16 Things To Do Over Winter Break in the Twin Cities

December 20, 2025

Kids at the Castle: Terrific Tomtar

American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Let littles roam free in a real-life castle after an hour or so of structured activity time with stories, songs and games aimed at ages 2-5. This month’s program has a holiday bent as the mansion will be decorated for the season. If the program is sold out it’s possible to get your name added to the waitlist. If you still aren’t able to get in, the decked out castle is worth an independent visit; kids will love a gallery designed just for them and poking around the “castle” like museum for little tomtes (elves). December 20, 2025, 9-10am, $15/family.

December 20-21, 2025: Winter solstice events

MIINNEAPOLIS Winter Solstice Celebration

North Mississippi Regional Park, 4900 Mississippi Court, Minneapolis
Make your way along a glowing trail plus take-home luminary crafts, games, and a bonfire. December 20, 2025, 6-9pm. FREE.

• MAPLE GROVE Winter Solstice Luminary Walk
• MINNEAPOLIS Winter Solstice Celebration with Heart of the Beast Theater
• ST LOUIS PARK Be the Light Winter Solstice Walk
• WEST ST PAUL Winter Solstice Bonfire at Dodge Nature Center

We have collected several ways to observe the winter solstice (and turning point from the dark) on this activity list. Activities take place December 20-21, 2025.

December 22, 2025

Before Santa’s gone…bring your Christmas list and visit him at Cabela’s in Woodbury or Cabela’s in Rogers. Please make your (free!) advance reservation to meet Santa and get a free 4X6 photo! Thru Dec 24 during store hours. Find our master list of where you can meet Santa in the Twin Cities – there are still a few opportunities before he packs up his sleigh and heads off for a little vacation.

December 23, 2025

Lace up a pair of ice skates: Bring your skates to the Central Park Ice Skating Loop in Maple Grove or the canals of Centennial Lakes Park in Edina. Skating is free and the backdrops are lovely; skate rental is available for about $8.50 per pair if you need it. Dick’s House of Sport in Ridgedale Mall (Minnetonka) is also offering skating on their outdoor ice rink many days of winter break. Admission is $10/pp with skate rental included. Searching for ice closer to home? Use our Skate the Twin Cities list to find your nearest free outdoor ice rink.

December 24, 2025

Bake that last batch of cookies:  Do your kids like to help in the kitchen as much as mine? Need a last-minute idea for the holiday cookie exchange? We’ve got some sweet and blessedly simple recipes to whip up sugar cookies and gingerbread cut-outs.

December 25, 2025

Merry Christmas if you celebrate! Got some down time after you’ve cleared away all the wrapping paper and gift boxes? Make it a craft day and stay cozy at home making these homemade ornaments for next year’s tree.

December 26, 2025

Thursdays mean FREE MUSEUM night at a few Minneapolis & St Paul museums we think are definitely worth checking out (especially if you can waive the admission fee for a family): First, the MINNESOTA HISTORY CENTER is a blast to visit with kids. We promise! It’s packed with hands-on, play-based exhibits that manage to teach a couple things about our state’s roots, too. Admission is free from 4-8pm on Thursday evenings. Second, the WALKER ART CENTER is free Thursday nights from 5-9pm and could make for an interesting outing with older kids.

December 27, 2025

Take a holiday lights tour – and bring along this list of Minnesota Christmas Lights & Music Shows to find one near you. If you’re in the car destined to or from the relatives, maybe you’ll find a new display en route.

December 30, 2025

Make it a cozy pajamas-and-Christmas movies kind of day. You might well have been doing this since Thanksgiving (we’ve already checked it off the list), but in case you need a few more classic suggestions…Gianna has laid out 32 Christmas movies to enjoy at home.

December 31, 2025

Celebrate the closing of another year by whipping out our list of New Year’s Eve Family Events. Choose from kids dance parties, outdoor adventures, obstacles courses, ice skating, crafting and more.

January 1, 2026

Go sledding or snow tubing for New Years Day!

But where to find the best hills? Our Twin Cities Sledding Hills Guide contains a long list of the best – in all shapes and sizes. Gianna’s Winter Break Survival Guide also has a great list of St. Paul & Minneapolis-area sledding hills along with spots to go snow tubing in the Twin Cities. Pictured below are a few of my absolute favorite kids on the giant hill Town & Country Club golf course in St Paul – free for all to sled on.

Winter break into January

You’ve almost made it to the end! Go out with a bang visiting the magical Ice Castles – held this year at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Gianna has tips on how to make the most of your visit here and likely we’ll be able to offer you an exclusive reader discount of 15% off if you purchase tickets with our code. 12500 82nd Ave N, Maple Grove, MN 55369.

More winter break ideas

Trade in the snow and cold outdoors for some green and warmth inside the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. Make a day of it exploring the Tropical Encounters exhibit and the cozy conservatory. All activities are FREE, just remember to make an online reservation beforehand.

Beat break boredom and burn off energy

Open Gym & Play sessions across the Metro are budget-friendly – FREE or under $5 per child to attend – and come with a practically-guaranteed nap following. If you’ve got older kids, our Twin Cities Indoor Playground and Trampoline Park Guide might come in handy.

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