Family-Friendly Winter Activities in the Pocono Mountains

From frolicking in the snow to splashing in an indoor waterpark, a winter Pocono family vacation filled with lasting memories awaits! Find family-friendly ski resorts, winter festivals in the Pocono Mountains, the best winter activities for kids, and indoor activities for all ages at our family resorts. Keep reading to find family winter vacations Pocono Mountains insider tips to maximize family fun.

Snow Activities
Exciting Events
Winter Treats
Indoor Fun
Museums
Waterparks

1. Where are the Snow Activities in the Poconos?

Break out your warmest coats and best winter boots for an avalanche of snow activities! Whether you prefer exploring frosty trails on horseback or racing down the slopes while snow tubing, you and your family are guaranteed to love winter outdoor adventure in the Pocono Mountains.

Skiing and snowboarding are offered at six family-friendly ski areas, with ski and snowboard lessons available for kids, adults, and groups! If you'd prefer a more tranquil pace, try snowshoeing (weather permitting!) over the snow-covered landscape. To kick the adrenaline up a notch, book a four-wheeler rental for some off-road ATV tours Poconos winter fun or gear up for a paintball battle in the woods at spots like Skirmish Paintball, the largest paintball park in the world.

Insider Tip: Guests staying overnight at Skytop Lodge and Woodloch Resort can enjoy a variety of outdoor winter activities on-site, including ice skating! Be sure to check with the resort before your stay to confirm current offerings.

2. What Winter Events Are Happening in the Pocono Mountains?

Savor the winter season with Pocono Mountains events! From winter festivals to entertaining shows to educational classes, get the family out of the house for a fun outing.

Experience a slice of local winter history at the Tobyhanna Ice Harvest, or join Pocono Environmental Education Center to learn something new in the Ecozone Discovery Room.

Bundle up for WinterFest in Downtown Stroudsburg, Jim Thorpe's Winter Fest, or Wally Ice Fest in February. Brave the temperatures during the Annual Polar Plunge at Mauch Chunk Lake Park, or race to the top of Shawnee Mountain Ski Area during Bigfoot Snowshoe Race Day.

Insider Tip: Looking for a memorable meal? Take your little ones to meet with royalty at the stately Skytop Lodge during Breakfast with the Princesses.

3. Where are Great Places for Families to Eat in the Poconos?

All that excitement and adventure is sure to work up an appetite. Gather around the table and refuel at one of the region’s delicious restaurants. Stop by a café like The Cure Cafe in Stroudsburg or Camp Umpy's Bagels & Stuff in Honesdale to warm up with hot sandwiches and hot chocolate or enjoy some quality time together during a hearty meal at a family restaurant like Apple Valley Restaurant in Milford or Murphy's Loft in Blakeslee.

Looking for something sweet? Visit a Pocono Mountains bakery and treat yourselves to yummy desserts and pastries. Find specialty cupcake flavors for every taste at Sonia's Sweet Inspirations. Swing by the Stroudsmoor Bakery & Café for adorably decorated and perfectly seasonal sugar cookies or create a personalized donut masterpiece at Duck Donuts of Bartonsville.

Insider Tip: Resort restaurants like B-Lux Grill & Bar and Graffiti Pizza at Camelback Resort offer delicious fare in a family-friendly atmosphere that's close to the ski slopes.

The Cure Café

Open for breakfast and lunch, this cozy eatery has a variety of options to choose from. Located in…

Camp Umpy's Bagels & Stuff

Bagels, breakfast, baked goods, and lunch. Camp Umpy's Bagels & Stuff strives to only bring you the…

Apple Valley Restaurant

Serving the tri-state area since 1966. Enjoy the heritage of American foods at Apple Valley…

Murphy's Loft

Murphy's Loft is a restaurant and bar located in the heart of the Poconos. This authentic log cabin…

Sonia's Sweet Inspirations

You’ve come to the right place for something sweet and special! Sonia's Sweet Inspirations is an…

Stroudsmoor Bakery & Café

Providing a diverse range of offerings, including baked goods, specialty cakes, deli sandwiches…

Duck Donuts of Bartonsville

Are you looking for a delicious and personalized donut experience? Look no further than Duck Donuts…

B-Lux Grill & Bar

B-Lux Grill & Bar: deliciously unique burgers and shakes hand crafted from scratch. Invite your…

Graffiti Pizza

Adventure, then pizza. At Graffiti Pizza the quest continues with “build-you-own” pizza creations…

4. What Are Indoor Winter Activities for Families in the Poconos?

Want to get out of the cold for a bit? There are plenty of indoor family fun parks where little ones can work off energy inside. Bouncing and laughing are great Poconos toddler activities in winter! Poconos Rocks! has bounce houses, a ninja warrior course, a boulder climbing wall, and an on-site cafe. For older kids over 54" tall, a day on the track at S&S Speedways is a great way to get in some go-kart poconos action.

Insider Tip: Love to game? Enjoy a cozy winter day indoors playing classic video games at The Arcade Era or get in some exercise with the virtual simulator games at The Wake Zone Indoor Golf and Taproom.

5. What are the Best Museums to Visit in the Poconos?

Take the family back in time to discover the antiquity and arts of the Pocono Mountains at one of our historical attractions and museums. Explore downtown gems and take in the beauty that has brought visitors to this area for generations.

Historical societies showcase stories from the past at spots like the Columns Museum in Milford and the Wayne County Historical Society and Museum in Honesdale. Bundle up to see National Historic Landmarks like the Roebling Aqueduct Bridge or the grounds of Grey Towers National Historic Site covered in snow.

Insider Tip: For a truly immersive experience, dig deeper into the past by staying at historic resorts like The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort.

6. What are the Best Indoor Waterparks in the Poconos?

Spend some time poolside this winter! Pocono Mountains waterparks provide excitement and relaxation for all members of the family, and the weather is always a guaranteed 84 degrees!

Water slides, wave pools, dump buckets, and aquatic obstacles are just a few attractions your family will discover. Let the indoor adventures begin!

Insider Tip: Book an overnight stay at Camelback Resort & Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark, Great Wolf Lodge, or Kalahari Resorts and Conventions to experience waterpark fun-free with your trip!

Winter Family Fun in the Poconos

Discover Pocono family resorts with activities, entertainment, and dining all under one roof, plus find ways to save on accommodations with special offers. Looking to plan a family reunion in the Pocono Mountains? Get in touch to tell us about your upcoming group gathering, and we’ll assist with your event planning needs! Don’t forget to check out more winter things to do, ski and snow activities, and winter day trip ideas. Stay up-to-date with area snow conditions as you plan your winter family escape to the Pocono Mountains.