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. A fundraiser with a $500 raffle prize will be held Dec. 13 beginning at noon.
Multiple Days
Willy Wonka, Jr. follows the enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he holds a contest, hiding golden tickets in five of his delectable candy bars. At the Brewery Arts Center.
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.
Tuesday, Dec. 10
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.
Open Play at Messy Kids Art School
Includes babe area climbing structures for ages 0-2 and gross motor climbing structures for ages 2-8. Dramatic play town, occasional indoor bouncy house and ball pit, open art studio, caregivers internet lounge and coffee bar. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ages 1 and up $10 with siblings half off after first child.
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. 11
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!
Open Play at Messy Kids Art School
Includes babe area climbing structures for ages 0-2 and gross motor climbing structures for ages 2-8. Dramatic play town, occasional indoor bouncy house and ball pit, open art studio, caregivers internet lounge and coffee bar. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ages 1 and up $10 with siblings half off after first child.
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. 12
Recurring:
Open Play at Messy Kids Art School
Includes babe area climbing structures for ages 0-2 and gross motor climbing structures for ages 2-8. Dramatic play town, occasional indoor bouncy house and ball pit, open art studio, caregivers internet lounge and coffee bar. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ages 1 and up $10 with siblings half off after first child.
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. 13
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. 14
Sugarplum Victorian Home Tour, free for children, hosted by the Carson City Historical Society
From noon to 4 p.m., head to the historic west side of Carson City to step back in time to experience the way the capital city used to be while enjoying local history, entertainment and refreshments at multiple locations along the tour. Children 12 and under are free, tickets are $25 and this is one of the largest fundraisers of the year for the Historical Society. Tickets may be purchased at https://CChistorical.org/
Pony Express Christmas Card Ride
Pony Express will leave Benson’s Feed with a mochila full of Christmas cards. The group will ride Post Office on Roop St to afix a special sticker to the cards. Members of the community can drop off cards (addressed and stamped) at Benson’s begining Monday December 9, 2024. Drop off or address cards during the week and come send off the riders on Saturday at 10 a.m.
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. 15
Inaugural Brewery Arts Center Tamale Festival
Join the Brewery Arts Center in celebrating the holidays with tamales, live music, dancing and games for the whole family. Don’t forget your appetite! There will be performances by Ballet Folklorico. We will be awarding cash prizes for the Best Tamale and People’s Choice Tamale! The event is 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at the Brewery Arts Center, 449 West King Street, Carson City.
Free Photos with Santa at Postal Annex
From 12pm to 1:30pm Santa will be here, so bring the everyone including your pets if they want to see Santa. We will offering free printed Santa pictures for everyone. Also we are hosting a coloring contest for all ages so make sure you pick up either our Santa or Snowmen coloring sheets and bring them back to so we can display yours in the shop.
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.
