Engaging Winter Break Activities for Families Around Seattle and Beyond

Things to do with kids every day of winter break

Winter break is nearly upon us. This can be a potentially frustrating time of unscheduled kids, rainy weather, early darkness and everyone all cooped up inside. But it doesn’t have to be! We’ve gathered a few dozen family-focused activities that will get you out of the house and having a blast. Browse our entire list, or skip to the type of activities you’re ready to try first:

• Outdoor play ideas
• Snow day activities
• Winter hikes and nature walks
• Indoor playgrounds and places to play
• Holiday events
• Animal encounters

First up: Play outside

Editor’s note: This article was originally published many years ago and was most recently updated on Dec. 9. 2025, by ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba, with new activities for winter break.

Play outdoors no matter the weather

You might have to bring a towel to dry the swings and slides, but active play and a good dose of fresh air will boost everyone’s mood. 

• New playgrounds: The Greater Seattle area debuted quite a few new playgrounds this year, and even the cold weather can’t keep us from exploring them all. Check out the star jellyfish on Pier 58 or the brightly colored structures at Cheryl Chow Park. Or buzz on over to Hidden Valley Park in Bellevue, which is one of 10 local parks that got a major glow-up.
• Rain-friendly playgrounds and parks: Of all of our playground articles, bookmark this one for the winter. It’s got great puddle-jumping fun for our region’s typical winter weather.
• Adventure playgrounds: Are your kids ready for a little more excitement? These thrilling parks have the highest swings, steepest slides and zippiest zip lines.
• Sensory playgrounds: These inclusive parks feature accessible equipment for all kids and are super fun for everyone. Don’t miss Shoreline’s first universal design playground!
• Lighted playgrounds: Early sunsets aren’t a problem at these well-lit playgrounds. Even when it gets dark at 4 p.m., you can keep the fun going at any of these parks.

Next up: Go to the snow

Let it snow

Playing in the snow is a tried-and-true winter break activity. While we sometimes have to do our best snow dances this time of year, it seems the snow is nearly here. But still, know that you must double-check the operating status of where you want to go, on the day you want to go. Good luck!

• Free skiing for kids: Loup Loup Ski Bowl, a hidden gem nestled in Methow Valley, is worth the trek. Kids 15 and younger ski for free with a paying adult. Never skied before? Sign up for a lesson, or try alpine luge sledding and snow tubing.
• Fat biking: If you thought biking season was over, think again. It’s a four-season sport when you have the oversize tires found on fat bikes. There are three fantastic spots where you can give it a go.
• Sledding and tubing: Keep the winter fun going with more snow play. Several tubing and sledding spots are opening soon! But conditions change frequently, so make sure to check the daily status before you venture out.
• Annette Lake Sno-Park: There’s no sledding hill at this popular sno-park, but it’s always fun to frolic in the snow. Plus, it’s less than an hour away from Seattle.
• Snowshoeing: If you can walk, you can snowshoe, easy as pie! Especially when compared with skiing, snowshoeing is a doable and relatively affordable family snow outing.
• Ice-skating: Okay, you don’t need snow to go ice-skating, but it is a classic winter sport. Check out our guide to pop-up and permanent rinks around town. And our tips for teaching kids to ice skate, if you need them.

Next up: Stretch your legs on a hike

Explore new trails, in the woods and in town

Don’t let the winter weather deter you. Getting outside is still a great idea over winter break, and these hikes and nature walks will leave you in awe of the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

• Scenic winter hikes: If you thought hiking was just for spring and summer months, think again. The gorgeous views on these hikes make bundling up worth it.
• Hikes near Seattle: Pack the car for a 90-minute-or-less drive to these nearby hikes and hit the trails.
• Kitsap hikes for kids: Plan a day trip to the Kitsap Peninsula and explore the handful of hiking trails that are perfect for families.
• Nature walks right in town: Skip the long travel time and head to one of these in-city nature walks, where you can still admire old-growth forests and breathe in the fresh air.
• Trolls on the trails: Plan a trek to meet a giant troll or two.

Next up: Escape the rain

Thrilling indoor playgrounds and activities

When you need a break from the rain, book a spot at one of these indoor options.

• The state’s largest indoor sandbox: The recently opened Sand Garden is not to be missed — you’ll find not one, but two huge sandboxes to spend the day digging in.
• A bubbly, immersive experience: Spend a few hours in the otherworldly Bubble Planet. Hop from room to room and you’ll find a bubble bath-themed ball pit, an interactive sea floor, a geodesic dome and more.
• Indoor playgrounds for days: This list includes so many indoor play ideas you’ll have a new spot for every day of winter break! Don’t miss two of the newest: Laro Tayo in Kent and Nixi City in Shoreline.
• Outside-the-box indoor activities: Go beyond indoor playgrounds with a swim in an indoor pool, a round of mini golf, or a day at a museum. If you’re in the South Sound, we have you covered with gymnastics, pottery and bowling.
• The largest children’s museum in Washington: Beloved kiddie destination Imagine Children’s Museum’s expansion made it the largest in the state. You gotta go. Other children’s museums around the region deliver on rainy days and every day, too.
• Mind-bending illusions: Nothing is what it seems at Museum of Illusions, a must-visit spot in downtown Seattle that has interactive exhibits.

Next up: Check out holiday happenings

Holiday events and activities

No use trying to be a grinch. Kids love the holidays, so we might as well give in to all the joyful holiday happenings!

• Festive holiday fun: There are so many free and budget-friendly activities around, it’ll send your holiday spirit into overdrive!
• Kringle’s Inventionasium: This family-favorite holiday attraction has returned to Seattle. Kids will have a blast on a mission straight from Santa himself, where they’ll get to design their own whimsical toy and bring it to life with magical stops along the way.
• Seattle Christmas Market: This charming holiday attraction is back through Christmas Eve, now with a daily “snow” flurries and more than 80 vendors. Stroll through the European-style market, shop for unique gifts and sip on a hot cocoa. You’ll feel like you’re in a Hallmark movie!
• Fantastic light displays: Revel in thousands and thousands of lights illuminating our dark December skies. Tip: There are a few winter light displays that continue into January and beyond!
• Hanukkah in the community: Kids can get their hands on Hanukkah fun at craft-and-learning sessions around town. Plus, community menorah lightings spread joy for the Jewish Festival of Lights, and (this is important) you’ll want to note a short-term specialty treat opportunity!
• Santa meet-and-greets: Need a last-minute word (or photo) with the big guy? Check our guide for where to meet Santa right up ‘til Christmas Eve.

Next up: Go on an animal adventure

Animal adventures

Spy some new and favorite critters during these animal encounters.

• Unusual animal encounters: There are six local spots where you can encounter unique animals, from an adorable prehensile-tailed porcupine to a formidable blacktip reef shark. The kids will have incredible stories to share with their friends when they return to school!
• Northwest Trek: Visit Northwest Trek to spot fascinating wildlife. If you time your visit right, you can watch as wolves, cougars, badgers and beavers enjoy special winter treats during Winter Wildland (Dec. 26–28). On your visit, be sure to take an electric tram ride (included with admission!) and travel slowly past amazing animals, such as elk, mountain goats, bison and more.
• Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium: There’s lots to love at PDZA, including the new Coral Reef Up-Close exhibit in the Tropical Reef Aquarium. Explore it all, and make sure to budget time for the kids to get their winter break wiggles out on the nature-inspired playground.
• WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo: Woodland Park Zoo’s winter light display showcases critters from near and far, with a sneak peek of the upcoming Forest Trailhead exhibit. Plus, the zoo’s Reptile Realm is open in the evenings, giving you a chance to see Komodo dragons, snakes and other reptiles during the nightly light display.
• Seattle Aquarium’s Ocean Pavilion: Just last year, Seattle Aquarium expanded with an incredible space that brings the Indo-Pacific and Coral Triangle to the Pacific Northwest. Watch eagle rays glide through a 500,000-gallon tank, see coral up close and learn how the oceans are all connected.