Looking for fun activities to enjoy this winter in Gardner, Spring Hill, Paola, Lawrence, Ottawa, Baldwin City, Wellsville, and surrounding areas? Whether you’re staying cozy indoors or embracing the chilly outdoors, these local spots offer plenty of options for family-friendly fun this season. From winter sports to arts and crafts, there’s something for everyone!
1. Visit a play cafe
- Website: MY Play Cafe Gardner (Gardner, KS)
- Activity: A fantastic indoor play space for kids where they can explore a variety of creative play areas. Parents can relax with a coffee while children engage in imaginative play in a safe and fun environment.
2. Get their energy out
- Website: Up & Away Indoor Play (Lawrence, KS)
- Activity: A vibrant and interactive indoor play center with climbing structures, slides, and other fun activities. Perfect for kids to burn off energy in a warm, safe environment.
3. Go swimming
- Website: Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center (Lawrence, KS)
- Activity: Enjoy swimming, water slides, and a lazy river at the Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center. It’s an ideal spot for families to stay active and have fun in the water during the colder months.
4. Go bowling
- Website: Fusion Alley (Ottawa, KS)
- Website: Royal Crest Lanes (Lawrence, KS)
- Activity: Have a blast at one of these local bowling alleys, offering family-friendly lanes, cosmic bowling, and fun atmospheres for kids and adults alike.
5. Visit a museum
- Website: Lawrence Arts Center (Lawrence, KS)
- Website: The National History Museum (Lawrence, KS)
- Website: Watkins Museum of History (Lawrence, KS)
- Website: Paola Historical Museum (Paola, KS)
- Website: The Old Depot Museum (Ottawa, KS)
- Website: Old Castle Museum (Baldwin City, KS)
- Activity: Attend a family-friendly event, art show, or workshop at a local museum or art center. They offer various activities, including art classes and performances for children.
6. Paint your own ceramics
- Website: Sunfire Ceramics (Lawrence, KS)
- Activity: Unleash your family’s creativity by painting your own ceramics. Choose from a variety of pieces, from mugs to figurines, and enjoy a relaxing, hands-on activity for all ages.
7. Indoor rock climbing
- Website: Climb Lawrence (Lawrence, KS)
- Activity: Climbing Lawrence offers an indoor rock climbing experience for beginners and more experienced climbers. It’s a great way to get active indoors while enjoying a unique challenge.
8. Visit a local community/rec. center
- Website: Baldwin City Rec. Center (Baldwin City, KS)
- Website: Ottawa Community Center (Ottawa, KS)
- Activity: Many community center has an indoor gymnasium where families can enjoy basketball, volleyball, or other fitness classes together.
10. Story times & crafts at local libraries
- Website: Paola Library
- Website: Wellsville Library
- Website: Osawatomie Public Library
- Website: Gardner Library
- Website: Louisburg Library
- Website: Lawrence Public Library
- Website: Pomona Community Library
- Website: LaCygne Library
- Website: Ottawa Library
- Website: Eudora Public Library
- Activity: Head to the local library for story time sessions, arts and crafts activities, and other fun events for kids. A great way to engage your child in a cozy indoor setting.
These indoor activities provide great opportunities to keep the family entertained, active, and engaged during the winter months, all while supporting local businesses and venues!
