Have winter’s cold, dark days got your children in an activity rut? Is your family bouncing off the walls with pent-up energy? Are you looking for ways to occupy your children’s time and stimulate their minds at the same time? Look no farther than this list of indoor activities and the organizations that offer them. These destinations are easily accessible from the Upper Valley, and while some have a charge, others are free.

Enjoy, and please add your suggestions for other indoor winter activities around the Upper Valley!

It’s never the wrong season to enjoy some warm water when you have the resources of the RVC at your fingertips! You and your children will love warming up with group or private swim lessons this season. Choose between afternoon group swim lessons, private or semi-private lessons, and even Parent & Child or Infant aquatic lessons. If you have young children, you might enjoy watching them swim; older children will like the independence of larger group lessons with friends, while you’ll enjoy knowing they’re safe. It’s not too late to sign up for the second winter session of lessons, which runs from March 5–April 9.

Are your kids natural-born climbers? Do you worry about them falling or hurting themselves? Give them the opportunity to learn to climb safely at Green Mountain Rock Climbing Center in Quechee, Vermont. The center hosts Vermont’s tallest indoor climbing experience, offering 24 top ropes, 14 lead lines, and space for bouldering. There’s plenty of room to spread out in this center! Both kids and adults can take safety and technique classes before starting to climb, or if you’re already an expert climber, just go for it. For kids who get serious about climbing and are seeking more structure and competition, there is the Tween Team to join, which offers an intermediate step before joining a school team. Let your kids enjoy the pleasures of rock climbing even when the weather outside is frightful.

Is your child more inclined to creative and culinary pursuits than physical ones? He or she might enjoy taking group cooking and baking classes, designed especially for kids, at King Arthur Flour state-of-the-art culinary center in Norwich, Vermont. Sign kids up as individuals or in pairs for classes such as “My Funny Valentine,” which teaches the art of baking sweet treats. Other useful classes include “We Knead Bread” and “Cinnamon Buns,” where kids learn practical baking skills and even get to bring treats home to the family! Sign up your children now to secure spots.

Are you looking to keep your child busy during winter break while you work? Check out AVA Gallery and Art Cente creative Winter Vacation Camps. These camps run from February 19–23, some in morning sessions from 9am–noon and others in afternoon sessions from 1pm–4pm. Your kids will love the chance to exercise some of their creative muscles while you’re at work. Classes to choose from include “The Pleasures of Painting,” “Stories in Art,” and “Welding for Teens” among others, each grouped by kids’ ages and ability levels. Your child will love coming out of any of these classes with new skills and strong friendships, plus art to decorate his or her room or your home.