Winter Things to Do with Kids Near Bangor, Maine

Winter in Maine is magical… for the first month. But that stretch of time from January - March can be brutal. It’s dark, it’s cold, and the unpredictable weather can wreck havoc on whatever plans you attempted to make. I’m currently in my mom-of-young-children era, and a lifelong native to the Bangor, Maine, area. If you’re on the hunt for activities and things to do with your kids in the winter around here, I’m sharing my roundup of go-tos!

1. Go Tubing at Hermon Mountain or Skiing at the Camden Snowbowl

Just a short drive from Bangor, Hermon Mountain offers skiing, snowboarding, and tubing in a family-friendly atmosphere. It’s the perfect spot for beginners, with lessons available for kids (and adults) who want to try their hand at skiing or snowboarding for the first time. For those with a tad more experience who don’t mind a slightly longer drive, visit the Camden Snowbowl! And if you visit the Snowbowl during February (and your kids are at least 42” tall) you all can check out the Toboggan Chute. They also host a national championship each year!

2. Explore the Maine Discovery Museum

Located right in downtown Bangor, the Maine Discovery Museum is a haven for kids of all ages. With hands-on exhibits that include everything from science to art to Maine wildlife, this indoor activity is perfect for snowy or especially cold days. It’s very busy on the weekends, but we typically go on Tuesdays and there are only a handful of other families there. Which could be a pro or a con… depending on how much you like to interact with other people. Personally, I avoid crowds at all costs, so we love being the only ones there. Been there, done that? Take a drive and visit the Coastal Children’s Museum in Rockland. It’s smaller, but it’s a change of scenery.

3. Go Ice Skating - Indoors!

Bundle up and hit the ice at either the Sawyer Arena or Penobscot Ice Arena, indoor skating rinks in Bangor and Brewer. Whether your kids are seasoned skaters or wobbly beginners, it’s a great way to spend a winter afternoon. Skate rentals are available, making it easy to jump right in. It’s fine for toddlers and teenagers! Penobscot Ice Arena has events for older kids, too, like Frozen Friday Light & Sound Skate (personally I think this sounds like a hysterical date-night activity). You need to bring your own skates and helmets for Sawyer, but they have a lot of open public skate times. Penobscot Ice Arena has rentals and a snack bar, but they aren’t open to the public quite as frequently.

4. Make a Scavenger Hunt

Okay, this sounds lame, but it actually entertains my kids for about 2 hours. Go to Google and print off a random winter scavenger hunt sheet. Or make one on Canva. Then send them outside to hunt for stuff (and tell them they can’t come in till they find it all). Bonus: They can’t walk as quickly if you give them these snowshoes. And we got these kid-friendly digital cameras with a selfie flip mode so they can take pictures of all the things they find.

5. Winter Wildlife at Fields Pond Audubon Center

If your kids love animals and the outdoors, a visit to Fields Pond Audubon Center in Holden is a must! Winter is a great time to spot birds and animal tracks in the snow. Dress warm! I usually keep a stash of handwarmers to toss in the kids boots or mittens as needed. We also bought a set of snowshoes on Amazon for the kids this year… it made adventuring much slower, but they seem to enjoy it. Fields Pond hosts all kinds of activities in the winter, so check their online calendar.

6. Visit the Library… any Library

The Bangor Public Library also hosts activities for young children during the winter months. Check their calendar! They have a large kids section with toys and games. Most of the smaller public libraries also have kid-themed activities and take-home crafts, too! The Bangor library does not have a fee to become a member, but some of the smaller libraries (like Hampden) do charge if you’re not a resident of the town.

7. Visit a Gym

No, not a workout gym. The Bangor area has several kid-based indoor adventure parks/gyms. Urban Air in Bangor is very popular, along with the Orono Trampoline Park. A hidden gem we found is Kids Unplugged in Belfast! But if you do want to check out a normal gym, Evolve Fitness in Bangor has a “Kid’s Corner” so the kids can play (supervised) while you get a workout in. Win-win!

8. Get Your Bowl On

Bowling is the perfect winter activity for kids! My kids are 3 and 4, and they are great ages for it… any younger and it would be chaos. But 3 and up has been perfect for candlepin bowling (the mini balls) at the Bangor Brewer Bowling Lanes in Brewer. For kids who are strong enough to hold normal size bowling balls, visit The Sports Arena!

9. Arcade Games

Bust out a roll of quarters and let everyone game their hearts out at the arcade! There are a few in the area worth checking out. Look at Orono Arcade, Dragons Lair, and The Sports Arena. The Bangor Brewer Bowling Lanes also has a large arcade section.

10. Get Crafty

The Creative Arts Center in Brewer is a ceramics shop where you can choose from hundreds of pre-made creations to paint, or sign up for classes to learn pottery. Obviously this is for adults and older kids… don’t hand your toddler glass and paint. Unless you’re looking for a thrill.

11. Buy a New Toy

I know, you’re house is swimming in toys they don’t play with. But when was the last time you took your kids to a toy store? Not the toy section of Target… but an actual toy store? We love to visit Out on a Whimsy in downtown Bangor to let the kids choose a creative toy or game. It’s even better if you have them do chores first to earn some spending money!

11. Educational Screen Time at the Planetarium

The Versant Power Astronomy Center at UMaine in Orono is a planetarium that hosts public events! They have movies, music shows, and educational programs. Content is appropriate for for school-age kids up to adults. Check out their schedule! Most shows cost just $5 for kids and $7 for adults. They have special programs for homeschool families, too!

12. Snuggle a Lizard

I bet you haven’t heard of Mr. Drew and His Animals Too! They are a natural science and exotic animal rescue center based out of Lewiston. But, he travels all over the state! Watch his Facebook page for pop-up activities. I’ve also seen activities on their website. He provides education and hands-on experiences… and really cool birthday parties!

13. Go to a Women’s Hockey Game

Hear me out. The Black Bear’s Women’s Ice Hockey games at UMaine in Orono ice aren’t as crowed as the men’s, so if your kids are younger it’s okay for them to walk around a bit. The lines for the snacks and bathrooms aren’t as long. It’s cheaper. Parking is easier. And it’s all just as exciting! If you’re extra ambitious, you can out out for a bite to eat either before or after the game (we like The Family Dog).

14. Be my friend

No, really, be my friend. Winter is long and I get so bored. Let’s hang out :) I’m patiently waiting for someone to open a Play Cafe in this region so I can sip coffee with friends while my kids climb on everything.

Winter in Maine doesn’t necessarily mean hibernation… it’s a chance to embrace the season and make memories with your kids! So bundle up, head out, and enjoy everything winter has to offer!

What’s your family’s favorite winter activity in this part of Maine? Let me know in the comments so we can keep this list going!