It’s time to start thinking about those days between Christmas and New Years where your kids will be home. Our school district has 16 days off! If you're anything like me, you like to have a nice mix of family time at home, coupled with a few fun outings around town. Here are some fun ideas for how to get out and enjoy some family time in Bethlehem.
Note: Double-check each website for dates and times.
Creative Outings
A great place if your kids love to be creative! And bonus, the mess isn't at your house. The perfect place to learn painting, crocheting, and other crafting activities. There are creative kids art clubs, intro to drawing, and everything in between. Located in Nazareth.
Kids love slime but you hate the mess? Slime Time is your solution! There are two options when you visit: Basic Package or Deluxe Package. A Basic Package includes the creation of one slime with choice of foam beads or glitter, scent, and color. A Deluxe Package includes two slimes, with deluxe add-ins. Both packages also include time in the giant sensory bins. The Bethlehem location is located at the Saucon Valley Promenade Shops.
Color Me Mine has walls upon walls of unfinished pottery pieces ranging from ornaments to mugs to piggy banks and beyond. Once you choose your piece, you choose from a variety of colors, stencils, and other art materials to personalize your piece. There's something meditative about painting that always leads to a calm afternoon... something I think every parent could use right about now. Color Me Mine is located in South Bethlehem near Lehigh University and is open seven days a week.
This place is on my daughter's list! Much like Color Me Mine, this is a paint your own pottery studio. In addition, the studio offers special classes and events, is pet-friendly, and is BYOB after 5. PaintSome Pottery is open Mondays, and Wednesday - Sundays. (Note: Check the website for special holiday hours.)
Energetic Outings
I have to admit, this is another location that I've never visited, but it looks like So. Much. Fun! This location includes trampolines, climbing, a ninja course, and so much more! Plus they have special themed hours, like Glow Night! Skyfall is located in Bethlehem and is open 7 days a week.
In addition to fun outdoor ice skating, there are fun theme skates such as Taylor Swift night and a special New Years Eve skate party! This place is fun for the entire family!
If you prefer to ice skate inside, Steel Ice Center is located right down the street from the Bethlehem SteelStacks and has open skate times every day over winter break. You can also rent ice skates.
Here's another location in Bethlehem to indoor ice skate. As an added bonus, this location also has Adaptive Skate in a low sensory environment on certain dates. Bethlehem Municipal Ice Rink has open skate times all during winter break. You can also purchase a season pass.
Bethlehem Skateaway has multiple open skate times during winter break, including a New Years Eve party complete with a balloon drop!
Indoor Play Areas
Move N Play is a giant 3,000 square foot indoor play area in Coopersburg. There are tons of ways for kids to play - climb, run, parachute, and more! This is the perfect play area for children ages 1 - 5. Open Play hours are available Monday, Wednesday - Friday, and some weekends.
Festive Outings
PeepsFest is a two-day long celebration featuring all things Peeps! This event features live music, s'mores, crafts, and activities for the whole family. Plus, there's a giant peep drop countdown that your kids will go nuts over! PeepsFest is held at the SteelStacks.
This FREE event allows families to celebrate the new year without trying to stay up until midnight. Don't miss out on music, food trucks, face painting, balloon animals, inflatables, a bubble station, games, and a Grand Balloon Drop at noon!
Entertainment Outings
Grab the popcorn and snacks and head to the movies! I highly recommend Wicked and Moana 2!
Kids Quest is located in the outlet mall at the Wind Creek Casino in Bethlehem. At this location, you can drop your kids off to enjoy video games, sports, arcade games, and tons of other entertainment. While the kids are playing, you can sneak off for a few hours to yourself. Think.... stroll around Downtown Bethlehem, outlet shop at the Wind Creek Casino, or enjoy a kid-free meal at one of the many local restaurants. Kids Quest is open seven days a week.
One of my kid's favorite places! You can bowl, axe throw, play arcade games, and eat! It is truly fun for the entire family!
Another fun for the whole family type of place. Their golf and mult-sports simulators keep everyone entertained, and a bit competitive! Just some of the games available are football, dodgeball, soccer, and so much more. The place also has a putting green and backyard games!
FREE Outings
The Cops 'n' Kids Book Room in South Bethlehem is such an amazing gem. Located in the Southside NCCC building, this giant room is filled with books, comfy corners to read, art supplies, stuffed animals, and an amazing staff of volunteers who are always willing to help your child find the perfect book. Each child gets to take 5 FREE books home with them at the end of their visit. My kids literally beg me to take them here, and always have such a lovely visit. The Cops 'n' Kids Book Room is open on Wednesdays.
Your Local Library
We love a good library! Not only are there wonderful books, but most libraries have toys, a small play area, and Wonderfull FREE activities for the kids. This winter break, check out your local library's events page. Many libraries have movie nights, New Years Eve parties (much earlier in the day!), and crafts planned for the week. If nothing else, it's always fun to spend an hour picking out new books to borrow and playing games for a while in the library.
Know of more that you don't see here? Email them to me at samfiller@macaronikid
