In the winter months, it can be hard to find fun activities for kids. Seeing nothing but gray skies and staying indoors can lead to cabin fever. For some people, the winter weather can even contribute to a type of depression that is only present during the colder months called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It is important for you and your children to stay active mentally and physically not only for your health, but also so everyone doesn’t annoy each other! Fortunately, in the Magic City, there are great activities to chase those winter blues away and keep everyone happy. So, read on for some great winter activities in Birmingham for both kids and adults alike!
1. Active Gaming and Laser Tag
Active gaming and laser tag are great ways to get your video-game-loving teens to engage in family fun. Activate in Vestavia offers one of a kind active gaming challenges. Spare Time Trussville and Trussville Play Station have laser tag arenas that your kids will love.
2. Arcade
If your kids love games, visit a local arcade! You can even have a nostalgic moment at the skee ball game or air hockey table. Hooligan’s in Alabaster and Dave and Buster’s in Hoover have games for all ages. The two Chuck E Cheese locations in Vestavia and Inverness are perfect for younger family members. Spare Time in Trussville, Bowlero in the Riverview area, and Fun Time Skate Center in Fultondale also have arcades.
3. Baking Classes
Cooking and baking at home is a fun winter activity. If you prefer not to clean up the mess and also want time to run a few errands, Itty Bitty Bakers offers baking classes in a baking instructor’s home. Check their class calendar to see what yummy treats they are baking soon.
4. Basketball
This is the perfect time of year to cheer on a local team in a basketball game. Keep your family warm and entertained while you support your local high school team, one of our local universities, or the Birmingham Squadron, our NBA G League team.
5. Bowling
Bowling is a timeless sport that can be enjoyed by family members of all ages and experience levels, even if you need to have assistance from bumpers. Sparetime in Trussville, Bowlero, and Vestavia Bowl are all great places to earn a strike.
6. Crafts
If your children love crafting, but you hate buying the supplies and cleaning up the mess, check out this post for seven fun DIY craft places in the Birmingham area.
7. Escape room
At Big Escape Rooms and Breakout in Homewood, your family can work together to find clues and solve a riddles in order to “escape.” It is a great way to exercise your brains and practice teamwork.
8. Fire Department Tour
Many fire departments will offer tours to families or even for birthday parties. Call your local fire department beforehand to see what their policies are. While there is usually no charge, most fire stations won’t turn down a monetary or food donation if you want to show your appreciation.
9. Hiking
My husband likes to remind our family of a Norwegian saying, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” So we all bundle up the best we can, and after a few minutes of hiking, we are usually all feeling a little toasty. This post lists great kid-friendly trails in our area, and this post can give you some pointers on hiking with kids if your family is new to hiking.
10. Iceskating and Hockey
The Pelham Civic Complex has an indoor ice skating rink and offers public skating hours, as well as ice skating and hockey lessons and teams. Before you go, check their website for public skating times. You can rent ice skates, as well as “seals” to help your littlest ones feel more comfortable on the ice. If you would rather just watch, The University of Alabama Hockey Club plays their home games in the Pelham Civic Complex. Check their schedule to see if you can make it to one of their games.
11. Indoor Go Carts
If your kids have a need for speed, K1 Speed in Bessemer and Urban Air in Homewood have indoor go cart tracks that would be great for them.
12. Let’s Play
Let’s Play is an indoor playground that most preschool and elementary aged children will enjoy. They have locations in Hoover and 280.
13. Libraries
There are so many wonderful libraries nearby. In addition to providing tons of reading material for the whole family, they all offer fun programs for all age levels. Some of the larger libraries are listed below, but check out one closest to you.
O’Neal Library in Mountain Brook
Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest
14. Movies
There are many movie theaters in the area. Check the schedule at your local theater to find a movie and showtime that is right for your family.
15. Museums
The Cook Museum of Natural Science in Decatur provides indoor hands-on experiences that children of all ages will love. Their live animals and interactive exhibits will teach your nature-loving little one more about the world around them.
With four levels of exhibits where children can learn more about physics, marine animals, dinosaurs, and more, The McWane Center never disappoints. If you have younger children, the Itty Bitty Magic City can provide hours of exploration and entertainment for kids aged six and under. They also feature films in their IMAX theater for a unique movie experience.
The Birmingham Museum of Art has beautiful collections of art from all over the world and from many periods in time. Their smartlab offers hands on experiences for all ages, and ArtVenture has exhibits designed for children.
You’ve seen him from afar, but visiting Vulcan up close is a neat experience for anyone. The Vulcan Park and Museum is sure to teach you something new about our city and its huge iron man. Don’t leave without going to the top of the Observation Tower and looking over all of Birmingham. If your kids need to run off a little energy, Vulcan Trail is a paved, flat walk with amazing views of the city.
If you have a little one who loves cars and motorcycles, the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum boasts the “World’s Largest Motorcycle Museum,” and will be a perfect place to spend a cold day.
The Southern Museum of Flight is the one of the South’s largest flight museums and has over 100 historic aircraft on display. They offer guided tours and also have a flight simulator experience for children in second grade and older. Part of this museum is outdoors, so don’t forget your jacket!
The Birmingham Zoo is a great place to explore any time of year. While it is mostly outside, there are some inside areas, so it would be perfect for a winter day that is a little warmer. As a bonus, the zoo is far less crowded after the holiday Glow Wild exhibits have been taken down and before the weather really warms up.
16. Rock Wall Climbing
Rock wall climbing can be fun for all ages! High Point Climbing, the Hoover Met, Urban Air in Trussville, and Birmingham Boulders all have areas with auto belays that are great for children and new climbers to safely have fun, exercise, and challenge themselves.
17. Rollerskating
Whether you prefer roller skates or rollerblades, Skates 280, Roller Motion Skate Center in Bessemer, and Fun Time Skate Center in Fultondale will take you back to birthday parties of your childhood and provide hours of fun and exercise for the whole family.
18. Theater Shows
The Birmingham Children’s Theater and Red Mountain Theater have a fun schedule of upcoming shows in the next few months. The BJCC is also another great place to check for upcoming shows that your kids will love. You can also find date night or girls night out ideas at the BJCC as well.
19. Top Golf
If your family loves golf, or even if they just want to try something new, Top Golf is a great winter activity. At Top Golf in downtown Birmingham, golfers can practice their swings as they attempt to hit targets, and high tech balls will score themselves. Top Golf provides golf clubs and heats the hitting bays, so all you have to do is show up!
20. Trampoline Park
If your little ones have tons of energy, the trampoline park is the place for them. Urban Air in Homewood and Trussville, Sky Zone, and Altitude Trampoline Park in Pelham can all provide hours of bouncing fun.
What are your favorite winter activities in Birmingham? Post in the comments to help out your Birmingham Mom friends during these cold months!
