101+ Things to Do During Winter

winter things to do

No more I’m bored or winter blues! Here are more than 100 things to do during winter in Northeast Wisconsin including the Fox Cities, Oshkosh, and Green Bay. These ideas will help you get out of the house and have fun!

1000 Islands Nature Preserve, Kaukauna
1000 Islands Nature Preserve, Kaukauna
The Snow Man, December 2019
The Snow Man, December 2019

Explore Nature

  • Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve, Appleton
    bubolzpreserve.org
  • Heckrodt Nature Preserve, Menasha
    Read more about our visit here or visit heckrodtnaturecenter.org for more info.
  • 1000 Islands Nature Preserve, Kaukauna
    Visit 1000islandsenvironmentalcenter.org for more info.
  • Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, Green Bay
    We LOVE feeding the ducks, check out our visit here or visit baybeachwildlife.com for more info.
  • NEW Zoo, Suamico
    Did you know the NEW zoo is open in year-round? Visit newzoo.org for more info.
  • Milwaukee Zoo
    Visit the winter-loving animals, stroll through our warm indoor exhibits and see the new tiger cubs! Open from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm weekdays and from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm on weekends. Enjoy FREE admission on Family Free Days throughout the winter.
  • Barlow Planetarium
    Check out the moon, stars and more! Visit uwfox.uwc.edu/barlow for more info.
  • Petsmart, 923 N Westhill Blvd, Grand Chute and Just Pets, 2009 N Richmond St in Appleton.
    When we need to get out of the house for a little bit sometimes we head to the pet store to check out the animals!
  • Pawffee Shop Cat Cafe, Appleton
    Enjoy a cup of coffee and cat snuggles! Learn more about our visit here.
    Consider making a reservation – we expect this place to be busy for the holidays! pawffeeshop.com
Pawffee Shop Cat Cafe, Appleton

 Swim

  • Go Valley Kid’s Indoor Pool Roundup
    Check out our roundup of the best swimming spots around here.
Country Inn & Suites, Little Chute
Country Inn & Suites, Little Chute
The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center
The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center

Bowl

Super Bowl, Appleton
Super Bowl, Appleton

Run Around, Jump, Climb & Play

thanksgiving break things to do
Funset Boulevard, Appleton
luv 2 play
Luv 2 Play, Appleton

 Sports

The Herd Basketball Oshkosh
Wisconsin Herd Basketball Game, Oshkosh

 Ice Skating & Roller Skating

Roller Skating
Roller Skating, Skate City, Kimberly

Outdoor Snow Activities

Sledding at Erb Park in Appleton
Sledding at Erb Park, Appleton

Play & Explore

  • Titletown District, Green Bay
    Ice skating, sledding, playground, and field for running and playing open daily from 7 am – 10 pm.
    titletown.com
  • Old World Wisconsin
    govalleykids.com/old-world-wisconsin
  • Building for Kids Children’s Museum, Appleton
    Get moving with the Run! Jump! Fly! Adventures in Action™! exhibit.
    buildingforkids.org
  • Children’s Museum of Green Bay
    gbchildrensmuseum.org
  • Kidz Town, Green Bay
    kidztowngb.com
  • Paper Discovery Center, Appleton
    Learn more about our visit here.
  • Neville Public Museum, Green Bay
    nevillepublicmuseum.org
  • EAA Museum
    eaa.org/eaa-museum
  • Oshkosh Public Museum
    oshkoshmuseum.org
  • History Museum at the Castle
    myhistorymuseum.org
  • Weis Earth Science Museum
    weismuseum.org
  • Play on a train table
    Caramel Crisp Kids has a neat train tables and lots of neat toys and books to check out when you are there!
  • See Trains in Kaukauna
    Watch the model trains at Paper Valley Model Railroad Club. More info here. Their last open house of the season takes place on December 31, 2021 from 9am to 5pm.
  • See Trains in Neenah-Menasha
    Visit the Neenah-Menasha Railroad Club. More info here.
  • Watch the Milk Bottling Process
    Lamer’s Dairy Country Store Monday – Friday mornings until about 11 am.
  • Learn How Cheese Curds are Made
    Wisconsin’s official state food is Kringle, but we think cheese deserves an honorable mention. Head to Union Star Cheese in Fremont to watch cheese curds being made (and take a bag- or two- of fresh, squeaky curds home with you!)
  • Ride an Escalator
    Another one of our tricks if we need to get out of the house on a winter day! Check out the escalator at the City Center Downtown Appleton or at Macy’s in the Fox River Mall.
  • Mall Walk
    Mall walk at the Fox River Mall. Bring your quarters and let the kids ride the machines (or avoid the Target wing). If the weather is mild check out one of our favorite family-friendly trails here.
Green Bay Children's Museum
Green Bay Children’s Museum, Green Bay

Worth the Drive Children’s Museums

Discovery World Milwaukee
Our family visit to Discovery World, Milwaukee
Madison Children's Museum
Madison Children’s Museum, Madison

Get Crafty, Creative & Artsy

Building for Kids Appleton Children's Museum
Building for Kids Children’s Museum, Appleton

Fun Pampering

  • Plan a Fun Manicure or Pedicure 
    Find our list of kid-friendly nail salons here.
  • Get a Hair Do
    Need a haircut? Braids? Special or fun updo? Check out Go Valley Kids’ recommendations here.
Kingdom Kuts Kid's Salon, Appleton
Kingdom Kuts Kid’s Salon, Appleton

Take a Road Trip or a Day Trip

The Works, Bloomington, Minnesota
The Works Museum – Interactive Children’s Museum, Bloomington, Minnesota

Eat

Wonders Ice Cream Appleton
Wonders Ice Cream, Appleton

Movies

  • Check out a Movie at Marcus Theatres on Tuesdays for $5 and Students and Educators are just $6 on Thursdays!

Volunteer!

Things to do for FREE in the Fox Cities, Oshkosh & Green Bay

Barnes and Noble Appleton
Barnes and Noble Appleton
Amanda Chavez

Amanda Chavez

As the owner and publisher of Go Valley Kids Amanda is passionate about connecting families with resources and businesses in our community. Born and raised in Appleton, Wisconsin, Amanda Chavez has a love for her community. As a busy mom of 2 little girls, she and her husband are always on the lookout for fun things to do and share with others. Go Valley Kids combines all of her passions –motherhood, design and community. Some of her other interests also peak through on GVK including baking, photography and sewing!
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FIND MORE THINGS TO DO

Wisconsin State Parks
Parks for Spring
Indoor Playgrounds
Museums
Fox Valley Trails
Road Trips
City Wide Garage Sales

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