If you’ve seen our holiday celebrations guide, you know how fun and exciting winter in Madison can be! We wanted to share some family-friendly events coming up over winter break and beyond, and be sure to get our free email newsletter for lots more timely ideas each week!
Winter Camps and Programs:
- School's Out Daycare - WiscoKidz ($50/day)**
- Naturing in Madison, Dec. 23 and 30, $39/3 hours
- Schools Out Camp - KEVA Sports Middleton, ages 5-14, Dec. 26-27 and Jan 2-3
- YMCA School's Out days (Madison East, West, Sun Prairie), Dec. 23, 30, Jan 2-3
- Creative Soul (ages 6-13), Jan. 2-3
- Badger Bots camps (ages 6-12)
- The Little Gym Middleton - Drop and Shop Dec. 23, Winter Break Camp Dec. 26, parent drop off night Dec. 27
Drop-in Activities:
- Winter Break Crafting - the Curious Crafter. Something new each day, $10-12 projects**
- Parent child happy hour (evenings and daytime options) Garver Feed Mill, Dec. 20-Jan 3
- Lake City Twister's Open Gym - Dec. 21, 27, 30, 31
- Madison library play areas - check out the nine great indoor spaces! And other area libraries have special activities too over the break.
- The Sensory Zone - with $12 Tuesdays, closed Monday
- Spare time Madison bowling/arcade
- Play N Wisconsin Open Play - with extra popup hours
- UW sports like Women's basketball and hockey are fun (and really cheap) outings, often with promotions, giveaways, and activities in addition to the game
Get a discount with our family coupon card
Holiday Lights -
- Waunakee Rotary - through Dec. 31
- Olin Park Fantasy in lights - through Dec. 31
- Vilas Zoo - Zoo lights - through Dec. 30
Parks/Playgrounds
- Vilas Park (next to the Zoo - two playground areas)
- Bridge Road (Monona - kids call it "zip line park")
- Elvehjem school and Kennedy both have great playgrounds and trails nearby
- Lakeview Park (Middleton)
- Fireman's Park (Verona)
- Village Park (Waunakee)
- Dream Parks - Monona, Cottage Grove, Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, and Cross Plains
New Year's Eve Activities:
Dance Party for 2-4 year olds - Pinney Library
Dec. 28, 10-11 am
Parent Child Happy Hour: Noon Year's Eve - Garver Feed Mill
Dec. 29, 11 am - 2pm
Silent Disco - Middleton Library
Dec. 30, 1130 am - 12:15 pm
End of Year Party - Oregon Library
Dec. 30, 5-730 pm
Baby New Year - Madison Children's Museum
Dec. 31, 9-1030 am
New Year's Eve Party - Verona Public Library
Dec. 31, 11 am - 12 pm
Family New Year's - Doundrins Distilling
Dec. 31, 11 am - 1 pm
Dec. 31, 11 am - 1 pm
Wonderground Party - Madison Children's Museum
Dec. 31, 2-330 pm
Noon Year's Eve - Sun Prairie Children's Museum
Dec. 31, 11 am - 1 pm
Family New Year's Eve - Keva Sports
Dec 31, 2 - 8 pm
Festivals and Attractions:
December 21-22
Dane County Late Winter Farmer’s Market
Enjoy a variety of food, drinks, and crafts at the farmer’s market!
3241 Garver Green
Starting Jan. 4th
Handmade, indoor shopping event!
Preschool of the Arts
Dec. 16th-20th, hours vary
Step into a holiday wonderland and explore Cave of the Mounds like you’ve never seen it before!
2975 Cave of the Mounds Rd
Runs through Jan. 12th
Sledding Hills:
Olbrich Park Sledding Hill
3201-3299 Oakridge Ave
1250 McKenna Blvd
4302 Milwaukee St
3109 Pelham Rd
1202 Northport Dr
333 S Rosa Rd
Movies Playing in Theaters:
Moana 2: Rated PG
Wicked: Rated PG
Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch: Rated PG
Elf: Rated PG
Candy Cane Lane: Rated PG
It’s a Wonderful Life: Rated PG
Fun Crafts at Home:
- We've got ideas for five winter crafts with kids,
- Create a makerspace at home
- plus you can try
- Gingerbread Houses: Decorate gingerbread houses, for a twist, turn it into a fun family competition!
- Hot Cocoa Bar: Try different flavors of hot cocoa and pair with tasty toppings!
- Paper Snowflakes: Grab the paper and scissors! Make paper snowflakes and use them as winter home decor!
- Decorate Holiday Wreaths/Ornaments: Spice up your space and handcraft holiday ornaments and wreaths!
- Give Back: Donate gently used toys and clothes to those in need.
- Find ways to "pause" as a family
Ice Skating:
Hot cocoa, Santa, snacks, and skating!
Legacy20 Arena, Middleton
Fri, Dec. 20th, 5:30-10pm
Open daily until 10pm
402 N Thornton Ave, Madison
Open daily from 9:30am-9pm
725 Forward Dr, Madison
Open daily, hours vary
1110 Prairie View Drive, Waunakee
Open daily until 10pm
1250 McKenna Blvd, Madison
Open daily, hours vary
The Edgewater Hotel, Madison
Open daily, 8am-10pm
100 N Perry Pkwy, Oregon
Open daily, hours vary
6320 Inland Wy, Monona
Open daily until 10pm
435 Hillington Way, Madison
Open Wed-Sun, hours vary
1602 Vilas Park Dr
Open daily, hours vary
838 Grove St, Sun Prairie
Skiing and Snowboarding:
Just 45 minutes away from Madison, this resort has over 40 trails to ski and snowboard! Plus, kids ski free!
W10441 Cascade Mountain Road
Open daily, hours vary
About 40 minutes west of Madison is 32 acres of skiing trails! Snow tubing is offered here as well.
3487 Bohn Road
Open daily starting in January
Where is a better place for winter fun than Christmas Mountain? This ski resort is an hour away from Madison.
Christmas Mountain Dr.
Open daily, hours vary
If you have other ideas or suggestions please let us know and we'll keep updating our list!
Plus you can always submit your business to our listings or your event for free and don't forget to subscribe for our free weekly newsletter with all the kid-friendly activities for the week in the Madison area.
