Perfection Pending

By Meredith Ethington

  • My Books
    • The Mother Load
    • Mom Life: Perfection Pending – The Book
    • Free eBook: Sometimes Motherhood Sucks
    • How To Grow Your FB Following
  • Motherhood
    • Inspiration
    • Encouragement
    • Childhood
    • Humor
    • Parenting Memes
    • Friendship
    • Marriage
  • Kid Ideas
    • Recipes
    • Practical Tips
    • Babies & Toddlers
    • teens and tweens
    • The Elementary School Years
  • Mental Health
    • Mental Health
    • Anxiety
  • About
    • Favorite Posts
    • My Portfolio
    • Privacy & Disclosures

Giveaway kid ideas trips utah

Why The Utah Natural History Museum Is The Ultimate Place to Explore With Kids

0 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

This post is sponsored by the Natural History Museum of Utah. All opinions are my own. See full disclosure policy here. 

If you’re thinking about where you should take your next family trip, might I suggest the lovely state of Utah? Sure, I’m a little biased, but I’m also not a Utah native, so I think I have a pretty good perspective. May is my favorite time of year, and it’s coming up. But, besides the gorgeous mountains, national state parks, and skiing, there are some hidden gems in UT that you need to know about. The Utah Natural History Museum is one of them. And, I’ve got some tickets to give away at the end of this post!

Last week, my five year old and I went again. This isn’t our first time, and it won’t be our last. We’ve been there for field trips, and tours, and special exhibits, and it really is one of my favorite places to take my kids to explore. It’s so much more than just a dinosaur museum.  There are tons of areas for hands on play, and it feels more like a children’s museum than your run of the mill dinosaur exhibit. And the architecture and building itself are breathtaking.

Just look at this bookcase of butterflies, bones, and artifacts. They have 1.5 million objects in the museum. And, every object tells a story, so you really can go again and again! I’ve been at least five or six times before, and I still learned something on this visit.

One of the reasons I learned so much this time was because we did a Highlights Tour. I loved it. Have you ever had your kids put on a headset for a tour? It’s pretty much amazing. They listen. They follow instructions, and they learn! My five year old was enthralled. This tour gives you the highlights of the museum as you explore and the tour guide talks right into your ear as you walk around and explore. It’s amazing.

I’ve probably walked by this display case every time I’ve been there, but this time, thanks to the tour, I learned that this mineral case contains a mineral for every county in the state of Utah. So beautiful. I wish I had one in my house! The tour is worth the extra $2 and it’s actually free if you become a member of the museum. When we got home, I kid you not, my five year old told my husband without any prompting from me all about the Gryposaurus that we saw. I was like, wait. You remember the name of the dinosaur?

A highlight for me was when we got to go inside the fossil lab where volunteers work on actual specimens that they are finding in Utah. This big giant bone is 75 million years old, and was found in southern Utah. The coolest part is that you can actually become a museum volunteer and work in the lab. My sister in law is a volunteer and she loves it.

My kids always love standing at the window and watching the volunteers cleaning the actual dinosaur bones. And, you can see inside the archives where they store everything. It’s a huge room, and just shows you how much amazing work is going on at the NHMU.

Utah also has the largest collection of horned heads. Utah is a mecca for dinosaur discovery and they are discovering new species in southern Utah all the time.

But, let me tell you, the museum isn’t just dinosaurs. This is a massive 5 story building with something different on every level that you can touch, explore, and learn about. There is a spot for toddlers to play in water, and there is a spot to dig for bones, there are glass floors to walk over dinosaur fossils, and the roof has some of the most incredible views of the mountains and Salt Lake City.

They also have special exhibits that are constantly changing. One time, it was all about chocolate. Yes, please. Right now their Power of Poison exhibit is seriously cool and creepy. You learn all about poisons in nature, animals that are poisonous and even poison in literature (hello Harry Potter fans). Everything is interactive.

This special exhibit will be there until April 15th and then the next exhibit will be about Vikings. Seriously cool. There is seriously something new to see every time you go. And, that’s why we keep coming back for more!

I’m dying to sign my kids up for one of the amazing summer camps they offer with themes like, Jr. Detectives, Lego Engineering, Space, Technology, you name it. There is literally something there for every kid. Not only that, but they do birthday parties where they plan the activities and do everything for you, and after school programs.

This time, I also got to try their food, and with the views, cafe, and seriously amazing local, organic foods, it would be a great place to visit just to eat and enjoy the view. They even had gluten free options for me. I was seriously impressed.

I just can’t say enough good things, and if you’re in Utah, make sure this place is at the top of your list to visit. Many people don’t realize all the rich dinosaur history is here, and it really is a seriously cool gem.

The BEST part is that I’m giving away 2 family packs to visit! Each family pack has 4 tickets. So exciting. Enter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


8 Comments

« For The Mom That Feels Like She Did Nothing Today.
How Five Minutes a Day Helps Me Be a Better Parent »

Comments

  1. April says

    March 4, 2017 at 10:17 am

    We love the NHM! We’ve never taken a tour though, sounds like something my kids would love!

    Reply
  2. Andrea says

    March 4, 2017 at 3:28 pm

    Sounds like I need to get there!

    Reply
  3. Sandy says

    March 4, 2017 at 7:37 pm

    We love this museum. My son has to go to primary children’s hospital to see his endocrinologist & have lab work done. Sometimes as a reward for doing so well we go to this museum since its so close to the hospital. We love to see the dinosaurs.

    Reply
  4. Sophia Leasure says

    March 8, 2017 at 4:44 pm

    I absolutely LOVE that museum!!

    Reply
  5. Christine says

    March 10, 2017 at 1:47 pm

    Dinosaurs! And the display of a rock from each county from Utah- that’s great!

    Reply
  6. Summer says

    March 17, 2017 at 6:06 pm

    I thought Inhad missed the Power of Poison Exibit! Now I really want to try & get there before it really is gone. ????

    Reply
  7. Ariel says

    July 26, 2017 at 11:47 pm

    I just stumbled upon your blog and enjoyed your writing about motherhood before i realized you are in Utah too. High five! I love the Natural History Museum and have so many fond memories. Last weekend my boyfriend and our five month old daughter saw the Vikings exhibit. I’d like to think she’s getting an early introduction.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 15 Breathtaking Things to Do in Utah with Your Kids says:
    May 16, 2018 at 7:40 am

    […] Why the Utah Natural History Museum is the Ultimate Place to Explore with Kids […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Welcome! I’m Meredith.

Mom. Writer. Diet Coke connoisseur. Born and raised Texan. Lover of real talk and laughter with a hint of sarcasm mixed in.

The Mother Load

Perfection Pending on Instagram

perfectpending

Mom • Author • Mental Health Therapist In Training
Grab my new book, The Mother Load, available now. 👇👇

Meredith Ethington
Working on figuring out my mission as we speak. ❤️
Is anyone else like this? #dietcokeaddict #pebblei Is anyone else like this? #dietcokeaddict #pebbleice #adhd #momlifebelike
Hello friends, it’s me. Meredith. Here are a f Hello friends, it’s me. Meredith. 

Here are a few things I’d tell you if I could call you all up: 

❤️ It’s ok to say no to things.

❤️ Your kiddos don’t need perfection - they need real. Emotional, Messy, flawed, etc. It helps them know their emotions are valid. 

❤️ Having anxiety or depression does not mean you’re an inadequate parent. 

❤️ Never be ashamed of asking for help or going on medication if necessary. 

❤️Kids can be draining. Take time for yourself. I promise you’ll be able to be a better, more present parent if you do this. 

❤️ Boundaries are your friend. People that make you feel like you’re not enough are not. 

Hang in there. It doesn’t get easier - like at all. But you get stronger.
I wrote this a few years ago. It helped me process I wrote this a few years ago. It helped me process feelings of never measuring up and feeling lIke someone else would do it better than me. 
I don’t feel like this very often anymore. But I know that there are plenty of mothers out there that do. You aren’t alone. 
The experience of Motherhood is definitely something that humbles even the most confident mothers. 
I wasn’t one to have much confidence once I began but I got there eventually. 
If you’re in this headspace of wondering if you’re enough I’m here to tell you:
1. You are. 
2. This is NORMAL. 
3. This post is for you. 
Read it on my substack now and consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. ❤️ It supports me as I hopefully support you.
I certainly didn’t. @a.mom.uncensored I certainly didn’t. @a.mom.uncensored
I see nothing wrong here. I see nothing wrong here.
Still not there yet. 😑 #ikea #momlifebelike #ik Still not there yet. 😑 #ikea #momlifebelike #ikeahack #jokesfordays
This was my mom’s desk when she was little. At s This was my mom’s desk when she was little. At some point it got passed down to one of her grandchildren. Then it made its way to my house and all three of my kids have used it too. 
My middle decided he was done with it and I had no idea what to do with it. It’s almost an antique at this point and I knew my mom felt sentimental about it. It’s heavy and tiny but it has good bones as they say. 
My mom lives too far away to come get it and the grandkids are all getting too big to want this desk in their rooms. 
I walked around my little house looking for a spot for it. There really isn’t one. 
Could it be an end table? Or swapped out for an entry table? 
But then I walked into my bedroom and saw this bare wall. It’s not ideal. My husband will hate it. But I’ve been thinking that I needed a study spot in my house (in a room with a door that shuts and locks) since I’m in school again at 46 years old. 
I’m hilariously too big for this little desk but also it seems just fine for sitting and writing papers. 
The older I get, the more I realize that this life is short and I’m sure it will make my mom happy to know I’m not only hanging onto this desk a little while longer but it’s going to be used for actual school work again instead of hoarding useless scraps of paper, half filled notebooks and dull crayons no one has touched in years. 
I’m breathing life back into this desk for a few more years and it seems symbolic of my taking something old (me) and using it for something new (becoming a therapist). 
I’m not super sentimental about furniture but I’m sentimental about the people that I love. 
She loves this desk so I guess I’ll love it a little longer on her behalf. ❤️
🚨Vulnerable post alert! My latest on substack: 🚨Vulnerable post alert! My latest on substack: "I feel depressed that it’s back, when I had been handling things so well.
I feel hopeless that although I know it will end, that it will come back again.
I feel embarrassed that I’m sometimes mean to the ones I love most.
I feel like I want to give up.
I feel tired.
I feel overwhelmed by the tiniest thing.
I feel alone. I feel like I’m literally the only one feeling that way in that moment even though I know I’m not deep down. But, anxiety makes me feel like that.
I feel like I just would be better off if I could disappear."
First day back after a week long vacay to the fun First day back after a week long vacay to the fun of carpool and the reality of being a responsible adult is kicking my boot-ay. Can you tell? 😅
Yup. 😂 @themumcrew Yup. 😂 @themumcrew
Best thrift find ever. 😂 Best thrift find ever. 😂
Mental health matters. ❤️ Mental health matters. ❤️
You get the full tour if you’re my friend. You get the full tour if you’re my friend.
Because apparently it belongs to no one. 😑 Because apparently it belongs to no one. 😑
Just like building muscles in our body, to have go Just like building muscles in our body, to have good mental health we need to build muscles in our brains as well. What does that look like? 

For me, it often looks like practicing things that make me uncomfortable. 
Saying no. Setting boundaries. Sitting in discomfort with feelings I don't like. Being OK if someone is mad at me. Learning to validate MYSELF. You get the idea. 
But, really it can be anything that you need to work on but makes you feel REALLY uncomfortable. So much so that it feels like your brain is literally rejecting it. If you want to build that muscle in your brain that is OK with disappointing people in favor of your own mental health, you have to treat it like muscle building in your body. 

1. Do it often enough. 
2. Start small, and work your way up. 
3. Go heavy when you're ready. 

Practicing it often enough is really when you're going to get big results. Soon you'll get used to those negative feelings that come along with telling someone no and knowing they're disappointed. You'll build up endurance to tolerate the feelings and be able to sit with them and let them go. And finally, it will become second nature to you to do all those things you didn't think you could do. Just like strength training for a marathon - consider strength training for your mind. 

One thing I'm working on is telling myself I'm OK. I struggle with seeking validation from others when really I need to be seeking validation from myself. Because MYSELF is good, worthy, and OK 99% of the time. 

What are you practicing right now? I'd love to hear if this is true for you.
Love this so much. @nellie_scales Love this so much. @nellie_scales
If you’ve loved anything I’ve written, conside If you’ve loved anything I’ve written, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber on Substack where you won’t miss any of my posts. Here’s the latest - link in profile. 

#mentalhealth #anxiety #depression #mentalhealthawareness #stopthestigmamentalillness
For the moms fighting all the battles no one sees. For the moms fighting all the battles no one sees. My latest on substack. ❤️ Link in profile
Truth right here. Truth right here.
Load More Follow on Instagram

You might also like

mom forcing a smile with fingers and blue background

Stop Complaining About Motherhood. Here Are 21 Reasons You Shouldn’t

Here’s How to Deal With Hating Being a Parent

Am I real? Mom holding newborn baby

Am I Real? The Question That Started “Mommy Blogging”

Mom holding crying baby I yelled at my baby and feel horrible

I Yelled At My Baby And Feel Horrible. What should I Do Now?

baby smiling and crawling on floor with white background

Are Babies Born With Kneecaps? And Other Weird Baby Facts

Copyright © 2023 · Perfection Pending · Designed by Krizzy Designs

Copyright © 2023 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

0 shares