Winter break is quickly approaching, and you may be wondering, “what are my kids going to do with all this time off?!” Don’t worry – we are here to help! We’ve gathered a list of 15 things you can do with your kids this winter – and the best part is that each activity is $15 or less (in fact, some are FREE)! This is just a ‘sample’ of the great activities in the Lake Geneva area, so check our website or Events Calendar for more great ideas!
- Join Clearwater Outdoor for open rock wall climbing every Tuesday night.
Every Tuesday night, Clearwater Outdoor hosts an “open rock wall climbing night” from 7-9pm. They alternate between two locations (Lake Geneva Youth Camp and Covenant Harbor), so check their website for location details.
Cost: $5 per person.
Clear Water Outdoor – rock climbing - Visit Grand Geneva’s Christmas in the Country.
With gingerbread house displays, thousands of lights on display throughout the resort property, and beautiful decorations everywhere – a stroll through the Grand Geneva Resort property can get anyone into the Christmas spirit! Make the visit into a fun game with your kids and see how many Santas (or gingerbread houses or decorated trees) they can count. PLUS – Every day at 4 pm, Santa’s elves make a mail run!
Cost: Free.
Grand Geneva – Christmas in the Country - Head indoors – and take a dip at the Whitewater Aquatic Center.
If you’ve never been here, it’s time to change that! This aquatic center is complete with an indoor water park (water slides, spouts, and more).
Cost: $7 for Whitewater residents; $8 for non-residents.
Whitewater Aquatic Center - Hit the slopes at Grand Geneva – every Thursday is “2 for 1” area tickets.
Grand Geneva’s Mountain Top offers over 30 acres of skiing and snowboarding with 18 runs. Bring your own equipment or rent from their ski shop. Lessons available as well!
Cost: $23/child, $28/adult. Thursdays are “2 for 1” day, getting two people in for the price of one! Rentals extra.
Grand Geneva – downhill skiing - Enjoy a live performance of The Nutcracker Suite Ballet at Lake Lawn Resort.
Their final performance of the 2014 season is December 20th at 7pm. Performed by The Dance Factory, this ballet will enchant you as 30+ performers in dazzling costumes perform this traditional holiday show. Come early for Lake Lawn’s Prime Rib Buffet (additional cost)!
Cost: $6/child, $12/adult.
Lake Lawn – The Nutcracker Ballet - Go fish – at Rushing Waters Fisheries, open year-round.
With no license required and year-round fishing, this place offers great trout fishing – and none of the cleaning hassle! The fishing rate includes your pole & equipment, bait, cleaning, and icing of your fish.
Cost: $8.75/lb, or $7.75/lb if you clean it yourself.
Rushing Waters Fisheries - Enjoy a holiday tea party at Grand Geneva Resort.
Every day (November 29-December 28), Grand Geneva is offering a special afternoon Holiday Tea. Dress in your finest clothing and celebrate at a traditional tea party! Reservations available from 11 am – 2 pm daily.
Cost: $14.95/person.
Holiday Tea at Grand Geneva - Explore the area’s history at Geneva Lake Museum.
The museum is open Friday-Sunday in December and offers docent-guided (or at your own pace, if you wish) tours of the museum. Relive Lake Geneva’s fascinating history at this beautifully-maintained museum. The interactive exhibits make it great for the whole family!
Cost: $6/students with ID, $7/adults, children 11 and under are FREE.
Geneva Lake Museum - Take a family sleigh ride through the countryside with Dan Patch Stables.
Once the snow is flying, a sleigh ride is the perfect way to enjoy a beautiful winter day. Their sleighs can comfortably accommodate 4 adults, or a family. Sleigh rides can be reserved 7 days a week, 10 am – 4 pm (weather permitting).
Cost: $60/sleigh ride.
Dan Patch Stables – sleigh rides - Skate the day away at one of the local skating rinks.
There are skating rinks at many local parks throughout Walworth County, where you can skate ’til your heart’s content, if you have your own skates – weather permitting! If you need a skate rental, we recommend checking out one of the local resorts (Lake Lawn, The Abbey, Geneva Ridge, or Grand Geneva) for a rink with rentals available.
Rental Cost: varies from $2 – $8; check with each resort for price. Most park rinks are FREE!
Geneva Ridge Resort – ice skating - Bowl away the winter blues at Delavan Lanes.
Delavan Lanes is open daily, with specials & fun night events! Tuesday nights are $1 bowling ($1/person per game, $1/shoes), and Fridays are $5 Fridays ($5/pizza, $5/bowling). They also offer cosmic bowling every Friday night!
Cost: $1/person on Tuesdays.
Delavan Lanes – bowling - Explore the outdoors, by snowshoeing at one of the local parks or trails.
Winter doesn’t have to mean you spend all day indoors – Walworth County has many great trails and parks that allow snowshoeing. Clear Water Outdoor, Fontana Paddle Co, Lake Lawn Resort, Backyard Bike & Ski Shop, and Grand Geneva all offer snowshoe rentals (resort rentals are for on-property only).
Rental Cost: varies – $5 and up. Check with park/trail for any usage fees.
Clear Water Outdoor – snowshoeing - Catch a performance of “Thomas & Friends: A Holiday Adventure” at Grand Geneva.
This kid-friendly show is interactive and fun for kids of all ages! Enjoy Treats with Thomas (includes a cookie and show for each person) on select dates: December 19-24, 26-28.
Cost: $10/child, $15/adult. Breakfast & show is another option on select dates, for an additional cost.
Thomas and Friends: A Holiday Adventure - Burn off that energy with a day pass to Lake Geneva’s YMCA.
You don’t have to be a member of the Lake Geneva YMCA to enjoy their facilities – just get a day pass! With an aquatic center, wellness center, game & activity room, basketball gyms & racquetball courts, there is plenty of activities happening daily at the YMCA.
Cost: $5/student or child, $9/adult.
Lake Geneva YMCA - Grab some poles & skis, and cross-country ski your way across Walworth County.
There are trails and parks throughout the county that allow cross-country skiing – some are even free to access! Plus, rentals are available at local businesses, including Backyard Bikes, Grand Geneva Resort, and Lake Lawn Resort (resort rentals are for on-property only).
Rental Cost: varies – $5-$15
Cross country skiing
We want to hear from you – are there any local winter activities we didn’t include? Comment below!
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