No more “I’m bored” and winter depression! Here are over 100 things to do in the winter in northeastern Wisconsin, including Appleton, Oshkosh, Green Bay and the larger Fox Cities. These ideas will support you get out of the house and have fun!
The ultimate winter wish list is a fantastic list of the best winter things to do in Wisconsin.
Explore at the Nature Center
The Fox River is a great place to spot eagles, and one of our favorite places to visit on the water is the 1000 Islands Wildlife Refuge in Kaukauna. The indoor nature center is the perfect place to toasty up and learn about Wisconsin’s animals. The trails are perfect for walking or renting snowshoes.
Bubolz Nature Preserve in Appleton has 700 acres and miles of trails. If snow and weather conditions are favorable, there are also marked trails for skiing and snowshoe hiking. Kenna’s Kabin is a fun indoor playground for toddlers and preschoolers with an indoor treehouse with a slide, library, toys and other learning tools.
Heckrodt Wetland Preserve in Menasha is another one of our favorites! It’s home to one of our favorite walking trails in the Fox Valley, a fun nature center, and an amazing outdoor playground where you can explore in any weather. This gem is located in the town of Menasha and is FREE (but definitely consider making a donation if you can)! Open year-round, this 76-acre urban nature preserve includes forested wetlands, cattail swamps, open water, prairie, open field and upland forest habitats.
Mosquito Hill in New London is the perfect place for a winter day spent exploring nature and searching for nearby murals!
Go for a walk
Walk around the Fox River Mall. Take your quarters and let the kids ride the machines (or avoid the Target wing). If the weather is bland, check out one of our favorite family-friendly trails.
Don’t forget about our state parks! We have 26 Wisconsin State Parks within 2 hours of Appleton! Bonus…they are less busy during the winter months!
Visit the Zoo
Did you know that most zoos are open all year round?
The novel Green Bay Zoo has over 200 animals and almost 90 different species! Plan your next visit! The Milwaukee Zoo also offers FREE admission during Family Free Days throughout the winter.
Visit the aquarium
Water Sanctuary is one of Oshkosh’s newest attractions…an aquarium, retail and hands-on learning.
Feed birds
We LOVE feeding ducks and geese at Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary in Green Bay. It is also conveniently located near the Children’s Museum of Green Bay.
Try your hand at feeding chickadees at Harrington Beach State Park or Peninsula State Park. If you’re patient enough, they’ll eat out of your hand! Bring black sunflower seeds to feed the birds.
Our Wisconsin state parks are a great place for winter bird watching! Did you know we have 26 amazing Wisconsin State Parks within 2 hours or less of Appleton?!
Watch the stars in the winter sky
Do you and your kids love looking at the stars or spotting notable constellations in the night sky? If so, the Barlow Planetarium located on the UW-Oshkosh Fox Cities campus in Menasha is the perfect place for your next family outing! From laser shows to night stargazing, viewing telescopes and naming constellations, prepare to be amazed and amazed by the astronomical beauty of the solar system we call home!
Be sure to visit the Weis Museum of Earth Sciences next door to learn about Wisconsin’s geology, fossils, natural resources, history, and even dinosaurs!
We are very fortunate to live near one of the nation’s designated Dark Sky parks, Newport State Park. International locations are chosen for their exceptionally starry skies in protected areas. You can keep an eye on the Northern Lights forecast to see if the conditions will be right to admire the natural wonder.
Sip sizzling chocolate
Hot chocolate by the fire probably tastes better! Fireside Cafe in Menasha offers delicious coffee and sizzling chocolate and an indoor playground for children.
Drink sizzling chocolate and roast marshmallows at The Plaza in Neenah.
Snuggle up at Pawfee Shop Cat Cafe in Appleton while sipping sizzling cocoa.
These cafes have play areas for kids, making meeting up with a friend a perfect date for everyone!
Go swimming
We have many great indoor pool options in the Fox Cities, both in hotels and parks and recreation facilities. There are water slides, splash pads, lap swims, diving, sizzling tubs and jacuzzis, saunas and more!
Need a winter escape? Head to the water park capital of the world, Wisconsin Dells, for a weekend getaway!
Go bowling
Bowling is great fun at home and helps you forget about the cool outside! Both Super Bowl in Appleton AND Saber Lanes in Menasha are currently owned by Bowlero and offer special loyalty programs, events and promotions, and multiple bowling lanes.
Tenth frame at Appleton it is locally owned and operated and has good elderly fashioned bowling, including hand scoring!
Electric city belts in Kaukauna offers cozy, intimate bowling with fluorescent lights and a fireplace. The full-service restaurant offers a casual menu and a wide selection of beers, wines and spirits.
Rolling Thunder Lanes has an open bowling alley and arcade (and wings!)
Play all day at the YMCA
The YMCA of the Fox Cities offers plenty of fun and family-friendly attractions, from the treehouse and splash pad at the Downtown Appleton YMCA to the Neenah YMCA indoor playground and the newest addition, the indoor playground at the Heart of the Valley YMCA.
The Oshkosh 20th YMCA offers skating, a swimming pool, a gymnasium and much more. Also check out their website for tons of fun activities!
Indoor trampoline parks and inflatables
Luv 2 Play is perfect for younger children! Enjoy three stories of climbing, crawling, sliding and zipping! Cafe and grill available and fun games available for a fee.
You can’t go wrong with a visit to Badger Sports Park with escape rooms, VR, laser tag, mini bowling, arcade games and more!
Other great options include Urban Air Adventure Park, Altitude Trampoline Park in Appleton
Cheers
Cheer on the Green Bay players in Green Bay or the Wisconsin Herd in Oshkosh.
ice-skating
In the winter, ice skating is a favorite activity for many families across the state! There are plenty of fantastic, family-friendly ice skating rinks throughout Wisconsin.
One of the newest places to skate is in Neenah called The Plaza. This is a lovely outdoor skating rink, located in the charming town center, with a lovely café, café, fire pits and outdoor seating.
Skating
Are you looking for affordable fun for the whole family? Head to the rink and lace up for some roller skating! We recommend Skate City in Kimberly and Skaters Edge in Appleton!
Go sledding or snowboarding
Sledding and snow tubing are one of the best things to do this time of year with the whole family! Many of the hills in Wisconsin require no experience and can be completed by any age!
Titletown in Green Bay also offers tubing on Ariens Hill starting in December.
A truly unique option in Stevens Point is the frigid toboggan run at Iverson Park Winter Sports Center.
Snowshoes
If you and your family haven’t tried your hand at snowshoeing yet, this season is the perfect opportunity to do so.
Cross-country skiing
Spend some time with your family this winter and give it a try cross-country skiing! Cross-country skiing is great fun and an opportunity to get some fresh air outdoors. This outdoor adventure is simple to learn and can be relatively inexpensive.
Skiing
Skiing in Wisconsin it’s a lovely way for you and your family to spend the long, cool months enjoying the fresh air and quality time together! Additionally, many ski hills and resorts offer FREE lift tickets for children with paying adults. It’s also one of BEST winter activities in Wisconsin.
Explore the museum
Whether you’re looking for a Wisconsin children’s museum, science, art or history museum, we have many great options throughout the state. Some of our favorites include Discovery World and the Milwaukee Art Museum.
Trains
Are you a train lover? Go to the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay or the train show at the Domes in Milwaukee. You can also find fun train tables at Caramel Crisp in Oshkosh and the Kaukauna Library!
Be artistic, artistic and artistic
There are many options for drop-in projects or scheduled classes for artists, newborn and elderly. Check out events and schedules at the following locations:
- Hazelmade Art Studio in Appleton
- Fire, Appleton
- The Art of Escape from Fire, Oshkosh
- Rooster dreams, Neenah
- Painting pottery or beads, De Pere
- Trout Art Museum/Fox Cities Art Building
Take a road trip or a day trip
We have many great day trips and road trips near the Fox Cities that are great fun for the whole family. Find lots of things to do in our guides. Our favorites include Milwaukee, Madison, Sheboygan, and a weekend trip to Minneapolis or Chicago.
Cinema
This year’s Kids Dream Winter family video series includes some sure-to-be-loved movies that will support beat Wisconsin cabin fever! Thanks to the partnership of Marcus Theaters and American Family Insurance, the movie offer will be available from January 13 to April 2 for just $3 (or FREE, just download coupons in advance).
Library
Check libraries for FREE programs. Many of these events are listed on our calendar or check individual library calendars.
