Once the magic of the holidays has worn off, staying at home can be challenging. Kids need to get their energy out somehow! Looking for ways to entertain the kids during the winter months without breaking the bank? Here are ten of our favorite free or cheap things to do during Winter in Rochester!
Visit your Local Library Branch
Libraries are a go-to for me when I’m by myself with the kids. The children’s section of any of our local libraries in Monroe County provides a safe place for kids to play. (We love the story garden in Greece and the secret room at the downtown library.) See our article on Must-Visit Libraries. We also try to take advantage of free programs and events at the library, especially during the winter months. See our guide to Library Storytimes in Rochester
Attend Town Winter Events
Check with your local recreation center for events or open play times!
Lakeside Winter Celebration at Ontario Beach Park on January 31st and February 1st, 2026. The celebration features a Saturday with ice and snow sculpture demonstrations, a snow sculpture contest, horse-drawn sleigh rides, live music, a Chilly Chili Challenge, skating on a synthetic ice skating rink, children’s winter-themed activities, and a spectacular fireworks display over the Genesee River
Irondequoit Winterfest on Saturday, February 7th, 2026, is a frosty extravaganza featuring wagon rides, marshmallow roasting, ice sculpting, and so much more! Free to attend and fun for all ages!
Celebrate New York State’s maple syrup industry during maple weekends. The maple syrup season lasts from February through April each year, though the official state-sponsored celebration happens the last two weekends of March. There are over 50 maple syrup producers and sugar shacks in New York that serve tastings of fresh syrup and offer tours of the production process. My family makes a yearly trip to Cartwright’s Maple Tree Inn in Angelica, NY, for all-you-can-eat pancakes. Kettle Ridge Farm in Victor celebrates Maple Weekend in March, featuring breakfast in their heated igloos and live demos at their sugarhouse. Schoff’s Sugar Shack in Victor offers tours and provides complimentary samples.Helmer Nature Center in Irondequoit, Genesee Country Museum, and Cumming Nature Center offer hands-on educational programs for children during Maple Weekends. See more in our article Maple Syrup Farms In Rochester.
Visit the Mall
Walking the mall and window shopping can provide hours of entertainment. Grab a snack at the food court and see what you find! Barnes and Noble always has some toys or puppets to play with in the kids’ section. They also do free storytime events. Check their website for more details!
The mall at Greece Ridge has a free indoor play area for toddlers near Marshalls. The carousel at the food court costs $2 to ride. Eastview Mall also offers carousel rides for $2.
Go to an Arcade
When we realized we could take our toddler to arcades and just let him explore, it was a game-changer. Little ones are just excited to see the machines and press buttons; no need to spend any money! With older kids, arcades can still provide cheap entertainment for hours. See our list of Arcades in Rochester to find one near you.
Visit with Animals
For some free entertainment with little kids, there are so many pet stores in Rochester to walk around and see animals. My family really enjoys Pet World & The Aqua Shoppe in Greece for their extensive collection of fish as well as several small critters and birds.
The main campus at Lollypop Farm has an indoor area where you can visit dogs, cats, and small animals waiting to be adopted. Farm animals can be seen on their outdoor trails. Check their site for visitor hours.
For older kids, there are several Cat Cafes, like Lazy Cat Lounge and Cafe at Eastview Mall, that offer a calm hangout spot with light refreshments while you visit with adoptable cats. Check out our article Where to See Animals in Rochester for even more ideas.
Lamberton Conservatory
The Lamberton Conservatory is a unique gem in the heart of Rochester. They are open 7 days a week from 10 am-4 pm. Kids under 5 are free, and adult admission is only $4. The warm temperature and tropical plants offer a nice change from chilly winter weather. My kids love the quails and turtles roaming the paths. They always have coloring pages for us to take home with us as well.
Go Sledding
Bundle up, grab a sled, and head out for some fun in the snow! Growing up in Irondequoit, I have fond memories of sledding the hills in Durand Eastman Park. See our list of 10 Sledding Hills in Rochester to find a hill near you!
Go Ice Skating
For outdoor ice rinks, Rochester needs 3–5 days of sub-32-degree daily high temperatures for the ice to form and set. There are several free outdoor rinks in Monroe County, each of which has a heated shed available for changing in and out of skates.
Lily Pond, Highland Park
South Avenue near School #12
No skate rentals available. Check for updates on ice conditions.
Town of Greece
1 Vince Tofany Blvd, Greece
Open to Greece residents only. Skates are available for use at the rink for free. Check the town website or call (585) 723-2425 to check the status of the rink.
Town of Webster
1350 Chiyoda Dr., Webster
Call the ice rink hotline at 585-872-7103 (option 3)
Check out our article on Where to Go Ice Skating in Rochester for more ice rinks, including indoor options. While these do have a small entry fee, many of them host free or cheap events.
Go on a Winter Hike
The world looks so different covered in snow! There’s a quiet magic in nature best seen through a child’s eyes. Bundle up, grab some hand warmers or a hot cup of cocoa, and venture out this winter! Download and print our winter scavenger hunt for added fun on neighborhood walks or a winter hike! For ideas on places to explore nature in Rochester, see our suggestions for Winter Hikes.
Visit a Frozen Waterfall
Snowy weather creates breathtaking nature scenes all over New York State. For those willing to brave the cold, frozen landscapes and ice formations provide a unique beauty only found during the winter months. Rushing waterfalls transform into dazzling icy wonders. Be sure to dress appropriately for an outdoor winter adventure and visit our list of waterfalls near Rochester.
More Ideas
Looking for more ideas? Check out our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds or our article on Best Museums to Visit with Kids! Most indoor playgrounds and Museums offer season passes and have discounted admission on certain days or times, always worth checking before you go if you want to save some money. You can use your Monroe County Library Card to borrow a VIP pass, which provides discounts to many of the local museums, including Charlotte Lighthouse, RMSC, Genesee Country Village and Museum, MAG, and many more!
