Winter Break Guide: Here's how to keep the kids busy for the next two weeks

Here are some ways to stay busy and stay safe when even virtual school is shut down.

Posted 2:00 a.m. Dec 21, 2020 — Updated 4:52 p.m. Dec 23, 2020

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

, Go Ask Mom editor

Winter break is here, and as I look through past Winter Break Guides, I'm getting a little nostalgic for years when there was, you know, no pandemic.

But here we are, wrapping up 2020 and looking for ways to celebrate the holidays and, if you're lucky, to enjoy some downtime with your families. So here are some ways to stay busy and stay safe when even virtual school is shut down.

Santa Visits

He is sitting for pictures and visits, but with face masks, social distancing and plexiglass. We have the details about where you can find the big guy through Dec. 24.

Holiday Light Shows

We have lots of them across the region, and some run even past Christmas day. Check our holiday light post for details. And let's add Piper Lights in Wake Forest and Holidays in the Hills at Shakori Hills Community Arts Center in Pittsboro to the list.

Holiday lights: Guide to the best big Christmas light displays across the Triangle and North Carolina

And if you're looking for homegrown Christmas light displays, check out this collaboration between a Durham-based app and a local Christmas light fan, who has curated a big list of them.

Museums

Museums are open, but with new safety measures, such as requirements for social distancing and face masks. Many also have revised hours and require visitors to schedule their times in advance. Here's when they are open:

Marbles Kids Museum: Closed Dec. 24 and Dec. 25. Open for special holiday hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 21 and Dec. 22. Otherwise, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Timed tickets purchased in advance are required.
N.C. Museum of Art: The museum will be closed Dec. 23 through Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Otherwise, hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Free timed tickets required.
N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences: Closed Dec. 24, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Otherwise, the downtown Nature Exploration Center is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays. Reserved, timed tickets are no longer required, but the museum is restricting guests inside to ensure social distancing. (Note that the museum's Nature Research Center is closed, likely through the end of the year.)
N.C. Museum of History: Closed Dec. 24, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m., Sunday. Timed tickets not required.
Museum of Life and Science: Closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Hours are usually 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. But it will have special holiday hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 21, Dec. 22, Dec. 28 and Dec. 29. It also will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. Advanced tickets required.
Kidzu Children's Museum: The museum is open with special hours for members and private rentals. See the website for details.

North Carolina Zoo

The zoo in Asheboro is open daily except on Dec. 25. You will need to purchase a timed ticket for entry. You'll be able to see lots of animals, of course. The zoo's Kidzone, Garden Friends and Gorilla Playgrounds also are open.

Candy Land in the Garden

A life-size version of Candy Land is open in downtown Clayton through Jan. 4. It's free.

Play a life-size version of Candy Land in downtown Clayton

Illuminate Art Walk

Through Jan. 8, downtown Raleigh shops will be hosting an Illuminate Art Walk. Some 19 installations can be found in different storefronts. More information is on the Downtown Raleigh Alliance's website.

Nutcracker on WRAL

If your family is like my family, missing seeing The Nutcracker in person during the holidays, mark your calendars for 7 p.m., Dec. 25. Through a partnership with WRAL, the Carolina Ballet will offer a special version of the classic. Encore performances are scheduled through the holiday season.

WRAL, Carolina Ballet partner for 'Nutcracker' broadcast on Christmas

Take the Kids

Before the pandemic, we'd feature places to take kids each Friday. Because we're encouraged to stay socially distanced from others and it's trickier to get out and about, it's not a weekly feature for now. But check out some of our recent Take the Kids features for some ideas for the break. Be sure to double check hours as they may have changed since the destination was featured.