I always appreciate finding activities to get us out of the house during days off school. It's even more exciting when those events are FREE. Hopefully, this list of fun and FREE (or almost free) things to do during winter break will help you as well. Enjoy!
Note: Some of these events are weather dependent, so depending on the amount of snow we have the events may be canceled or changed. Links are provided to find out more, so please verify the details before you attend. Thanks!
If you know of any other FREE events taking place over Winter Break, submit the details here and I'll add it. Thanks for helping us all find affordable fun this break!
Go Directly To: Indoor Events | Outdoor Events
Indoor Fun
Trains, Trains & More Trains!
If you have a little one who loves to look at model trains there are many options to do so.
FREE Toy Train Town & Gingerbread Village at Crocker Park
Toy Train Town and the Gingerbread Village will be open once again this holiday season! After you’re done shopping, take a walk around the store and check out Toy Train Town–a beautiful handmade train display. Toy Train Town is located between CycleBar and The Gap near Market Square at 228 Market St. Gingerbread houses will also be on display around Toy Train Town throughout the holiday season. {Find Out More}
When: November 17-December 28, 2018
Where: 228 Market St., Westlake, OH 44145
Cost: FREE
FREE Trains Display at Puritas Nursery
Puritas Nursery is proud to present, for the 16th consecutive year, a truly unique landscaped holiday model train display that captures the spirit of the season and brings out the kid in all of us. Photos with Santa from 1-3pm on Dec. 1 & 8! Bring your camera and kids for this FREE event! {Find Out More}
When: November 23-December 31, 2018 (Closed on Christmas)
Where: 19201 Puritas Ave., Cleveland, OH 44135
Cost: FREE
You may be interested in: Our Review of the Wadsworth Train Display including tips of other fun things to do while visiting Downtown Wadsworth
FREE Model Train Extravaganza
See running model train displays inside the 1893 Town Hall. Enjoy refreshments and join in the scavenger hunts. {Find Out More}
When: Wednesdays & Saturdays, December 1-29, 2018; Sat: 2pm-5pm, Wed: 5pm-8pm
Where: 8830 Park Dr., North Bloomfield, OH 44450
Cost: FREE
While the next two train events aren't free, they are low cost.
Potted Potter Express Train at Crocker Park
Enjoy a magical ride around Crocker Park this holiday season aboard the Potted Potter Express Train. {Find Out More}
When: November 18-December 31, 2018; Mon-Sat: 12pm-8pm, Sun: 12pm-6pm, Christmas & New Years Eve: 12pm-5pm, CLOSED on Christmas
Where: Pick up and drop off is located in front of Guest Services between Barnes & Noble and Altar’d State, just across from the 50-foot Christmas Tree at the intersection of Main St. and Crocker Park Blvd.
Cost: $3 per person per ride (cash only)
Christmas at Beech Creek Botanical Garden
Explore and learn in the “World of Make Believe.” Watch the Polar Express miniature train, stroll the Festival of Trees, take in the holiday light displays, follow Storybook Trail, experience the Snowflake Theater, and meet Santa and the Grinch. Workshops for adults and children are available, and guests can roast marshmallows and sip hot cocoa. {Find Out More}
When: November 23-December 23, 2018; Fri-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: 12pm-5pm
Where: 11929 Beech St. NE, Alliance, OH 44601
Cost: $5 per person, FREE for children ages 2 and younger & BC members
FREE Winter Celebration: Frozen in Time at Fellows Riverside Gardens
Winter Celebration – Frozen in Time is a sparkling winter wonderland brought indoors as Fellows Riverside Gardens celebrates their Diamond Anniversary! Plus, enjoy the annual holiday tree walk, scavenger hunt, and the seasonal blooms. {Find Out More}
When: December 1-30, 2018; 10am-5pm
Where: 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown, OH 44509
Cost: FREE. Donations of non-perishable food items for Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley are accepted.
FREE Winter Nights at Cleveland Metroparks
Saturdays in December, experience the outdoor light display and the Toy Workshop and Reindeer Games. {Find Out More}
When: Saturdays, December 22 & 29, 2018; 5pm-7pm
Where: Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation's CanalWay Center, 4524 E. 49th St., Cuyahoga Heights, OH 44125
Cost: FREE; Craft fee: $1 (cash only)
FREE Snow Day for the Family at Cleveland Metroparks
There are so many fun things to do on a day off. Join us as we learn about snow, make a craft and play both inside and out. Ages 5 and up. {Find Out More}
When: Thursday, December 27, 2018; 1pm-3pm
Where: Brecksville Reservation, Trailside Program Center, 9000 Chippewa Creek Dr., Brecksville, OH 44141
Cost: FREE
FREE Build-a-Bird at Cleveland Metroparks
What pieces and parts make a bird, a bird? Discover all things? Discover all things bird with Naturalist Matt, and then design and build your own bird to take home. {Find Out More}
When: Wednesday, January 3, 2019; 1pm-2:30pm
Where: West Creek Reservation's Watershed Stewardship Center, 2277 W. Ridgewood Dr., Parma, OH 44134
Cost: FREE
FREE Kids Nature Hour at Cleveland Metroparks
Join naturalist Foster Brown as we study, sing, tell stories and make a craft about a featured animal that is found in North Chagrin. Featured friend: Screech Owl. Not limited to kids but all activities will be suited for 1st grade and up. {Find Out More}
When: Saturday, January 5, 2019; 1pm-2pm
Where: North Chagrin Nature Center, 401 Buttermilk Falls Pkwy., Willoughby Hills, OH 44094
Cost: FREE
Watch FREE Family Movies
FREE Winter Break Family Film Matinees at Akron-Summit County Public Library
Wednesday, December 26: Paddington 2 (PG)
Thursday, December 27: Incredibles 2 (PG)
Friday, December 28: Hotel Transylvania 3 (PG)
{Find Out More}
When: December 26-28, 2018; 1:30pm
Where: Main Library, 60 S. High St., Akron, OH 44326
Cost: FREE
FREE B.A.M. (Books and More) Winter Break Special at Portage Lakes Branch Library
Chat about some books that have been made into movies. Watch movie trailers, snack on popcorn, vote on the best book-to-movie adaptation, and have a good time! {Find Out More}
When: Friday, December 28, 2018; 2pm-3pm
Where: 4261 Manchester Rd., Akron, OH 44319
Cost: FREE
FREE Movies@Main: Incredibles 2 at Akron-Summit County Public Library
Bob Parr (Mr. Incredible) is left to care for the kids while Helen (Elastigirl) is out saving the world. {Find Out More}
When: Thursday, December 27, 2018; 6:30pm-8pm
Where: Main Library, 60 S. High St., Akron, OH 44326
Cost: FREE
While this next movie event isn't free, it is low cost.
Dinner and a Movie at Cleveland Metroparks
Bring the family for a hot dog dinner followed by the movie Yogi Bear. {Find Out More}
When: Sunday, December 30, 2018; 5pm-7:30pm
Where: Brecksville Reservation's Trailside Program Center, 9000 Chippewa Creek Dr., Brecksville, OH 44141
Cost: $3 per person (Registration is required.)
FREE Drop-in Discovery at Cleveland Metroparks
December 23: Snowflakes – Learn how snowflakes form and make a paper snowflake to take home. {Find Out More}
December 27: Nature Center Animal – Meet one of the nature center's resident animals. A craft will be available for the kids. {Find Out More}
December 28: Flint & Steel – Learn to create a spark by striking steel against flint, the first step in starting a campfire. {Find Out More}
January 6: Pinecone Birdfeeders – Stop by and make a pinecone bird feeder to take home with you. {Find Out More}
When: December 23-28, 2017 & January 6, 2018; 10am-12pm
Where: Brecksville Nature Center, 9000 Chippewa Creek Dr., Brecksville, OH 44141
Cost: FREE
FREE Fun at the Library
FREE Read With A Cop at Springfield-Lakemore Branch Library
Enjoy a snack while an officer from the Lakemore Police Department reads you a story. {Find Out More}
When: Saturday, December 22, 2018; 10am-11am
Where: 1500 Canton Rd., Ste. 360, Akron, OH 44312
Cost: FREE
FREE Winter Break Fun at Nordonia Hills Branch Library
December 26: Snowman Fun
December 28: Shaving Cream
January 2: Flubber
{Find Out More}
When: December 26, 28, 2018 & January 2, 2019; 3pm-4pm
Where: 1187 Copley Rd., Akron, OH 44320
Cost: FREE
FREE A Mystery Experience at Bryce Canyon at Portage Lakes Branch Library
Put your detective skills to the test to solve this New Year’s Eve murder in Bryce Canyon. Part story, part game, all interactive – join in for an afternoon of fun. {Find Out More}
When: Thursday, December 27, 2018; 2pm-4pm
Where: 4261 Manchester Rd., New Franklin, OH 44319
Cost: FREE
FREE No School Fun Days at Norton Branch Library
December 27: Celebrate the New Year around the world – Have fun with Green Screen Technology. {Find Out More}
December 29: Cocoro Play House Building Workshop – Learn how to design and build a clubhouse from interlocking cardboard materials developed by NorioKids of Canton. (Registration is requested.) {Find Out More}
January 3: Musical Parachute Time – Explore colors and sounds with parachute play. {Find Out More}
When:
Thursday, December 27, 2018; 6pm-7pm
Saturday, December 29, 2018; 2pm-4pm
January 3, 2019; 10:30am-11:30am
Where: 3930 S. Cleveland Massillon Rd., Norton, OH 44203
Cost: FREE
FREE Family Game Day at Mogadore Branch Library
Come in for an afternoon of games, including life-size Checkers and Memory, and classic board and card games – perfect for the whole family. {Find Out More}
When: Wednesday, January 2, 2018; 1pm-3pm
Where: 144 S. Cleveland Ave., Mogadore, OH 44260
Cost: FREE
FREE Winter Break Warm Ups at Maple Valley Branch Library
January 2: Movie & Popcorn
January 3: Board Games
{Find Out More}
When: January 2-3, 2019; 1:30pm-3pm
Where: 9458 Olde Eight Rd., Northfield, OH 44067
Cost: FREE
FREE Winter Break Fun at Akron-Summit County Public Library
January 2: Donut Wars – It’s donut vs. donut in this tasty library competition! Decorate a donut for a chance to win a sweet prize. (Registration is requested.)
January 3: Needlework – All things yarn: learn basic crochet, knitting, weaving, string art, yarn dolls and more!
January 4: Nature Film & Popcorn – Watch the movie Born in China, Disneynature’s true-life adventure that follows the stories of three animal families in China, and eat popcorn.
January 7: Wii Sports – Compete with your friends on the Wii gaming system.
{Find Out More}
When: January 2-4 & 7, 2019; 2pm-3pm
Where: Main Library, 60 S. High St., Akron, OH 44326
Cost: FREE
FREE Interactive Star Wars: The Last Jedi at Norton Branch Library
Join in for an interactive movie where audience participation is required! What’s better than watching Star Wars? Watching Star Wars while you shout, sing and snack along with it. {Find Out More}
When: Friday, January 4, 2019; 2pm-4pm
Where: 3930 S. Cleveland Massillon Rd., Norton, OH 44203
Cost: FREE
FREE Wild Days of Winter at Lake Metroparks
Candy Land comes to life as a giant game board that takes you on a journey highlighting nature’s gifts through all four seasons. A special exhibit features Mr. Jingeling and The Halle Bros. Co. connection to Penitentiary Glen. The “s’more-nament” craft has returned and is wilder than ever! In addition, new outdoor and indoor scavenger hunts and activity pages are fun for the whole family. Snowshoe rentals, weather permitting. {Find Out More}
When: November 17, 2018-January 1, 2019; 12pm-5pm, Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, & New Year's Eve
• Each Saturday, enjoy an outdoor campfire with s’mores from 1pm-3pm.
• Each Sunday, meet live animals from the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center up-close and personal.
Where: Penitentiary Glen Reservation, 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094
Cost: FREE
See Pictures and Read a Review of Our Trip to Wild Days of Winter Game
FREE Historic Kirtland Nativity Exhibit
This Christmas season, experience this nationally acclaimed nativity exhibit featuring nearly 1,000 nativities from all over the world. {Find Out More}
When: November 25-December 31, 2018; Mon-Sat: 9am-8pm, Sun: 1pm-8pm, Closed Christmas Day & New Year's Day
Where: Historic Kirtland Visitors' Center, 7800 Kirtland-Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094
Cost: FREE
FREE Live Nativity at Painesville Church of the Nazarene
Witness the wonder of that very first Christmas. This Live Nativity is a 30-minute narrated, live reenactment of the Christmas story, with authentic costumes and singing of Christmas carols. {Find Out More}
When: December 14-15 & 21-22, 2018; 7pm
Where: 6235 Chestnut St., Painesville, OH 44077
Cost: FREE and open to the public. Donations of non-perishable food items for their Food Pantry are accepted, but not required.
FREE Noon Year's Eve Events
FREE Noon Year's Eve at Massillon Public Library
Children in 6th grade and under and their families are invited to a celebration counting down to the New Year without staying up late! Enjoy stories, crafts, music, and dancing, concluding with a balloon drop at noon! {Find Out More}
When: Monday, December 31, 2018; 10:30am-12:30pm
Where: 208 Lincoln Way E., Massillon, OH 44646
Cost: FREE
FREE Noon Year's Eve at Firestone Park Branch Library
Bring your little ones to celebrate the new year early! There will be games, crafts, snacks, and a countdown to ring in the new year. {Find Out More}
When: Monday, December 31, 2018; 10:30am-12:15pm
Where: 1486 Aster Ave., Akron, OH 44301
Cost: FREE
FREE Noon Year's Eve at Akron-Summit County Public Library
Ring in the new year with stories, crafts, a snack, and of course, a countdown to noon! {Find Out More}
When: Monday, December 31, 2018; 11am-12pm
Where: Main Library, 60 S. High St., Akron, OH 44326
Cost: FREE
All Upcoming New Years Eve Events for KidsYou may be interested in:
20 Fun Indoor Activities for Kids at Home
Fun Activities to do at Home – If you'd rather stay home, here are a list of fun activities for your kids.
Kids Eat FREE
Kids Eat Free locations in Northeast Ohio – You'll still have to pay for the adult meals, but it may be worth it to take a break from cooking and get the kids meals for free.
Outdoor Fun
Hand-feed Chickadees
We got to feed them before at Beach Creek Gardens and had a blast. See pictures and find out more about Our Trip to Handfeed Chickadees at Beach Creek Gardens. Try your luck at hand feeding chickadees at one of these fun events:
FREE Hand-feed Chickadees at Cleveland Metroparks
Looking for something to do with your family and friends over the holidays? Stop by to hand feed the chickadees. Black oil sunflower seeds and instructions will be provided that help make this experience one to remember. {Find Out More}
When: December 22, 2018-February 24, 2019; 10am-12pm (Daily in December, Saturdays & Sundays in January and February)
Where: Brecksville Reservation's Brecksville Nature Center, 9000 Chippewa Creek Dr., Brecksville, OH 44141
Cost: FREE
Drive Around to see the Christmas Lights
Best Christmas Light Displays in the Area – Many of the displays will be up through the end of December.
Go Sledding
Top Sled Riding Hills in NE Ohio – Head to one of these hills and go sledding. Be sure to bring along some hot chocolate!
Join in a Hike or a Winter-themed Scavenger Hunt
FREE Winter Solstice Celebration & Candlelight Hike at Geauga Park District
Celebrate the longest night of the year as we explore the roots of our modern holiday celebrations indoors and out. Enjoy treats, hot beverages and music by the Pilgrim Brass Choir, and make a solstice-themed craft. Then, outdoors, stroll the self-guided Solstice Traditions Trail, a magical, candlelit route through the forest, stop by a bonfire, and enjoy interactive skits highlighting solstice traditions of various civilizations with costumed interpreters. {Find Out More}
When: Friday, December 21, 2018; 7:30pm-9:30pm
Where: The West Woods, 9465 Kinsman Rd., Novelty, OH 44072
Cost: FREE
FREE Hunt of the Month: Snowflakes at Cleveland Metroparks
Winter is here so stop by the CanalWay Center to search for 20 hidden snowflakes. Find the paper snowflakes inside and then go outside to enjoy the real thing. {Find Out More}
When: December 22-31, 2018
Where: Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation's CanalWay Center, 4524 E. 49th St. Cuyahoga Heights, OH 44125
Cost: FREE
FREE Full Moon Through the Woods Cocoa Hike at Cleveland Metroparks
Explore the winter wonderland of West Creek by moonlight with Naturalist Matt Knittel while keeping warm with a nice hot cup of hot chocolate (provided). {Find Out More}
When: Saturday, December 22, 2018; 7pm-8:30pm
Where: West Creek Reservation, 2277 W. Ridgewood Dr., Parma, OH 44134
Cost: FREE
FREE Winter Scavenger Hunt at Fellows Riverside Gardens
Enjoy a winter scavenger hunt. Stop by Ford Nature Center to pick up your list, then go outside to track down nature’s hidden treasures. Bring your camera or phone to document your findings. {Find Out More}
When: December 26-30, 2018; Wed-Sat: 10am-5pm, Sun: 12pm-5pm
Where: 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown, OH 44509
Cost: FREE
FREE Winter Scavenger Hunt at Fellows Riverside Gardens
Enjoy a winter scavenger hunt. Stop by Ford Nature Center to pick up your list, then go outside to track down nature’s hidden treasures. Bring your camera or phone to document your findings. {Find Out More}
When: December 26-30, 2018; Wed-Sat: 10am-5pm, Sun: 12pm-5pm
Where: 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown, OH 44509
Cost: FREE
FREE Winter Break Scavenger Hunt at Cleveland Metroparks
Drop in and pick up a scavenger hunt between 12pm and 2pm. Explore CanalWay Center inside and out as you look for natural and unnatural winter items. Receive a reward when completed. {Find Out More}
When: Thursday, December 27, 2018; 12pm-2pm
Where: CanalWay Center at Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation, 4524 E. 49th St., Cuyahoga Heights, OH 44125
Cost: FREE
FREE Holiday Hike at Cleveland Metroparks
Hike along the canal and the Cuyahoga River and look to see what other animals are out on this December afternoon. {Find Out More}
When: Saturday, December 29, 2018; 2:30pm-3:30pm
Where: Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation's CanalWay Center, 4524 E. 49th St. Cuyahoga Heights, OH 44125
Cost: FREE
FREE Hunt of the Month: Beaver at Cleveland Metroparks
Beavers will keep a stash of sticks near their lodge in case the pond freezes over and they are unable to go out and get more. Twenty beavers are hidden for you to find. After finding the beavers, take a hike down to the Blue Heron Boardwalk to see if you can spot the beaver and his lodge. {Find Out More}
When: January 2-31, 2018
Where: Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation's CanalWay Center, 4524 E. 49th St. Cuyahoga Heights, OH 44125
Cost: FREE
Free Noon Year’s Eve program at the Massillon Public Library on Wednesday, December 31st from 10:30 am to 12 pm. For families of kids 6th grade and under. Stories, crafts, dancing, and a balloon drop at noon.
And again this year—same time!