It’s hard for me to get excited about “Winter Fun”. The holidays are over. The diet has started. I’m scared to look at my bank balance. ARE THESE KIDS EVER GOING BACK TO SCHOOL?!?!?! My pants are too tight. My house is a mess and looks so unfestive now that the Christmas decorations are gone (and by ‘gone’ I mean sitting in boxes all over the place.)
The weather this time of year won’t cooperate either. It might be tank top weather on Monday and ice storm warnings on Thursday. Also, why is everyone so bored and cranky? And why do they all live in my house?
Friends, I only know of one way to break out of this yearly funk. We gotta plan some family fun! Activities and events aren’t as plentiful at this time of year as they are during the holidays, but there is still lots to do.
Get outside together anytime the weather cooperates and plan lots of indoor activities for when it doesn’t. Check our calendar page for inspiration and don’t miss our post of Free activities to enjoy throughout the winter.
- You can still experience Zooluminations at Nashville Zoo every Thursday through Sunday from January 2 – February 2.
- Don’t miss the fun of outdoor ice skating at Winterfest at Fountains at Gateway through January 20.
- Watch the Mystic Mermaids at The Aquarium Restaurant on January 9, 23 & February 6, 20.
- Act fast on January 9 to get free tickets to the annual Let Freedom Sing concert in honor of MLK at The Nashville Symphony.
- Start dreaming of summer at The Nashville Boat Show January 9-12.
- Take a family hike in the Hill Forest on January 10.
- Build a police car at Lowes Build & Grow Workshops on January 11.
- Dig for fossils at Fort Negley on January 11 & February 8.
- Make a growth chart at the JC Penney Kids Zone on January 11.
- Explore space at Launch Day at Brentwood Library on January 11.
- Sign the kids up to paint a Chinese New Year themed creation in Smyrna on January 11.
- Hike with a Ranger at Long Hunter State Park on January 11.
- Kids can learn to make dumplings from scratch at Williams Sonoma on January 11.
- Spend a Saturday morning at Circus World in Hendersonville. Discounts on wristbands until Noon.
- Head to Centennial Sportsplex for some indoor fun on the ice!
- Wacky Wednesday happens every week at the Smyrna Library.
- Celebrate Dragon Day at the SOAC on January 16.
- Learn about Secret Soldiers: Civil War Heroines in Disguise at Nashville Children’s Theatre January 16 – 29.
- Nashville Parks Department has 5 indoor swimming pools. Pick one and have some splashy fun!
- Head to The Franklin Theatre to see Disney’s Aladdin Kids on January 17 & 18.
- Take the tinies to Saturday Morning Little Kids Skate every week at Smyrna Skate Center.
- Have some fun inside at Kidsville at The Parthenon every Saturday morning.
- Jumpstart your New Year’s Resolutions at the Fit & Healthy Family Fair at Rivergate Mall on January 18.
- Ride a horse, make crafts and have fun at Kid’s Night Out at Harris Riding Academy on January 18.
- Catch a show at Sudekum Planetarium any day of the week.
- Bundle up for a Family Campfire at Sharp Springs Park on January 19.
- Take advantage of free admission to The Discovery Center for Martin Luther King Jr Day on January 20.
- Namaste at the Family Yoga Storybook Adventure at the Nashville Library every Monday in January & February.
- Unlimited Tuesday every week at Stars and Strikes in Smyrna. Unlimited bowling or video games for $10.99!
- Make a foam snowman at Chick Fil A in Mt Juliet on January 21.
- Build a birdhouse at the LaVergne Library on January 21.
- Make snow and “Let it Go!” at the Frozen Celebration at the SOAC on January 24.
- Take a Cold Winter’s Night Lantern Tour & Hayride at Cannonsburgh Village on January 24.
- Perfect your double axel at Public Skate at Ford Ice Center.
- Ride some indoor go karts at Adventure Alley in Hendersonville.
- Find some treasures at Geocaching Day at Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary on January 25.
- Get tickets to see Into the Woods at The Franklin Theatre on January 25 & 26.
- RSVP in advance for a free puppet show at Adventure Science Center on January 25.
- Plan a date night while the kids (age 4-12) have fun at Bounce U Murfreesboro January 25 & February 14.
- Don’t miss the Harlem Globetrotters as they dribble into Bridgestone Arena on January 25.
- Enjoy Storytime and Activities Featuring How to Catch a Dragon at local Barnes & Noble stores on January 25.
- Learn to play the ukulele at Country Music Hall of Fame on January 25.
- Sign the kids up for beginner craft classes at JoAnn stores in January and February.
- Climb indoors together at Family Climb every Sunday at The Ascent in Murfreesboro.
- Spend a dreary day at the indoor pool at The Jimmy Floyd Center in Lebanon
- Get a $10 wristband for unlimited Bumper cars, Bowling and Murf Wars every Wednesday from 3PM – 9PM at Lanes, Trains & Automobiles.
- Have Breakfast with the Mermaids at the Aquarium Restaurant on February 1.
- Kids can create Heart String Art at Home Depot Kids Workshops on February 1.
- Celebrate Ice Cream for Breakfast Day at Shelby Bottoms on February 1.
- Take a walk to observe World Wetlands Day on February 1.
- Celebrate the Year of the Mouse in Hillsboro Village on February 1.
- Let the kids get crafty at Michaels stores every Saturday morning.
- Browse the store and take advantage of Storytime at Parnassus Books every Thursday at 4PM & Saturdays at 10:30AM.
- Kids can make a Valentine Frog Jug at Gateway Island on February 6.
- Cirque de Soleil AXEL skates into Bridgestone Arena February 6-9.
- Have some fun when the weather won’t cooperate at Altitude Nashville.
- Register the kids for Valentine Box Painting in Smyrna on February 7.
- Kids can make a Love Note Holder at Lowes Build & Grow Workshops on February 8.
- Raptor Day is February 8 at Outdoor Murfreesboro.
- The Chinese New Year Celebration at Plaza Mariachi is February 8.
- Attend the Teddy Bear Valentine Tea at Cannonsburgh Village on February 8.
- Decorate a Valentine Cake at American Girl on February 9.
- Attend the Great Backyard Bird Count Informational Session at Nashville Zoo on February 9.
- The Rising Stars present Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR in Franklin February 13 – 15.
- Plana date night while the kids attend Parent’s Night Out in Smyrna on February 15.
- Get half price admission to The Hermitage on February 15 for President Jackson’s 253rd Birthday Celebration.
- Explore Hilltop-Rosenwald Park in Smyrna on February 16.
- Get tickets early for Hans Christian Anderson at Nashville Children’s Theatre February 22-March 8.
- Party with your friends from Sesame Street at Bridgestone Arena on February 23.
- Take Teddy to the Nashville Zoo for a check up on February 29 & March 1..
This is a great list! Thanks for the hard work in putting it together!