Breaks from winter break (Dec. 27-Jan. 5)

As I watched the garbage truck’s slow progress down an alley of overflowing Dumpsters this morning, I got to thinking that, frustrating as trash haulers and recycling truck drivers have it the week after Christmas, it’s we parents who really suffer!  We’re trying to catch up on all the things we put off to make the holidays magical for the kids … and they want us to play their new games and toys with them.  And yes, my parents are here to share the burden, but to be honest, I think my dad really needs a nap!

So I’ll make this a quick post today:  Take those cooped-up kids over to either the Winter Getaway at the Missouri History Museum or the Wacky Winter Workshop at the Saint Louis Science Center for programs specially designed to cure any child’s post-holiday malaise.

Winter Getaway is a week of readings, concerts,films, theater performances and workshops, with a major emphasis on penguins.  Starting tomorrow (Dec. 27) and running until Jan. 2, the getaway has midday activities lined up for a variety of ages and interests.  Our longtime favorite Babaloo will be there Tuesday (Dec. 30) at 10:30 a.m., and his shows are always great fun for kids under 8 or so, while some of the dramas and tours will be more interesting for older children.  There’s a full schedule on the Winter Getaway brochure online, or just show up around 10 a.m. (admission is free) and discover what’s in store that day.

Over at the Science Center’s Wacky Winter Workshop, from now until Jan. 5, kids can build their ideal holiday decoration using eco-friendly materials.  “Ideal,” of course, lies in the mind of the creator, so there’s no telling what your young designers will come up with.  (I know from personal experience they can get pretty wild ideas when faced with a big piece of recycled stuff — right now we’re collecting items to put into our very own snow globe, using the tank of an old humidifier.  If anyone has any leads on tiny plastic snowflakes, let me know!)

The project is free, but if you’re desperate enough to start paying to have your kids entertained over break, the Science Center also offers Holidazed Day Camps for kids in grades 1 to 6 (remaining dates are Dec. 29, 30 and 31 and Jan. 2 and 5).  For details on those, call 314.289.4439.

As you probably  know, admission to the Science Center is free but parking is $8 per car in the lots to the south of the complex.  There are also a couple of smaller free lots and free street parking over in Forest Park, on the north side of the construction project that used to be Interstate 64.