«  Return to Explore More

The Best Things To Do With Kids in Baltimore This January

Things to Do Baltimore
Photo: AvalancheXpress Snow Tubing Photo: AvalancheXpress Snow Tubing

And just like that, 2019 is in the books. Don't let the post-holiday blues and winter doldrums keep you from getting out of the house. Start off the new year with a renewed sense of adventure and a fun-filled month of family activities!

To help you out, we've put together a list of the hottest spots and events in the Baltimore area that are sure to warm up your January family fun.

Winter Break: Pajama Party Palooza at Port Discovery Children's Museum

Port Discovery Children's Center Winter Break Pajama Party

Every day through January 12th, Port Discovery invites you to roll out of bed and straight to the Museum to engage in some PJ Party fun! Play with friendly monsters from under the bed, race in pillow cases and skate in socks, make and munch on "midnight" snacks as you watch a movie, experience special theater performances, and more. Check out Port Discovery's calendar for details on special activities taking place each day.

Head for the Hills for Snow Tubing Fun!

AvalancheXpress Snow Tubing

Located a quick one-hour drive from Baltimore in York, Pennsylvania, AvalancheXpress at Heritage Hills Golf Resort features up to to ten lanes of snow tubing, two powered rope-lines to tow you back hilltop plus lighting for night tubing and fire pits to warm you. Save up to 19% off UNLIMITED snow tubing or up to 35% off an overnight package that includes accommodations at Heritage Hills Resort, unlimited snow tubing and ice skating, mini golf, and more. 

Jurassic Quest With Ancient Oceans at Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium

Jurassic Quest

America's largest and most realistic dinosaur event is coming to the Maryland Fairgrounds in Timonium, January 10th - 12th. Experience over 80 true-to-life-size dinosaurs - some that even roar and move!, check out the dinosaur petting zoo and museum with real dinosaur fossils dating back over 60 million years, and get your play time in on dinosaur-themed rides, inflatable mazes, huge slides and more! Save 20% off Jurassic Quest tickets with promo code KIDS20.

SkateFest Benefiting Special Olympics Maryland at Inner Harbor Ice Rink 

Head to Baltimore's waterfront rink on January 11th for a special night benefiting Special Olympics Maryland. Your $10 admission includes skate rental, special treats and a portion the proceeds will be donated to Special Olympics of Maryland. Have fun and do good at the same time!

Harbor Point Ice Festival at Harbor Point Central Park - FREE

Harbor Point Ice Festival Baltimore
Photo by Scott Marder

Central Plaza in Baltimore's Harbor Point neighborhood will be transformed into a magical winter wonderland on January 11th with twinkling lights, ice sculptures lining the walkways, live music, food trucks, kids activities and more. Watch as award-winning ice sculptors use chainsaws and chisels to create spectacular sculptures out of ice and vote for your favorite. New this year, come play in the Disney on Ice Kids Zone, featuring a "Frozen" bounce house with slide, strolling princess performers, interactive Disney ice sculptures, face-painting, and more. Click HERE for more information.

BSO Music Box Series: Snowflakes on Parade at Gordon Center for Performing Arts in Owings Mills

BSO Music Box Concert Series at Gordon Center for Performing Arts

Join the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) for this delightful, interactive concert for young audiences on Sunday, January 12th at the Gordon Center. Children will explore music and the sounds of winter during a 30-minute performance by a small ensemble of BSO musicians. Be sure to arrive early for fun pre-show activities. Save 35% off tickets for Snowflakes on Parade.

Escape to the Beach for a Princess-Themed Getaway

Bethany Beach Ocean Suites Princess Weekend
Photo by: Linda M., CertifiKID Subscriber

Calling all royal families to Bethany Beach for a weekend of princess-themed fun! You may not think of January as the best time to head to the shore, but Bethany Beach Ocean Suites is serving up warmth and relaxing fit for royalty during a special themed weekend from January 17th - 19th. You will feel like you're living in a fairytale all weekend long as you swim with mermaid princesses in the indoor pool, get pampered with a princess makeover, enjoy a princess tea party, and attend the Royal Ball! Save 26% off "Princess Weekend" for a family of four, which includes accommodations in a spacious suite, all activities, daily hot breakfast, and a bonus $20 gift certificate for the on-site spa or oceanfront restaurant.

Splash Around Inside at SplashDown Water Park at Columbia Swim Center

Don't let winter stop you from making a splash! The whole family will love making waves together at SplashDown Water Park at Columbia Swim Center where you can zoom down two 40-foot high, 360-foot long slides, swing on the jungle rope and drop into the water, or launch off the springboard into the pool. For the smaller crowd, there's a sweet hang out spot in the wading pool. Save 44% on admission to SplashDown Water Park.  

Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on January 20th

Celebrate the life and legacy of the civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr., with these special Baltimore events.

20th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade, Baltimore
On Monday, January 20th, starting at noon, a parade consisting of more than 70 groups - 
high school and community bands, honor/color guards, equestrian units, fraternities and sororities, lively dance squads and civic organizations - will proceed from the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. and Eutaw St. south to Baltimore St. Click HERE for more information.

"Be the Light" Celebration at Port Discovery Children's Museum
Port Discovery Children's Museum
is celebrating Dr. King's legacy with a three-day event taking place beginning Saturday, January 18th through Monday, January 20th. Take part in interactive programs and performances designed to educate, inspire and help children understand the positive impact that their actions can have, inspired by Dr. King’s message of promoting fairness. 

MLK Dare to Dream Day at American Visionary Art Museum
Head to the Museum on January 20th for birthday cake, a Power Patch printmaking workshop, Poetry Slam, special performances and more during this fun-filled event. Admission is free but RSVP is requested.

MLK Day Celebration at The Reginald F. Lewis Museum
Celebrate MLK Day at The Lewis
, Maryland's largest African American museum! Stop by A Ride to Remember Story Hour and Mural Art Project to explore the story of the desegregation of a local amusement park and carousel, listen to selections by Baltimore City College Choir, and more. Admission is $5; ages 6 and under are free.

Play Golf Indoors in Towson or Columbia

Monster Mini Golf

Take the warm weather fun inside at Monster Mini Golf in Towson or Columbia where you can putt putt around 18 holes of glow-in-the-dark mini golf complete with cool special effects and a live DJ that spins the tunes and gives away prizes for some of the craziest reasons. After your game, head over to the arcade for some interactive gaming fun. Save 50% off glow-in-the-dark mini golf at Monster Mini Golf Towson or Monster Mini Golf Columbia

2020 Progressive® Insurance Baltimore Boat Show®  

Baltimore Boat Show

The largest indoor boat show in the region will motor into the Baltimore Convention Center on January 23rd - 26th. This year's show will be the biggest ever with even more boats, marine equipment, and activities for the entire family. Some family-friendly highlights include a Virtual Fishing Simulator where participants can compete with friends to see who can reel in the biggest catch of the day; Touch-A-Boat Tour scavenger hunt where kids of all ages can search for treasure aboard boats throughout the showroom; Build-A-Boat for children ages 12 and under to create a one-of-kind model boat to take home as a souvenir, and more! Even better, children ages 12 and under are admitted FREE!

2020 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge

Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge
Photo by Steve Ruark

Calling thrill-seekers everywhere! Every January, 10,000 people plunge into the icy Chesapeake Bay at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis to benefit Maryland's more than 8,000 Special Olympics athletes who train and compete year-round. The MSP Polar Bear Plunge has grown into a full-week of fundraising events all leading up to the largest Plunge in the world, taking place this year on January 25th. Participants pledge to raise a minimum of $75 to take their plunge and enjoy a festival-like atmosphere of food and drinks, live entertainment, music and more. The 11 a.m. hour is the Family and Pee Wee Plunge, which will feature a family tent with games and entertainment. Click HERE for more information and to donate, volunteer or register. 

Celebrate the Year of the Rat at The Walters Art Museum

Walters Art Museum Lunar New Year Celebration

One of the Walters' most popular annual events, their Lunar New Year Celebration will take place this year on January 26th from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Celebrate the Year of the Rat with performances by the Baltimore Chinese School, Johns Hopkins Lion Dance Troupe, and more. Make paper flowers to add to the Walters' giant floral rat sculpture, explore zodiac animals through a scavenger hunt of the Arts of Asia galleries, participate in art-making activities, snap your picture in a photobooth, and share a fortune for good luck in the New Year.

For even more family fun this month, check out The Best Things to Do With Kids in Washington, D.C. This January.

Tags: free cheap January events fun kids families Baltimore


 

CertifiKID was founded by a mom with a passion for helping parents provide the best experiences for their children on a budget. From outings to adventures, classes to camps, theater to sporting events, amusement parks to getaways, CertifiKID provides the best family-friendly experiences at unbeatable prices. Sign up for family-friendly deals in your area and start saving!