As we’re going on month 3 of chilly temps with a few months to go, cabin fever can set for the whole fam (there’s only so much YouTube Kids one parent can take).
We’ve rounded up 15+ winter activities for the kiddos – tots + tweens alike – for you to put on your parenting bucket list before spring arrives. Don’t have kids? Check out our monthly #PlanAhead guide or our winter + spring events roundup for some local inspo.
Photo by @shegorjuss_
Calling all parents, older siblings, grandparents + babysitters – click here or the button below for 15+ more kid-friendly events for your crew. Don’t worry, spring (a.k.a perfect hiking weather) will be here before you know it. ⬇️
For the little readers…
📚Story Time | Various times |📍Buncombe County Libraries | Free | Each of the Buncombe County Library branches offer free story times throughout the week for babies, toddlers + preschool age children. A complete list of times + locations can be found here.
📚Miss Malaprop’s Story Time | Wednesdays | 10 a.m. |📍Malaprop’s Bookstore + Cafe | Free | Every Wednesday, Malaprop’s host story time with Miss Malaprop. Children will be entertained by contemporary + classic stories. Recommended for ages 3–9.
📚Afternoon Storytime | Wednesday, Jan. 23 | 3 p.m. |📍Archetype Brewing, 265 Haywood St. | Free | Storytime, songs + games for the little ones.
For the little adventures…
☀️Mountain Play Lodge | Mon.–Thurs. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. |📍3389 Sweeten Creek Rd. | $8+ | The Mountain Play Lodge offers children the chance to get their energy out + use their imaginations, all while staying indoors. With a giant three-part jungle gym, a miniature version of Asheville + a seperate space for babies–toddlers, this is a great way to get the kids out of the house any day of the week.
☀️Asheville Fun Depot | Sun.–Thurs. noon-8 p.m., Fri. noon-10 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-11 p.m. |📍7 Roberts Rd. | $4+ | Asheville’s Fun Depot offers a variety of fun activities indoors + out. Attractions include: bumper cars, go karts, laser tag, arcades, adventure land, mini golf, mini bowling + more. Packages or individual attraction passes can be purchased.
Pro-tip: For children under 9 years old, check out the Lil Engineer package for $10. It includes unlimited access to the upstairs playgrounds + inflatables plus arcade or golf cash.
☀️KidZip | Fri.–Sun. | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. |📍Asheville Adventure Center, 85 Expo Drive | $49 | KidZip is America’s first zipline course designed just for kids. Recommended for ages 4-10 years old. This adventure offers nine ziplines ranging from 20–250 feet long + three climbing features. Your kids will have access to all of the course for two hours. Winter hours vary so it is recommended to make reservations.
Bouns: Now through Feb. 28, the Asheville Adventure Center is offering a 50% discount to all locals on any adventure including Asheville Treetop Adventures, Zipline Canopy Tours, KidZip + KOLO bike park.
☀️Wild Walk | Sun., Feb. 3 | 1:45-3:15 p.m. |📍WNC Nature Center | $20+ | You + your kids will have the chance to see the WNC Nature Center like never before with this behind the scenes, up-close tour. Open to all ages.
For the little learners…
✏️Little Explorers Club | 9-10 a.m. |📍AMOS, 43 Patton Ave | $7 for non-members, free for members | On the first + last Friday of every month, Asheville Museum of Science hosts the little explorer’s club. Children age 3–5 will enjoy a themed lesson + activity as well as playing in the museum exhibits before business hours.
Hot + Cold | Fri., Jan. 18
Balls + Ramps | Fri., Feb. 1
Love Science | Fri., Feb. 15
✏️SatStem | 2-4 p.m. |📍AMOS, 43 Patton Ave. | Free with admission | SatStem gives children the opportunity to do hands on experiments + learn from experts while enjoying their time at the museum.
Chemistry | Sat., Jan. 19
The Chemistry of food + love | Sat., Feb. 2
Math | Sat., Feb. 16
The Wonderful World of Worms | Sat., Feb. 23
✏️MLK Recitation Competition | Mon., Jan. 21 | 7-8 p.m. |📍YMI Cultural Center, 39 S Market St. | Free | Students grade 6–12 will gather to honor Martin Luther King Jr. with a recitation competition. There will be a cash prize for the best speech.
✏️Critter Checkup | Sat., Feb. 16 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. |📍WNC Nature Center | $8+ | Children are invited to bring their favorite stuffed animal in for a yearly checkup where they will get to assist a local vet. Adults are free. Ticket price includes admission to the nature center.
✏️Bingo in the Morning | Tues., Feb. 5 | 11 a.m.-noon |📍Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. | Free | There will be snacks + beverages available as well as prizes for winners. For all ages.
For the little entertainers…
🎭Sesame Street Live: Let’s Party! | Wed., Feb. 20 | 6 p.m. |📍US Cellular Center | $22+ | Join the fun of this interactive show. Learn new songs, sing along with familiar ones + watch your favorite characters.
🎭Freedom Train | Mon., Feb. 25 + Tues., Feb. 26 | 10 a.m. + noon |📍Diana Wortham Theatre | $10 | Enjoy this musical journey as you join Harriet Tubman on her heroic path to bring hundreds of slaves to freedom through the underground railroad.
🎭Cat in The Hat | Wed., Feb. 27 | 9:45 a.m. + 11:45 a.m. |📍US Cellular Center | $9.50 | In this lively + engaging play, everyone’s favorite cat comes to life and brings his tricks, fun + mischief along with him.
As a parent or caretaker, it can be overwhelming at times to come up with ideas to entertain your little ones (talking from personal babysitting experience). But, here’s to letting them learn on their own + use their imaginations. We hope this list will foster that + help everyone in the house (including yourself) be a little less stir crazy when it’s hard to get outside.
What are ways your family has fun during the winter months? Comment here and let us know.
