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Winter break is a time for families to reconnect, unwind, and make cherished memories together. If you’re spending your holiday in Sioux Falls, there are plenty of fun activities to keep kids entertained, parents happy, and everyone engaged. Whether you’re looking for indoor adventures to escape the cold or outdoor fun to embrace the winter wonderland, Sioux Falls has something for everyone.
Check out our full online calendar of family-friendly events in the Sioux Falls Area!
1. Explore the Great Outdoors
Sioux Falls offers several winter-friendly outdoor activities:
- The Outdoor Campus: Bundle up and enjoy family snowshoeing or cross-country skiing (as long as there is snow). It’s a fun way to stay active and learn something new. Learn more about what The Outdoor Campus offers.
- Falls Park: The winter transformation of Falls Park is magical with its lighted displays during the Winter Wonderland event. Stroll through the park, take pictures, and sip on some hot cocoa to stay warm.
- Sledding Hills: Check out Tuthill Park or Spencer Park for thrilling sledding adventures. Check out our full list of Sioux Falls Sledding Hills at the link!
2. Indoor Escapades for the Whole Family
When it’s too cold outside, there are plenty of indoor activities to keep the winter blues away:
- Washington Pavilion: Dive into hands-on fun at the Kirby Science Discovery Center or make your own art creations over at the Raven Studio for kids!
- Butterfly House & Aquarium: Escape to a tropical atmosphere filled with colorful butterflies, no cold snow here!
- Local Libraries: Check out the winter break programs offered at your local library! See everything that the Siouxland Libraries offer!
Check out our full list for Indoor Play in the Sioux Falls Area. Some of the places may surprise you!
3. Ice Skating Fun
Head to one of Sioux Falls’ ice skating rinks for a day of gliding across the ice. The Scheels IcePlex or outdoor rinks like Memorial Park provide great options for families to lace up their skates and make lasting memories. Check out our full guide for where to go Ice Skating in Sioux Falls.
4. Creative Crafts and DIY Fun
Stay home and enjoy creative bonding with these winter-themed crafts:
- Make snowflake ornaments or winter wreaths.
- Decorate cookies for a sweet treat and family fun. Looking for an easy cookie to make? Our Cake Mix Cookies could not be more easy!
- Build a fort out of blankets and have a cozy movie marathon. For easy fort-building, check out this amazing fort-building kit that you can use all year long!
5. Day Trips and Mini Adventures
If you’re feeling adventurous, take a day trip or a weekend trip! We link our guides for each location below. Want to know the best part of our travel guides? They are made with Sioux Falls in mind! We let you know the best places to stop on the road trip there and back to the Sioux Falls area.
- Sioux City, IA: Depending on where you are in the Siouxland Area, Sioux City is less than an hour away! Take a day to explore somewhere new. Check out our Full Guide to Sioux City for our top places to go.
- The Twin Cities: The Twin Cities are a beautiful place to go in winter! There is something so special about Christmas in a bigger city. Check out the Children’s Museum, go shopping at the Mall of America, and more! Here is the link to our full guide to a weekend in the Twin Cities.
- Omaha, NE: Did someone say Zoo trip?! The Omaha Zoo is open all year long, and winter is a perfect time to check out winter-loving animals at play. Plus, walking around the rainforest in December is hard to beat. Enjoy a dressed-up downtown Omaha and more! Our full Guide to a Weekend in Omaha can be found at the link!
6. Volunteer Together
Give back this season by volunteering as a family. Local food pantries, shelters, and charity organizations often need extra help during the holidays. Teaching kids the joy of giving can make the season even more meaningful.
To find the perfect way for your family to give back this year, check out The Helpline Center. They have a full list of ways to serve the Sioux Falls community both in person and at home.
7. Host a Family Game or Movie Night
Spend a cozy evening at home with board games or card games for some friendly competition. Alternatively, create a themed movie night with popcorn, blankets, and one of the many holiday classics streaming this season.
If you are planning on a game night as a family, use it as an opportunity to connect and chat! Look through our list of 50 Questions to Ask Your Kids at the Dinner Table for ideas of what to ask.
We have compiled a list of 15-holiday favorites to stream this year and where! Get some festive hot chocolate (french toast hot chocolate? Yes, please!) and exciting popcorn to go with!
Cherish the Moments
Winter break is all about slowing down and enjoying quality time together. Whether you’re sledding down snowy hills, crafting at home, or exploring the local attractions in Sioux Falls, the time spent together will be what your kids remember most.
Make this winter break your family’s best yet with these fun and memorable activities in Sioux Falls!
