Looking for a place to take your little ones this week? Look no further! Here is a list of family-friendly (and fun!) activities and events happening this week around Carson City.
Toy Drives
Both Rice Street Tattoo and Shoe Tree Brewing Co. located at 1496 Old Hot Springs Rd. (next to Sassafras) will be accepting donations from Dec. 9 to Dec. 18.
Toys for Tots
Multiple Days
Santa’s Last Stop Holiday Craft Fair at the Nevada State Museum
happening Friday through Sunday, come take care of any last minute holiday shopping at Santa’s Last Stop Holiday Craft Fair. Come shop local artisans, the Museum Store, and see Coin Press No. 1 in action! We will have a food truck and Santa will even make an appearance.
Carson City’s “Santa Christmas Elevator Experience” Brings the North Pole to Life
Step into Santa’s magical elevator and ride to the North Pole! Visit Santa at his workshop for unforgettable family photos. Weekends at the Carson Mall with prices starting at $40.
Come visit the Carson City Library and hang out in a space designed with teens in mind! Monday through Friday 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. All teens welcome!
2024 Santa Train returns for three weekends at the Nevada Railroad Museum in Carson City
A Carson City holiday tradition returns beginning this weekend as families can climb aboard the beloved Santa Train at the Nevada State Railroad Museum. This Christmas-time family favorite event aboard a historic railroad locomotive features visits with Santa Claus, candy canes, the opportunity to “Write a Letter to Santa,” hot beverages and more.
Trains run every 30 minutes from 10 am until 3 p.m. and will begin this Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7-8, then again on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14-15 and the final weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 21-22. Boarding time is 15 minutes before departure time. Rides are $10 per person, children 2 and under sitting on a lap are free. Purchase tickets here.
Cookie decorating at Washoe Lake State Park Dec. 21 – 22
Join us for a holiday cookie decorating event at Washoe Lake State Park! Participants can warm up next to a fire (weather permitting), drink hot cocoa, and decorate cookies. We will provide sugar cookies, icing, and decorations while supplies last. Each participant can decorate two cookies. In case of bad weather, this event will be moved inside the park’s visitor center, but there is very limited parking and space inside. From 1 – 3 p.m. both days. Meet at the Equestrian Pavilion inside the park. $5 per vehicle for Nevada residents and $10 per vehicle for non-NV residents. We can accept cash, checks, and credit cards. There is no additional fee for this program.
Tuesday, Dec. 17
Recurring:
After school art for kids offered at the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City
The Brewery Arts Center will be hosting After School Art for Ages 7-13 on Tuesdays beginning Oct. 22 through Dec. 3, 2024 with instructor Lee Netzle.
Toddler Time at the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada
Toddler Time Tuesday & Friday 9:30am-11:30am. Designed for children 1-3 years of age. Play with educational toys, encourage social development, and meet other caregivers.
Wednesday, Dec. 18
Recurring:
Creating with Polymer Clay: Mini Donuts at the BAC
Come learn how to sculpt various miniatures and figures with polymer clay in this beginner-friendly class with instructor Kaleb Wyckoff! Every class session is a different item and requests can be made in advance.
Maggie M’s Beginning Art Classes for Teens every Wednesday
Maggie M’s Beginning Art Classes will provide instruction in drawing, sketching, and painting with watercolors and acrylics 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm every Wednesday.
Board Game Night at 3 Arrows Games
Join the Minden Board Game group and others for a weekly meet up of table top fun. Bring a game to share or jump in with others to learn something new for a night of fun. Everyone is welcome!
Grown Up and Guppies at the Carson City Aquatic Center
Head over to the Carson City Aquatics Center every Wednesday at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. for Grown ups and Guppies. Making the water fun for your guppy is the most important step in preparing for swim lessons. This class is designed to acquaint adult and child wild play activities and to teach very basic fundamental skills. The course is parent-driven, under the supervision of an instructor. No registration required. Class is limited to 12 adult/child pairs on a first-come first served basis. For ages 6 months to 4 years.
Storytime Wednesdays at the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada
Join in for weekly storytime with an accompanying craft each Wednesday. Recommended for children ages 1 – 6. All included with museum admission.
Art Studio Craft Classes at the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada
Drop-in art studio every Wednesday and Friday from 2 – 4 p.m. Creative art studio projects are included with museum admission. All ages welcome. Additional crafts are available for cost.
Lego Club at the Carson City Library
For elementary school aged children. Build self-led creations through hands-on learning with Lego education materials. No registration is required. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Bedtime Bears Storytime at the Carson City Library
For kids of all ages: Join us every Wednesday night for stories, songs and crafts designed to help kids wind down at the end of the day. From 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
In this class you’ll learn about problem-solving through art, as well as how to draw with instructor Kaleb Wyckoff. Whether you can sketch a stick figure or a portrait, this class is for you! All skill levels are welcome. Every class is different and designed to strive for accessibility.
Join the Carson City High School Dungeon & Dragons group every other Wednesday at 2:30PM in the Teen Zone. Learn how to play Dungeons & Dragons and participate in fun campaigns! No registration required.
Thursday, Dec. 19
Free Family Movie Night at Carson Valley Cinemas Thursday
Come down to Carson Valley Cinemas in Minden on Thursday, Dec. 19 for Mufasa: The Lion King and Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Hosted by Douglas County Partnership; mention partnership at the time of service to receive your free movie voucher, free for either movie, which also includes a small popcorn and drink.
Polar Express Drive Thru at Dayton Elementary School
Join the DES tradition Thursday Dec. 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. Come see Santa and grab a hot cocoa. This is a drive through only event for safety. Located at 285 Old Dayton Valley Road in Dayton.
Recurring:
Big Kid Butterflies Storytime at the Carson City Library
For children ages 1 to 5; join for weekly stories, songs and crafts. No registration is required. 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Open STEM Lab Thursdays at the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada
The STEM Classroom is open every Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. for funny educational, weekly activities. All included with museum admission. All ages welcome.
Fingerboarding Club at the Carson City Library
Enjoy doing tricks and having fun with miniature skateboards. A table will be set up with a skatepark for an hour of fnigerboarding. Fingerboards will be provided but feel free to bring your own. Open to patrons 14 and up. No registration required. From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 20
Recurring:
Toddler Time at the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada
Toddler Time Tuesday and Friday 9:30am-11:30am. Designed for children 1-3 years of age. Play with educational toys, encourage social development, and meet other caregivers.
Art Studio Craft Classes at the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada
Drop-in art studio every Wednesday and Friday from 2 – 4 p.m. Creative art studio projects are included with museum admission. All ages welcome. Additional crafts are available for cost.
Saturday, Dec. 21
Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night Dec. 21
What is it? A non-denominational holiday tradition! Participants use their smartphones and portable speakers to play one of four interconnected compositions. The result is a magical wall of sound that morphs and moves through Carson City during a 45 minute walk of the historic West Side. Starts at the Brewery Arts Center at 5:30 p.m.
Santa Photo’s at MidTown Marketplace
Santa is coming to MidTown Marketplace! Bring the kiddos from 12 to 2 p.m., and do some last minute shopping while you’re there for the perfect Christmas gift. Located at 104 Corbett St.
Carson City Antique and Collectibles Mall to host Popcorn and Polaroids with Santa
The Carson City Antiques and Collectibles Mall is excited to announce Popcorn and Polaroids with Santa. Every Saturday and Sunday starting Nov. 30, 2024 come down to the Carson City Antiques and Collectibles Mall for a chance to meet Santa. Tickets are $35 per person, $10/each additional person. Tickets include meet and greet with Santa, holiday popcorn and an old-fashioned polaroid.
Recurring:
Chess Club for all ages at the Carson City Library
Stop by and play chess, or learn to play chess, at the Carson City Library every Saturday from 12 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. All skill levels are welcome.
Sunday, Dec. 22
Carson City Antique and Collectibles Mall to host Popcorn and Polaroids with Santa
The Carson City Antiques and Collectibles Mall is excited to announce Popcorn and Polaroids with Santa. Every Saturday and Sunday starting Nov. 30, 2024 come down to the Carson City Antiques and Collectibles Mall for a chance to meet Santa. Tickets are $35 per person, $10/each additional person. Tickets include meet and greet with Santa, holiday popcorn and an old-fashioned polaroid.
Capital City Gun Club Annie Oakley Christmas Shoot
The Annie Oakley shoot consists of a squad of shooters sequentially shooting at a launched Trap target until it gets hit. The shooters who miss are immediately eliminated until one winning shooter remains. The winner of each squad will receive a prize turkey that’s twice the size of Tiny Tim. Registration starts at 9:00am and continues until prizes are gone. Annie Oakley tickets are $5.00 per round.
Recurring:
Minden Board Game Group – Carson Branch
Carson City Library in the Digitorium Sundays from noon to 3:30 p.m. All ages welcome, no registration required!
Did we miss any? Send any family-friendly event information to kelsey@carsonnow.org.
