The temperature may be dropping, but the fun doesn’t stop in Lackawanna County. With both outdoor adventures and indoor spaces to play and learn, plus plenty of holiday fun, we’re a top destination for family-friendly winter activities in Northeast Pennsylvania. From sledding to trampoline parks to train rides with Santa, we’ve got fun winter activities and events sure to keep the kids entertained — and the parents happy too!
Outdoor Winter Adventures
Lackawanna County is a great place for families to bundle up and enjoy a snow day together. We have outdoor winter activities for all ages. Many of our parks are perfect for sledding and snow tubing, with both gentle and steep hills that let you choose your thrill level. Aylesworth Park and McDade Park are a couple of local favorites. And kids will love ice skating at Hillside Park, while parents can rest easy knowing that park officials monitor and maintain the ice to ensure a safe and fun experience.
The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail is a great place to take the kids on an easy winter hike, but be sure to check weather conditions and wear appropriate footwear, as packed snow can be icy. When there’s at least six inches of snow on the ground, you can borrow snowshoes from Lackawanna State Park to explore the winter wonderland.
For more extreme winter sports, head to Montage Mountain Resorts. They have ski and snowboard trails for all skill levels, and offer ski lessons for any kids (or adults) who need them. Plus, check out their awesome Terrain Park designed for skiers and snowboarders!
Ice Skating at Hillside Park / Photo by Nicole Krewson
Indoor Fun & Learning Experiences
When you’re ready to come in from the cold, there are lots of indoor activities for kids in Lackawanna County! Sky Zone and DEFY Extreme Air Park offer kids the chance to jump, zip, and play on a variety of thrilling trampolines, obstacle courses, zip lines, and even a dodgeball court.
Enroll your child in a class or take them to open gym hours at The Ninja Nook, where they can embrace their inner ninja as they hone their flexibility, balance, and confidence on a series of climbing walls and rope courses.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Parents can share some of their favorite childhood pastimes with their kids by going roller skating at The Rink at Mayfield, racking up the tickets at the arcade at Lahey Family Fun Park. For bowling and more, check out Idle Hours Entertainment, which has two locations—North and South. Both offer bowling and arcades, but each offers something unique: North features indoor Glow-in-the-Dark Mini Golf, while South brings the excitement with its Laser Tag Arena. And don’t forget Valley Bowling Lanes for even more bowling and arcade fun! And for an extra thrill, experience cosmic bowling at all three spots—bowling under black lights with glowing pins, vibrant neon colors, and music that turns the lanes into a party!
The first weekend in December, downtown Scranton transforms into a festive wonderland for the Lackawanna Winter Market, where the whole family can enjoy shopping, seasonal treats, live music, and a tree lighting celebration.
But we aren’t done celebrating when the holidays are over! In January, the Clark Summit Festival of Ice brings ice sculptures, live ice-carving demonstrations, horse-drawn carriage rides, live music, and tasty treats to Lackawanna County. Or check out Downtown on Ice for Scranton’s own ice festival. In early March, celebrate the end of winter at Montage Mountain’s Mountainfest, the biggest winter party of the year, complete with live music, thrilling contests, and an epic fireworks display.
Clarks Summit Festival of Ice
Planning Tips & Itineraries
Whether you’re looking for something to do this weekend or planning a trip for winter break, Lackawanna County is a great place for families to spend time together this winter.
