Local Winter Weekend Fun

Classic PNW Winter Activities

If this is your first winter here in the Pacific Northwest, or you're trying to fill the time on a frigid day with your family, here are some favorites that our staff, and many other locals enjoy.

Outdoor Fun

Does winter instantly conjure images of ice skating, skiing down your favorite mountain or playing in the snow? One of the biggest natural playgrounds in Washington state, Hurricane Ridge, is located within an hour or two of most cities within Kitsap County. There’s a little bit of everything, including snowshoeing and tubing. Check out Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area’s website for lift tickets and lessons.

Indoor Winter Activities

If you’re looking to stay a little closer to home, check out the Bremerton Ice Center. An indoor ice rink, it offers other winter sports activities such as open skating, figure skating lessons, and hockey leagues.

Something a Little Different

For something a little out of the box this winter, check out the Chilly Hilly bike ride that will take place on Bainbridge Island on Sunday, February 23, 2025. Put on by the Cascade Bicycle Club, this 33-mile loop around Bainbridge Island can be hilly, but quite fun. Register by Thursday, February 20th, if you’d like to participate.

Indoor Activities for Kids

Action-packed Excitement

The Sky Zone in Silverdale is an excellent space to burn off that extra energy without getting too cold. If you would like to make it a regular activity this winter, you can even consider one of their membership options. Also, the Haselwood Family YMCA in Silverdale has various activities and classes for kids and adults, including a climbing wall, gymnastics, swimming lessons, and dance classes.

For the Science Lovers

The SEA Discovery Center in Poulsbo offers hands-on learning and is open on Fridays and Saturdays. Perfect for marine enthusiasts and young children, the space features many interactive aquarium exhibits. Similarly, the Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport hosts a Science Saturday on the first Saturday of the month. Students from grades K-12 will enjoy the exhibits and artifacts in the museum, inviting them to interact and learn STEM concepts.

Artsy Entertainment

If your child is crafty, consider attending one of the free craft activities put on by local businesses and the Kitsap Regional Library. Lowe’s offers monthly Kids’ Workshops where they can practice their carpentry skills. Home Depot offers a similar program on the first Saturday of the month, and you can register for the next one here.  The Kitsap Regional Library events page is full of arts activities for all ages.  If you want to nurture their creativity and your own, check out the Dancing Brush Studio where you can paint ceramics in downtown Poulsbo.

Great Ways to Warm Up and Relax

After all the winter fun, you may simply want to go somewhere relaxing to forget the cold. Here are some spots to warm yourself up and get cozy.

TheDahlia Cove Studio in Port Gamble is open Thursday - Sunday and offers a candle-making bar and afternoon tea. Additionally, the studio has a private event space called the Bloom Room, where you can enjoy a special ambiance created by local flowers and greenery.

Nothing quite says comfort like a hot cup of coffee and a good book. Kitsap County is full of excellent coffee shops. Check outThe Coffee Oasis in Bremerton, Port Orchard, Tacoma, or Poulsbo and feel good knowing that your purchase is helping local youth find the support they need and gain valuable job training.

Our area also has a plethora of independent bookstores and boutique shops with carefully curated reads. Stop into Away with Words in Poulsbo, Eagle Harbor Book Co. on Bainbridge Island, or Ballast Book Company in Bremerton. Enjoy their interesting book selections, and check out their book clubs and author talks.

Whatever your interests are this winter, we hope this list has inspired you to get out and appreciate what's right here in our beautiful backyard.