75+ Free Winter Break Activities

0

Winter break is here! Are you wondering how to fill up the entire two weeks? We have you covered! Here is our list of more than 75 FREE winter break activities in Columbus to keep the kids active as well as having fun during break.

Winter Break Day 1: Play Indoors!

Check out these FREE indoor play areas:

Also, check out our Guide to Indoor Play Areas in Columbus.

Winter Break Day 2: Get out in Nature!

Nature walk

  • Attend a Metro Parks program or hike!
  • Visit Quarry Trails that opened a few years ago near Grandview.
  • Make a homemade bird feeder with pine cones, peanut butter, and seeds.
  • Look for stars and constellations. Try the free app, SkyView Lite, to navigate the night sky.
  • Watch for wildlife in your neighborhood. Search for animal tracks outside. My own neighborhood is full of rabbits!
  • Take a road trip to Hocking Hills.

Winter Break Day 3: Books, Books, and More Books!

Cover to Cover Bookstore

  • Attend a free event at your local library!
  • Read through a whole chapter book.
  • Join in for a few fun stories in the Grange Insurance Audubon Center! Be sure to pre-register HERE! Enjoy this nature-themed story time at the Grange Audubon Center on Thursdays. Or Reserve your playtime in the Grange Insurance Audubon Center and have an adventure while engaging in imaginative play in the Grange Insurance Audubon Center Forest Room Playroom and Climbing Area!
  • Listen to an audiobook.
  • Check out a local bookstore. Cover to Cover Books is a great one to explore!

Winter Break Day 4: Fun at Home

play chess

  • Have a movie night with popcorn.
  • Practice or learn a new instrument.
  • Turn up the music, and have a dance party.
  • Put together a puzzle.
  • Build a fort or set up a tent indoors.
  • Have a family game tournament! Sleeping Queens and Left Right Center are new favorites for us! Check out our list of games without tears list of game night ideas!
  • Watch a sports game together, and cheer for your team.

Winter Break Day 5: Be a Tourist for the day

Dayton Air Force Museum

Winter Break Day 6: Cooking and Baking

Treats for kids

Winter Break Day 7: Get Active!

Ice skating

  • Go for a dip at the Columbus Aquatic Center. Check out their website for open hours. It’s almost free: $1 per person.
  • Make a ninja warrior obstacle course in your basement or backyard.
  • Play at a free open gym at one of your nearby Columbus Parks and Recreation Community centers. Check out the winter break schedules for each of these great centers: Carriage Place, Lazelle Woods, and Whetstone.
  • Bundle up, and play outside. Shoot hoops. Go to a playground. Play tag.
  • Take a winter walk around the neighborhood. Many neighborhoods have luminaries too!

Winter Break Day 8: Family Memories Day

look through photos

  • Look at photos from the past year.
  • Record a video of each person’s favorite activities from the past year.
  • Watch old family videos together.
  • Make a time capsule to open the following year.
  • Spend quality time as a family. Check out our list of 35 Ways to Spend Quality Family Time This Winter Break.

Winter Break Day 9: Play in the Snow!

build a snowman

  • Build a snowman or even a whole army of snowmen.
  • Go sledding. Try one of these 20 sledding hills in Columbus.
  • Make snow angels.
  • Fill a spray bottle with water and food coloring, and “color” the snow.
  • Build a snow fort, and carve out snow chairs inside.
  • Fill a large container with snow, and bring the fun indoors for sensory play.

Winter Break Day 10: Get crafty!

craft ideas

  • Fold paper airplanes, and have a flying contest.
  • Make bracelets on a rainbow loom.
  • Play with homemade slime.
  • Fold and cut classic paper snowflakes, and hang them with string.
  • Paint the windows with window chalk.
  • Finish a coloring page.
  • Play with homemade play dough.
  • Make a collage from old magazines.
  • Instead of using paintbrushes, paint with items such as marshmallows, bubble wrap, car wheels, and balls.

Winter Break Day 11: Visit a Fun Store

turtle

Winter Break Day 12: Keep Learning!

learning ideas

  • Build a sculpture with marshmallows and toothpicks.
  • Practice those math facts with flashcards and games.
  • Watch a kids travel show about another culture or country.
  • Learn some card and magic tricks!
  • Make a homemade volcano.
  • Build a new lego creation with ideas from Pinterest or library books.
  • Let your imagination soar as you put together a neat stop-motion animation project.

Winter Break Day 13: Serve Others

serving others

  • Donate old toys or other items to a local charity.
  • Write thank you cards or draw pictures for all the people who gave gifts.
  • Tackle some home projects or chores together.
  • Make cookies for your neighbor.
  • Volunteer at a local non-profit such as Seeds of Caring.

Winter Break Day 14: Enjoy the Holiday season!

holiday train display

What are your favorite winter break activities?