Winter break means there’s finally time for family fun galore. Start penciling in snow tubing, celebrating the new year, learning about holiday traditions, getting creative, and more!
Get Outdoors
Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park
December 21, 4:30 p.m.
Kick off winter break with the last Holiday on the Farm day at Frying Pan Farm Park. There will be wagon rides, animal interactions, a campfire, lots of food, and even Santa will be making an appearance. 2709 W. Ox Rd., Vienna, $15
Winter Wonderland at Burke Lake Park
December 22, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Families can take a ride on the Holiday Express train, play gingerbread man golf, ride the carousel or enjoy a campfire and s’mores at Burke Lake Park. There will also be hot chocolate, candy canes, and, of course, Santa. 7315 Ox Rd., Fairfax Station, $15
Learn About Holiday Traditions
Celebrate Kwanzaa at the Anacostia Community Museum
December 26-January 1, 2025, activities begin at 12 p.m. each day
The Anacostia Community Museum is celebrating Kwanzaa. There will be events like a class on creating family memory boxes on December 29 and an African dance workshop on December 30. The opening ceremony on December 26 will include a traditional candle-lighting ceremony with storyteller and griot Mama Ayo, who will pour the libation paying homage to ancestors and share the history of Kwanzaa. 1901 Fort Pl. SE, Washington, DC
Celebrate Hanukkah at The Boro
December 30, 5-5:30 p.m.
On December 30, don’t miss a Hanukkah celebration at The Boro in Tysons. There will be a menorah lighting, treats, and festive music. Upper Promenade near Boro Park: 8350 Broad St., Tysons
Celebrate 2025
The 30th Annual First Night Alexandria
December 31, 2-11 p.m.
Little ones will have the opportunity to enjoy festivities beginning at 2 p.m. with kid-friendly performances. Later, there will be fireworks at 6 p.m. There will also be live music, comedy, and more on a dozen different stages. Old Town Alexandria
Shipgarten Kid’s Noon Year’s Eve
December 31, 12-6 p.m.
Children are invited to ring in the new year at Shipgarten with two moon bounces, face painting, and a 2 p.m. balloon drop and sparkling cider toast too. There are plans for a meet and greet with Frozen’s Elsa and Anna and Spiderman as well. 7581 Colshire Dr., Tysons
Take Up Winter Sports
The Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion
A winter tradition of sorts in Northern Virginia, the Reston Town Center Ice Skating Pavilion is a great place to have the little ones burn off some energy (and work on their skating skills too!). There are over 500 pairs of skates available ranging from toddler sizes to a men’s size 15, so everyone can have a chance to get out on the ice. Winter break hours vary. 1818 Discovery St., Reston, $9-$11
The DowntownDC Holiday Skate Spectacular
If you’re not in the mood to be outside in the cold, the DowntownDC BID has launched a “Holiday Skate Spectacular” at The National Building Museum. Now through January 4, 2025, guests can skate at an indoor synthetic ice rink. The rink is open 12 to 8 p.m., closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 401 F St. NW, Washington, DC, free, $5 skate rental
Snow Tubing at Massanutten
There’s nothing better than soaring down a hill in a snow tube for both kids and kids at heart. Massanutten offers solo tubing lanes or the opportunity to link up tubes with friends or family and slide together. The resort now offers a second conveyor belt to allow more people to tube on busier days. 1822 Resort Dr., Massanutten, $32-$42
Snow Tubing at Wintergreen Resort
Spend a day (or a long weekend) at Wintergreen snow tubing, just under three hours from Dulles. The resort is the home of “The Plunge,” Virginia’s largest tubing hill. It’s taller than a 10-story building, and tubes can reach speeds of 30 mph, so it’s recommended for those ages 6 and up. 39 Mountain Inn Loop, Nellysford, prices vary
Get Creative
Splatter Paint Room
If your children have a bit of winter break cabin fever, get out to the Splatter Paint Room in Manassas. Drop in for an hour of throwing paint around at a 16-by-20-foot canvas. Guests are provided with a full body suit (they do have ones that fit kids), goggles, gloves, and six colors of paint. Manassas Mall: 8300 Sudley Rd., Manassas, $40
Lego Discovery Center
The Lego Discovery Center is a great place for kids to get creative. They can ride the “Imagination Express” and travel through a giant Lego world, or head to the Hero Zone, where they can participate in building activities to develop their Lego skills. Don’t miss the Holiday Bricktacular event that ends December 30. Springfield Town Center: 6563 Springfield Mall, Ste. 12004, Springfield, starting at $27
Sip Hot Chocolate
Lily’s Chocolate & Coffee
Grab a sweet treat with your littles at Lily’s in Vienna. The Belgium hot chocolate is creamy and delicious, especially when paired with one of the tasty macarons or buttery croissants. 175 Maple Ave. E., Vienna
Caffé Amouri
Caffé Amouri in Vienna is ideal for young palates, as their kid’s hot chocolate is 12 ounces (compared to the adult 16 ounce size) and has milk steamed to a temperature more tolerable for little tongues. 107 Church St. NE, Vienna
Feature image courtesy Massanutten Resort
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