Winter is a great time to get outdoors in the Yakima Valley. This year, we’ve had plenty of snow for kids to play, sled, build their best snowmen and have snowball battles. If you’re looking for more winter-time fun, here are a few suggestions for the whole family.
- Watch the elk being fed at the Oak Creek Wildlife Area. The elk are fed daily at 1:30 pm at Oak Creek. Bighorn sheep are fed mid-morning at the Cleman Mountain feeding site nearby. Sign up for the popular truck tours at Oak Creek for a ride out amongst the elk. Tours are offered on a first-come, first-serve and reservation basis. The center has a video program, exhibits and a kids’ corner. There is no charge to view the exhibits, but donations are welcomed. Normal winter feeding season lasts from mid-December to early March. Call 509-653-2390 for information and reservations. Visitor Center hours are 9 am to 4 pm.
- Learn to ski, snowboard or go tubing at White Pass Ski Area. Enroll in Kids Clinics or sign the family up for private lessons. Visit the Nordic Center for cross country skiing and snowshoeing or rent a fat bike. Check out the Tubing Hill for family fun!
- Don’t miss the 36th Annual White Pass Ski Area Winter Carnival, March 2 and 3, 2019. Marvel at a medieval snow castle complete with knights in shining armor! Base area events are free and open to the public. They include tubing at the castle, kids’ obstacle course races, snow sculptures and fireworks.
- Make a pizza! Encourage the young chef in the family at Family Night at HopTown Pizza. Every Tuesday from 4 pm to 8 pm, kids can make and create their own pizzas with their choice of ingredients for only $6! YUM!
- Have fun at Get Air Trampoline Park. Kids have a lot of energy to burn off? This is the place to go! Children and adults can enjoy trampolines, the kiddie court, dodgeball, foam pit, slackline, slam ball, fidget ladder and massage chairs.
- Special Toddler Times! From 10 to 12 pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays, the facility is open to little ones (under 46″). Little air jumpers and their parents are the only ones allowed during this time. Parents cannot share a trampoline with a child but can jump near them. The price is $8 per child and one parent jumps free!
- Go Swimming! Enjoy pool time at Lions Indoor Pool.
- Recreational swimming times are 3:15 to 4:45 pm daily, 7:00 to 8:30 pm for Funky Friday Nights (80’s theme) and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday.
- Visit the Capitol Theatre for a show!
- February 28, 2019 – The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other E. Carle Favorites. This delightful show includes the story of the caterpillar’s metamorphosis into a beautiful butterfly, the fanciful account of Little Cloud’s travels through the sky, and the Mixed-Up Chameleon’s discovery of his own unique nature. Tickets are $7 and shows times are 10 am and 12 noon. Show length is one hour.
- March 19, 2019 – Capitol Kids Dragons Love Tacos and other Stories. Dragons love tacos. They love chicken tacos, beef tacos, great big tacos and teeny tiny tacos. So, if you want to lure a bunch of dragons to your party, you should definitely serve tacos. Buckets and buckets of tacos. Unfortunately, where there are tacos, there is also salsa. And if a dragon accidentally eats spicy salsa…oh, boy! You’re in red-hot trouble. Tickets are $7 and show times are 10 am 12 noon.
- Visit the Yakima Valley Museum.
- Bring the whole family to Classic Movie Night at the Yakima Valley Museum. 3.1.2019 – Old Yeller! March 16, 2019 – On The Waterfront! Doors open at 6:30 pm and the movie starts at 7 pm! This is a bargain! Tickets are $6 at the door or $5 in advance.
- Children’s Underground provides hands-on activities in an interactive center featuring child-sized replicas of period costumes and buildings. Children experience history through constructive play and explore the natural history of the Yakima Valley through live animal displays and educational exhibits. Admission to the Children’s Underground is included in paid admission to the museum.
- Story Time at the Yakima Valley Museum, offers an hour of crafts, snacks and a story every Wednesday at 10 am. The first Wednesday of every month, the Yakima Symphony Orchestra brings a story and music with special guest, Denise Dillenbeck, YSO concertmaster. FREE!
