Looking for things to do with kids in the Iowa City or Cedar Rapids area this winter break? The Iowa Children’s Museum in Coralville has plenty of ways to play, with special activities, family-friendly celebrations, and extra days of museum fun throughout December.
From hands-on art and science activities to a kid-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration, here’s what’s happening at the museum during winter break 2026!
Winter Break at a Glance
Mon, Dec. 21 – Bonus Play Monday (10 AM–6 PM) + Reindeer Games: Nature Play (10 AM–Noon)
Wed, Dec. 23 – Reindeer Games: Printmaking Cards (10 AM–Noon)
Sun, Dec. 27 – Sensory Friendly Night (6–7:30 PM)
Mon, Dec. 28 – Bonus Play Monday (10 AM–6 PM) + Reindeer Games: Great Neighborhood Pretend Potluck (10 AM–Noon)
Tue, Dec. 29 – Pete’s Wild Discoveries Day
Wed, Dec. 30 – Reindeer Games: BeeBot Winter Wonderland (10 AM–Noon)
Thu, Dec. 31 – Countdown Celebration (10 AM–4 PM)
Plus, enjoy Member Hours and Side Quests throughout winter break! Please note that we will close early at 4 p.m. on 12/24 & 12/31. We will be closed all day on 12/25.
Bonus Play Mondays
December 21 & December 28 | 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Two extra days to play! We’re opening on Mondays during winter break, giving families even more opportunities to explore their favorite exhibits and enjoy a day of indoor fun.
Reindeer Games
December 21, 23, 28 & 30 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
School’s out, and the Reindeer Games are on! Join us for special hands-on activities throughout winter break, with a different theme each day to spark creativity, curiosity, and imagination.
- December 21 – Nature Play: Explore the wonders of winter through hands-on activities inspired by snowflakes, colder temperatures, and the changing seasons. Experiment with light and shadow, investigate natural objects, and discover something new about the natural world.
- December 23 – Printmaking Cards: Get creative with patterns, colors, and textures as you experiment with printmaking to make your own one-of-a-kind cards. Create something special to share with a friend or family member, or keep your masterpiece for yourself!
- December 28 – The Great Neighborhood Potluck: Celebrate the people, places, and traditions that make our community special! Families can use colorful materials and a dash of imagination to create their own pretend dishes for a playful potluck experience.
- December 30 – BeeBot Winter Wonderland: Help our friendly BeeBot robots navigate a winter wonderland! Practice early coding and problem-solving skills as you program these little robots to follow paths, tackle challenges, and explore a snowy world.
All Reindeer Games activities are included with museum admission, thanks to our generous sponsor, Crystal Group.
Sensory Friendly Night
December 27 | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
During this special evening, we adjust sound levels and limit attendance to create a more comfortable museum experience for individuals with sensory sensitivities, those on the autism spectrum, or anyone with health needs that make a quieter visit more enjoyable. Admission is FREE during Sensory Friendly Night, thanks to our friends at GreenState Credit Union.
Learn more about Sensory Friendly Night.
Pete’s Wild Discoveries Day
December 29 | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Get ready to go wild! Join Pete for a day of nature-inspired discovery as we explore the wonders of Iowa’s plants, animals, and wildlife.
Discover more about Pete’s Wild Discoveries Day!
Countdown Celebration
December 31 | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Ring in the new year ALL DAY LONG at The Iowa Children’s Museum! Join us on December 31 for hourly countdown celebrations from 10 AM to 4 PM, plus party hat crafts, a festive photo station, and a special scavenger hunt. We’ll also celebrate New Year’s traditions from around the world with cultural ambassadors from CultureALL and special guests from the Midwest Chinese Academy. All activities are included with museum admission and free for members!
Sponsored by GreenState Credit Union.
Learn more about Countdown Celebration!
Member Hour
Every Wednesday–Saturday | 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Museum members can enjoy a quieter hour of play before the museum opens to the public. During busy school breaks, this extra hour can make your visit even more enjoyable! It’s a great opportunity to explore favorite exhibits, discover new things, and enjoy some quality family time.
Side Quests for Older Kids
Side Quests give children ages 8 to 12 a new way to experience The Iowa Children’s Museum. They’ll explore familiar exhibits from a different perspective while solving problems, making discoveries, and taking on a mission of their own. Sponsored by CBI Bank & Trust.
Plan Your Winter Break Visit
Winter break goes fast, and we’re here to help you make the most of every chilly, no-school day! Whether your family wants to get creative with printmaking, explore the wonders of nature, experiment with robots, or simply enjoy a day of indoor play, The Iowa Children’s Museum has something fun waiting for you.
Click here to plan your visit or check out our events calendar to learn more about everything happening this winter break.
We can’t wait to play with you!
