Ideas for family fun in Raleigh over winter break

Check out our list of winter break activities to keep the kids entertained over the holiday break.

Posted 2:49 p.m. Dec 14 — Updated 2:53 p.m. Dec 14

Tara Lynn

and

Tandra Wilkerson, WRAL contributors

RALEIGH, N.C. — Schools are about to let out for the holiday break. Thankfully, we have a list of places to get wiggles out and activities to keep the kids easily entertained during the down time.

Ideas for family fun in Raleigh, NC

While some of these events are free, we have another list with even more free activities to check out.

Outdoor Ice-Skating

Raleigh and Cary both have outdoor ice-skating rinks. Bundle up and glide together.

Downtown Raleigh: The Rink at Red Hat Amphitheater is an outdoor ice rink that is open through Jan. 15. Tickets are $15 and include the costs of renting skates. There are areas to lounge and enjoy treats from the snack bar too. See website for varying times and to purchase tickets.

Cary: Skate the Square - Glide and gather on Cary’s new outdoor ice-skating rink at Fenton. You'll be surrounded by spectacular food, trendy shops and winter holiday cheer. Tickets are $17. The space is open through Feb. 5.

Indoor playgrounds

It's going to be extra cold over the break. Stay warm while your kids get their wiggles out at our special list of indoor play spaces.

5 best indoor play spaces for small children in the Triangle

Check out some holiday lights

Many towns and cities are hosting special decorations and lights in their downtown districts.

Illuminate Art Walk: Head to downtown Raleigh as parts of Fayetteville Street and Glenwood South districts transform with large-scale, interactive and light-based art pieces that are unique and family-friendly.

Illuminate Art Walk returns to downtown Raleigh with giant 'Talking Heads'

Downtown Cary has light displays and holiday decorations all around Academy Street.

Downtown Cary has become a hot spot for its walkable wonderland of holiday lights and community art displays

Check out our list of holiday light displays. Pop some popcorn and take along some hot chocolate as your drive around looking at all of the fun lights.

The 25 best decorated holiday homes in the Triangle

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival is also a great place to see some lights. This annual event is back at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. It features more than 40 all new displays, each one comprised of hundreds of parts, and thousands of LED lights.

Wool E. Bull’s Winter Wonderland is also happening through Dec. 31, 2023. This is a walk-through holiday light event that transforms Durham Bulls Athletic Park into a winter wonderland.

Visit your local library

Libraries are back in action with story times during the week and craft activities. This is a great way to get out of the house, encourage kids to read and more.

For example, the Wake County Library system offers yoga classes, a Winter Solstice Dance Party, and Noon Year's Eve parties at most locations.

Take a hike

Stay tuned for more about First Day Hikes coming up on Jan. 1. Before then, check out our recommendations for great family-friendly hikes across the Triangle.

Visit a playground

Everyone gets fresh air, sunlight and exercise. If other kids are around, parents may even have a bit of a break.

While community parks are located all over North Carolina, we're excited to visit the new Downtown Cary Park. The six-acre park features ponds, a waterfall, walking bridges over bubbling streams, gardens, event space and nature-based areas. There is an amphitheater, a grab-n-go market, picnic areas, multiple dog parks, a splash pad and playgrounds for kids of all ages.

Slide, swing, play: Parks with the best playgrounds for toddlers

Pleasant Park in Apex is also new. The 92-acre park at 3400 Pleasant Plains Road features a jaw-dropping playground with impressive climbing structures and a giant, 35-foot-tall slide. There are also play areas for smaller kids.

Celebrate the 'wonder' of the season

Marbles Kids Museum's Winter Wonder Weeks runs through Dec. 31, 2023. Holiday-themed activities include art inspired by global holidays, a chance to learn the sport of curling and even a snow globe for photo opts. Marbles also will mark "noon year's eve," from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Dec. 31, with bubble wrap "fireworks." Note: The downtown Raleigh museum is closed Dec. 24 and Dec. 25. It's all free with admission, which is now $9 per person.

See the stars

Morehead Planetarium and Science Center in Chapel Hill has all kinds of shows in its full dome theater, along with free Science Live programs. It's open daily through Dec. 31 (except Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 when it's closed).

Visit a museum

The North Carolina Museum of Art, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and the North Carolina Museum of History are all free to visit!

Bake something like a homemade gingerbread house

How to make a gingerbread house: Ideas, tips & tricks

Bonding via baking will be a welcomed activity during our winter break. If your family enjoys cooking and baking together, make sure to have what you'll need beforehand.

Here are some tips if you want to create your own gingerbread house.

Go looking for murals

There are so many amazing murals in the Raleigh area. You can take a self-guided mural tour. Just hop in the car and travel around the area using our guide.

Raleigh's murals tell the city's story, from history to culture to art

Durham is also a great place to see murals and you can even venture out to Sanford or even Burlington to see more.

Volunteer with a local organization

Are there any volunteer opportunities near you? Choose one and find out how your family can donate some of your time. If not, maybe there's a neighbor who needs help completing a task.