10 Fun Winter Break Activities for Kids in Rockland County

Wondering what to do on winter break with your kids in Rockland County? Check out these winter break activities for families!

By Katelin Walling December 16, 2021

We love all things holiday season, but when it comes to finding things to do during winter break in Rockland County, we can get a little holiday-ed out! And who can blame you? After all, Christmas decorations hit the stores before the kids were done trick-or-treating! To balance everything out, here’s our top list of family activities to keep your kids—and you!—having fun while school is closed for winter break (that’s Dec. 24-31 for most schools in our area this year). None of these winter break activities are holiday-related, but if you’re looking for holiday fun, we’ve got you covered with holiday lights in our area, Christmas events in the area, holiday train rides, and more.

10 Things to Do for Winter Break in Rockland County

1. Go skating at an ice-skating rink in Rockland County.

Nothing says winter fun like gliding freely on the ice! Excuse us while we live out our Winter Olympic dreams (in our heads, at least…). Plan to spend a day at the scenic Bear Mountain Ice Rink in Bear Mountain State Park or head over to Yonkers and take a spin on the Cross County Center pop-up rink (it’s perfect for beginners!). Or head to another ice-skating rink near Rockland County, like one of NYC’s iconic rinks.

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2. Plan a day trip into NYC.

We live near what is arguably the greatest city in the world, and NYC’s observation decks will remind you of that wonder when you feast your eyes on some amazing views. Then take a spin on one of NYC’s iconic ice-skating rinks, visit the Bryant Park Winter Village, get lost in the American Museum of Natural History, or experience the city’s newest attraction that has you soaring above NYC.

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3. Putt your way to a hole-in-one at an indoor mini golf course.

Sure, we typically think of summer and outdoor fun when we think of mini golf, but did you know there are a few indoor mini-golf courses in Rockland County and nearby? Head to the Palisades Center to putt your way through a glow-in-the-dark space-themed course, or make your way through a glowing, monster-themed course in Paramus, NJ.

4. Get lost in a museum.

Our area has such an abundance of museums that you’re 100-percent guaranteed to find a museum that your family loves. Whether it’s the Westchester Children’s Museum, Liberty Science Center, or one of the city’s famous institutions, time spent at a museum is not wasted.

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5. Spend an afternoon sledding.

If there’s enough snow on the ground, of course! Bundle up, grab your sled, and head over to Veterans Memorial Park or Bear Mountain State Park for an afternoon of downhill fun! Want a little more thrill? Head to a nearby snow tubing park, like Mount Peter in Warwick or Campgaw Mountain in Mahwah, NJ.

6. Bowl a strike!

Or spare, or just try to knock some pins down…whatever your score ends up being, your family is sure to have a blast! New City Bowl & Batting Cages, located in New City, and Break Point Bowl & Entertainment, located in West Haverstraw, both offer family bowling times.

7. Have a movie marathon.

Sometimes you just want to stay in your pajamas and lounge on the couch all day, especially when it’s freezing outside. And there’s nothing wrong with that! After all, Winter Break is the perfect time to slow down, spend uninterrupted time with your kids, and just relax. Let each member of the family pick out a movie or decide on a theme. The options are endless!

Need some ideas? Check out these roundups:

8. Explore sea life at a nearby aquarium.

Sure, it’s winter. But that doesn’t mean you can’t explore sea life (you’ll just have to do it at a nearby aquarium instead of the beach). Plan a day trip to visit American Dream in New Jersey. There you can visit New Jersey SEA LIFE Aquarium, an NYC-themed experience. Or head out to Norwalk, CT to visit the Maritime Aquarium and see the special exhibits on sharks and goldfish.

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9. Help your kids flex their DIY skills.

Whether you pick up a craft kit at the store or find a cute and easy DIY on Pinterest, spending some time crafting is a joy! Bonus: Your kids will be so proud of what they made from scratch; it’ll make your heart smile. Need some ideas? Check out these easy kid-friendly DIYs:

Tie-dye T-shirts (no, it’s not just for the summer…)
Grassy Garden Gnomes (add a little greenery to your home!)
Make your own moon sand
Decorate mugs with permanent markers
Pom-pom hand puppets (it’s a low-mess craft!)
Starry slime
Winter bird feeders

10. Check out our online calendar for family activities in Rockland County.

Seriously. We strive to have the most robust of things happening in the area that are great for kids and the whole family. Whether you’re looking for a fun event at a library, a show, or something going on at one of our borough’s museums, you’ll find it in our calendar. Below, you’ll find a selection of what’s going on in Rockland County during winter break:

PAW Patrol: Adventure Play
WHEN: Through May 1, 2022: Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm
WHERE: Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City, NJ
AGE: All
WHAT: In the PAW Patrol: Adventure Play exhibition, you'll join the pups of PAW Patrol to answer every yelp for help! Enter the Lookout Tower where the pups live, guide the Sea Patroller through Adventure Bay and Beach, climb Jake’s Mountain, and drive the PAW Patroller. Along the way, you can help make daring rescues. There are puzzles and challenges for everyone. Work together, and you can do it all!
WANT TO GO? At the door: $29.99; $24.99 children ages 2-12. In advance: $27.99; $22.99 children ages 2-12

FREE Family Movie: The Mitchells Vs. The Machines
WHEN: Monday, Dec. 20, 5:30-7:30pm
WHERE: Haverstraw King's Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville
AGE: All
WHAT: Make it a movie night with the library.
WANT TO GO? Registration begins two weeks before the program for HKDPL district residents and one week before for everyone else.

Jurassic Quest
WHEN: Dec. 29-Jan. 2, 2022, Wednesday-Thursday, 9am-8pm; Friday, 9am-6pm; Saturday, 9am-8pm; Sunday, 9am-6pm
WHERE: New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, 97 Sunfield Ave., Edison, NJ
AGE: All
WHAT: Jurassic Quest features the biggest Dinosaur Exhibit, which includes more than 100 dinosaurs that are true-to-detail (and size!) including an incredible 50-foot-long megalodon, 60-foot-long, sky-scraping spinosaurus, the 80-foot-long apatosaurus, and a gigantic, lifesize T. rex. Walking Dinosaur Rides & Stationery Dinosaur Rides, which include some of the largest rideable dinosaurs in North America! See an incredibly realistic and interactive Baby Dinosaur & Raptor Training Experience. Plus, a giant fossil dig, an animal art tattoo station, inflatables, crafts, games, and more!
WANT TO GO? $36 kids unlimited rides; $22 kids standard and adults; $19 seniors.

Guided Nature Walk
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, 1-2pm
WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ
AGE: All
WHAT: Enjoy the season with a guided walk along one of Tenafly Nature Center's trails with an Environmental Educator. Whether a first time visitor or a regular on the trails, participants will enjoy different sensory experiences in the forest.
WANT TO GO? Program will be held entirely outdoors. Space is limited and pre-registration is recommended.

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