If your child dreams about dinosaurs, roars like a T. rex, or spends every day talking about fossils and prehistoric creatures, then this summer is the perfect time to visit the Mountain America Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point.
Home to one of the largest collections of mounted dinosaurs in the world, the museum is packed with hands-on STEM learning, towering dinosaur skeletons, real fossil experiences, and interactive exhibits designed to spark curiosity in kids of all ages. Even better? Your adventure doesn’t stop inside the museum.
Right next door is Mountain America Jurassic Jungle, Utah’s largest indoor prehistoric playground where kids can climb, slide, explore, and complete dinosaur missions in an unforgettable five-story jungle adventure.
Whether your child wants to become a paleontologist, discover massive prehistoric predators, or race through volcanoes and raptor missions, Thanksgiving Point is one of the best family destinations in Utah this summer.
Explore Giant Dinosaurs at the Museum of Ancient Life
The Mountain America Museum of Ancient Life brings prehistoric history to life through immersive exhibits, real fossils, and hands-on experiences that help kids learn through exploration.
From towering skeletons to interactive exhibits, every corner of the museum invites children to ask questions, make discoveries, and dive deeper into the world of dinosaurs.
Discover the Brand-New Sauropods Exhibit
One of the newest experiences inside the museum is the Sauropods exhibit, an exciting STEM learning experience all about the giant long-neck dinosaurs that once roamed the Earth.
Kids can:
- Measure the size of sauropod eggs
- Compare their height to massive dinosaurs
- Learn what made these prehistoric giants so extraordinary
- Explore fascinating dinosaur facts through hands-on learning
This exhibit helps children better understand scale, biology, and prehistoric ecosystems while making science feel exciting and interactive.
Arrival of the Apex Predator
Something massive has arrived at the museum.
The new Arrival of the Apex Predator exhibit introduces guests to a remarkable dinosaur discovered in Wyoming in 2021. This powerful predator lived nearly 150 million years ago and is now one of the newest prehistoric residents inside the museum.
Guests can:
- See the fossil up close
- Learn how paleontologists uncovered and restored the specimen
- Discover what made this dinosaur one of the top predators of its time
- Explore the science behind fossil recovery and preparation
This exhibit gives kids a behind-the-scenes look into the world of paleontology while helping them understand how scientists uncover Earth’s ancient history.
Become a Paleontologist at Paleo Studio
Ever wondered what it feels like to excavate a real fossil?
At Paleo Studio, kids and families can use the same tools as real paleontologists to carefully clean and prepare fossils from the Eocene Era.
This hands-on experience allows guests to:
- Work with real fossil excavation tools
- Prepare an authentic fossil specimen
- Learn how fossils are preserved and studied
- Take their fossil home after completing the experience
For many kids, this becomes one of the most memorable parts of their visit because they get to become scientists themselves.
Daily STEM Discovery Programs Included With Admission
The dinosaur fun continues throughout the day with daily STEM Discovery Programs included with museum admission. These programs help children dive deeper into science, fossils, dinosaurs, and paleontology through engaging presentations and hands-on learning opportunities. Even better, these experiences are free for Thanksgiving Point members.
Adventure Continues at Jurassic Jungle
After exploring the museum, continue the adventure at Mountain America Jurassic Jungle, Utah’s largest indoor prehistoric playground.
This massive five-story adventure combines active play with dinosaur exploration to create one of the most unique indoor family attractions in Utah.
Kids can:
- Conquer the giant volcano slide
- Explore interactive dinosaur animatronics
- Complete jungle missions and challenges
- Track down dinosaurs throughout the jungle
- Earn points and exchange them for prizes
Jurassic Jungle encourages movement, exploration, teamwork, and imagination while giving kids an unforgettable prehistoric adventure.
New Mission Now Open: Predator Pursuit
There’s a new mission inside Jurassic Jungle.
A pack of hungry Utahraptors has invaded the jungle, and families must work together to search for missing herbivores, recover stolen eggs, and navigate through prehistoric challenges.
The all-new Predator Pursuit mission encourages kids to:
- Explore the jungle
- Solve interactive challenges
- Track down Utahraptors
- Collect dinosaur eggs
- Complete exciting missions throughout the play space
This interactive experience transforms play into a full dinosaur adventure kids won’t stop talking about.
Junior Jurassic for the Littlest Dino Lovers
Even the youngest dinosaur fans can join the adventure.
Junior Jurassic is a brand-new interactive play zone designed specifically for children under 4 years old. This safe and engaging area allows little explorers to climb, play, and discover in a space created just for them.
It’s the perfect introduction to prehistoric adventure for toddlers and young children.
Make This Summer a Dinosaur Adventure
From massive dinosaur skeletons and real fossils to five-story jungle adventures, the Mountain America Museum of Ancient Life and Mountain America Jurassic Jungle are the ultimate summer destinations for dinosaur-loving kids in Utah.
Whether your family spends the day discovering prehistoric predators, excavating fossils, or climbing through Jurassic Jungle, every visit is packed with curiosity, confidence, imagination, and adventure.
Start planning your prehistoric summer adventure at Thanksgiving Point today.
