Tips on Staying Busy this Winter Break

With Winter Break on the horizon, many families may be looking for ways to spend quality time with one another. Well, look no further, as this blog is intended to offer a variety of ways to keep the whole family engaged during this period of time.

Register for our Student Stewards Winter Break Science Camp!

If you have a child aged 8-12, consider enrolling them in Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation’s Winter Break Camp! We are so excited to be hosting our very first Winter Wetland Stewards Camp on Wednesday, January 3rd through Friday, January 5th. We will be exploring outdoor winter activities and survival challenges at Rosewood Nature Study Area, plus, parents and guardians are invited to join in on the fun during the afternoons, making this the perfect family outing! Slots are filling up fast so be sure to register soon. 

Ice Skating

Nothing screams winter like ice skating! It looks like there’s 2 popular spots in town that you can pick from; The Ice Rink at Grand Sierra Resort, and Reno Ice in South Reno. Having been to the GSR Ice Rink before, I’d definitely recommend booking your tickets in advance as it can get quite busy during the weekends! Alternatively, for a more mellow experience, this could be a great weekday activity.

Visit the Library

In my humble opinion, libraries are one of society’s greatest achievements. Books offer a wealth of knowledge, plus, libraries typically offer a lot of resources that many people don’t know about or utilize. One look at the Washoe County Library System’s event schedule and you’ll see story times, family game days, crafting events, and more! Even if your family isn’t all avid readers, I’m sure there’s some offering on the calendar that will make a trip to the library worthwhile this Winter Break.

Check out our Cache for Trash Program at Rosewood Nature Study Area

Rosewood Nature Study Area has over 2 miles of trails, making it a great place to get outside and soak up fresh air. Plus, Cache for Trash is a great way to get the whole family involved in being stewards of the outdoors. Simply stop by the Rosewood Nature Study Area Visitor Center, pick up a bucket and trash picker, and go out and explore the area, picking up any trash you see along the way. Once you’re done walking through the wetlands, return the picker and bucket, and you’ll be given GPS coordinates to a geocache container somewhere inside or outside the Visitor Center. Find the geocache, remove the ticket inside, and trade it in for a prize! This fun family outing can be a great learning experience on caring for our outdoor spaces. Click here for more information on visiting Rosewood Nature Study Area.

Play in the Snow

Growing up in Reno-Tahoe, this is probably the most obvious Winter Break activity. I feel like just about every other person you meet in the area is into some sort of snow sport! Regardless, a trip up to the mountains to explore in the snow is bound to be a fun time with unbeatable views. Once we get some snow in the valley, hopefully there will be some opportunities to play in the snow straight from your backyard, without even having to drive anywhere. While we wait, feel free to check out these snowflake crafts to get into the winter spirit!

Go to the Movies ($5 on Tuesdays!)

Personally, I love a trip to the movie theaters. After the pandemic, many may see it as a dead art given all of the at-home streaming options, but nothing beats the big screen! Plus, this can be a relatively affordable outing if you utilize Cinemark’s $5 Tuesdays. Happy movie viewing!

Do a Puzzle

Puzzles are a great activity for groups of all ages. I really enjoy how they facilitate conversation and togetherness, all while giving everyone something to do with their hands, and a little bit of a workout for the brain. Plus, it’s an unbeatable satisfying feeling when matching pieces finally click together, and seeing the puzzle come together over time. 

In conclusion, Winter Break can be a wonderful time for the family to get together and enjoy one another’s company. I’m sure there’s many activities I missed and didn’t mention, so feel free to comment below what you’ll be doing this Winter Break.

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About the Author

Born and raised in the Truckee Meadows, Dayna studied International Business Marketing at the University of Nevada, Reno. After graduating in 2021, she spent 2 months in India pursuing her passion by studying yoga and becoming a certified instructor. Now, Dayna is excited to join the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation promoting one of her favorite things, the outdoors! In her free time, Dayna can be found practicing yoga, exploring the world around her, or cozying up in her hammock with a good book.