Sara December 17, 2014

Winter break is quickly approaching and you might be wondering what you’re going to do with the kids while their home from school for two whole weeks. Are you dreading the “I’m bored” winter break blues or  looking for a diversion while you finish wrapping those presents?

Don’t panic. We’ve got you covered with the cure for cabin fever!

Below, you’ll find tons of great ideas for local destinations, special events and quick trips to add to your holiday to-do list.

pittsburgh winter break planner

Limited Time

  • Christmas in Clinton– November 20th – January 4th; A One-Mile Drive Through Holiday Experience. The Christmas Light Up Celebration in Clinton, PA is the best kept holiday secret in Pittsburgh. We have over a mile of lights and displays in a beautiful, enchanted woodland setting. Ppen every evening from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
  • Ogelbay Festival of Lights– November 14th – January 4th; The Winter Festival of Lights was listed as one of the 10 Best Christmas Light Displays in the US according to AOL Travel. It’s one of the nation’s largest, covering more than 300 acres over a six-mile drive throughout the resort.
  • Overlys Country Christmas– November 21st- January 1st; The sights, sounds, smells and tastes of an old-fashioned Christmas.  A quarter mile driveway, lined with lighted displays and the walk-around Christmas Village is accessed through the Canopy of Lights.
  • Phipps winter Flower Show and Light Display: November 28th – January 11th; Enjoy Winter Wonderland at Phipps! Lush evergreens, bright blooms, illuminated glass and stunning outdoor Winter Light Garden.
  • Western PA Model Railroad Museum : During The Holiday Train Show guests “travel” from Pittsburgh to MD through the 4,000 square foot display set in the 1950s. There are over 2000 cars, 350 locomotives and impressive landscapes, houses, stores, tracks, city scapes all set to an HO scale (1/87 of real life). The Western PA Model Railroad Museum is open November 8th through January 11th on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for children.
  • Skating at PPG Rink : During the winter season from mid-November through March 1, the Plaza between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue transforms into the MassMutual Pittsburgh Ice Rink at PPG Place, a spectacular one-of-a-kind outdoor ice skating rink.
  • Snow Tubing at Boyce Park : Get out and enjoy the great outdoors! Boyce Park is the only location for downhill skiing in the county, with ski lifts, a lodge, and all the amenities. Guests can enjoy tubing on 4-10 chutes that run length of 700 feet. They also offer snowboarding and skiing. Get warmed up inside the large ski lodge, Four Seasons, and enjoy the view through the observation windows that stretch the entire width of the second floor. Open 7 days a week December 20th through March 16th weather permitting
  • The Creche : Located next to the USX Tower Plaza on Grant Street, the Creche is the world’s only authorized replica of the Vatican’s Christmas Creche at St. Peter’s in Rome! It’s truly an inspiring sight to be seen. Inside the 42 foot high stable, there are twenty life-sized figures. The sight is open for 24 hour viewing and free to the public. On display through January 7th.
  • PPG Wintergarden : On display through Janurary 7th. Thaw out inside the Wintergarden. Explore the gingerbread houses, train exhibit, 32-foot tree and the “Spirit of Giving Around the World” exhibit with themed life-sized Santas and original paintings.
  • Macy’s Holiday Window Displays : Seeing the Macy’s holiday window displays downtown is a seasonal family tradition for many. There are festive and Pittsburgh-themed displays that you won’t want to miss!
  • Gemini Children’s Theater “The Gift of the Ice Queen” : Enjoy some holiday fun with a live performance from The Gemini Children’s Theater.
  • “The Nutcracker” by the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater : A Pittsburgh holiday favorite! Are you ready to plan a visit to The Nutcracker performance with your family? Tickets start at $27, and can be purchased online at www.pbt.org

pittsburgh area winter break planner

Day Camps

  • Snapology East Pittsburgh (Monroeville) Classes : Variety of whole and half day camps offered December 22nd, 23rd, 28th and 30th. Lego themed fun appropriate for ages 4-14years.
  • The Little Gym Camp Sessions : Fun, active Winter Wonderland camps offered for children ages 3-8 years. Tuesday December 23 from 1:30-4:30 The Grinch’s Holly Whoville Holiday – ages 3-8 years Tuesday December 30 from 1:30-4:30 Elsa & Anna’s Shiny New Year – ages 3-8 years
  • Carnegie Science Center Holiday Camps : December 29th, 30th and 31st. Designed for children ages 4-10 years old, Holiday Camps at the Carnegie Science Center feature a variety of fun themes and offer full and half day programs.
  • Pittsburgh Zoo Winter Mini-Camp : December 29th, 30th and 31st; 10am-3pm. Ages 5-9 years. Winter Mini-Camp is a five-hour program that focuses on the beauty and magic of nature. Children can choose to participate for one, two, or all three days. Participants will learn about a new topic each day through live animal visits, craft projects, and exciting zoo tours.
  • The Mattress Factory Mini Factory : December 27th, 10-11am. Mini Factory is an interactive learning program designed specifically for children ages 3-5 years old and their parents and/or caregivers that uses contemporary installation art as the basis for enabling exploration.

All Ages

  • Visit your local library for story-time
  • Take the family for a fun day of bowling
  • Try your skills with roller skating
  • Take the family to see a show… Tuesday is discount day at Cinemark theaters!
  • Find tons of ideas for more INDOOR fun in our 2015 Guide to Indoor Play Spaces

2015indoor play guide