Here are 52 family home evening ideas you can do in Utah Valley. Every one is tied to a place you can go, a program that runs, or a story that happened here, with the hours or prices we checked on October 19, 2026. Some are free. Some cost a few dollars. A handful need you to move home evening to a different night, and we say so when that's the case.
What family home evening is, briefly
If you're new to Utah, you'll hear "FHE" constantly and nobody will explain it. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints counsels its members to hold a weekly home evening. The Church's General Handbook calls it "a sacred time for individuals and families to learn the gospel, strengthen testimonies, build unity, and enjoy one another." It can include gospel study, serving others, singing hymns and Primary songs, a family council about goals and schedules, and recreational activities. The handbook also says it is flexible: it "may be held on the Sabbath or other days and times."
The custom is older than most people assume. The Church's own history of the program traces it to a 1909 plan in Salt Lake City's Granite Stake, which asked parents to set aside one evening a week for prayer, singing, scripture, short lessons, activities for the children and refreshments, and to avoid "all formality and stiffness." In 1915 the First Presidency recommended a monthly home evening Church-wide. In 1970 Church leaders asked congregations to reserve Monday nights for families, and after the 2018 change to the Sunday schedule the Church began calling it "home evening" in its handbook, to include single adults.
Monday is still the default in Utah Valley because the Church keeps it clear. The handbook's activities chapter says no Church activities, meetings or baptismal services should be held after 6 p.m. on Mondays, and that Church buildings are to be closed on Monday nights. The practical result: your ward won't schedule anything, and neither will your neighbors.
If you aren't a member of the Church, nothing on this list requires you to be. It's a list of good weeknight family outings in Utah Valley. Use it on whatever night works.
How to use this list
The ideas are grouped by the kind of evening they make, not by month, because the same idea works differently in July and January. The one number that governs every outdoor idea is the sunset. From Sunrise-Sunset.org's data for Provo: Month-by-month pages, with each month's Mondays, holidays and local events, are here: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December.
| Mid-month | Sunset | Dark (end of civil twilight) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5:26 p.m. | 5:54 p.m. |
| March | 7:34 p.m. | 8:00 p.m. |
| June | 8:59 p.m. | 9:30 p.m. |
| September | 7:37 p.m. | 8:03 p.m. |
| October | 6:48 p.m. | 7:14 p.m. |
| December | 5:03 p.m. | 5:32 p.m. |
The mountains on the east bench put canyons in shadow earlier than those clock times. From November through February, plan the outdoor ideas for a Saturday or a holiday and keep Monday for the indoor ones.
At the museums (1 to 8)
1. The Bean Museum's own Family Home Evening program. BYU's Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum is free and open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to its website. Its programs page lists a Family Home Evening program on Monday nights at 6:30 or 7:30 p.m., and a private group can book one in advance. This is the closest thing Utah Valley has to a ready-made FHE: show up, sit down, and someone else teaches. Our Bean Museum guide covers parking.
2. A gallery hunt at the BYU Museum of Art. The MOA is free and, per its own site, open until 9 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. Give each child a card with one thing to find (a horse, a self-portrait, the color blue) and send them into a gallery. Details in our Museum of Art guide.
3. Springville's Monday night. The Springville Museum of Art is free and opens specifically on Monday nights from 6 to 8 p.m., according to its visit page. It's the only art museum in the valley that keeps hours aimed at exactly this evening. More in our Springville Museum of Art guide.
4. A pioneer story at the Provo DUP museum. The Daughters of Utah Pioneers museum at 550 N. 500 W. in Provo showed Monday hours of 4 to 7 p.m. on its Google listing when we checked. That's tight after dinner, but it works for an early meal. Call 801-852-6609 before you go, because volunteer-run hours can shift.
5. Dinosaurs at the Museum of Ancient Life. Thanksgiving Point's dinosaur museum in Lehi was listed as open until 8 p.m. on Mondays on Google in October 2026. It charges admission, so it's a treat night, not a weekly one. Our Thanksgiving Point guide has the ticket details.
6. The Museum of Natural Curiosity, for the under-tens. Also at Thanksgiving Point and also listed until 8 p.m. on Mondays. The water play area means bringing a change of clothes. See our Museum of Natural Curiosity guide.
7. Library card night. If anyone in the family is old enough to sign their name and doesn't have a card, make getting one the activity. Google's October 2026 listings put Monday closing times at 9 p.m. for the Provo, Orem, American Fork and Pleasant Grove libraries and the Springville library, and 8 p.m. for Lehi, Spanish Fork, Payson and Eagle Mountain. A card also unlocks the borrowing programs in our library-card passes guide.
8. A visit to the Provo City Library's attic exhibit. The library at Academy Square, open until 9 on Mondays, listed "On With the Show, This Is It! Chuck Jones and the Animation Art of Looney Tunes" on its website through October 31, 2026. The exhibit changes, so check what's up there before you promise anyone Bugs Bunny. Our Provo City Library guide explains the building.
On the temple grounds (9 to 12)
A short note first, because it shapes all four ideas. The temple buildings themselves are mostly dark on Monday: Google's October 2026 listings showed the Provo City Center, Orem, Payson and Saratoga Springs temples closed all day Monday and the Mount Timpanogos Temple open only from 7 to 11 a.m. The grounds are what you're visiting, and Visit Utah, the state's tourism site, says all are welcome to "visit and enjoy the beauty of these religious buildings and their peaceful grounds." Our temple grounds FHE guide covers all six operating temples in detail.
9. The temple that came out of a fire. The Provo City Center Temple at 50 S. University Ave. stands inside the walls of the 1898 Provo Tabernacle. The Church's newsroom account says a fire on December 17, 2010 gutted the interior, the exterior walls were saved, and the rebuilt building was dedicated on March 20, 2016 as the Church's 150th temple. Walk the block and tell that story. The full history is on our Provo Tabernacle page.
10. Mount Timpanogos in spring. The temple at 742 N. 900 E. in American Fork was dedicated October 13, 1996, according to the Church's temple page. The Church's page lists the building as closed November 9 to 24, 2026; the grounds are the point anyway.
11. The newest one. The Lindon Utah Temple at 850 E. Center St. was dedicated May 3, 2026, per its Church page. For a family that toured the open house, going back to the outside is a good conversation about what they remember.
12. The three-temple evening. Orem (dedicated January 21, 2024), Saratoga Springs (August 13, 2023) and Payson (June 7, 2015) are the valley's other temples, all dedicated within the last dozen years, per the Church's pages. Pick the one nearest you and ask the kids which one they think is oldest before you tell them.
Short hikes (13 to 25)
Every distance and elevation gain below is from AllTrails. Drive times are estimates from the OSRM routing service, from the center of the nearest city, and real traffic will run longer. Our FHE hikes guide has drive times from every corner of the valley.
13. Footloose Loop, Lehi. 0.7 miles with 111 feet of gain, starting above Eagle Summit Park. AllTrails rates it easy. About 13 minutes from central Lehi.
14. Golden Eagle Pass, Eagle Mountain. A 1.3-mile loop, 298 feet of gain, with views over Utah Lake. AllTrails notes dogs are not allowed. About 14 minutes from central Eagle Mountain.
15. Lower Hog Hollow, Highland. 2 miles out and back with 180 feet of gain, beginning across Beacon Hill Boulevard from Beacon Hill Park.
16. Upper Falls, Provo Canyon. Only 0.5 miles, but 301 feet of gain up stairs to a waterfall AllTrails puts at 40 feet. AllTrails also warns of poison ivy along the trail, so long pants.
17. BYU's Botany Pond loop. A 1-mile, nearly flat loop at the north end of campus. AllTrails lists it as dogs not allowed. It's three minutes from downtown Provo and the easiest outdoor idea on this list.
18. Dripping Rock, Spanish Fork. 0.7 miles, paved, 9 feet of gain, along the Spanish Fork River to a spot where springs drip from the far bank. AllTrails rates it stroller and wheelchair friendly.
19. The Spanish Fork River Trail loop from the Sports Park. 2.3 miles, paved, 22 feet of gain, starting at 295 Volunteer Drive. Bring bikes.
20. Hobble Creek Trail, Springville. 2.5 miles out and back, partly paved, with 45 feet of gain along the creek in Hobble Creek Canyon.
21. Grotto Falls, Payson Canyon. 0.6 miles and 127 feet of gain to a waterfall pouring into a rock pool. It's on the Nebo Loop road, which closes for winter; our Nebo Loop guide has the seasonal detail.
22. Cascade Springs. A 0.8-mile loop of boardwalks over bubbling springs, rated stroller friendly by AllTrails. It's reached by the Alpine Loop, a seasonal road. See our Cascade Springs guide.
23. Spanish Oaks Lookout, Spanish Fork. A 1.6-mile loop above Spanish Oaks Reservoir, 334 feet of gain.
24. Buffalo Peak, above Provo. 1 mile out and back to a summit at 8,015 feet. AllTrails notes the road to the trailhead, now called Kyhv Peak Road, is closed from mid-October to mid-May. A June or September idea, with our Buffalo Peak guide.
25. Tibble Fork Reservoir loop. A flat 1.4-mile circuit of the reservoir in American Fork Canyon. The canyon is a recreation fee area, explained in our Alpine Loop guide.
Active nights indoors (26 to 34)
Hours below are from each venue's Google listing as of October 19, 2026 unless we say otherwise.
26. Public skating at Peaks Ice Arena. Provo's Olympic-era rink charges $6 admission and $4 skate rental, according to Provo City's arena page. Public skate times vary day to day, so check the arena's calendar that afternoon. Our Peaks guide has more.
27. Laps at the Provo Recreation Center. Open until 10 p.m. on Mondays. Our rec center guide lists the pools and day-pass details.
28. The BYU Bowling and Games Center. In the Wilkinson Student Center, listed 1 to 10 p.m. on Mondays. BYU's bowling page says it serves students, faculty and all visitors.
29. Jack and Jill Lanes in Lehi. Bowling, arcade and laser tag, listed 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Mondays. See our Jack and Jill guide.
30. FatCats in Provo. At 1200 N. University Ave., listed until midnight on Mondays.
31. Classic Skating in Orem. At 250 S. State St., listed 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays.
32. The Quarry climbing gym, Provo. Listed 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Mondays. Comparisons in our climbing gyms guide.
33. An escape room. Getout Games in downtown Provo opens at 5:30 p.m. on Mondays, Red Giant in Orem at 6 p.m., and Escapes in Time in Orem at 4 p.m. Our escape rooms guide helps you pick a room for your kids' ages.
34. Trampolines. Hang Time Adventure Park in Orem is listed until 9 p.m. on Mondays, and Lowes Xtreme Air Sports in Provo also until 9.
Shows, trains and seasonal Mondays (35 to 39)
35. The Heber Valley Railroad's Monday Night Train. A 90-minute evening ride that leaves Heber City at 7 p.m. and returns at 8:30, with sing-alongs and a gunfight show before boarding. Its booking page listed a family pass at $72 for up to six riders age 2 and older. Our Heber Valley Railroad guide covers parking and the other trains.
36. The Halloween Express, in October. The railroad's website says this family Halloween train runs Monday, Thursday and Friday evenings through October and sells out.
37. A Monday night at the Ruth. The Ruth and Nathan Hale Theater in Pleasant Grove opens its runs on Mondays: its season list shows Disney's Frozen opening November 23, 2026 and A Christmas Carol November 30, both Mondays. Book early for December.
38. Free concerts in American Fork, in summer. The Harrington Center's Concerts in the Park ran Mondays from June 29 to August 17 in 2026 at the American Fork Amphitheater, 454 N. Center St., starting at 7 p.m. with food trucks from 6:30, according to the American Fork Citizen. Free. Our amphitheater guide has the seating rules.
39. The Springville Sunset Farmers Market. Springville's city page says the market runs every Monday from June through October at Civic Center Park, 5 to 9 p.m. through September and 5 to 8 p.m. in October. Give each child a few dollars and one rule: it has to be something they've never eaten.
Service (40 to 43)
There's a catch here that most FHE idea lists skip: many local volunteer shifts aren't on Monday nights. Our FHE service guide works through it in detail.
40. A collection drive for the Food and Care Coalition. The Provo nonprofit at 299 E. 900 S. posts a current needs list that in October 2026 included socks, lip balm, travel-size sunscreen and lotion, toothpaste and new underwear. Collect one item category as a family, then drop it off during posted hours (Monday through Friday 9 to 5, Saturday 10:30 to 5).
41. A Tuesday night at Tabitha's Way in Spanish Fork. The food pantry's Spanish Fork volunteer page lists a Tuesday evening shift from 5 to 8 p.m. Volunteers must be at least 12, and anyone under 16 needs an adult with them. Move home evening to Tuesday for one week.
42. A Wednesday group shift at Community Action's Provo pantry. Community Action Services and Food Bank's group listing offers Wednesdays from 4 to 7 p.m. for groups of at least 10, age 16 and up. That's a two-family FHE with teenagers.
43. Habitat for Humanity, for families with older teens. Habitat for Humanity of Utah County says volunteers must be 16 to work on an active build site and 18 to use power tools.
Treats (44 to 47)
Our FHE treats guide goes further, including what to make at home.
44. A Creamery run. BYU's Creamery on Ninth, at 1209 N. 900 E., is listed open until 11 p.m. on Mondays. BYU Dining calls Graham Canyon one of its classic flavors. Background in our Creamery guide.
45. Rockwell Ice Cream, downtown Provo. At 43 N. University Ave., listed 1 to 10 p.m. on Mondays, a block from the Provo City Center Temple. Pair it with idea 9.
46. Leatherby's in Orem. At 304 E. University Parkway, listed until 11 p.m. on Mondays. A sit-down sundae place, which matters when it's 20 degrees out.
47. A Jell-O night at home. In 2001 the Utah Senate passed a resolution recognizing Jell-O as "a favorite snack of Utah," noting that BYU students had campaigned for it through 2000 and that Utah Jell-O recipes "often include bananas, apples, marshmallows, pretzels, carrots, and grapes." Make one. Let the kids vote on whether carrots belong.
The holiday-Monday day trip (48 to 52)
In 2027, Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on January 18, Presidents' Day on February 15, Memorial Day on May 31, Independence Day observed on Monday, July 5 (July 4 is a Sunday), Labor Day on September 6 and Columbus Day on October 11. A long weekend Monday turns home evening into a day. Our FHE day-trip guide builds full itineraries.
48. The Church History Museum in Salt Lake City. Listed on Google as open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays, at 75 N. West Temple St. About 54 minutes from Provo by OSRM's estimate. Our Salt Lake City day trip has the parking plan.
49. Camp Floyd State Park, Fairfield. The site of the Army's 1858 post, with a museum, the Stagecoach Inn and a cemetery, open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. according to Utah State Parks. About 48 minutes from Provo.
50. Historic Cove Fort. A Church historic site halfway between Beaver and Fillmore, open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. per the Church's site page. Roughly two and a quarter hours from Provo.
51. Utah's first capitol, Fillmore. Territorial Statehouse State Park preserves the building where the Territorial Legislature held its only full session in December 1855, open Monday through Saturday 9 to 5, per Utah State Parks. Pair it with Cove Fort.
52. Two temples in Sanpete County. The Ephraim Utah Temple was dedicated October 11, 2026, according to the Church's temple list, and the Manti Utah Temple, dedicated in 1888, is a short drive south. About an hour and a half from Provo.
A few things that make it work
Keep the lesson short and put it first. The 1909 plan the Church describes called for short gospel lessons alongside the prayer, singing, activities and refreshments. If the outing comes after, the lesson tends to happen.
Let the place carry the lesson. The tabernacle fire is a lesson about what survives. Cove Fort is a lesson about hospitality to strangers. The Bean Museum program does the teaching for you.
Check the hours the afternoon of. Every hour on this page came from the place's own site or its Google listing on October 19, 2026. Holiday Mondays, school breaks and semester changes move them.
On a low-energy week, stay home. The handbook's list includes a family council and singing. Nothing on this page is required for a good home evening.
Related Guides
- Things to Do in Provo on a Monday
- Family Sunday Activities in Utah Valley
- The Monday Problem: What Is Open on FHE Night
- FHE With Toddlers
- FHE With Teenagers
- FHE for YSA Wards and Roommate Apartments
- FHE at the Library, the Museum and the Free Places
- Free and Cheap Things to Do in Provo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is family home evening?
Does family home evening have to be on Monday?
What is a free family home evening activity in Provo?
Are Utah Valley temples open on Monday nights?
What can we do for family home evening when it is cold or dark?
Is there a family home evening train in Utah?
What are good family home evening service ideas in Utah Valley?
How long should a family home evening be?
Sources
The facts in this guide were checked against these sources. Hours, fees and rules change, so confirm anything time-sensitive with the source before you go. How we make Provo.com.
- Provo City Library home page, Provo City Library. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Mormon Heritage, Visit Utah. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Peaks Ice Arena, Provo City. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Farmers Market, Springville City. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Camp Floyd State Park, Utah State Parks. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Territorial Statehouse State Park, Utah State Parks. Checked October 19, 2026.
- S.R. 5 Resolution Urging Jell-O Recognition (2001, enrolled), Utah Legislature. Checked October 19, 2026.
- General Handbook 2.2.4: Home Evening and Other Activities, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Checked October 19, 2026.
- General Handbook 20.5.3: Monday Nights, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Family Home Evening (Church History Topics), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum home page, Brigham Young University. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Bean Museum Programs, Brigham Young University. Checked October 19, 2026.
- BYU Museum of Art, Brigham Young University. Checked October 19, 2026.
- 150th Temple Is Dedicated, Church Newsroom. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple (temple details and closures), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Lindon Utah Temple (temple details and closures), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Orem Utah Temple (temple details and closures), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Saratoga Springs Utah Temple (temple details and closures), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Payson Utah Temple (temple details and closures), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Checked October 19, 2026.
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Temple List, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Checked October 19, 2026.
- BYU Bowling and Games Center, Brigham Young University. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Creamery Marketplace, BYU Dining Services. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Cove Fort historic site, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Visit the Springville Museum of Art, Springville Museum of Art. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Monday Night Train, Heber Valley Railroad. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Heber Valley Railroad home page, Heber Valley Railroad. Checked October 19, 2026.
- The Ruth and Nathan Hale Theater season, The Ruth. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Food and Care Coalition: Current Needs, Food and Care Coalition. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Volunteer: Spanish Fork Pantry, Tabitha's Way. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Daytime Group Activity (Provo Food Pantry), Community Action Services and Food Bank, via VOMO. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Habitat for Humanity of Utah County: Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity of Utah County. Checked October 19, 2026.
- AllTrails: Footloose Loop, AllTrails. Checked October 19, 2026.
- AllTrails: Golden Eagle Pass, AllTrails. Checked October 19, 2026.
- AllTrails: Lower Hog Hollow Creek Trail, AllTrails. Checked October 19, 2026.
- AllTrails: Upper Falls Trail, AllTrails. Checked October 19, 2026.
- AllTrails: Brigham Young University Botany Pond, AllTrails. Checked October 19, 2026.
- AllTrails: Dripping Rock Falls, AllTrails. Checked October 19, 2026.
- AllTrails: River Trail Loop from Sports Park, AllTrails. Checked October 19, 2026.
- AllTrails: Hobble Creek Trail, AllTrails. Checked October 19, 2026.
- AllTrails: Grotto Falls Trail, AllTrails. Checked October 19, 2026.
- AllTrails: Cascade Springs Interpretive Trail, AllTrails. Checked October 19, 2026.
- AllTrails: Spanish Oaks Lookout Point Trail, AllTrails. Checked October 19, 2026.
- AllTrails: Buffalo Peak Trail, AllTrails. Checked October 19, 2026.
- AllTrails: Tibble Fork Reservoir Loop, AllTrails. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Harrington Center brings summer of music to AF, American Fork Citizen. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Sunrise and sunset times for Provo, Utah (API, mid-month 2027), Sunrise-Sunset.org. Checked October 19, 2026.
- Google Places listings (hours, addresses), checked Oct 19, 2026, Google. Checked October 19, 2026.
- OSRM routing service (drive-time estimates), Project OSRM. Checked October 19, 2026.
