Winter Break Activity Ideas for Kids

Indoor

According to the old Farmer’s Almanac, Minnesota could be seeing a warmer winter that usual this year. However, that doesn’t mean it won’t still be chilly! Stay nice and warm by taking advantage of the best indoor activities the Twin Cities has offer.

Indoor Play Spaces
Chances are there is an indoor play space for kiddos ages 2 and up in your area. Even though they may be called different names, they all offer kids a fun and creative space to be kids. These spaces are equipped with slides, tubes, ball pits and so much more. Stop by Edina’s Edinborough Park, Eagles Nest in New Brighton, Brookview Backyard in Golden Valley, Maple Grove’s Maple Maze or your local indoor playground.

Indoor Trampoline Parks
Better suited for kids that handle high jumping, trampoline parks are a great place to burn off some energy. Not only do these parks have trampolines from wall to wall, they also have foam pits, dodgeball and even laser tag! To accommodate younger kids, Zero Gravity has Toddler Time on Friday mornings.

DIYs/Crafts
Prefer to stay at home? No problem. There are plenty of crafts and DIY projects available online. Sites like 5-Minute Crafts and Pinterest are great places to start looking for activities.

Outdoor

Minnesotans know how to embrace the cold weather. That’s why we have a great variety of things to do outside even in the winter months.

Winter-specific Activities
From tubing to ice skating and everything in between there is something for everyone no matter your interests or age. Kids can enroll in winter programs at the Loppet Foundation in Minneapolis. They offer ski camps as well as a winter adventure camp for youth between the ages of 8 and 13. The Loppet/Theodore Wirth Park also has some activities that don’t require planning such as sledding, tubing, skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing.

Skate the Star
The Mall of America recently announced the opening of their ice skating rink, Skate the Star. The skating rink is free to the public and all of the proceeds from skate rentals will go on to support the Boys and Girls club of the Twin Cities. Skate the Star, which is located at the Mall’s north entrance, will be up and running from Saturday, December 8th, 2018 through Sunday, January 27th, 2019.

Destination

For an educational all-day outing, visiting museums and interactive exhibits is a great option. These attractions are open year-round and come at a low cost (some are even free)!

Art Museums
Learn about history and other cultures an art museum! The Twin Cities has institutions that care about enriching the community through the power of art. The Minneapolis Institute of Art, better known as MIA, is free all day, every day (excluding special exhibitions and events). The Walker Art Center is also free (for ages 0-18). Otherwise, adults can get in for free every Thursday and the first Saturday of every month.

Interactive Museums
For an equally educational, but more interactive museum experience places like the Science Museum of Minnesota, the Works Museum and Minnesota Children’s Museum are great places to visit. On the Third Sunday of every month the Minnesota Children’s Museum is free to all visitors! All of these museums offer a hands-on learning experience ranging in focuses from engineering to science.

Sea Life Aquarium
Sea Life at the Mall of America is a must-visit destination for tourists, but locals should also take advantage of 1.3-million-gallon aquarium in our backyard. At Sea Life, there is the option to observe all the sea life, feed the rays or touch some of the fish. General admission tickets a less than $20 when bought online.

Hopefully we gave you an idea or two on how to kick-start your child’s winter break. The holiday season is a great time to regroup as a family and enjoy each other’s company. The activities mentioned above are not only kid-friendly but also family friendly. Happy holidays!