2022 – 2023 Christmas & Winter Break Activity Guide
Winter Break in West Michigan Starts Dec 16 or 19, 2022.
Some schools are starting break with either a half day or full day off on Friday, December 16, while other districts are starting break on Monday, December 19.
Most schools are resume on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.
So what will you do with your two weeks of winter break? If you use this list, the answer is, “have a lot of fun!”
In This Article
Featured Winter Break Activities
*this is a sponsored section of GRKIDS.
Winter Break Activity in Rockford
Pinball Land Winter Break Idea
114 Courtland St,Rockford, MI 49341
Pinball Land is an all-ages retro arcade in Rockford, MI, featuring an awesome collection of pinball machines and video arcade games. The best part is there’s no need for quarters! At Pinball Land, you just pay for admission and all of the games inside are free to play.
We're more than just pinball, too. We have all kinds of arcade games including your favorite classics like Pac Man and Donkey Kong, driving games, sports games, and even Dance Dance Revolution. There's something for everyone!
Bring the whole family and play together for an hour or two, or you can even get an All Day Pass that lets you come and go all day long, enjoying the rest of Rockford between gaming sessions.
Open 6 days a week (closed Mondays).
We're more than just pinball, too. We have all kinds of arcade games including your favorite classics like Pac Man and Donkey Kong, driving games, sports games, and even Dance Dance Revolution. There's something for everyone!
Bring the whole family and play together for an hour or two, or you can even get an All Day Pass that lets you come and go all day long, enjoying the rest of Rockford between gaming sessions.
Open 6 days a week (closed Mondays).
"Amazing use of space, lovingly operated and tastefully adorned top to bottom. Fun machines and a great overall payment system." - Art
Winter Break Activity in Grand Rapids
THE MUD ROOM @ KNAPP'S CORNER Winter Break Idea
1971 E Beltline Ave NE, Suite 103,Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Visit this popular DIY art studio for handmade gifts… or creative staycation fun!
The Mud Room is a local favorite and has been voted the BEST for multiple Grandtastic Awards.
Don't worry if you're "not creative..." Their helpful staff will help anyone feel like an artist!
All ages can Paint Pottery during open studio hours (no experience necessary). Check their website for extended holiday hours.
Be sure to follow their social media or sign up for newsletters to hear about other artful happenings and events, like Glass Fusing, Potter’s Wheel lessons and Camp Mud.
Classes fill up, so RSVP early!
The Mud Room is a local favorite and has been voted the BEST for multiple Grandtastic Awards.
Don't worry if you're "not creative..." Their helpful staff will help anyone feel like an artist!
All ages can Paint Pottery during open studio hours (no experience necessary). Check their website for extended holiday hours.
Be sure to follow their social media or sign up for newsletters to hear about other artful happenings and events, like Glass Fusing, Potter’s Wheel lessons and Camp Mud.
Classes fill up, so RSVP early!
Love this place. Made things as gifts and with my kids that are now priceless memories!!!
-Teresa Ann D.
-Teresa Ann D.
Winter Break Activity in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Public Museum Winter Break Idea
272 Pearl St NW,Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Enjoy Snowflake Break at the Grand Rapids Public Museum with fun for the entire family!
Holiday displays, Elf and Santa Hunt, and Let It Snow in the Chaffee Planetarium make a fun-filled and festive day.
Explore the blockbuster exhibit, Bugs, learn something new in Fashion + Nature, and take a spin on the 1928 Spillman Carousel.
While you're here, do some holiday shopping in the Curiosity Shop. Whether it's books, creative toys, or locally-made artisan goods, the Curiosity Shop has unique gifts for all.
Kent County Kids 17 and under are FREE.
Visit grpm.org for tickets and to plan your trip.
Holiday displays, Elf and Santa Hunt, and Let It Snow in the Chaffee Planetarium make a fun-filled and festive day.
Explore the blockbuster exhibit, Bugs, learn something new in Fashion + Nature, and take a spin on the 1928 Spillman Carousel.
While you're here, do some holiday shopping in the Curiosity Shop. Whether it's books, creative toys, or locally-made artisan goods, the Curiosity Shop has unique gifts for all.
Kent County Kids 17 and under are FREE.
Visit grpm.org for tickets and to plan your trip.
“We loved our trip! …Nobody was bored, and there was enough to keep kids and adults busy and educated…So glad we purchased a membership, we will definitely be returning!”
Winter Break Activity in Grand Rapids
Altitude Trampoline Park Winter Break Idea
3495 Alpine Avenue Northwest,Grand Rapids, MI 49544
Spend the winter months at Altitude Trampoline Park and escape from the cold and dreary Grand Rapids weather.
As the snow falls outside, inside our indoor park, you can defy gravity and bounce to your heart's content on attractions like the Battle Beam, Extreme Dodgeball and the Tumble Track.
It's a perfect retreat for families and friends, providing a safe and exhilarating space for everyone to burn off energy and create lasting memories.
Purchase an annual membership for $10/month (plus tax and a one-time activation fee) and jump to your heart's content all winter long!
As the snow falls outside, inside our indoor park, you can defy gravity and bounce to your heart's content on attractions like the Battle Beam, Extreme Dodgeball and the Tumble Track.
It's a perfect retreat for families and friends, providing a safe and exhilarating space for everyone to burn off energy and create lasting memories.
Purchase an annual membership for $10/month (plus tax and a one-time activation fee) and jump to your heart's content all winter long!
Best trampoline park around!! The staff are the nicest, kindest people! The facility is clean and well cared for. Love this place!
Winter Break Activity in Comstock Park
BattleGR Winter Break Idea
284 Dodge NE Suite 100,Comstock Park, MI 49321
BattleGR is your ultimate destination for creating unforgettable moments with loved ones.
We have programs where you can drop your kids off or you can come play with them.
*Tactical Laser Tag
*Archery Tag
*Axe Throwing
*Cafe & Bar
*Arcade
*Sport Courts
Check out our holiday camps, wristbands, Trivia Nights, and New Year's Eve Party!
We have programs where you can drop your kids off or you can come play with them.
*Tactical Laser Tag
*Archery Tag
*Axe Throwing
*Cafe & Bar
*Arcade
*Sport Courts
Check out our holiday camps, wristbands, Trivia Nights, and New Year's Eve Party!
Winter Break Activity in Portage
Air Zoo Winter Break Idea
6151 Portage Rd,Portage, MI 49002
Escape the chilly weather and come have a blast at the Air Zoo's Winter Family Fun Days!
There will be exciting activities for the entire family. Enjoy themed crafts and games (while supplies last), meet special guests, and engage in interactive programs.
Come join the fun on Dec. 27-28 and Jan. 3-4!
Don't want to wait until midnight to celebrate the new year? Start early at the the Air Zoo's Countdown to Noon balloon drop on New Year's Eve. The Air Zoo opens at 10 AM to ring in the New Year with fun party activities for the whole family.
There will be exciting activities for the entire family. Enjoy themed crafts and games (while supplies last), meet special guests, and engage in interactive programs.
Come join the fun on Dec. 27-28 and Jan. 3-4!
Don't want to wait until midnight to celebrate the new year? Start early at the the Air Zoo's Countdown to Noon balloon drop on New Year's Eve. The Air Zoo opens at 10 AM to ring in the New Year with fun party activities for the whole family.
Winter Break Activity in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Children's Museum Winter Break Idea
11 Sheldon Ave NE,Grand Rapids, MI 49503
This Winter Break, explore two floors of hands-on interactive exhibits and daily drop-in programs at the Grand Rapids Children's Museum in downtown Grand Rapids!
Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: The Exhibit now open!
There's something special to discover every day of Winter Break with festive Gift Works programming, special guests, and performers!
Visit grcm.org for our daily lineup and extended Winter Break hours.
Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: The Exhibit now open!
There's something special to discover every day of Winter Break with festive Gift Works programming, special guests, and performers!
Visit grcm.org for our daily lineup and extended Winter Break hours.
Winter Break Activity in Grandville
Tarry Hall Roller Rink Winter Break Idea
3330 Fairlanes Ave SW,Grandville, MI 49418
Extra weekday afternoon skating hours open all through Winter Break to get your kids out of the house and have some fun on wheels! All ages welcome!
1:30-4:30pm:
- Friday, December 22
- Tuesday-Friday December 26-29
- Monday-Friday January 1-5
We're open for our normal skating schedule too:
- Thursdays Adult Night 8:30-11:00pm
- Fridays 7:00-10:00pm
- Saturdays 1:30-4:30pm and 6:30-9:30pm
- Sundays 2:00-5:00pm
*Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas Day, Open New Years Day*
*Santa Skate: December 23*
1:30-4:30pm:
- Friday, December 22
- Tuesday-Friday December 26-29
- Monday-Friday January 1-5
We're open for our normal skating schedule too:
- Thursdays Adult Night 8:30-11:00pm
- Fridays 7:00-10:00pm
- Saturdays 1:30-4:30pm and 6:30-9:30pm
- Sundays 2:00-5:00pm
*Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas Day, Open New Years Day*
*Santa Skate: December 23*
Winter Break Activity in Byron Center
Southside Ice Arena Winter Break Idea
566 100th St SW,Byron Center, MI 49315
We are offering many public open skate times throughout winter break. Come enjoy some holiday fun on the ice with friends and family!
For ages 3 - adult
Cost:
5 and under - FREE
6 and older - $5
Skate rental - $2
For ages 3 - adult
Cost:
5 and under - FREE
6 and older - $5
Skate rental - $2
Winter Break Activity in Grand Rapids
Amped Virtual Reality Winter Break Idea
2923 28th St SE,Grand Rapids, MI 49512-1624
Amped Virtual Reality is a 4.9-star entertainment center. Over 60 experiences including multiplayer VR escape rooms.
With over 41 multiplayer games, individuals, couples, families, and groups have an EPIC time and can play several games.
Try an escape room in Alice’s Wonderland, battle your friends, battle zombies together, swing like Spiderman, be inside the MINECRAFT video game, take a tour, or educational content.
Birthday parties, incredible date nights, or the best company team building! We offer robot building birthday parties for younger kids (keep the robot!) and STEM summer camps, too.
Located just West of Woodland Mall.
With over 41 multiplayer games, individuals, couples, families, and groups have an EPIC time and can play several games.
Try an escape room in Alice’s Wonderland, battle your friends, battle zombies together, swing like Spiderman, be inside the MINECRAFT video game, take a tour, or educational content.
Birthday parties, incredible date nights, or the best company team building! We offer robot building birthday parties for younger kids (keep the robot!) and STEM summer camps, too.
Located just West of Woodland Mall.
"We took our kids to a Waterpark, and all they wanted to do was play VR!" - Parent
Winter Break Activity in Grand Rapids
Great Lakes Glow Golf Winter Break Idea
3494 Plainfield Ave,Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Great Lakes Glow Golf is your destination for fun!
We are more than mini golf: we are about experiences and entertainment.
Whether you choose Glow Golf or the NEW Aurora Bowl, you're sure to score BIG!
Join us this holiday season during our EXTENDED holiday hours.
OPEN daily at 11 AM beginning Dec 22. Closed Christmas Day.
Locally owned and operated.
We are more than mini golf: we are about experiences and entertainment.
Whether you choose Glow Golf or the NEW Aurora Bowl, you're sure to score BIG!
Join us this holiday season during our EXTENDED holiday hours.
OPEN daily at 11 AM beginning Dec 22. Closed Christmas Day.
Locally owned and operated.
Winter Break Activity in Holland
Paint a Pot Winter Break Idea
390 E 8th ST Suite 6,Holland, MI 49423
Create a memory at Paint a Pot in Holland!
We offer pottery for all ages! Banks, boxes, plates, platters, mugs, etc.
No appointment is needed!
We look forward to helping you create a creation to last a lifetime.
Check us out on our website or on Facebook.
We offer pottery for all ages! Banks, boxes, plates, platters, mugs, etc.
No appointment is needed!
We look forward to helping you create a creation to last a lifetime.
Check us out on our website or on Facebook.
Winter Break Activity in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Gymnastics Winter Break Idea
1601 Galbraith Avenue SE, Ste 301,Grand Rapids, MI 49546
January 2-4 | 9-Noon. $99
For 5-12 years olds.
From Foam Pits to the Trampoline, Gymnastics, or Ninjas... Campers will love their time at GRG Holiday Camp. Late Pickup available (1pm) for additional $10/day.
Register today. Space is limited.
For 5-12 years olds.
From Foam Pits to the Trampoline, Gymnastics, or Ninjas... Campers will love their time at GRG Holiday Camp. Late Pickup available (1pm) for additional $10/day.
Register today. Space is limited.
Winter Break Activity in Grand Rapids
Greater Grand Rapids Figure Skating Club Winter Break Idea
2550 Patterson Ave.,Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Looking for some fun for your elementary age kiddos the first week of January?
Kids 5-12 are welcome to glide, spin, and twirl on the ice during the annual Greater Grand Rapids Figure Skating Club Winter Skating Camp at Patterson Ice Center.
Games, off-Ice class, crafts, and skates included!
Kids 5-12 are welcome to glide, spin, and twirl on the ice during the annual Greater Grand Rapids Figure Skating Club Winter Skating Camp at Patterson Ice Center.
Games, off-Ice class, crafts, and skates included!
Winter Break Activity in Thompsonville
Crystal Mountain Winter Break Idea
12500 Crystal Mountain Drive,Thompsonville, MI 49683
Crystal Mountain is northern Michigan’s premier family resort, offering a wide variety of lodging, dining, shopping and activities.
Outdoor winter fun includes downhill skiing/snowboarding, XC skiing, snowshoeing, fat tire biking, ice skating, Crystal Spa and more.
Crystal is the place to set up base camp and explore the area!
Outdoor winter fun includes downhill skiing/snowboarding, XC skiing, snowshoeing, fat tire biking, ice skating, Crystal Spa and more.
Crystal is the place to set up base camp and explore the area!
Squeeze in a few Last Christmas Activities
Holiday events still left on your bucket list? Sneak in some of these festive Christmas activities over winter break.
If your family loves the magic of the snow and twinkling lights this time of year, grab some hot chocolate, a few blankets, and take a ride around town checking out the Christmas light displays in your area.
The GRKIDS Holiday Lights Tour lists houses with some pretty amazing light displays, all recommended by our readers.
There is also a curated route for the Lowell-Ada area as well as Wyoming-Grandville.
There are also a lot of grand drive-through Christmas displays around Michigan that are also sure to thrill the kids.
One of our favorite local drive-through Christmas lights shows, boasting over a million twinkling lights, is the Christmas Lite Show at LMCU Ball Park.
Stop into Frederik Meijer Gardens and enjoy the Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World where you will find dozens of internationally decorated trees and can explore the railway garden exhibition, a seasonal favorite in many households.
New this year at FMG is their own Christmas light show!
Outdoor Activities Over Winter Break
Michigan winters can be blustery and cold, but they are also beautiful.
If the snow has come, spend the afternoon at one of these sledding hills.
There are even more active ideas in the Winter Outdoor Play Guide.
Animal lovers can ride horses and ponies at Legacy Stables, where they’re providing safe, outdoors experiences for kids.
Kids interested in luge can learn to luge at Muskegon Winter Sports Complex.
Or maybe you’ll want to try the latest winter craze: snow tubing. Here’s where you can snow tube in Michigan.
Indoor Activities Over Winter Break
If the cold weather has you rethinking life in the Midwest, there are still plenty of options to have fun AND stay warm over Christmas Break.
Younger kids would enjoy a stop at Gymco or Horizon Kids Complex during open gym hours. You can also take them to a nice library play area.
There are two great pinball places in Grand Rapids. Pinball Land in Rockford and the Retro Electric Arcade in Lowell will entertain kids and adults.
BattleGR has tons of laser tag and other tactical games. They also have a special winter break camp for kids.
Check out laser tag (and maybe even some go-kart riding and ninja courses) at Craig’s Cruisers.
Or step into virtual reality with VR games, parties, and more at Amped Virtual Reality.
Kids with all the moves would love rollerskating. Favorites are Tarry Hall and GR Skate & Event Center.
If you are longing for the 80 degree days of summer already, grab your bathing suit and splash around at Holland Aquatic Center, where kids can go down a 150-foot water slide and re-live some of the joys of summer.
Or try one of these other great indoor pools around West Michigan.
Movie buffs can see what shows are at Celebration Cinemas this season. Pro tip: head to their Studio Park location downtown, where every seat is a recliner!.
Hands-On Activities Over Winter Break
There are lots of great ways to keep your kids learning while still having fun.
Start with a trip to the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Explore their unique exhibits during their Snowflake Break, featuring family-friendly activities.
The Children’s Museum’s Pigeon exhibit is closing in January. It’s a great time for Mo Willems fans to play with tons of interactive exhibits, in addition to the usual greatness of GRCM.
The Mud Room is offering open studio time where kids can paint pottery or a wood sign. Paint a Pot in Holland also has drop in paint time.
Grand Rapids Art Museum has a realy neat Jim Henson exhibit right now. Their drop in studio is on them with “puppet portraits.”
Road Trip Ideas for Winter Break
If you’ve got cabin fever, then hit the road for some fun with the kids.
Drive over to Portage for an immersive aviation experience at the Air Zoo. You really have to see this place to believe how fun it is.
Metro Detroit has three interactive experiences all near each other in Auburn Hills.
Builders will love LEGOLAND Discovery Center.
See amazing creatures at SEA LIFE, Michigan’s largest Aquarium.
Peppa Pig fans will have a blast at this world designed just for them!
Winter Break Calendar of Events
Looking for something to do on a specific day of winter break? Use this calendar of winter break events to find your fun!
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Is there a place where I can print a list of all the different activities to do over Christmas break?