We’re all looking for ways to get out of the house in Frederick this winter. Whether you’re bundling up for snow play or taking advantage of milder winter days, here are family-friendly indoor and outdoor winter activities near enjoy over the next few months. Some are right in town, and others are just a short drive away.
Outdoor Winter Fun Ideas Near Frederick & Mount Airy
1. Sailing through the Winter Solstice
Check out the illuminated boats on Carroll Creek and vote for your favorite, which will support a local Frederick County charitable organization. Visit the C Burr. Artz Library, grab a sweet treat at Sweeties or walk a little to get some delicious homemade popcorn at The Original Popcorn House, hot chocolate at Rare Morsel and shop for screen-free toys at Dancing Bear Toys
2. Go for a hike!
Bundle up and go for a hike at one of Frederick County's scenic spots like Cunningham Falls State Park, Gambrill State Park, Monocacy Battlefield or Catoctin Mountain Park. Take extra precautions when ice or snow is present.
3. Pinecliff Park Sled Run & Ice Skating Pond
This does have limited availability, but if you have some ice skates and a sled, head over to Pinecliff Park for some snowy fun with friends! Check the Recreator for open times and the status is also posted on the sign at the entrance to the park.
4. Go tubing at Snow Riders in Harper's Ferry
Take the family to a fun night tubing in Harper's Ferry, WV! Deal: Every Wednesday (Excluding Holidays) Unlimited Snow Tubing from 5-9 for Only $39
5. Liberty Mountain Resort or Whitetail Resort, Pennsylvania
Go skiing, snowboarding and tubing at these two Pennsylvania resorts, a great winter family destination with lodging, skiing, snowboarding and tubing. (Liberty: 45 minutes away, Whitetail: 1 hour)
6. Skiing & tubing at Wisp Resort
Another good winter getaway idea: Deep Creek, Maryland for Wisp Resort. You'll find skiing, snowboarding and tubing. Check out their website for package deals and special offers. (2.5 hours drive)
7. Visit a playground or nature center
Frederick has a ton of awesome playgrounds, so when the weather is a little milder, you'll probably have the entire playground to yourself. Fountain Rock Nature Center & Catoctin Creek Nature Center also have engaging outdoor activities for kids as well as playgrounds.
Indoor activities
1. Have some fun at Adventure Park USA - laser tag, arcade, bowling, ropes course
11113 W Baldwin Rd
Monrovia, MD 21770
2. Get moving at Pediatric Movement Center - tot time, open gym, recreational classes, drop-in events
4640 Wedgewood Blvd
Suites 101 - 105, Frederick, MD 21703
3. Chuck E. Cheese - family-friendly arcade and restaurant
7210 Guilford Dr
Frederick, MD 21703
4. Attend a storytime or event at one of the Frederick County Public Libraries or Carroll County Public Libraries locations
5. Burn off some energy at Me Land Frederick - jungle theme indoor playground
5115 Pegasus Ct
Frederick, MD 21704
6. Fourth Dimension Fun Center - arcade, bowling, laser tag, escape rooms
4725 Arcadia Drive
Frederick, MD 21704
7. Be creative at Urbana Art & Soul - DIY craft studio and art classes
8925 D Fingerboard Road
Frederick, MD 21704
8. See a movie at Warehouse Cinemas
1301 W Patrick St
Frederick, MD 21702
9. Learn about animals at Fountain Rock Nature Center or Catoctin Creek Nature Center
Fountain Rock: 8511 Nature Ctr Pl, Walkersville, MD 21793
Catoctin Creek: 2929 Sumantown Rd, Middletown, MD 21769
Check out Frederick County Parks and Recreation for special programs
10. Use your imagination at Grasshopper Grove - pretend play center
5500 Buckeystown Pike, Suite 400
Frederick, Maryland 21703
11. Jump around at Urban Air -- trampoline park with ziplines, laser tag and more
5830 Ballenger Creek Pike
Frederick, MD 21703
12. Work on your ninja moves at Jump Climb Extreme - ninja warrior gym
4613 Wedgewood Blvd, Unit D
Frederick, MD 21703
13. Climb at The Boulder Yard - indoor rock climbing gym
5714 Industry Ln F
Frederick, MD 21704
14. Work on your baseball skills at The Athlete Factory - baseball & softball training
4821 Winchester Boulevard, Suite 117
Frederick, MD 21703
15. Open gym at Flips - gymnastics
Frederick: 82 Wormans Mill Ct, Frederick, MD 21701
Mount Airy: 2603 Back Acre Cir, Mt Airy, MD 21771
16. Enjoy some art at The Delaplaine Arts Center (walking distance from C. Burr Artz Library)
40 S Carroll St
Frederick, MD 21701
17. See a show at The Weinberg Center for the Arts
20 W Patrick St
Frederick, MD 21701
18. Try a new project at Hot Fired Arts - paint your own pottery, glass projects, canvas painting and more
1003 W 7th St
Frederick, MD 21701
19. Escape reality at Level Up VR
Frederick, MD 21701
20. Get creative at Dream Free Art - splatter paint process art studio
1341 Hughes Ford Rd Suite 111
Frederick, MD 21701
21. See a family-friendly show at Maryland Ensemble Theatre
31 W Patrick St Suite #L6
Frederick, MD 21701
22. Walk around Francis Scott Key Mall - small toddler play area by DSW
5500 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, MD 21703
23. Open gym at Frederick Gymnastics
4604 Wedgewood Blvd
Frederick, MD 21703
24. Find an indoor program with Frederick Parks and Recreation
25. Learn how to sew with That's Sew Hillary
182 Thomas Johnson Drive, #204L
Frederick, MD 21702
26. Have lunch at Frederick Social - small kids play area, walking distance from C.Burr Artz and you can see the boats along Carroll Creek
50 Citizen's Way
Frederick, MD 21701
27. Storytime at Barnes and Noble Frederick
Francis Scott Key Mall
5500 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick, MD 2170328. Learn about rocks and gems at GTC Rock Shop (crack open a geode or go gem mining too!)
Located in Francis Scott Key Mall
5500 Buckeystown Pike Frederick, MD 21703
29. Free kids workshops at Home Depot (Starts at 9 am the first Saturday of every month, registration required)
5517 Urbana Pike
Frederick, MD 21704
51 McCain Dr
Frederick, MD 21702
30. See a planetarium show and see science exhibits at the ESSL (open to the public certain days)
210 Madison St
Frederick, MD 21701
31. Enjoy a movie at Regal Westview
5243 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, MD 21704
32. Golf simulation, lessons, leagues and Birdies Bar & Grill restaurant X-Golf
Westview Promenade Shopping Center
5205 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, Maryland 21704
33. Find a new screen-free toy at Dancing Bear Toys
15 East Patrick Street
Frederick, MD 21701
34. Learn how to ice skate at Skate Frederick
1288 Riverbend Way
Frederick, MD 21701
35. Check out the new play cafe Little Explorers Cafe in Sykesville
577 Johnsville Rd. 4&5
Sykesville, MD 21784
36. See if you can escape at Clue IQ Escape Room and Escape This! Frederick
Clue IQ: 103 S Carroll St #1A, Frederick, MD 21701
Escape This!: 924 N. East Street Frederick, MD 21701
37. Have lunch at Mount Airy McDonald's or Ballenger Creek Chick-Fil-A and then let the kids play in the indoor play areas
38. Pick a crazy flavor of soda at North Market Pop Shop
241 N Market St
Frederick, Maryland 21701
39. Join the Frederick YMCA
1000 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701
Urbana: 3481 Campus Dr, Ijamsville, MD 21754 (aquatics programs like family swim available)
40. Pick out a new book at Curious Iguana
12 North Market Street
Frederick, MD 21701
41. Enjoy dinner and a show at Way Off Broadway
5 Willowdale Drive
Frederick, Maryland 21702
42. Play some pinball at Spinners
1301 W Patrick St
Frederick, MD 21701
43. Wander around Wonderbook
1306 W Patrick St
Frederick, MD 21703
44. Take a class at Frederick MADE or purchase a paint kit to do at home
130 N. East St
Frederick, MD 21701
45. Learn how to dance at Dance Unlimited Frederick
244B South Jefferson Street
Frederick, MD 21701
46. Learn about the history of Frederick at the Frederick Visitor Center
151 S East St. Frederick, MD 21701
47. Burn Boot Camp offers intense workouts with a childcare room
1800 Monocacy Blvd, Suite 107
Frederick, MD 21701
48. Plum Place Playgroup meets weekly with crafts and activities for toddlers and preschoolers
49. Fit4Mom Frederick has weekly playgroups & classes perfect for moms looking for connection and a workout
50. Music classes by Music Together: FInding Our Voice
Different locations
51. Create a personalized project at AR Workshop - wooden signs, canvas projects and more
914 N East St
Frederick, MD 21701
52. Paint your own pottery at I Made This! Pottery Studio
10-B N. East Street
Frederick, MD 21701
53. See some reptiles and unique creatures at Critters, Reptiles & Exotics
904 N. East Street
Frederick, Maryland 21701
54. Synergy Sportz gymnastics, tumbling and parkour classes
4750 Winchester Boulevard, Suite 2
Frederick, Maryland 21703
55. STEM programs at Snapology (inside of Urban Air)
5830 Ballenger Creek Pike
Frederick, Maryland 21703
56. Go bowling at Walkersville Bowling Center
44 W Pennsylvania Avenue
Walkersville, MD 21793
Looking for even more things to do this winter?
👉 Check our full events calendar for the latest family-friendly winter events, pop-ups, and seasonal activities.
