troupe for creative and imaginative games at the library.
Sounds of Summer Concert
Friday, July 21 | 6:30 PM Midvale City Park
Enjoy free summer concerts on Friday evenings in the park this summer with Midvale Arts Council! Activities provided by the Boys & Girls Club, Copperview Community Center and the local library. This week enjoy classic rock and pop hits with the band, Assembly 6.0.
Make Your Own Pinata
Saturday, July 22 | 11 AM West Jordan Library
Wednesday, July 26 | 4:30 PM South Jordan Library **
Create your own mini piñata and learn about its origins with Artes de México en Utah! Supplies will be provided for these bilingual visual arts workshops.
**UPDATE: The 7/26 piñata workshop has unfortunately been canceled. We might suggest exploring a year round destination or the Wasatch Community Gardens Tour in its place (see details below).
Tomato Garden Tour
July 26 | 4 PM Wasatch Community Gardens
Explore the Wasatch Community Gardens Tomato Garden and then learn what it's like to grow your own food in the city. Go on a tour of the gardens, meet our chickens, taste some fresh garden produce and make a take a seed pot while supplies last. Located at 800 S. 600 E. in Salt Lake City.
OBT Presents: A Night at the Imperial
Friday & Saturday through July 29 | 7:30 PM The Off Broadway Theatre
The Off Broadway Theatre offers original family-friendly comedies and musical parodies for parents and kids alike. Present the ZAP Kids Summer Passport, and each member of the family will receive a $2 discount off the regular (Adult, Student/Senior, or Child) price. 
Destinations you can visit all summer long
Earn stamps at any of these locations throughout the summer.
Explore the Conservation Gardens
Stroll through the gardens, walk through a water pipe, learn to make compost or identify plants at the Conservation Garden Park in West Jordan. Explore the Garden any day of the summer and get a stamp in your passport! Garden hours are from 8 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Saturday.
Memory Grove Park Scavenger Hunt
Go on a scavenger hunt courtesty Preservation Utah and discover the art and architecture of Memory Grove Park! Get your passport stamp and scavenger hunt guide at the Memorial House (375 North Canyon Road in Downtown Salt Lake City), Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM).
Save $2 off the price of admission with your ZAP Passport at these destinations
- Discovery Gateway Children's Museum
Visit Discovery Gateway and explore educational workshops, programs and exhibits that inspire the whole family to discover the power of play together. - The Leonardo
The Leonardo is a museum of creativity! Inside, you can discover the wonder of FLIGHT in their newest exhibit, delve into the mind-bending wonder of our exhibit on PERCEPTION, unleash your inner artist, scientist or engineer in one of our three hands-on laboratories, and even be moved by the exhibits in our Human Rights Gallery. Whatever you're interested in, The Leonardo will spark creativity and help you discover a whole new way to see the world. - Tracy Aviary
Tracy Aviary has more than 135 species and 400 individual birds on display. Guests are encouraged to wander its 8 acres and appreciate the different colors, sizes and sounds of our feathered friends.