50 Things To Do With Kids This Winter In Rochester

Winter in Rochester can be a magical time for families, but finding things to do with kids in winter can sometimes be a challenge. Luckily, the city offers a wealth of activities that are perfect for making the most of the season, whether you’re braving the snow or cozying up indoors. From outdoor adventures like sledding and ice skating to creative indoor crafts and family-friendly museums, Rochester has something for every age and interest. For busy moms looking to fill the winter months with fun, here are 50 ideas to keep your little ones happy, active, and engaged throughout the colder season.

Annual Events

The community of Rochester looks forward to these events every year.

1. Roc Holiday Village – During December, enjoy outdoor ice skating, crafts, local vendors and meet Santa at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park.
2. Rochester Lakeside Winter Celebration and Polar Plunge – A great event along Lake Ontario in early February.
3. Irondequoit Annual Winterfest – Enjoy the best of winter with horse-drawn wagons, ice sculptures and food trucks all at the Town Hall Campus in early February.
4. Dutch Connection – An annual flower display at the George Eastman Museum in February.
5. Maple Weekend – Enjoy sugar maple treats and events at local farms across New York in mid-March.

Winter Activities

For stay active, get outside and moving with these winter things to do!

6. Ice Skating – Great places for indoor and outdoor ice skating around Rochester.
7. Sledding – There are several designated sledding hills in the Monroe County parks.
8. Snow Tubing at Greystone – Enjoy the thrill of snow tubing with groomed lanes and a kiddie hill.
9. Skiing – Rochester is uniquely located with options for downhill skiing.
10. Cross-Country Skiing – Check out these trails around Rochester.
11. Hiking – Enjoy some fresh air on a winter hike.
12. Waterfalls – Hike to these nearby waterfalls in winter.

Attractions and Museums

Winter is a great time to visit these iconic Rochester attractions.

13. Seneca Park Zoo – Find a warmer day to stroll through the zoo and see the animals.
14. Genesee Country Village & Museum – Go back in time at this historic village.
15. Strong National Museum of Play – Explore the different areas of the museum.
16. Rochester Museum & Science Center – Explore the different exhibits for some hands-on fun.
17. Strasenburgh Planetarium – Learn about our universe or take in a laser show.
18. George Eastman Museum – Visit the country’s oldest photography museum, right here in Rochester.
19. The Lamberton Conservatory – Warm up with their tropical plants and find the turtles and chickadees.
20. The Little Theatre – See a family-friendly movie at this Rochester theater.
21. Memorial Art Gallery – Take in works of art by world-known artists.
22. ARTISANworks – Be immersed in art at this unique art museum.

Theatre and Music

Enjoy a performance by one of these great organizations.

23. Rochester Broadway Theatre League (RBTL) – Enjoy a performance at the West Herr Auditorium Theatre.
24. Geva Theatre – See an intimate show at this Rochester theatre.
25. TYKES (Theatre Young Kids Enjoy) – Check out these productions for children at the JCC.
26. OFC Creations – Have dinner and a show at the Old Farm Cafe.
27. Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) – Take in a performance at the Eastman Theatre by RPO.

Indoor Play Centers

Check out these indoor spaces for young kids.

28. Kid Roc City – A new indoor playground in Pittsford.
29. Ladybugs Play – An indoor play center for young children.
30. Ontario Play and Cafe – Indoor playground near Henrietta.
31. The Playpen – A new play space for young kids in Macedon.

Guide To Indoor Playgrounds In Rochester

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Jumping and Climbing Fun

For older kids, consider one of these unique indoor

32. Altitude Trampoline Park – Jump on wall-to-wall trampolines.
33. Bounce Hopper – Numerous bounce house structures provide hours of fun.
34. Nova Trampoline Park – Enjoy trampolines and climbing structures.
35. Rochester Parkour Gym – Run, jump and climb at this indoor gym.
36. The Warrior Factory – Open Play is available to enjoy this obstacle course gym.
37. ROCVentures Climbing Gym – Try indoor rock climbing!

Arcades and More

Check out these arcades and some other great activities these places offer.

38. House of Bounce of Batavia – Arcade, Glow Golf, Indoor Playground, Lasertag and a Splatter Room make this a unique stop.
39. Chuck E. Cheese – Check out this updated arcade for young kids in Greece.
40. Clubhouse Fun Center – These arcades in Henrietta and Greece each have additional outdoor activities.
41. Horizon Fun Fx – Arcade, Lasertag and Roller-skating rink make this place a must.
42. Flower City Amusement – Enjoy classic 80s arcade games.
43. Rochester Pinball Collective – Play over 75 pinball machines dating as far back as the 1950s.
44. Lasertron – An arcade also with axe throwing and laser tag.

Indoor Activities

Check out these ides for more unique indoor activities right here in Rochester.

45. scribble – A new children’s art studio in Pittsford with Open Studio time. (Opening late January 2025!)
46. Coffee Shops with Play Areas – Enjoy a coffee and letting kids play at Tree Town Cafe, Pure Imagination Cafe and Mamaste Cafe and Play.
47. Bowling – There are plenty of great bowling alleys in the Rochester area including AMF and Bowlero.
48. Breaking Free Skate Park – Check out this indoor skate park!
49. IndyKart Raceway – Go go-karting at this indoor electric race track.
50. iSmash – Break some things in their rage room.
51. Libraries – We have to mention our wonderful library system in Monroe County and their story times.

For Moms

These events are not for kids but are such big winter events in Rochester that we feel like mentioning them!

• NYS Ice Wine & Culinary Festival at Casa Larga in February
• Wine & Chocolate Festival in Rochester in February

Did we forget something? Email us at info {at} rochestermomcollective.com!