Top 10 winter activities for kids and families in Minnesota and western Wisconsin

Key Insights

• There are plenty of family-friendly events happening all across Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
• Whether you want to escape the cold with indoor activities or embrace the weather with outdoor excursions, these activities will help you enjoy your winter.

Feeling a little stir-crazy… and worried it’s only December? Looking for something fun to do over winter break?

Whatever the case, we’ve gathered a list of the top 10 winter activities for kids and families in Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

Outdoor winter events

1. Go tubing at Elm Creek

Love sledding and tubing, but hate how much effort it takes to get back up the hill? Or maybe you’re afraid that your kids’ steering abilities will result in a trip to urgent care? At Elm Creek in Maple Grove, they’ve solved these age-old issues with designated tubing lanes and a “moving sidewalk” that brings tubers back up the 10-story hill so they can conserve energy and tube all afternoon.

Date: All winter long, weather permitting
Time: See website for details

2. Ice skating in Wisconsin

Visit the 5 best ice skating spots in Wisconsin this winter! Each frozen pond and outdoor skating rink provides a unique sense of winter beauty for you to take in as you glide across the ice. Plus, a handful of these rinks have warming houses and concessions so you can thaw out after a fun skating session.

Date: All winter long, weather permitting
Time: See website for details

3. Breezy Point’s Annual Ice Fest

Visit Breezy Point's Annual Ice Fest to savor everything that winter has to offer. From pond hockey to beach bonfires to hayrides, there’s bound to be something for everyone in the family to enjoy at this annual winter festival.

Date: January 3 – 4
Time: See website for details

4. Embrace winter at The Great Northern

Spread out across 11 days, programming includes signature events, art performances and displays, outdoor activities, events for foodies and more. Tickets are available for purchase and pre-sale promotions and additional event information is available through their mailing list.

Date: Jan. 23 – Feb. 2
Time: See website for details

5. Head up north to Polar Fest

For 16 freezing days in February, Detroit Lakes puts on an epic winter spectacular. From a Poles n’ Holes ice fishing event to a hot dish challenge and frozen fireworks over the lake, the Polar Fest is bound to help you and your kids embrace Minnesota winter in all its glory.

Date: Feb. 7 – 23
Time: See website for details

Indoor winter events

6. Kids’ cooking classes

Cooks of Crocus Hill has kids’ and family cooking events scheduled throughout the winter at their three locations in St. Paul, Edina and the North Loop in Minneapolis. Whether your children love sweets or pasta, there’s a perfect experience just for them.

Time: See website for details

7. Go see “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” onstage

While the weather outside is frightful, the Children’s Theatre Company is getting downright grinchy. Make plans now to see “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” with your kiddos, or get tickets for other upcoming shows, “Leonardo! A Wonderful Show about Terrible Monsters”, or “Milo Imagines the World”.

Time: See website for details

8. Take a class at the Duluth Art Institute

Whether your kids are interested in photography or painting, the Duluth Art Institute has upcoming curriculum to help them draw out their inner talent! This place is full of learning experiences and ways to inspire a growing mind.

Time: See website for details

9. Visit Edinborough Park in Edina

Edina’s Edinborough Park is the ideal location to spend a snowy weekend or an afternoon after school is out. Slides, basketball courts, dodgeballs and themed play areas fill this indoor park. Kids of all ages will love Edinborough Park.

Times: See website for details

10. Take in a showing at the Omnitheater

Explore science on the biggest screen in town! With a huge domed screen displaying natural wonders, you get to experience our world like never before. Current showings include Ancient Caves, Secrets of the Sea, Fungi: Web of Life and Stellar Tours: A Star is Born.

Time: See website for details