Kids are always excited for snow days and time off from school, but finding fun and affordable things to do throughout Christmas break can be challenging.

Check our list of fun things to do over Christmas break in Grand Rapids and make it a fun vacation for the whole family.

Often a sled and a hill is all it takes for hours of winter fun, but it's nice to have a change of pace. It can also be nice when that change of pace involves some time indoors.

Here are five ideas to keep your family busy over Christmas break.

  • Wojciech Gajda, ThinkStock
    Wojciech Gajda, ThinkStock
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    1

    Free Skiing for Fourth and Fifth Graders

    The trick about winter break is to not only find something that's fun to do, but also find something that's affordable and helps the kids burn off energy.

    If you have fourth or fifth graders, free skiing provides a perfect way to spend some time over Christmas break.

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    GRPM
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    2

    Grand Rapids Public Museum's "Snowflake Break"

    Grand Rapids Public Museum is offering visitors the opportunity to make their own take home crafts including: paper snowflakes, punched tin crafts and whale ornaments.

    GRPM will also have KEVA planks, which are special building blocks used for designing sculptures. The KEVA planks activities will be winter-themed.

    Snowflake Break crafts will take place from 11am - 3pm daily.

    On Thursday, Dec. 29, there will be special holiday caroling accompanied by the Museum’s Mighty Wurlitzer Organ in the Meijer Theater from 10:30am - 11:30am. All are invited to join in the caroling which is free with general admission.

    GRPM is also hosting a holiday themed planetarium show “Let it Snow,” performances of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” in partnership with StageGR and two special exhibits "Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!" and "Whales: Giants of the Deep."

  • Matt Milhouse, TSM
    Matt Milhouse, TSM
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    3

    Ice Skating at Rosa Parks Circle

    When the weather cooperates, nothing beats ice skating at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids. Spend some time on the ice, then spend more time exploring downtown and warming up with hot cocoa.

    Admission is affordable.

    • $2 – 18 and up
    • $1 – under 18

    Hours through January 2:

    • Monday – Saturday: 10am – 9:45pm
    • Sunday: 11am – 9:45pm
  • Matt Milhouse, TSM
    Matt Milhouse, TSM
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    4

    Indoor Ice Skating

    Getting outdoors is one of the best parts of winter, but as we've already seen, extreme cold and wind chills can make it uncomfortable or even dangerous.

    Indoor ice skating offers a taste of winter in a comfortable setting. Most rinks offer open skate every weekend, some offer weekday opportunities and a few have extended hours for Christmas break.

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    OlgaMiltsova, ThinkStock
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    5

    Make Snow Ice Cream

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