A person pushes a child on a yellow kicksled across a snowy field on a sunny winter day. The image includes a "Winter Play Day" text overlay with a stylized blue font and snowflake icon. Trees without leaves are visible in the background.

Winter Play Day 2025

February 22, 2025

Embrace winter during Winter Play Day at locations throughout Three Rivers Park District!

Check out the full lineup of events, including free or discounted activities:

2025 Winter Play Day Festival

Winter Play Day Festival

11 AM–3:30 PM
Hyland Lake Park Reserve

Join us at Hyland Lake Park Reserve for a fun filled winter festival! Enjoy a variety of free outdoor activities and adventures designed for kids—and kids at heart.

Come play, explore and embrace the magic of the great outdoors!

Navigate the festival using the interactive map.

Activities and Events

Winter Recreation Activities

Make the most of the colder months (and maybe find your next hobby) by trying a new winter recreation activity with:

*Dependent on weather conditions

Photo of four people snowshoeing through a snowy landscape.
Cross-country skiers at last year's Winter Play Day Festival
Demonstrations and Self-Exploration Activities

Embrace the magic of winter with exciting demonstrations and playful activities for the whole family:

  • Winter hayrides
  • Interactive Winter Wonder Walk
  • Nature education with hands-on activities
  • Snowmaking demonstrations with snow maintenance gear on display
Food & Drink Options

Warm up and refuel with cozy winter treats and beverages, including:

  • Fire pits with marshmallow roasting
  • Festival food from local food trucks
Community, Music & More

Make your winter visit complete with festive extras from the local community:

  • Winter yoga
  • Live music from local musicians
  • Local community partners and vendors
  • Ice sculpture demonstrations by local artist John Njoes
Photo of a band playing on stage, dressed in winter outerwear.
Live music at last year's Winter Play Day Festival

Festival Schedule

Most festival activities run throughout the day. Below are scheduled events:

Winter Activities Throughout the Parks

Whether you're new to the parks or a regular visitor, grab your family and friends to enjoy a day of free winter nature activities at select parks and nature centers. 

Winter Play Day is the perfect way to get outside and try something new! Activities run from 10 AM–3 PM, unless otherwise noted.

Explore the Parks

Carver Park Reserve

  • At Lowry Nature Center, enjoy a nature table with Lowry naturalists, a winter bird scavenger hunt and a warm fire to roast a marshmallow for s'mores.

Elm Creek Park Reserve

  • At Eastman Nature Center, try snowshoeing with free gear rentals for the day, then join the bonfire to warm up after a day full of winter fun.

Gale Woods Farm

  • Enjoy time around the bonfire, then head out on a hike to see the farm animals in a winter setting.

Hyland Park Reserve

  • At Richardson Nature Center, try kicksledding or snowshoeing with free gear rentals for the day, then warm up afterwards by a toasty fire.

Mississippi Gateway Regional Park

  • From 1–3 PM, warm up at a campfire, roast a marshmallow and create some nature art to leave around the park.

Silverwood Regional Park

  • Take part in a scavenger hunt through a self-guided hike around the park to see the art and nature in winter.
Enjoy Free S'mores

Join us by the campfire to make s'mores, from 10 AM–3 PM (while supplies last) at the following locations:

Discounts on Winter Activities

Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area

After 3 PM, get $5 off tubing or discounted lift tickets for snowboarding and skiing!

  • Tubing is subject to availability.
  • Snowboard and downhill ski rentals are first-come, first-served.

Hyland Hills Ski Area

After 3 PM, get discounted lift tickets for snowboarding and skiing!

  • Snowboard and downhill ski rentals are first-come, first-served.
Free Winter Recreation Passes & Rentals

Free Day Access for Cross-Country Ski Trails

On February 22, get your free day pass online to explore cross-country ski trails at the parks below!

Don't forget to check trail conditions before you head out.

Free Winter Recreation Rentals

Free Cross-Country Ski Rentals

Try something new during Winter Play Day with free cross-country ski rentals at select parks!

Most parks will have ski rentals available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parks requiring rental reservations are marked accordingly, and you can book your slot starting on Saturday, February 15.

Free Kicksled Rentals

Glide through the winter wonderland with free kicksled rentals at these parks:

Free Snowshoe Rentals

Explore a variety of snowy trails with complimentary snowshoe rentals.

Most parks will have ski rentals available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parks requiring rental reservations are marked accordingly, and you can book your slot starting on Saturday, February 15.

Free Archery Passes

Give archery a try, with no cost or commitment, using a free day pass at:

Free Dog Off-Leash Passes

Bring your dog to frolic through the snow with free access to our dog off-leash areas for the day:

Two smiling volunteers in fluorescent yellow safety vests and winter coats stand in front of a bright blue background. One wears a black winter hat and glasses, the other wears a red bandana and sunglasses.

Volunteer During Winter Play Day

Volunteers play a key role in making Winter Play Day fun, accessible and welcoming for all!

We are looking for volunteers across participating parks, including:

  • Greeters, fire tenders, rental assistants, activity monitors and event set-up and clean-up assistants
  • Registered Park Patrollers (must have completed the necessary training)
  • Individuals with cross-country skiing experience

Volunteers are needed from 9 AM–4 PM in shifts ranging from one hour to all day. Most roles not requiring prior training.

For questions, call 763-559-6706 or email Volunteer@ThreeRiversParks.org.

Sign Up to Volunteer

Share Your Play Day Fun with Us

Winter Play Day In Action

Three people skiing on a snowy trail. Two people wearing teal 'Volunteer' vests with leaf patterns flank a person in the middle using yellow adaptive ski equipment. All are using ski poles and the scene is set against a backdrop of winter trees.
A young child in a colorful tie-dye snowsuit with pink, white, and green patterns plays in the snow. They are wearing a gray winter hat and look to be climbing down a snowy slope. Their expression shows joy and excitement. In the background, there are bare winter trees and a blue tent.
A young child in a red puffy jacket and pink winter hat stands near firewood and a camp fire in a snowy setting. The child is holding what looks like a marshmallow roasting stick, and part of an adult's hand holding another stick is visible to the left.
A person wearing a yellow winter hat and navy blue puffy jacket reaches toward a large outdoor Jenga-style tower made of wooden blocks. Other people in winter gear can be seen in the background of the snowy outdoor setting.
A young child in a lavender snowsuit and pink winter hat stands on skis in the snow, holding ski poles. Parts of two adults, one on skis, are visible on either side of the child. The scene is set against a backdrop of bare winter trees.

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