Keep kids on winter break busy
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Andrew Laker | The Republic
Ashley Holliday, 12, left, and Seena Greiwe, also 12, try to gain their balance while making their first laps around the rink Wednesday afternoon during Hamilton Center Ice Arena's public skate.
School is out this week and next, but there are plenty of opportunities in Columbus for kids to expel some of their pent-up energy during winter break.
Here are a few ideas:
Hit the ice
Hamilton Center Ice Arena, 2501 Lincoln Park Dr., is offering family skating from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 3 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Fridays and 2 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Jan. 6.
Admission is $4 for adults, $3.50 for ages 5 to 17 years and free for children 4 and younger. Skate rental costs $2.
If the kids can skate without assistance, come out for Hamilton Center’s Spotlight Skates. Each is a 45-minute session scheduled from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and focuses on themed skills and techniques. Admission is $5 and includes skate rental.
Upcoming Spotlight Skates include:
- Dec. 31: Carnival day
- Jan. 2: Synchronized
skating
- Jan. 3: Hockey skills
- Jan. 4: Theater on ice
- Information: 376-2686.
Roll and splash
The Columbus Gymnastics Center and Foundation for Youth, 405 Hope Ave, is offering flip and dip sessions 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 2 and 4. Kids can spend the first hour “flipping” at Columbus Gymnastics Center’s open gym, and the second hour “dipping” in the pool at the FFY.
Admission is $6 per child with adult supervision. Space is limited. Reservations: 376-2545.
The Gymnastics Center will be closed for all classes and open gym sessions until Jan. 6. Winter Session 2 classes will begin and the open gym schedule will resume Jan. 7.
FFY programs & the registration desk will re-open on Jan. 2.
Days at the museum
Spend the afternoon exploring at the kidscommons, 309 Washington St. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Admission for regular programming is $6; free for museum members.
During winter break, the museum offers several special activities in addition to its regular schedule with special pricing:
- Noon Monday: Celebrate the arrival of 2013 early on New Year’s Eve by making a festive party hat and crafting your resolutions. Admission is $6; free for museum members.
- 1 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 3: “Snack Attack: Serious Snacks for a Healthy You.” Children ages 3 and older (and their parents) can make three good-for-you snacks. Take home a snack and recipes for everything you make during the afternoon. Admission is $30 per adult/child pair, $15 each additional person.
- 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 4: Free Family Fun Time. Explore a taste of India with crafts, music, food sampling and more. Admission is free.
- 1 to 5 p.m. Jan. 6: Drinking Straw Day. Celebrate the invention of the drinking straw with related arts and crafts. Admission is $6 for ages 18 months to adult.
Bring a new pair of mittens, a scarf or hat and receive $1 off museum admission (maximum $2 off per visitor) for each item now through Jan. 6. All donated items will go to the Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center and Orphan Grain Train.
Information: 378-3046.
Catch a flick
YES Cinema, 328 Jackson St., is offering reduced-cost matinees during winter break. Admission is $2 per person for the matinee and $3 per person for evening shows; price excludes concessions.
- Through Thursday: “Polar Express” (1:30, 4:30 and 7:01 p.m.).
- Friday to Jan. 4: “Frankenweenie.” Movie schedule to be determined; call 378-4937 for showtimes.
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