The weather is getting colder, and the nights are getting longer. What sort of winter activities are available for kids in Wausau? There are tons of great options for kids in winter! I am partial to spending time outside, but there are also plenty of fun places to hang out inside. What are your favorites?
Free Outdoor Activities
Dress warm and enjoy the white Wisconsin wonderland! Everyone can have fun outside with proper layers, even in the cold. We love going to the top of Rib Mountain State Park in the winter. Enjoy the incredible views and the playground, or find the perfect hike for your family. The Dells of Eau Claire is northeast of the city and has a beautiful one-mile hike around the falls as well as a brand new playground. There is a free sledding hill at Doepke Park as well as behind Schulenberg Pool. Check out the Wausau Parks Website for 5 more places to sled, including the hills that are lighted. Playgrounds are more cumbersome in the winter but still a great way to play and burn some energy.
Paid Outdoor Activities
We love the free options, but sometimes you need amenities that require a fee. Here are some of those fun winter activities to do with kids. Willow Springs does sleigh rides just northwest of Wausau. Check out Sylvan Tubing Hill for exhilarating fun and a lift to pull you back to the top. Minimum height is 42″. Go to Granite Peak for skiing and snowboarding on an even bigger hill. Kids under five years ski free on the bunny slope. Wednesday nights are local nights and have better deals than other times. If you prefer a slightly slower speed, try Nordic skiing! Wausau has a robust Nordic Ski Club, or you can go straight to Nine Mile and hit the trails. Have your kids tried ice skating yet? Check out Wausau Mama’s list of local skating places. A good place to start is Greenheck, as they have lots of rentals available.
Free Indoor Activities
While I love spending time outdoors, sometimes you need an indoor activity. The Leigh Yawkey is at the top of my list as it is free. The museum has an adorable section called “Art Park” with rotating creative toys. It is open whenever the museum is open. You can also check out their event page. Of course, the library is another great place to go for free. Each different library branch has a variety of story times and art sessions for various ages. Have you tried the T.B.Scott Library in Merrill? They has toys you can rent!
Indoor Destinations for Active Kids
The Sawmill Adventure Park can be a blast. My favorite is Tot Time, which is very reasonably priced. It is still a great time for those over five years but quite a bit pricer. Rainbow Systems Play Center sells playground equipment and opens its show house for play in the winter. Check the website before you go. Open times are often altered for private parties. Greenheck has several bounce houses inflated every Wednesday in addition to select indoor rock climbing nights. Click on the event flyer for specific dates. The YMCA pool is great if you have a membership, but if you only go once in a while, check out the Marathon Area Swim Associate. They sell reasonably priced day passes for their open swim. The Mosinee Community Pool also offers pool time without a membership.
More Indoor Activities
The Wausau Children’s Museum has been growing over the years. They are not as impressive as many other children’s museums, but they are improving every year. This December the Children’s Imaginarium is opening in downtown and we can’t wait to check it out! They have lots of fun activities. For an artistic outing, try the Clay Corner. They have the typical painting of ceramics as well as other artsy programs. WOW is an American restaurant bar with Wausau’s largest arcade. They have laser tag for older kids as well. The Grand Theater downtown has lots of different shows, including ones designed for kids. If you don’t mind a longer drive, the Children’s Museum in Stevens Point is longer standing than the Wausau one and has more exhibits. While you are there, check out the stores and restaurants in downtown Stevens Point. We like Bill’s Pizza Shop which is right across the street.
In Conclusion…
What other activities for kids in the winter in Wausau are there? Did I miss your favorite one? We are always looking for more seasonal fun!