So the good news is, the kids are home from school for Christmas break.
The bad news is ... well, the kids are home from school for Christmas break.
Fortunately for local families, there's plenty to do over the holiday season even once the pre-Christmas rush has passed.
Here are a few ideas:
* Check out Burnaby Village Museum: The village is once again hosting its Illuminations at Heritage Christmas festivities, ongoing until Jan. 2 - it's only closed Dec. 24 and 25. It's open daily from 1 to 9 p.m., and each day offers a long list of entertainment and activities to appeal to people of all ages. Of course, highlights will always be a visit to Father Christmas and a ride on the heritage carousel - and, of course, a treat in the ice cream parlour. Burnaby Village is at 6501 Deer Lake Ave. Check out www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca for all the details.
* Visit the Burnaby Art Gallery: The gallery is hosting its ongoing exhibition All Is Unmentionable, Up in the Air, featuring the abstract work of Eli Bornowsky. The gallery, at 6344 Deer Lake Ave., is open by donation (suggested donation is $5), and it's open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. See www.burnabyartgallery.ca or call 604-297-4422 for all the details.
* Visit your local library: With four branches - Tommy Douglas (7311 Kingsway), McGill (4595 Albert St.), Bob Prittie (6100 Willingdon Ave.) and Cameron (9523 Cameron St. - there's a Burnaby Public Library location near you. Not only can your family spend some time happily browsing for the latest in reading materials, there are also special events. Among the highlights: a free family movie screening of Mary Poppins at Tommy Douglas on Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. There's also a Lego Club at Tommy Douglas for kids aged five to 12, running Fridays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. - there's a session on Jan. 2. Check out www.bpl.bc.ca for all the details of what's happening over the holidays.
* Get arty: Kids of all ages can get their hands on some art during Winter Camp options at 4Cats Art Studio in Capitol Hill (www.4cats.com/capitolhill) or South Burnaby (www.4cats.com/SouthBurnaby). Camps are offered on a number of themes and at a number of times - check the websites for the full schedules and course availability. There are also Winter Break Arts Camp offerings, with both full- and half-day options, at Artspace Children’s Art Centre in North Burnaby (www.artspaceforchildren.com). See the website or call 778-989-9051.
* New Year's Skate: The whole family is invited to take part in a special skating session on Jan. 1 at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre, 3676 Kensington Ave., with ice skating, face painting, crafts and games. It runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Regular admission and rental rates apply. Call 604-297-4521 for more details.
* Go for a skate: On the subject of skating, there are plenty of chances for your family to get onto the ice at city arenas this holiday break. Special holiday schedules are in effect over the break. Among the offerings are Loonie Skates at the Kensington Complex on Dec. 22 (6:30 to 8 p.m.) and Dec. 29 (1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre on Dec. 24 (10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.). There's a New Year's Eve public skate at Kensington from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., and there are couple of family skates - Dec. 21 at Bill Copeland (2:15 to 4:15 p.m.) and Dec. 28 at Kensington (2:15 to 4:15 p.m.). Or you can enjoy Family Hockey - Dec. 21, 4:30 to 5:30 at Bill Copeland, or Dec. 28, 4:30 to 5:30 at Kensington. See www.burnaby.ca/skating for all the details.
* Go for a swim: Special holiday schedules are in effect at city recreation facilities, but there's still plenty of opportunity for folks of all ages to take to the water over the Christmas break. Check out www.burnaby.ca/swimming for all the details.
* Take a hike: If Mother Nature cooperates (or even if she doesn't - that's what rubber boots and rain gear are for!), then get outside and enjoy some of Burnaby's amazing outdoor destinations. Burnaby Mountain, Burnaby Lake, Deer Lake, Burnaby Fraser Foreshore Park and Barnet Marine Park are just a few of the possible places to commune with nature in the heart of the city. Find out all about the city's parks and trails at tinyurl.com/BurnabyOutdoors.
* Enjoy Mochitsuki celebrations at the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre: This traditional end-of-year Japanese celebration, complete with mochi pounding, mochi tasting, mochi and manju sales and other foods and goodies, is on Monday, Dec. 29 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 6688 Southoaks Cres. Check out nikkeiplace.org for all the details.
Do you have another holiday idea for local families? Send your event and activity suggestions to [email protected].
