5 family-friendly things to do in Hamilton over the winter break
Published December 20, 2019 at 5:44 pm
School’s out for the holidays. Now what?
It’s the most wonderful time of the year but at times, things can get a little claustrophobic if you’re all just hanging out at home.
Around Hamilton this winter break, thankfully, there are a lot of little adventures for the whole family to enjoy.
Here are 5 family-friendly things to do in Hamilton this Christmas Break.
Skating
It’s fun, it’s active and most importantly, it will keep the kids happy, busy and wear them out. The City of Hamilton is hosting a number of free skates across the city over the holidays. There are also a number of outdoor rinks across Hamilton that can be enjoyed (if they’re open) so check here to see which one is closest to you. Just be sure to dress warmly and be safe!
Tobogganing
There’s no telling how long the snow will be sticking around but if it does this is one activity that is a reliable crowd-pleaser. Only in the last couple of years has Hamilton lifted a ban on tobogganing. The ban was in place after the city was successfully sued by a man injured while tobogganing within city limits. Now the city has designated hills on which winter enthusiasts can toboggan. Check here to find where the nearest tobogganing hills to you are. The city also offers a number of safety guidelines so you may want to check those out as well. Just be aware that if you’re caught tobogganing in a prohibited area you can be fined $105.
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Museum hopping
There is a lot of winter break programming at Hamilton’s museums this year. The Museum of Steam and Technology has a few drop-in programs over the break, and the Children’s Museum is open too and features special winter exhibits for the kiddies to enjoy. They’re also hosting a special event on New Year’s Eve day for families looking to get a head start on celebrating the New Year. Whitehern and Dundurn also have events on through the break and you can find more about those, and all the other Hamilton museum events, here. Remember, if everyone in the family has a Hamilton Public Library Card, you can access most municipal museums for free.
Movies
Hamilton’s independent movie theatres are screening a number of family-friendly movies this season. It will give your family a chance to support local business and experience movies the way they were intended and at a more affordable price. Look up shows and ticket info for Playhouse Cinema, The Zoetic and Westdale Theatre. But of course, there are a lot of big movies out on the commercial screens this season and plenty of those you might not want to pass up.
Winter hiking
There are a lot of walking and hiking trails in and around Hamilton, not to mention all of our picturesque waterfalls — which are probably frozen by now. It’s really a beautiful time of year to explore Hamilton’s natural beauty. It’s a great way to get out of the house, get active and get up close and personal with winter in Hamilton. Maybe pack a thermos of hot chocolate to warm you and your troop up partway through the hike. To learn more about Hamilton’s walking and hiking trails, check here.