Winter Break Guide: 16 ideas to get you out of the house when school's out

Winter Break is nearly here for thousands of kids across the Triangle. And while Christmas, for most, will be top of mind as they set down their backpacks for a couple of weeks, let's admit that those shiny new toys also will get a little tiresome after a few days at home.

Posted 2:00 a.m. Dec 19, 2018 — Updated 2:00 a.m. Dec 19, 2018

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

, Go Ask Mom editor

So, if at some point during Winter Break, you expect that you'll be ready to get out of the house, here are 16 events, activities and opportunities across the Triangle.

Our Body: The Universe Within, Triangle Town Center

This popular exhibit at the Raleigh mall opened back in October and is scheduled through at least March. Dubbed an "eye-opening and educational exhibit" that features actual human bodies, the exhibit reveals the "inner workings of the human body by showcasing actual human bodies, anatomical displays, reproductions of historic anatomical artwork and more," according to the press release, and has drawn crowds around the world.

Tickets are $17. Students, seniors, military personnel and family and kids ages five to 14 can attend for $15 each. Kids four and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online in advance. It is closed on Dec. 25, but open other days, including Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, according to its website.

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Chinese Lantern Festival, Booth Amphitheatre

Now in its fourth year, the festival at Booth Amphitheatre in Cary runs through Jan. 13 and is open daily through Winter Break, including Dec. 24, Dec. 25, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. The display features more than 20 new displays, each one comprised of hundreds of parts and thousands of lights. The Chinese cultural performances also are not to be missed. Tickets are $10 for ages 3 to 17 and $15 for ages 18 and up.

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary. Opening night November 20, 2018. The festival run November 23, 2018 - January 13, 2019. The lanterns are lit with over 15,000 LED lights, they are created by hand with silk fabric stretched over steel frames.

Photo credit: Suzie Wolf

Holiday Light Shows

We have lots of great holiday light shows around here, and many stay open after Christmas. They include Meadow Lights in Benson, Lake Myra Christmas Lights in Wendell, Hill Ridge Farms in Youngsville and Piper Lights in Wake Forest. Our popular post listing 11 spectacular holiday light displays across the region and North Carolina has the details.

Hill Ridge Farms' annual light show is open nightly through Dec. 31 in Youngsville. Courtesy: Hill Ridge Farms

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Duke Energy Center

I got to see this show in Raleigh again this season and, again, absolutely loved it for its faithfulness to the Christmas TV special and because it's absolutely perfect for families with young kids. Shows run through Dec. 24. Tickets start at $15. It takes place at the Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh.

Carolina Ballet's Nutcracker

My family sees this every year, and every year it's absolutely magical. The Carolina Ballet's Nutcracker runs through Dec. 30 this year. You'll find it at the Duke Energy Center in Raleigh through Dec. 23. It will pick back up at the Durham Performing Arts Center from Dec. 29 to Dec. 30.

Harlem Globetrotters at PNC Arena

These amazing athletes and performers will have one show - at 6 p.m., Dec. 30 - at the PNC Arena. Tickets start at $18.

New Year's Eve events for little ones

From First Night Raleigh's children's celebration to Night Lights at Morehead Planetarium, the region has a few family-friendly opportunities to ring in the new year.

3 family-friendly ways to ring in 2020 in Raleigh

First Day Hikes

After a month of celebrations, start 2019 on a more healthful note at organized First Day Hikes at parks across the region. Local and state parks are offering lots of options for everyone - from families with teeny hikers to families with more experienced ones. Some do require pre-registration, so make your plans now if you'd like to attend.

Take a Hike: Parks in Raleigh, across North Carolina plan 'First Day' hikes

Marbles Kids Museum's new exhibits

If you haven't been to Marbles in downtown Raleigh in the last year, there are lots of reasons to visit during break. In 2018, Marbles unveiled several new play spaces, including the outdoor Color Pop Corner, Piece Out, Polar Play and Hit the Trail and a revamped TreeTunes that includes a giant banjo.

The new play piece is part of the revamped TreeTunes exhibit at the downtown Raleigh museum.

N.C. Museum of Art exhibits

When extended family is in town, I like to head over to the N.C. Museum of Art for a walk around its outdoor park and to explore its free exhibits, which includes a small one that features absolutely beautiful photos of science and innovation courtesy of researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill.

You also can check out "The Beyond: Georgia O'Keeffe and Contemporary Art," a ticketed exhibit that explores the work of the revolutionary artist.

Museum of Life and Science's Science in the Lab

The Durham museum always is a popular destination, and it has some special holiday-themed activities in its lab through Jan. 28. They run 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., weekends. Themes include snow science, ice skating physics, arctic architecture and winter animals. Activities are free with admission, which is $20 for adults and $15 for kids ages 3 to 12.

Model Trains at Raleigh's Union Station

The North Raleigh Model Railroad Club has a fun display on view on weekends through Dec. 30 at Raleigh Union Station. Kids love checking out the N-scale display, following the trains and exploring the teeny tiny scenes that are created throughout. It's free!

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North Carolina's natural science and history museums

In downtown Raleigh, you get a twofer of free state museums where families can spend hours of time. The natural sciences museum, of courses, offers lots of free daily programs and some ticketed 3D movies. The history museum offers plenty of diversions too, including a very popular exhibit on World War I.

Outdoor Playground Visits

We are so lucky to have so many playgrounds around here. This year, I featured some new and older ones, including Apex's new train-themed playground, Raleigh's Forest Ridge Park and Raleigh's Halifax Park. For other great playgrounds, check out this post that lists 10 playgrounds worth the drive.