Not A Boring Winter Break Again

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To parents stressing out about how to entertain the kids over the break, take a breath! South Florida is bustling with things to do during this time of the year. We have gone ahead and gathered some of our favorites. Just read on to learn about fun, family-friendly activities that will make this holiday break one to remember.

Night Of Lights

Home to over a thousand different exotic tropical plants and palm trees, South Florida's Cultural Arts Park, Pinecrest Gardens, is transforming into a winter wonderland during the break. With thousands of twinkling lights, the botanical garden welcomes the holidays with a distinctive glow and spirit. Enjoy delicious treats, a magical story time, Santa Claus appearances and the new Upper Garden with its revamped playground, petting zoo and learning center, all under the stars.

When: Dec. 11 – Jan. 1 (closed on Dec. 31) from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Where: Pinecrest Gardens: 11000 SW 57th Ave. Pinecrest

For more information, click here.

Winter Wonderland Laser Lights & Bites

Serving as a science learning center since 1961, The Cox Science Center’s mission is to “open every mind to science” through the many programs, exhibits and events they offer. This year, to celebrate the holidays, The Cox is hosting a Laser Concert to sing and dance along holiday favorites. But wait, there’s more. Enjoy mini golf, food trucks, face painting, winter-themed crafts, a s’mores station and science-themed activities. 

When: Dec. 16, 23 and 30 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Where: The Cox Science Center and Aquarium – 4801 Dreher Trail N., West Palm Beach

For more information, click here.

Zoo Lights

Going to the zoo is already a favorite excursion for children. Now imagine taking them at night when the whole place is illuminated with over one million lights! Add to that a DJ holiday dance party, seasonal treats and, of course, photos with Santa.

When: Dec. 2 – 4, 9 – 11, 16 – 23 & Jan. 1

Where: Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society – 1301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach

For more information, click here.

Gingerbread House Crafting

Holidays don’t feel festive enough without a gingerbread house (or two!) in your home. Head over to Palm Beach Gardens to get your very own gingerbread house kit and decorate it with as much candy as it will fit. And if you want to wow people with your creation, share it on social using #dpbggingerbread.

When: Dec. 16 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Where: Downtown Palm Beach Gardens – 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave.

For more information, click here.

Frost Science Museum Volunteer Workday

The holiday season is all about giving, which is why the Frost Science Museum Volunteers for the Environment (MUVE) is offering a volunteer workday at Virginia Beach Park. This volunteerism is all about improving Miami’s coastal habitats by removing disturbing vegetation, and it’s a great message of kindness and community.

When: Dec. 17 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Where: Virginia Key North Point – Arthur Lamb Jr. Road, Miami

For more information, click here.

Las Olas Chanukah Festival

For those celebrating the Festival of Lights, Las Olas Chabad Jewish Center is gathering for the first night of Chanukah candle-lighting ceremony. Guests can also enjoy face painting, mechanical rides, a petting zoo and music.

When: Dec. 18 at 1:00 p.m. followed by candle lighting at 4:00 p.m.

Where: Las Olas Chabad Jewish Center – 1302 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale

For more information, click here.

Mrs. Claus Holiday Art Workshop

The Young At Art Museum, located inside Broward Mall, is hosting different artistic experiences for kids during the holiday break, including an art workshop with Mrs. Claus to create holiday ornaments and take pictures with her.

When: Dec. 21, 22 and 23

Where: Young Art Museum – 8000 W. Broward Blvd. Ste. 1208, Plantation

For more information, click here.

Light Up The Fourth Night Of Chanukah

The Shops at Boca Center is organizing a family-friendly candle-lighting event on the fourth night of the Festival of Lights. Entertainment includes crafts, storytime and music, and because Hanukkah is not properly celebrated without its beloved food items, latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) will be served.   

When: Dec. 21 from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Where: The Shops at Boca Center – 5151 Town Center Cir., Boca Raton

For more information, click here.

Countdown To Christmas

Join the Miami Children’s Museum to celebrate Christmas in style. Kids will be able to sing along to Christmas carols, add a piece to the Holiday Tree in the Art Studio and decorate holiday-themed cookies. They can also make personalized gifts for their loved ones while enj an animated holiday storytelling and pictures with Santa.

When: Dec. 23 from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Dec. 24 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Where: Miami Children’s Museum – 980 MacArthur Causeway, Miami

For more information, click here.

Winter Camp

Frost Science Museum is organizing two weeks of day camp filled with science adventures, experiments, discoveries and investigations. During the first week, campers will feel like real astronauts as they learn to design, build and launch a space rocket while exploring extraordinary NASA missions. The second week will offer hands-on experiments, archeological discoveries, engineering challenges and more. Enroll your future Einstein-to-be for an adventurous and engaging experience.

When: Week 1 Dec. 27 – 30 and Week 2 Jan. 3 – 6 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Where: Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science – 1101 Biscayne Blvd. Miami

For more information, click here.

The Polar Express Train Ride

This second-to-none event will take your kid’s imagination and holiday spirit to another level. Hop on the Polar Express Train for a first-row experience of the classic Christmas storybook that inspired this attraction. On this one-hour voyage to meet Santa, passengers will enjoy music, shortbread and like in the story, hot chocolate and onboard entertainment.  

When: Now until Dec. 29

Where: Brightline Miami Central Station – 600 N.W. 1st Ave., Miami

For more information, click here.

NightGarden Miami Experience

Miami’s Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is going big this holiday season! Walk through the garden to discover a combination of lighting effects, holographic technology, projection mapping and music that create a magic land of technicolor flowers and distinctives sculptures. But NightGarden has much more to offer. Interact with the talking wise tree, a FairyQuest, rainbow-colored pathways as well as a selection of Miami’s most popular food trucks.

When: Now until Jan. 8

Where: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden – 10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables

For more information, click here.

Camp Manatee

This camp is all about experiencing and learning about nature. Campers will enjoy an educational program that includes outdoor explorations and games to build confidence with their surroundings, plus environmental fieldtrips, pool days and athletic activities.

When: Week 1 Dec. 23 – 27 and Week 2 Dec. 30 – Jan. 3 from 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Where: Greynolds Park – 17530 W. Dixie Hwy., North Miami Beach

For more information, click here.

Nightly Snowfall

Miami during winter is everything one might want for a vacation. The downside, though, Floridians don’t get to enjoy snow. You can change that by taking your little ones to Dadeland Mall for a full nightly snowfall experience, creating the magical wonder of the holiday season.

When: Now until Jan. 1

Where: Dadeland Mall in the Fashion Wing (near Tesla)

For more information, click here.

Noon Year’s Eve

Ring in the New Year at the Cox Aquarium & Science Center with a bubble drop in the STEM Early Childhood Learning Lab accompanied by a design festive party gear, live science demonstrations and the chance to write down your wishes for the new year. Families will toast to 2023 with iced apple cider.

When: Dec. 31 at noon

Where: Cox Science Center and Aquarium – 4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach

For more information, click here.