Twin Cities Winter Break Fun Guide 2025 – 2026

Winter Break is here, and for many, goes through New Year’s Day or later! I know mine will be busy with Christmas presents for at least part of the time, but what to do for the rest of winter break?

A few years ago I talked on WCCO about last minute gift ideas and free and inexpensive winter break fun, so I thought I’d create a list for this year too!

So here is a list of ideas for winter break fun in the Twin Cities that I put together to keep my family happy as well as yours! (And many are FREE or inexpensive!)

ENJOY HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAYS!

This was always my favorite part of the Christmas season as I was growing up. Driving around and seeing how others get their house all decked out for the season always gets me in the Christmas spirit.

I put together these guides for Minnesota light displays this season:

Holiday Lights and Events in Minnesota 2025 (& Discounts!)

Holiday Lights Drive-Thru Events in Minnesota 2025

LIBRARY EVENTS

Local libraries offer SO much FREE programming for everyone, including kids through teens. And they often offer winter break events and activities to keep your kiddos busy.

To find them, search the library website’s event page.

Check out (no pun intended) your local library for happenings near you:

INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS

Minnesota knows how to keep kids busy through the long cold winter with plenty of indoor fun.

Check out my NEW guide: The Ultimate Guide to Twin Cities Indoor Playgrounds!

It’s sponsored by the Minnesota Children’s Museum! Save $30 off a gift membership or $3 off gift tickets with my code TCFM.

Be sure to visit the Minnesota Children’s Museum’s “Game On” exhibit – only through January 4th, 2026! Read about our visit!

SKATE FREE OR CHEAP

There are many free skating rinks around the Twin Cities.

If you don’t mind paying a fee, you can also skate at The Oval in Roseville ($8-9 admission). Skate rentals are $5.00.

Plus, have the kids try INDOOR skating – for cheap! Sign them up for Kids Skate Free and they can skate up to 2 sessions a week for an annual $4.99 membership fee at each of two places: Cheap Skate in Coon Rapids and Skatin’ Place in St. Cloud.

SEE A MOVIE

Local movie theatres often have deals for kids on winter break. Check theatres near you!

Plus, here are some great TV streaming deals for staying in!

VISIT A ZOO!

Como Zoo is free all year long (though they accept donations), It’s a great place to visit on a not-so-cold winter day, or warm up inside Tropical Encounters or the beautiful Conservatory.

The Minnesota Zoo is another great place for year-round fun!

Or check out an indoor zoo like Sustainable Safari at Maplewood Mall!

GET OUT IN NATURE!

Check out local nature centers, or enjoy snow tubing or sledding!

Here is a FREE Printable Winter Scavenger Hunt:

Enjoy these 32 No Spend Family Winter Activities (Free Printable List!)!

CELEBRATE NEW YEAR’S EVE.

There are New Year’s Eve celebrations for families in the Twin Cities!

At the Minnesota Children’s Museum, enjoy Sparklerama, a New Year’s Eve party.

More New Year’s Eve events:

Chaska: New Year’s Eve at Winter Lights 2025. December 31st. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
Shoreview: New Year’s Eve Party. December 31st at Noon. Shoreview Community Center. $15 per person.
St. Louis Park: New Year’s Eve at the ROC. December 31st, 4:00 – 6:00pm.

Highlights for winter in the Twin Cities:

EXPERIENCE A GINGERBREAD WONDERLAND.

Photo source: https://www.norwayhouse.org/

Through January 8th, you can be wowed by Twin Cities buildings built out of gingerbread at the Norway House in Minneapolis.

ENJOY THE MINNESOTA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

The Minnesota Children’s Museum is one of the most fun places to take your kids in the Twin Cities, and you can SAVE $30 on a gift membership with my exclusive code for a limited time! Plus you can save $3 on tickets EVERY DAY with my code. Use my code TCFM online or in person.

Plus check out my popular guide: 5 Ways to Save On (or Get Free) Admission to the Minnesota Children’s Museum in St. Paul

Sundays at Landmark – Landmark Center, St. Paul. There are Urban Expedition days and other events throughout the month.

Also watch for Ice Castles to return in New Brighton in January! Save 15% with my special code!

Sky Zone – they have locations in St. Paul, Minneapolis, Maple Grove, Eagan, and Blaine.

Urban Air – kids love all the fun they can have here! With locations around the Twin Cities including Coon Rapids and Plymouth, and Snapology in the Plymouth location (think LEGO camps!), it’s definitely worth checking out.

Snapology – Plymouth – Snapology has fun camps for kids! My son went and I even tried it out with my kids. It’s located in the Urban Air Adventure Park in Plymouth.

Snapology – Minneapolis – There’s also a Snapology located in Minneaopolis. My son had a fabulous birthday party there!

Twin Cities Deals & Events Calendar

This calendar includes local events (& deals!) for the current month, and is updated regularly.

Guides for Fun All Year-Round!

The Ultimate List of Minnesota Family Fun

This lists tons of places a family can find fun in Minnesota, organized alphabetically by category! Cities/locations are included.

Originally created as a list by one of my readers, I then expanded this list and published it here. Then another reader created an interactive spreadsheet for me to include! It’s all here:

Twin Cities Discount Guide for Families

All the ways you can save money at places all around the Twin Cities, compiled here.

Free or Discounted Admission Programs for Limited Income Families in Minnesota

Do you or or a family member receive assistance such as WIC, Medical Assistance, or SNAP? You may qualify for free or discounted admission to many places in Minnesota, plus other benefits! This is a complete list of what you may be eligible for.

Hidden Gems for Families in the Twin Cities

My guide to fun, unique places around Minnesota many don’t know about!

Freebies for Kids & Families in Minnesota

After blogging for the past 17 years and posting about one freebie after another throughout that time, I realized there were so many it was worth compiling into a single list, and here it is!

100 Things for Kids to Do at Home When Bored (Written by My 12-Year-Old!)

This popular list was written by my 12-year-old when she was bored one day – I asked her to write a list of all the things she could do!

Staycation & Short Trip Ideas in Minnesota

Austin, MN – We had a perfect weekend getaway here!

Duluth, MN – I grew up here, but visit here often with my kids. I’ve written many recaps of our visits including Spirit Mountain, Glensheen Mansion, the Vista Fleet, North Shore Railroad and Great Lakes Aquarium.

Stillwater, MN – We go here all the time and here’s my review of a weekend visit. Be sure to watch my video of how decorated downtown Stillwater is in winter!

New Day Dairy GuestBarn in Clarksville, Iowa – Just 3-1/2 hours south of the Twin Cities, this is a fabulous, immersive dairy barn that’s also a relaxing AirBnb! It’s open year-round. We stayed here in the middle of winter and had a blast. Read about our visit and be sure to mention my blog for an ice cream deal!

In and Around the Twin Cities

Great Wolf Lodge in Bloomington – We stayed here twice and love how there’s so much to do on-site!

Radisson Blu Hotel at the Mall of America – We also stayed here twice and love how it’s so nice and connected to the Mall of America for unlimited fun.

Family Trip Road Trip Ideas!

Of course, this is a guide to family fun in the Twin Cities, but sometimes you just want to get away! Here are some places we’ve been that we recommend.

Bismarck, North Dakota -Just 6 hours west of the Twin Cities, there’s actually a lot for families to see and do here! And a lot of it is FREE! I especially recommend seeing the dinosaur bones at the free museum. Read my guide, 12 Must-See Attractions for Families Visiting Bismarck, North Dakota.

Kansas! Want to head south but can’t afford plane tickets? You can drive to Topeka, Kansas from the Twin Cities in a day. or spread out the drive with stops on the way including Des Moines. We had a blast in Kansas this summer. Read my recap: From Animals to Oz to Ziplining: Plan this Epic Family Trip to Northeast Kansas!

Omaha: The Henry Doorly Zoo is a must-see and it’s open year-round! Read about our visit.

Quad Cities! They’re a half day’s drive away and there are museums and unique fun here.

St. Louis, Missouri – So much is free including a zoo and science center. Read my guide: St. Louis with Kids: Our Visit and Guide to an Amazing Family Trip.

We also returned this summer to see their new aquarium! It was the best! Read about our return visit:

Back to the Arch: Our Family’s Return to St. Louis with Teens

What ideas do you have for winter break with your family?

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