The holidays have come and gone, and now you get to spend a whole week off with your kiddos while they have off from school for winter break. 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 the Lehigh Valley.
Note: Double-check each website for dates and times.
Creative Outings
Slime Time is one of my kids' favorite places to visit in the Lehigh Valley! They both love to make slime, but I hate the mess that it creates, so the fact that there is somewhere that I can take them to make slime outside of the house is amazing! 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 Lehigh Valley location is housed in the Lehigh Valley Mall and is open Monday, and Thursday-Sunday.
This is another place that my kids are constantly asking to go. Color Me Mine has walls upon walls of unfinished pottery piece 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.
I have not personally been to PaintSome Pottery, but it has always been on my list of local places that I've wanted to visit. 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.)
The Crayola Factory is a great place to spend a whole day with kids of any age! Each floor offers opportunities to create using different mediums and fun art supplies. There is a two-level climbing structure on the top two floors, a whole area for toddlers, plus create your own crayons, water play, computer graphics stations, model magic, and more! The Crayola Factory is located in Easton and is open every day of the week.
Energetic Outings
Urban Air is located in Trexlertown and has everything you need to get your kiddos' energy out. Trampolines, rock walls, go-karts, an arcade, zip-lining.... you name it! As an awesome bonus, parents' tickets are half price. So... throw on your comfy clothes and prepare to rack up this activity points! Urban Air is open every day of the week.
This is another one of my kids' favorite places to spend an hour burning off some energy! In fact, it's one of my favorite places to burn off some energy! FreeFall Trampoline Park is located in Bethlehem Township and is a giant warehouse full of trampolines, foam pits, an indoor play structure, and a ropes course. Check out toddler time for your littlest jumpers, or bring kiddos of any age to open jump time. FreeFall is open every day of the week.
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.
Bonus: I have discount tickets! To find out more, visit HERE.
4- The Ice Rink at Steel Stacks
Last year, Arts Quest opened an outdoor ice skating rink right at the base of the scenic SteelStacks, and this year its back! In addition to fun outdoor ice skating, there are fun theme skates such as 80's night and a special New Years Eve skate party! The Ice Rink at SteelStacks has skating times between now and January 1st.
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.
6- Bethlehem Municipal Ice Rink
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.
7- Whitehall Skateaway Roller Rink
Whitehall Skateaway Roller Rink has fun themed skates in addition to general open skating times throughout winter break... including Christmas Day! Once you've opened the presents and filled up on French toast, you can head to skateaway as a family to enjoy some fun! If you're not free on Christmas, you can also come for Wacky Wednesday, Friday's Teen Night, or multiple sessions on Saturday.
Bethlehem Skateaway has multiple open skate times during winter break, including a New Years Eve party complete with a balloon drop!
Last year I introduced my 9-year-old son to my love of rock climbing, and he has been having so much fun! This year my 6-year-old has joined in on the family hobby. Rock climbing is fun, an incredible workout, and is great for concentration. We had so much fun the last time that we went rock climbing that we climbed until our arms felt like they were going to give out! North Summit Climbing Gym is open Tuesday - Sunday and is currently offering a new climber discount on the main website.
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.
2- Ohana WonderTown Playground
Ohana is a giant indoor play area for children under 48". This is a great place for your kiddos to get their energy out in a giant indoor climbing structure, slides, ball pits, and more fun! Open Play hours are available Monday - Friday, and some weekends.
Lehigh Valley Sports Turf has something for every member of your family! Toddlers can enjoy a special sectioned-off area with age appropriate toys and and smaller play structures. Older kids can run, play, and enjoy large bounce houses and play structures. Public Open Play on Saturday, December 23rd at 9:30.
Educational Outings
I know, I know.... it's cold! But winter is actually an awesome time to visit the Lehigh Valley Zoo! For one, it's not crowded. The smaller crowds and quieter atmosphere an actually make many of the animals more active. The prices are also lower, and you can see all of the Christmas decorations in the daylight. The Lehigh Valley Zoo is located in Schecksville and is open Wednesday - Sunday.
The teacher in me LOVES the DaVinci Science Center! My kids love all of the fun hands-on activities, and I love that they are learning. IMPORTANT NOTE: Body Worlds RX opens December 26th. This exhibit displays over 30 real human specimens and may be scary for some children (and adults!). This exhibit has its own entrance and separate fee.
Imagi Nation is a great indoor play place for young children to use their imagination and be creative! Think of a city... only child-sized. Dress up as a news anchor, pretend you're a doctor, or deliver mail as a mini postal worker! Imagi Nation is open Wednesday - Sunday.
America On Wheels is closing for the winter in January, so this is the week to get your vehicle-fix in! Plus, there are special theme days over Winter break including a train scavenger hunt and a special holiday train exhibit. America On Wheels is open Wednesday through Sunday.
Festive Outings
1- Lehigh Valley Zoo's Winter Lights Spectacular
If you were too busy preparing for the holidays to enjoy this festive outing before Christmas, don't worry! Lehigh Valley Zoo's Winter Lights Spectacular is open until January 1st. Bundle up and enjoy beautiful light displays, make s'mores around a fire pit, and enjoy giant movies projected onto the side of the barn.
PeepsFest is a two-day long celebration featuring all things Peeps! This event is completely outside and 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 and will take place on December 30th and 31st.
Entertainment Outings
I have to admit, I'm not a huge fan of movie theaters.... unless it's the Trexlertown Movie Tavern! This amazing venue features giant reclining seats, food, a bar, and special events! There are multiple family-friendly movies that will be out next week. So take a meal off from cooking, grab a drink, lean back, and enjoy a movie!
This is another of my kids' favorites! A giant venue filled with every arcade game that you can think of! And at the end of the night, you get to visit the rewards store to claim a prize with your tickets!
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.
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.
2- Your Local Library
I'm going to say it for the millionth time.... Librarians are heroes! They stock the library book shelves with amazing adventures to read, pick out fun games and activities to enjoy in the children's section of each library, and somehow also plan some of the most amazing FREE events! 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.
