1. Learn to Ice Skate
Through the free Learn to Skate program you can enjoy some time on the indoor ice rink and learn basic skills for ice skating. This is a 6 week course starting January 7 and goes through February 16.
2. Storytime & Art Activity
Check out Storytime at the Yankton Community Library starting January 7-April 25 on Mondays at 6 PM and on Tuesday/Thursday mornings at 10:30. Storytime followed by an art activity, a program geared for preschool aged children and younger.
3. Archery Winter Carnival
Join the Yankton Archery JOAD & 4H Club kick off their season with this FREE to everyone event at the NFAA Easton Archery Center on January 11 5:30-7:30 PM.
The Dam Fireworks River City Rumble tournament the weekend of January 11-13 offers lots of free indoor soccer match ups from your very own Yankton teams and other teams visiting the area. Games are played at the Yankton Middle School and Boys & Girls Club. The full schedule is on the tournament website linked above.
5. Twins Caravan
On Monday, January 14 10 AM - 12 PM you can head to the Cimpl Arena at Mount Marty College and meet with some of the Minnesota Twins that are traveling along with the Twins Caravan this winter. Concessions will be available for purchase.
6. Stay & Play
Preschoolers and Toddlers come learn through exploration and play. The library provides materials. Great opportunity for the adults and children to come play with others as well. This event takes place on Wednesdays at 10:30 AM through April 24.
7. LEGO Creations
Join the monthly LEGO Club at Yankton Community Library for a chance to create with LEGOs and have your creations on display throughout the library. Open to all ages, as DUPLOs provided for younger participants. This winter join a meet up on January 10, February 14 or March 14 from 3:45-4:45 PM.
8. 'Fish Can't See Water' Art Exhibit
The Bede Art Gallery at Mount Marty Marian Auditorium presents, "Fish Can't See Water" oil and acrylics art exhibit between January 7 and January 30. The exhibit is free and open to the public Monday through Friday 8 AM - 4:30 PM.
9. Trade Sports Cards
Are you a sports card collector? You can meet other collectors at Badland Sports Cards to do card for card trades (no cash trades). Have fun meeting with other collectors and checking out collections. Meet up dates are January 20 and February 17 12-6 PM.
10. Win a Prize
Did you know that January 15th is National Hat Day? Me either! The Yankton Community Library invites you to take an adventure to the Library wearing your hat on this day for a prize! You can also donate new hats and gloves to forgive your library fines.
11. Create a Model of the Brain
This month's Science Club at the Yankton Community Library is all about the brain. Come learn about the brain and create a model of the brain on January 17, 3:45-4:45 PM.
12. Watch Smallfoot
Catch a movie at the Yankton Community Library on January 24 starting at 3:45 PM. They will be showing Smallfoot, Rated PG.
13. Bird Watching at Westside Pond
Westside Park remains busy through the winter months with flying visitors. Find ducks and geese and watch their comings and goings. Take them a little cracked corn for a nice winter snack.
14. Try Snowshoes
Lewis & Clark Recreation offers use of snow shoes for free throughout the winter months. Be sure to call ahead to check availability at 605-668-2985.
15. Bald Eagle Days
February 1-3 welcomes the 2019 Bald Eagle Days at the Lewis and Clark Lake Visitor Center where you can watch birds perched in nearby trees, participate in activities watch programs on raptors and with special displays and activities for kids. See the full schedule here.
16. Make Valentines
Join February Craft Club at the Yankton Community Library on February 7 at 3:45 PM and make Valentines!
17. Enjoy the Parks
Mild winter days call for fresh air and exploration! Whether it is checking out the swings and playground equipment or wandering through the park to play in the snow, etc. It is a great activity for kids and families alike. Check out the park list here.
Badlands Sports Cards is home to the Sunday bring your own board game and play with others event from 11 AM - 6 PM. Meet up with friends or meet new folks and join in the fun of a good old (or new) board game.
19. Watch The House with a Clock in it's Walls
The Yankton Community Library will be showing the movie, The House with a Clock in it's Walls, on February 28 at 3:45 PM.
20. Bike Trail
Don't forget that the bike trails provide over 40 miles of adventures, within the city or out to Lewis & Clark area. Consider the temps and weather before heading out on a long adventure and of course, dress appropriately. You are certain to find plenty of fresh air, whether you enjoy a 1/4 mile, mile or even more.
21. Little Free Library
Take a Book, Return a Book is the story behind Little Free Library. There are several locations throughout the Yankton area and many are available during the winter months too, so take an adventure. Grab a book that your child is finished with and find a Little Free Library location nearby, leave your book and grab a different one. Look for locations here and here.
Be sure to stop and watch the Yankton Figure Skaters group perform their year end performance on March 2 at 7 PM at the Yankton Ice Rink.
23. Listen to Music
Just 'Cuz presents Just Cuz Goes Goofy the afternoon of March 16, 2-4 PM at the AME at 508 Cedar. Singing silly songs for a fun afternoon. The event is free, however a good-will donation will be accepted to help a local cause.
24. Fire Department Musuem
This artifact museum is located at Yankton Fire Station #2. A restored 1937 Luverne fire truck that was purchased brand new by the City of Yankton is on display along with a piece of steel from one of the towers at the World Trade Center that fell in New York City during the attacks on 9/11/01 and other artifacts. Although the museum is not open specific hours, you can contact the Yankton Volunteer Fire Department at 605-668-5228 to set up a time to visit.
25. Volunteer
Giving of your time is a great way to experience a new adventure. Need ideas on kid-friendly volunteer opportunities in the Yankton area, check out this list to get you started.26. Look for Painted Rocks
There are happy painters in the area who share a bit of joy by painting rocks and "hiding" them for others to find at different locations throughout Yankton, even in the winter months! Keep your eyes open while you are out and about. Find out more information about this fun craze at Yankton Rocks, maybe you will be inspired to paint and hide your own rocks!
27. Play Wii at Library
Get together with friends or meet new ones at the Yankton Community Library on Fridays at 3:30 PM you can play Wii games.
28. Random Act of Kindness
Doing something nice and spreading kindness doesn't have to cost anything. Look up when walking by someone and smile, stop a moment and hold a door for someone, offer to take someone's cart back to the store for them when they are finished, shovel a driveway for a neighbor, etc! Get creative with the kids and see what fun ideas they have. Help spread kindness throughout the Yankton area!
29. Bunco
The Yankton Community Library is offering Bunco for teens and adults on February 7 and March 7 at 6 PM.
30. Go Sledding
If you can find snow, take time and go sledding! Check out the hill at Morgen Park. Do you have a favorite sledding spot in the Yankton area? Leave a comment.
31. Visit the Lewis & Clark Visitor Center
Although the Lewis & Clark Visitor Center resides on the Nebraska side of the Dam it is a welcome center for the area. The center will reopen for the season in February. You will find great views of the Dam, a great video and history of the Dam and a fun area for the kids to look through, read and touch things from the area. If you haven't been in awhile, time to check it out again.
32. Walk the Meridian
The beauty that glistens in the summer months from the Meridian Pedestrian Bridge changes a bit when the weather gets cooler, however there is still a beauty like no other. Bundle up and walk all or part of the Meridian. Fresh air can be just what the family needs.
33. Ice Skating
Depending on weather, the city will open an outdoor ice skating rink at Tripp Park. It is free to skate, you must provide your own skates as there are none available for rent. With this mild winter....stay tuned to see if the skating rinks open.
34. Paint on My Shoes Art Exhibit
Visit the GAR Hall for this newest art exhibit, Paint on My Shoes. This exhibit runs currently through February 26. The GAR Hall is free and open to the public Monday through Friday 1-5 PM and Saturday 1-3 PM.
35. Reading Adventures
It is said that reading takes you to many different places just by opening a book. Reading is also a great base for all kids. Spend this winter taking all sorts of adventures through reading. Either read at the library, borrow books and read at home and beyond. If you are a resident of Yankton, you can obtain a free library card. If you are a resident of Yankton County, a household card appears to be just $5. See library card policy here. Plus, kids not in Kindergarten yet can participate in the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program, earning prizes along the way!
A few low-cost adventures in the Yankton area during the winter months:
29. Bunco
The Yankton Community Library is offering Bunco for teens and adults on February 7 and March 7 at 6 PM.
If you can find snow, take time and go sledding! Check out the hill at Morgen Park. Do you have a favorite sledding spot in the Yankton area? Leave a comment.
31. Visit the Lewis & Clark Visitor Center
Although the Lewis & Clark Visitor Center resides on the Nebraska side of the Dam it is a welcome center for the area. The center will reopen for the season in February. You will find great views of the Dam, a great video and history of the Dam and a fun area for the kids to look through, read and touch things from the area. If you haven't been in awhile, time to check it out again.
32. Walk the Meridian
The beauty that glistens in the summer months from the Meridian Pedestrian Bridge changes a bit when the weather gets cooler, however there is still a beauty like no other. Bundle up and walk all or part of the Meridian. Fresh air can be just what the family needs.
33. Ice Skating
Depending on weather, the city will open an outdoor ice skating rink at Tripp Park. It is free to skate, you must provide your own skates as there are none available for rent. With this mild winter....stay tuned to see if the skating rinks open.
34. Paint on My Shoes Art Exhibit
Visit the GAR Hall for this newest art exhibit, Paint on My Shoes. This exhibit runs currently through February 26. The GAR Hall is free and open to the public Monday through Friday 1-5 PM and Saturday 1-3 PM.
35. Reading Adventures
It is said that reading takes you to many different places just by opening a book. Reading is also a great base for all kids. Spend this winter taking all sorts of adventures through reading. Either read at the library, borrow books and read at home and beyond. If you are a resident of Yankton, you can obtain a free library card. If you are a resident of Yankton County, a household card appears to be just $5. See library card policy here. Plus, kids not in Kindergarten yet can participate in the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program, earning prizes along the way!
A few low-cost adventures in the Yankton area during the winter months:
Tiny Tots Play Club is a time for toddlers and their caregivers to play in the gym at the Summit Activities Center with toys and equipment provided. Meet up with friends or meet new ones. Cost is $1 per child. The play times are Monday through Friday from 9-11 AM.
Try Archery class for beginners at the NFAA Easton Archery Center is $5 and occurs on Saturday mornings at 11 AM.
Open Bowl at Yankton Bowl runs $4.25 per game and a shoe rental of $2. There are several open bowl times throughout the week, including Cosmic Bowling! Check out the full YNA Calendar for dates and times.
Open Gym at the Summit Activities Center is available daily during regular center hours, with exception of Monday through Friday from 3:30-6 PM during Basketball season. Basketballs are available but you are welcome to bring your own. This is a free activity if you have a membership, otherwise kids are $5 each, with those under age 3 are free.
Paint Ceramics at Yankton Family Ceramic Studio for a fun outing. Pieces start at just $2, which includes the paint in the price.
If you are looking for a road trip, check out the list of 90 FREE Kid-Friendly Things to do this Winter in Sioux Falls.
