Beat the winter blues with our Winter Boredom Busters Guide, packed with fun and creative ideas to keep the whole family entertained during these cold months. From indoor activities to outdoor adventures, we’ve got plenty of ways to make the most of the season and banish boredom all winter long!
GFP Outdoor Campus Sioux Falls
Join us this winter for a variety of FREE outdoor programming! From hunting and ice fishing to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, The Campus has a class for you and your family! Winter registration opens November 20th at 8 am and stays open until classes are full. Get connected to the Outdoors!
Children's Museum of South Dakota
Greet a life-size T. rex and climb the clouds. Splash in water and create some art! This is a sample of the hands-on activities ready to spark your imagination 50 miles north of Sioux Falls in Brookings. Did someone say ROAD TRIP? Play along with us!
BritZa Performing Arts Studio
Warm up this winter and join us for a season of growth, expression, and creativity at BritZa Performing Arts Studio. Explore our new Fine Arts Club program for 3-5 year olds, as well as dance, acting, and singing classes for all ages.
Great Plains Zoo and Butterfly House & Aquarium
Go wild this winter at the Great Plains Zoo and the Butterfly House & Aquarium – open 361 days a year! With a Monarch membership, you can watch the animals play in the snow at the zoo, and then warm up at BHA among tropical plants, butterflies, and diverse aquatic habitats.
Color Me Mine Sioux Falls
Are you looking for something fun to do? Come to the studio and get creative with us! We love to paint with all ages, and we have hundreds of items to choose from.
Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation
Embrace winter with recreational opportunities from Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation. Register for scheduled programs, or enjoy ice skating, sledding, ice fishing, and more in the City’s more than 80 parks.
Washington Pavilion
You’ll have so much fun at the Washington Pavilion during the holidays! The Kirby Science Discovery Center and the Visual Arts Center offer interactive and amazing activities for all ages. Experience delightful holiday movies and stunning cosmic cinema at the Wells Fargo CineDome and Sweetman Planetarium.
Sky Zone
The trampoline park is a fantastic spot for young explorers! Our parks are full of one-of-a-kind attractions designed to push your limits, allow you to fly higher, laugh harder and have tons of fun. With the widest selection of activities around, Sky Zone is sure to have something for everyone.
Skate City
Join a class this winter! Learn the basics of skating with 45-minute instructor-led lessons for 4 weeks on Saturday Mornings. Classes start on Jan 11th, Feb 15th, Mar 22nd, and April 26th. Plus, enjoy 2-hours of practice time after class! Rental is Included.
605 Ninja
605 Ninja is a fabulous place to come and burn off some energy! We offer Ninja, Parkour, & Aerial Silk Classes. Open Gyms, Camps, Kids Night Out Events and more!
EmBe
Ready for some winter fun? EmBe has you covered! Join our exciting youth camps, rent our facilities for unforgettable birthday parties, and enjoy family swim time on the weekends in our indoor heated pool downtown. For all the details, visit our website and follow us on social media!
Great Shots
Great Shots is year-round Next Level Entertainment. Heated golf bays provide shelter from the weather, and our full-service restaurant is a great gathering place for friends and family. Great Shots golf leagues are open to all-ages and provide the perfect opportunity to stay at the top of your game.
Sioux Falls Skyforce
Turn up the HEAT this winter with the Sioux Falls Skyforce! With tickets starting as low as $10, you can enjoy thrilling, high-level basketball and exciting entertainment at every game. Don’t miss out on the fun—create lasting memories together while cheering on the Force!
Wings Gymnastics Academy
Bored? Never at Wings! Wings Gymnastics has the perfect cure for cabin fever! More than just Gymnastics, from weekly open gym hours to Nerf nights, glow parties, holiday activities, and themed day camps – there’s fun for every age. Beat winter boredom at Wings!
Thunder Road
Break out of the cold and into 30,000 feet of amazing arcade & VR games, Hyper-bowling, 2-Story Laser-Tag, Mini-Bowling, 7D theater, & More! Satisfy your appetite at Rev It Up Grille for awesome eats, desserts, and adult drinks! We host awesome parties as well. Next spring, enjoy Go-Karts, Euro-Bungy, Mini-Golf, and more!
Additional WINTER BOREDOM BUSTERS
- Build a Snow Fort: Gather the family to construct an epic snow fort in the yard. Don’t forget to stock it with snowball supplies for a friendly snowball fight!
- Bake Holiday Cookies: Warm up the kitchen by baking a batch of cookies. Make it extra easy with our Cake Mix Cookie Recipe! Find it online at thehoodmagazine.com
- Indoor Scavenger Hunt: Create an indoor scavenger hunt with hidden objects around the house. This activity is perfect for a bad weather day.
- Hot Chocolate Bar: Get cozy by making hot chocolate from scratch, adding marshmallows, whipped cream, and fun toppings.
- Family Movie Night: Pile up the blankets, make popcorn, and have a family movie marathon with everyone’s favorite films.
- Create Snow Art: Fill spray bottles with water and food coloring, then head outside to “paint” the snow and create colorful masterpieces.
- Board Game Tournament: Pick out a few family board games and have a day-long tournament, complete with a winner’s prize.
- DIY Snow Globes: Craft your own winter wonderland by making snow globes with mason jars, glitter, and small figurines.
- Go Sledding: Bundle up and find a local hill to sled down! Check out our Local Sledding Guide online for help finding the perfect hill.
- Craft Paper Snowflakes: Decorate the house by cutting out intricate paper snowflakes and hanging them in windows for a wintery feel inside.
- Build a Blanket Fort: Turn the living room into a cozy fort using blankets, pillows, and chairs. Settle in for reading, games, or just relaxing.
- Make Snow Ice Cream: Grab a clean bowl of fresh snow, then mix in some condensed milk and vanilla extract for a simple and sweet treat.
- Family Puzzle Time: Get a big puzzle, lay it out on the table, and work on it together as a relaxing and quiet winter activity.
- Have a Pajama Day: Declare a full-on pajama day, complete with breakfast in bed, games, movies, and lots of cozy snuggles.
- Go Ice Skating: Enjoy a family ice skating outing on a nice winter day. Sioux Falls Parks and Rec has several rinks in Sioux Falls.
- DIY Bird Feeders: Create bird feeders using pinecones, peanut butter, and birdseed, then hang them outside and watch for feathered friends.
- Dance Party: Have a classic dance party in your living room. Play your family’s favorite songs and have everyone wear their best dance outfits.
- Family Talent Show: Host a family talent show in your living room. Let each family member show off their unique skills.
- Dive Into Reading: Get cozy with a new book! Create your own family reading challenge with prizes.
- Make Gingerbread Houses: Use graham crackers, icing, and candy to create mini gingerbread houses. Challenge your family to get creative!
- Family Video Game Tournament: Break out the family-friendly video games and hold a tournament. Teach your kids how to play a favorite game from your childhood!
- Snowshoeing Adventure: Bundle up for a walk through the snow! Check out snowshoes from The Outdoor Campus if you don’t own any.
- Homemade Pizza Night: Get the whole family involved in making dough and picking fun pizza toppings for a warm and delicious meal.
- Bake Cinnamon Rolls: Fill the house with the smell of homemade cinnamon rolls! Make a cold morning or a snow day more delicious.
- Go Stargazing: On a clear, cold night, bundle up and head outside to look at the stars. Borrow a book about constellations from the library.
- Frozen Bubble Blowing: On really cold days, take some bubble solution outside and watch the bubbles freeze and form beautiful ice patterns in the air.
- Send a Letter: Handwritten letters can be extra special to receive these days. Write a letter to a relative or friend to tell them how much they mean to you.
- Make Snow Dough: Mix lotion and cornstarch together to create your own indoor snow dough. This sensory activity is great for little ones.
- Help a Neighbor: Find someone nearby who could use some help. Offer to shovel their sidewalk, walk their dog, or even offer your company!
- Discover a Local Favorite: Winter can make us homebodies at times. Pick a few local restaurants you haven’t visited to give a try this winter.
- Dream About Summer: Dive into summer this winter! Get a head start and plan as a family some of the summer fun you hope to have next year.
- Attend a Virtual Concert: Many artists have concerts you can watch from home! Make it a party with themed outfits and snacks.
