Having the kids home from school during Winter Break is exciting but also sends us into a slight panic about how to keep them busy and entertained for so many days without regular routines. We’re doing our personal research over here about what to do with our own kids, and we want to share our findings with you, too. Here’s some ideas for a FUN Winter Break:

Special Events: Mark you calendars for these unique happenings over the break:

— The Mutt-Cracker (Sweet!) @ The Vortex
Dec. 19- Jan. 5, various times
Circus Chickendog returns to The Vortex with The Mutt-Cracker (SWEET!). For the 9th year, our favorite rescue canines celebrate the holidays with a fun show for all ages. Based off Marie’s journey in the original Nutcracker story, our Clara Marie explores the magical world of Doglandia as she searches for her best friends Trudy Ballerina and Squirrel the Dog. Click here for ticket options.

Photo from The Vortex website

—  Weekly Storytimes @ BookPeople
(click here for schedule)
Throughout Winter Break, you can count on fun storytimes at 10:30 a.m. for the little ones.

— Minor Mishap’s Winter Solstice Lantern Parade
Dec. 21 at Mueller Lake Park & Dec. 22 at Austin Central Library, 5:30 p.m. 
Minor Mishap’s Winter Solstice Lantern Parade has become an annual celebration of light, community, music, creativity and booty shakin’. Gather together on the longest night of the year, with flameless lanterns in hand and Minor Mishap Marching Band provides the soundtrack for the evening. Hundreds of lanterns coming together under the night sky is truly a beautiful sight! It’s easy to make a beautiful light-diffuser out of paper, fabric, or poking holes in a can, and attaching it to a flashlight — no flames.  For each night, gather at 5:30 p.m., music at 6 p.m.

—  Masters of Disguise Exhibit Opening @ Science Mill (Johnson City)
Dec. 21, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
This special exhibit’s Grand Opening is on December 21 where you can meet reptiles, amphibians and insects with extreme disguises and wild transformations. Play video games where you try to catch prey with increasingly clever disguises. Test out sound-activated wall panels and temperature-sensitive tiles, then brainstorm other inventions inspired by camouflage. Admission: 0-2 years old – free, 3-18 (or with student ID) $9.50, Adults $11, Seniors (65+) $9 and Military $5.50

— Sparkle & Song Party: Holiday Meets Galactic Heroes @ Barrel O’ Fun
Dec. 21,  12 – 2 p.m.
December’s party is all about the holidays and those heroes of the galaxy we know and love! Come in costume for fun prizes! They’ll be getting crafty with the winning combo of holly leaves and ivy meet galactic motifs. This free event is fun for all ages, complete with dancing, hands-on activities and some general sparkle.

— A Tuba Christmas Concert @ Texas State Capitol
Dec. 23, 12 p.m.
200 Tuba and euphonium players perform traditional Christmas music on the steps of the Capitol. It is a sight to behold! Free and open to the public.

— Farm Holiday Hours @ Sweet Eats Fruit Farm
Dec. 21, 22, & 23, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sweet Eats Fruit Farm in Georgetown will be open an extra day this year so you can enjoy some family fun while the kids are out of school. Open Saturday, Dec. 21 – Monday, December 23rd from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. each day. Santa will make an appearance on Saturday and Sunday only, but his reindeer will be at the farm each day. All activities will be available – pony rides, petting zoo, jump pads, hay maze, pipe racers, sling shots, treasure mountain, swings, slides, and hay rides. Admission is $16/person (Adults and Children). Under 2 free. Click here for more info.

— CultureMap Rooftop Rink @ Whole Foods Market Downtown
Daily through January 20, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
The Whole Foods Market Downtown offers ice skating right on their rooftop! The rink is open 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily, but holiday hours vary. Admission for all ages is $12 per person (skates included) when you purchase online. Tickets will be $15 at the door.

Ice skate at Whole Foods! Photo credit: Renee Dominguez

— Make Stop Motion Animation @ Austin Central Library
Dec. 30, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Have you ever wanted to bring your art to life? Johnny Villarreal and The Edge of Imagination Station are here to help! With ten years’ experience teaching in the community, Johnny has shown users of all ages, abilities, and skill levels how to create animated sequences and short stories. Drop in and learn some basics of stop motion animation.

— Ring in 2020!
Dec. 31, various times
There’s TONS of family fun to be had on New Year’s Eve! You can take the kids for a balloon drop, karaoke, arcade games, mini golf, fireworks, and more! Click here for our roundup for Family-Friendly NYE Parties.

— Make a Polar Bear Splash!
January 1, various times
Take the plunge into 2020! If you’re up for a frosty cold swim to kick off the new year on Jan. 1. Click here for all the places around Austin to satisfy your inner polar bear.

— H-E-B Free First Sunday @ The Bullock Museum
Jan. 5, 12 – 5 p.m.
Enjoy free exhibit admission all day and special family activities from 12 – 3 p.m.! Join friends and neighbors to explore three floors of exhibitions, including the new special exhibition Fashion Forward.

Check out the Bullock Museum on free admission day!

Holiday Fun: The start of the break is a great time to pack in a good dose of holiday cheer. Check out this helpful info to get your organized on your holiday experiences:

So much holiday joy can be found along the Trail of Lights!

Theatre & Movies: You can’t beat live theatre or fun film screenings to take up a few happy hours for the whole family. Check out:

At Alamo Kid Camp, you can see films for only $1, $3, or $5 tickets.

Indoor Play: No worries about cold, rainy days — an indoor entertainment center holds the key to a good time (where the kids can literally bounce off the walls in some places). Here’s some ideas on where to play indoors (and note that when you click through, you’ll see that many are having Winter Break specials):

Playmazing Round Rock has plenty for your little ones to do!

Outdoor Adventures: Get outside on a nice sunny day over the break and explore Austin’s beautiful trails and parks! Here’s some ideas on where to go:

Joanne Land Playground is a great spot for some outdoor play time.

Day Trips: Wanna get out of town? Do it! There’s plenty to explore on a quick drive from Austin.

San Antonio’s DoSeum offers a ton of hands-on fun just a short drive away.

As always, there’s a ton of fun stuff happening in Austin for kids! For more, be sure browse our daily calendar of events! And check out these lists:

We wish you the best of times on your Winter Break!