This week brings a much quieter and calmer holiday rhythm. You’ll notice several days with no scheduled kids events or activities, which feels fitting for this time of year. After a very full season, this slower pace offers a chance to rest, reset, and enjoy some unstructured time together (and maybe enjoy a holiday present or two). I hope the holiday season has brought warmth and meaningful moments to your family and loved ones.
If you’re still hoping to fit in a bit of holiday fun, this week brings a couple more chances to catch Santa for a meet and greet before the season wraps up, along with one last opportunity to visit the garden lights at the Polk Home. If you’re looking to celebrate the season this week or even after Christmas, the Columbia TN Christmas Guide continues to be a helpful resource. It includes seasonal light displays and holiday experiences that run beyond Christmas Day.
My own family has especially loved driving around to the free local light displays in Columbia this season. Even for very young children, it’s been a simple and memorable way to experience the holidays. The lights are bright, colorful, and engaging, and it’s an easy outing that doesn’t require a lot of planning.
And for those last-minute shoppers, there’s still time to support local businesses. The Kids Gift Guide: Local Gifts and Experience Ideas highlights both experience-based gifts and thoughtfully selected physical gifts chosen with quality and durability in mind.
A few notes to keep in mind as you plan your week:
- Villages Clubhouse will offer open play sessions on Monday and Tuesday only. These sessions will run until 11:00 AM and require advance registration. Drop-ins will not be available.
- I’m confirming holiday hours with several local kid-friendly businesses that don’t have specific events scheduled, so families can still find options for getting out of the house.
- Several weekly favorites are paused until the new year, so it’s best to double-check details before heading out.
Scroll down or click on a day below for the full calendar with dates, times, costs, and links to help you plan.
Monday, December 22nd
🎅 Santa Meet and Greet at Muletown Pediatric (For patients & their familes)
Location: Muletown Pediatric Dentistry (1501 Nashville Hwy Suite 102, Columbia)
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Cost: Free
Description: Families are invited to stop by Muletown Pediatric Dentistry for a festive Santa meet and greet. This holiday event includes professional photos and a hot cocoa bar and is open to patients and their families. It’s a cheerful, welcoming way for kids to enjoy a seasonal visit with Santa in a familiar setting.
🎄 Open Play Session
Location: Villages Clubhouse (1127 S High St, Columbia)
Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Cost: $12 per child or Membership Package (Sign up here)
Description: Advance registration is required for the December 22 and December 23 sessions. There will be no drop-ins for these dates. Please note these sessions will run from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Enjoy open-ended indoor and outdoor sensory play designed for kids around ages 1–5. This week’s theme is Christmas. There’s plenty of space for free exploration, and families are welcome to stay and play throughout their time slot. These sessions are prepared only when families are registered ahead of time. This is not a drop-off program.
📚 Story Time with Maury County Public Library (Off-Site)
Location: Maury County Archives (201 E 6th St, Columbia)
Time: 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Cost: Free
Description: Join Maury County Public Library at the Archives Building for story time while the main library undergoes renovations. This week’s theme is Twinkling Tales, featuring stories, rhymes, and simple activities for young children.
🎨 Messy Zone Mondays: Spray and Splat Art
Location: aMuse’um Children’s Museum (123 W 7th St #3213, Columbia)
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Cost: Free for members; included with admission ($12 per child; one adult free per paid child, additional adults $6) (Reserve a spot)
Description: Today’s project is Spray and Splat Art. Hands on messy fun that encourages artistic expression, fine motor skill development, and imaginative thinking. Kids explore new textures and materials while building creativity in a playful, open ended setting. This program is included with the regular 10:00–12:30 play session, so the $12 admission (non-members) covers the full playtime.
Tuesday, December 23rd
🚫Open Play Session
Location: Villages Clubhouse (1127 S High St, Columbia)
Description: Cancelled due to no advanced sign-ups.
🎨 Art Play Drop-in (Spring Hill)
Location: TN Art Yard (5337 Main St, Spring Hill)
Time: 9:30 to 11:30 AM
Cost: $12.50 or part of art play pack (Sign up here)
Description: Open-ended art and sensory play for ages 2–10 with parent participation required. Kids can explore stations, make take-home projects, paint, and enjoy messy outdoor fun. TN Art Yard also offers preschool, homeschool, and afterschool programs, including a sensory play group for ages 18+ months.
Note: I wasn’t able to confirm today’s session. It’s a good idea to double-check directly with TN Art Yard before heading out.
👟 Stroller Workouts and Walks
Location: Macedonia Recreation Center (501 Armstrong St, Columbia)
Time: 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Cost: Free
Description: Join Columbia Parks and Recreation for Stroller Workouts and Toddler Hangouts, a winter fitness meetup for parents and caregivers with stroller-aged children. Stay active and connected during the colder months with a mix of light cardio, simple strength exercises, and relaxed group walking in a comfortable indoor setting at the Macedonia Rec Center. Families can use the gym space for movement and workouts, and kids are welcome to ride along in strollers or play nearby with available bouncy balls and Duplo blocks. No childcare is needed. Just bring a stroller, water, and comfortable clothes. This class is welcoming, low-pressure, and designed for all fitness levels, offering a warm and supportive way to stay active through the winter.
🔎Wonder Station – Sink or Float Christmas Edition
Location: aMuse’um Children’s Museum (123 W 7th St #3213, Columbia)
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Cost: Free for members; included with admission ($12 per child; one adult free per paid child, additional adults $6) (Reserve a spot)
Description: Today’s project is Sink or Float Christmas Edition. Wonder Station encourages kids to explore, question, and experiment. Each session introduces fun, hands-on science and problem-solving activities that spark curiosity and help children build observation and critical-thinking skills in a playful, low-pressure environment. This program is included with the regular 10:00–12:30 play session, so the $12 admission (non-members) covers the full playtime.
🌟 Garden Lights at the Polk Home
Location: President James K. Polk Home and Museum (301 W 7th St, Columbia)
Time: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Cost: Member admission $5.49. Non member admission $7.12. Children under 3 are free. (Purchase tickets)
Description: Take a magical evening stroll through the illuminated gardens of the historic Polk Home. Guests can enjoy festive light displays, holiday decor, and a complimentary hot beverage as they explore the grounds. Proceeds support preservation of the museum and its educational programs.
Wednesday, December 24th
🎅 SantaLand: Photos with Santa and Santa’s Workshop
Location: Building Block School for the Arts (1309 S Main St, Columbia)
Time: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Cost: Free entry, $10 and up for photos
Description: Step inside Columbia’s SantaLand and Santa’s Workshop, hosted by The Building Block School for the Arts in the heart of the Arts District. Guests can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy balloon art, and explore vintage mechanical Christmas display figures collected from around the country. After purchasing a printed photo, guests are welcome to take additional pictures. This long running community event brings classic holiday magic to families through detailed decor, interactive displays, and festive activities.
🦖 Maddy’s Playhouse Open Play
Time: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Location: Maddy’s Playhouse (2001 Campbell Station Pkwy C-12, Spring Hill)
Cost: Regular admission or membership applies (Purchase here)
Description: Maddy’s Playhouse is confirmed open on Christmas Eve with adjusted hours. This can be a convenient option if you’re looking for a kid-friendly outing earlier in the day.
🛝 Kids Fun City Open Play
Time: 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Location: Kids Fun City (1301 S James Campbell Blvd Ste 3, Columbia)
Cost: Regular admission applies
Description: Kids Fun City is typically closed on Wednesdays but is confirmed open on Christmas Eve with regular hours. This can be a good indoor option if you’re looking for a kid-friendly outing during the day.
Thursday, December 25th
There are no scheduled kids activities today. Wishing a Merry Christmas to those who celebrate, and warm holiday wishes to our community.
Friday, December 26th
There are no scheduled kids events today, but several local, kid-friendly businesses are open and confirmed with holiday hours. This is also a great chance to get started with any memberships your child received for the holidays.
• aMuse’um: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Maddy’s Playhouse: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Kids Fun City: 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Saturday, December 27th
There are no scheduled kids events today. This can be a good day to recover from the holidays, or, if you’re not quite ready to move on from seasonal fun, several light displays are still operating well into the new year. If the weather cooperates, it could also be a nice opportunity to get outside and visit a local park or trail.
Several kid-friendly businesses are also open for open play today:
• aMuse’um: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
• Maddy’s Playhouse: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Kids Fun City: 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM
If you’re looking for farmers markets, they are still happening. I’ve decided to only include events that are specifically kid-friendly in the guide. If a farmers market advertises activities for children, it will be included in the weekly guide.
Sunday, December 28th
There are no scheduled kids events today. Wishing families a restful end to the weekend.
A couple of kid-friendly businesses are also open for open play today:
• Maddy’s Playhouse: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Kids Fun City: 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Whether you’re hoping to catch a final visit with Santa, enjoy a simple outing around Columbia or Spring Hill, or lean into a slower week at home, there are still a few opportunities to make the most of the season. This week leaves plenty of room for rest, flexibility, and low-key plans. Save this post to reference as you plan, and check back soon for more local events and family-friendly guides as we head into the new year.
Columbia TN Kids Guide 
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