After the excitement of the holidays, we find ourselves faced with many LONG winter break days ahead! Luckily, we have a whole bunch of fabulous ideas to keep everyone entertained – whether you prefer to venture out around town or stay closer to home. Get inspired with our list of fun activities to keep the family fun going all winter break long!
We also rounded up some great Winter Break Camps and if you’re in need of even more inspiration, check out our Holiday Fun Guide and Event Calendar. Sign up for our Weekend Fun Guide to get posts like this delivered to your inbox.
Here’s some ideas for winter break fun in Des Moines:
1. Holiday Lights
If you didn’t get a chance to see any holiday lights, you’re in luck, events like Jolly Holiday Lights and Santa’s Rock N Lights Drive Thru Light Show are still lit throughout winter break.
2. Brenton Skating Plaza
Bundle up and take a spin around Des Moines’ coolest ice rink! Don’t forget to reserve your spot online before you go and be sure to check their calendar, in case of inclement weather.
3. Get Crafty
Check out your favorite local place for cool and creative kid crafts and DIY over the long winter break.
4. Best Sledding Hills
If there’s snow on the ground, sledding is always the perfect activity to burn off some energy and make memories.
5. Visit the Blank Park Zoo
A winter trip to the Zoo can be a completely different experience than a summer zoo excursion. For one thing, it’s much less crowded during the colder months, which means you’ll have a better view of the animals!
6. Family Game Day
Get out your family’s favorite games for an indoor game day marathon.
7. Enjoy a Winter Sport
Pack up the family and hit the slopes, zip down a hill or cast your line for a winter adventure outdoors – snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snow tubing or ice fishing.
8. Kid-Friendly Bowling
Many bowling alleys are open over winter break and offer bumper rails and rolling ramps for the littles.
9. Get in the Kitchen
Find a new recipe, bake some cookies, or meal plan for the week ahead together.
10. Jester Park
Get outside, get dirty, explore together with your kids and spend some time away from technology for an afternoon.
11. Volunteer Together
Keep the spirit of the holidays alive and do good with your family by volunteering together.
12. Backyard Weather Station
Kids can learn something even on the days when they’re home. This educational outdoor activity will teach your kids about weather and record keeping.
13. Indoor Rock Climbing
Climb to new heights with the family and get some exercise at Climb Iowa.
14. Get in Pole Position
Put the pedal to the metal and try go-karting for a fun winter break experience.
15. Go Stargazing
Winter is a great time to do a little stargazing. Cold air holds less moisture than warm summer air, so clear nights tend to be very clear indeed!
16. Trampoline Park
If the kids are bouncing off the walls, bring them to a trampoline park to bounce until they can’t bounce any more.
17. Local Libraries
If you’re looking to keep your kids active and engaged over the school winter break, look no further than your local public library. Check out books or something fun to keep the kids busy at home or attend one of the many fun events or activities that they will be hosting.
18. Host a Spa Day at Home
Pamper your kids with a foot soak in a relaxing foot spa or the tub, and then give them a pedicure and a manicure. If you’re feeling brave, let them do your nails, too!
19. Pottery Time
Check out the open pottery time or pick up a to go activity at a studio near you and create something beautiful together for your home.
20. Arcade/Game Room Fun
Get in touch with your gamer side and bring your kids to a nearby arcade for some indoor gaming fun.
21. Make a Family Scrap Book
If you have a digital camera or a smartphone, chances are you have hundreds, if not thousands, of photos that you have never printed off. Get some of them printed and spend some time organizing them into photo albums or scrapbooks.
22. Kid-Parent Dates
Start a new tradition over winter break and enjoy some one-on-one time with your kids.
23. Children’s Museum Trip
Hours of fun await at one of the state’s incredible children’s museums.
24. Indoor Camping
To break up the monotony of winter, kids might enjoy setting up camp in the house. If you have a tent, you could set that up in the basement or living room or give the kids some sheets and blankets and let them build their own fort.
25. Admire Art Together
Get in touch with your cultural side and be inspired by amazing art at the Des Moines Art Center.
26. Cheer on Your Favorite Team
Take in the action on the ice or the court. The Iowa Wild plays host on December 23, 28 and 30 and the Iowa Wolves will tip off on December 29, 31 and January 1 at Wells Fargo Arena.
27. Roller Skating
Going roller skating is a great way to forget the cold outside with your family.
28. Big Clean
Winter break is a great time to have the kids do a deep clean of their bedrooms. Go through all of their old and new toys and clothes, make a few piles and chose what to donate, throw away or keep.
29. Move Your Bodies
Plan times for everyone to get moving together. Take walks, ride bikes, or just play hide-and-seek outside. Everyone will benefit from the exercise.
30. Kid Art Exhibition
Make your own art retrospective, host a kid gallery show and look back at all the art they created in 2022.
What does your family have planned for winter break? Let us know!
