Activities for the Kids During Holiday Break

After a busy week of holiday preparation, family visits, shopping, wrapping, unwrapping, eating and early morning wake ups, I am getting burned out. My kids however, that's an entirely differnt story. They are rearin' to go and already asking "What are we doing this week?" So if the endlessly large mounds of toys and art supplies are not enough to keep your children occupied during the holiday break, maybe some of these local activities will take care of that for you!

Take the family to the Kensington Metro Parks for a winter horse-drawn hayride this week! From December 26 through January 2, from noon – 4:00 p.m. families can enjoy a ride through the winter wonderland that is Kensington and the surrounding wooded areas. After entry into the metropark, the fees are only $3 per child/$5 per adult. For more information, call 248-685-9332 or 1-800-477-3178. Be sure to bring along a thermos of hot chocolate and a blanket to stay warm.

For the crafty, consider one of the many Ann Arbor events happening from holiday break classes at the Ann Arbor Art Center, the Duct Tape Workshop at the Dexter Library today from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. for grades 5 and up, or let the kids make their own New year’s silly hat or noisemakers on Tuesday December 28, 2:00 - 3:00 pm at the AADL Traverwood Branch.

If getting active is the best way for your kids to burn their excess energy consider taking them ice skating at one of the many great Ann Arbor Ice Rinks. Times and costs are listed below.

Ann Arbor Ice Cube (2121 Oak Valley Drive Ann Arbor): Monday - Thursday (6:00-7:50 a.m., 10:30-11:50 a.m., 1:30-2:50 p.m., 4:30-5:50 p.m.and 7:15-8:35 p.m.) and Friday (6:00-7:50 a.m., 9:00-10:20 a.m. and 12:00-1:20 p.m.). Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for youth with $3 skate rental fees. For the most up to date scedule, check the Ann Arbor Ice Cube public skate schedule at their website.


The Buhr Park outdoor ice arena (2751 Packard Street Ann Arbor) will have public skating sessions available on Monday (12:00-2:00 p.m.), Tuesday (12:00-2:00 p.m. and 7:45-8:45 p.m.), Wednesday 12:00-2:00 p.m., 3:30-4:30 p.m. and 7:15-8:45 p.m.), and on Thursday (12:00-2:00 p.m. and 7:15 - 8:45 p.m.). Skating fees range $5-6 for adults and $3.75-5 for youth and seniors with a $3 skate rental cost.

The Veterans Memorial Sports Complex (2150 Jackson Avenue Ann Arbor) has an indoor ice rink with open skate times on Tuesday and Wednesday (1:20-2:45 p.m.) and Thursday (11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.). Fees to skate are $5- $6 for adults, and $4-5 for youth/seniors. Ice skate rentals are $3.

And finally, there are plenty of public skate times at Yost Ice Arena (1016 South State Street Ann Arbor) this week as well. The public can skate from December 27-28 at 12:00-1:50 p.m. or December 29-30 12:00-12:50 p.m. - The cost for skate rentals is only $2 (check for available sizes though) with open skate costs of $5 for adults and $3 for youth/seniors.

Need something more educational for your little one? What about story time? This week you and your children can enjoy silly stories with Laura Pershin Raynor at the Ann Arbor District Library Pittsfield Branch on Wednesday from 10:00 -10:30 a.m. or storytime at Borders Books and Music (3527 Washtenaw Ave.in the Arborland plaza) on Wednesday and Friday at 11:00 a.m.!
 
Other fun activities for the family include:

A free family movie (Toy Story 3) and popcorn at the Dexter Library at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 29.
Join in the fun with the Whole Kids Club at Whole Foods Market (3135 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor) on Wednesday December 29 anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. to introduce kids ages 3-12 to the tasty world of food and cooking. Ask for a Whole Kids Club card at the customer service counter then pick up a special treat!

Do you have any other great family events happening in Ann Arbor that you might like highlighted or mentioned in a post, please feel free to contact me! 

Winter Solstice Crafts for Families at the AADL

Need to get out today? I just read about the free winter solstice crafts happening today at the Ann Arbor District Library on AnnArbor.com. Today from 2:00-3:00 p.m. families can Welcome the arrival of winter with winter solstice crafts at the Malletts Creek Branch (3090 E. Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor).

Kids Playing In The Snow

There are some great photos of kids playing in Monday's snow in this slideshow. I especially like the little ones trying to kiss Frosty!

Half Off Batteries for All Your Kids Christmas Toys!

With Christmas two weeks away, I thought the Real Deal on AnnArbor.com today was appropriate - Half off batteries at Batteris Plus is Ann Arbor! I don't know about you, but we always stock up just before the holidays to avoid Christmas morning tears when we don't have the battiers needed for the new toys!

Ideas for Family Fun This Weekend

From AnnArbor.com

This weekend seems to be hopping with plenty of opportunities to see Santa, so I thought to focus on some other fun and unique activities for Ann Arbor families.

Begin your weekend on Saturday, December 11 at 11:00 a.m. by wandering the University of Michigan Museum of Art (525 S. State St., Ann Arbor) as children ages 4-7 join in for a free story time. UMMA Student Docents will bring art to life as they read stories related to the art on display and invite responses from the youngest of art lovers.

Then after a brief bite to eat, wander over to Saline where this weekend at the Rentschler Farm Museum (1265 E. Michigan Ave., Saline) you can enjoy the Annual Christmas on The Farm program. Families can tour the depression era farmhouse and see how farm families coped at Christmastime.The 12-room farmhouse will be decorated with natural things that might have been found on the farm culminating with a live tree gracing the parlor decked out with genuine 1930s ornaments and lights. There will be plenty of simple decorations, good aromas and pleasing sights and sounds to enjoy, with sock machine knitting, spinning, and quilting demonstrations on-site adding to the event.

My family visited the farm a few years ago over the holidays and found it a pleasant way to spend the day and very much well worth the $1 per adult (children get free admission!) suggested donation. The volunteers were warm, friendly and full of great information! Families can tour the farm on December 11 and 12 from 1:00-5:00 p.m.