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35 Awesome Things To Do Over Winter Break with Kids

Ronnie Sharpe

Wrap up 2018 and get 2019 on track with a variety of fun ideas during the time off this holiday season. There are too many cool events to count so peruse 35 of my personal picks for some real gems to enjoy with the entire family this holly jolly Winter Break.

Indoor Fun

If the weather outside is frightful here some ideas that are so delightful rain or shine.

  • Get your creative juices flowing at I Made It! Glass Creations in San Rafael. Stop by anytime for a fun time out with everyone in your family.

  • If you're looking for a free indoor space for the kids to stretch their legs and burn off some energy the Bay Model is a perfect fit.

  • Japantown’s 2 huge indoor malls is one of my favorite go to places rain or shine.

  • If bowling is up your alley check out Country Club Bowl in San Rafael or Presidio Bowl in San Francisco.

  • Head to the coolest indoor ice skating rinks at Snoopy’s Home Ice in Santa Rosa or Yerba Buena Ice Skating in San Francisco.

Outdoor Activities ​

Explore the great outdoors on your local trails forests parks and many other outdoor activities.

  • Meet the Seals & Sea Lion Superstars of 2018 at the Marine Mammal Center.

  • Take part in the Christmas Bird Count around the Bay Area held Friday December 14 2018 through Saturday January 5 2019.

  • A fun and festive time of year as the San Francisco Zoo transforms into a winter wonderland after the sunset.

  • Take a hike create a wreath learn to fish ride a bike and more with Marin County Parks & Parks Conservancy.

  • Glide into the holiday’s on real ice at Northgate Mall or the “Iceless Skating Rink” at the Bay Area Discovery Museum.

Freebies

The Bay Area is known for being expensive but here are five free events guaranteed to brighten your holiday's.

  • Capture the magic of the holiday’s at the Rombeiro’s Christmas House on 34 Devonshire Drive in Novato.

  • If you love boats then you won’t want to miss out on the Lighted Boat Parade near Fisherman’s Wharf on December 14.

  • Local libraries are featuring free movies music crafts and more. Marin City Library has their Annual Snowman Social.

  • For a sweet holiday head to Sausalito anytime Dec 1 - 31 for the Gingerbread House Tour December 1-31! Pick up a map of the participating businesses.

  • San Francisco Sea Lions take over the K-Dock at Pier 39 and are truly amazing.

Museums and Theater

So many cool programs during the vacation week with exciting things happening all the time.

Cool Camps

Discover a variety of fun with one of these camps over the winter break.

  • MCode Coding Camps Beginners and experienced coders are invited over the holidays to learn and improve their coding skills.

  • Winter Wildlife Camp Come out of hibernation and join us for a fun-filled week of camp—all about wildlife! Campers will have the opportunity to prepare meals for a tortoise, dissect an owl pellet, and make toys for a Turkey Vulture, Wildcare in San Rafael.

  • Winter Break Camps with Trackers Earth winter break camps get into the spirit of the holidays.
    Learn fun wilderness skills and folk crafts for the season.

  • Bay Area Discovery Museum School Year camps, kids have fun exploring creative themes and solving unique challenges that get them excited to explore STEM topics and try out new ideas in a hands-on way.

  • Andrew’s Camps Year End Holiday Camps When school is out, fun is in. Enjoy all day fun at the center or day trips.

Christmas Day

When you are done opening and assembling presents you will still find plenty of fun things to do on December 25th.

  • Contemporary Jewish Museum is an admission-free fun-for-all extravaganza! Explore the galleries create art and move and groove to live music.

  • Visit the California Academy of Sciences 'Tis the Season San Francisco. ‘Tis the Season for Science: Life on Ice the Academy’s annual holiday exhibit celebrates the remarkable adaptations that allow Arctic and Antarctic animals to thrive in snowy ecosystems.

  • Head to the San Francisco Zoo for a real wildlife adventure on Christmas Day.

  • It's all a bloom at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens. Escape to a unique 55-acre urban oasis of extraordinary beauty within Golden Gate Park and it's also free.

  • Japanese Tea Gardens free admission time to sip some tea and stroll the beautiful Japanese-style gardens also in the heart of Golden Gate Park.

New Year's Eve

Here are five great family friendly options to ring in 2019.