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AlaskaParent.com winter 2025/26 alaska parent 41Go sledding or tubing. Some of Alaska%u2019s most popular sled hills are Kincaid Park, Russian Jack Park and Centennial Park in Anchorage. Wonderland Park, Government Peak and Hatcher Pass in the Mat-Su Valley, and in Fairbanks, the UAF campus hill. Snow tubing is also available at Arctic Valley%u2019s Tube Park and Birch Hill Ski and Snowboard Area in Fairbanks.Catch a college game.Whether it%u2019s hockey, volleyball or basketball, cheer on the UAA Seawolves or the UAF Nanooks. Ticket prices vary depending on team and location. For scheduling and ticket info, visit goseawolves.com or alaskananooks.com.View the Aurora Borealis. Interior Alaska provides some ideal and almost 100-percent guaranteed Aurora viewing opportunities. In Fairbanks, once you%u2019ve spotted the aurora borealis, stop by the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center (morristhompsoncenter.org) for your personalized Aurora Certificate. Other Aurora hot spots include the Eagle River Nature Center (ernc.org), Alyeska Resort (alyeskaresort.com) and Flattop Mountain. To check the Aurora forecast, visit gi.alaska.edu/auroraforecast.Walk (or drive) the coastline in Homer, Seward, Valdez or Kodiak to see waterbirds that stay year-round, like long-tailed ducks, surf scoters, gadwalls, redthroated loons or even red-necked grebes.Go ice fishing. It%u2019s a fun sport for people of all ages and abilities. The Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game stocks selected lakes specifically for winter ice fishing, including salmon (coho and chinook), rainbow trout, arctic char and arctic grayling. For info, visit adfg.alaska.gov.Mix water and natural food coloring so the kids can paint the snow with brushes, squirt guns or a spray bottle.Snow-suit up and visit a new playground.Book a winter tour at the reindeer farm in Palmer (reindeerfarm.com) or Fairbanks (runningreindeer.com) to see and pet majestic creatures.Shovel the driveway and use the snow to build a fort.Make salt dough ornaments with cookie cutters or the handprint of an infant.Visit the North Pole, making a stop at Santa%u2019s house (Hide items in the yard for a fun scavenger hunt.Go snowshoeing. Possibly the easiest, family-friendly way to get out and enjoy the winter months. Equipment rentals are readily available and easy for youngsters to use.Volunteer as a family. Gain gratitude and give back to your community this winter by volunteering at a local soup kitchen, food bank or an animal shelter.Go dog sledding. Mush through a winter wonderland on one of the many dog sledding tours in Alaska. These trips are typically November through March, depending on snow conditions. For ideas on outings in Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks and more, visit: alaska.org/things-to-do/dog-sledding.Throw a pizza party. Set up a little topping station and let everyone decorate their own mini pizzas.Play at a recreation center. Choose activities that require movement, such as bowling, indoor rock climbing, laser tag, or bouncing at a trampoline park.Have the kids write letters with drawn pictures and mail to relatives who live far away.Grow your own crystal snowflakes. These snowflakes will last all winter long using a simple borax crystal growing recipe. Get the tutorial for this fun winter science experiment at craftymorning.com/boraxcrystal-snowflakes.Make festive %u201ctrees.%u201dMake a mini Christmas tree by painting a pinecone green. When it%u2019s dry, dab it with glue and stick on mini pompoms to make tiny baubles. Make it %u201csnowy%u201d by pushing bits of cotton into the gaps.Visit a museum. With interactive and handson exhibits, museums offer a stimulating environment for learning and family bonding. Check out the Anchorage Museum, Alaska Aviation Museum, Fairbanks Childrens Museum, and the Transportation Museum.