Christmas is over, but School District 57 students don’t return to classes until Jan. 3.
If your kids are bouncing off the walls, or glued to their devices, here are 10 fun things to do with them to this week in Prince George (in no particular order).
SLEDDING
Prince George has gotten a dump of fresh snow, and the weather has warmed up, so it’s a perfect time to check out the city’s Top 5 sledding hills, as voted by Citizen readers.
Sledding is free, fun, active and gets kids outside. What’s not to like?
GO TO THE LIBRARY
Are video games and TV turning your kids’ brains to mush? Get their noses into a good book instead.
The Prince George Public Library reopens on Wednesday (Dec. 28) and is open regular hours until Friday (Dec. 30). Both branches are open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, and are closed New Year’s Day and Jan. 2.
Pick up some books to bring home, and check out the aquarium and games at the Bob Harkins branch downtown.
While libraries are normally quite places, the Bob Harkins branch will be throwing a free, all-ages New Year’s party on Friday from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. complete with disco balls, dance tunes and glow sticks.
On Jan. 3, bring your Oompa Loompas to the Bob Harkins and Nechako branches during regular hours and search the junior and teen fiction collections for a golden ticket, inspired by Roald Dahl’s classic kids tale, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The tickets can be redeemed at the library front counter for a fun surprise.
SKATING
Indoor public skating is available at the Kopar Memorial Arena (the arena formerly known as the Coliseum) and the Elksentre this week.
The Kopar Memorial Arena is open for public skating on Tuesday (Dec. 27) from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. this week, and on Friday (Dec. 30) from 4:30 p.m .to 5:45 p.m. The Elksentre is open Friday (Dec. 30) for public skating from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
More information on costs and a full schedule is available here.
The Prince George Ice Oval was closed as of Tuesday, but the society hopes to reopen the oval for its regular hours as of Wednesday. Check out the society’s website for the latest information.
And, of course, many neighbourhood outdoor rinks have been flooded and are available.
EXPLORE THE EXPLORATION PLACE
The Exploration Place museum and science centre has completed its renovations and is open.
The Exploration Place is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily over the holidays (including Jan. 1), except on Thursdays when it stays open until 8 p.m.
On Thursday (Dec. 29), kids can learn all about electricity using conductive and insulating Play Dough. The Exploration Place is hosting two sessions of Squishy Circuits from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 3 p.m .to 4 p.m. The sessions are free with a membership or paid admission, but participants need to pre-register by emailing education@theexplorationplace.com.
SWIMMING
The Prince George Aquatic Centre and Canfor Leisure Pool are open regular hours from Tuesday (Dec. 27) to Friday (Dec. 30). Both pools close at 7 p.m. on Dec. 31.
The Aquatic Centre is closed on Jan. 1, and the Canfor Leisure Pool will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on New Year’s Day.
If you haven’t checked out the new pool yet, now is the perfect time. The NinjaCross course will be open 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, during the school holiday, and the waterslide is open all non-instructional days and school holidays.
The river jets and hot tub jets at the pool are out of order, according to the city’s website.
CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS
The Central B.C. Railway and Forestry Museum’s Celebration of Lights is open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily, from Tuesday (Dec. 27) to Friday (Dec. 30).
More than 150,000 lights and light displays have been set up throughout the museum to wander and explore.
The annual event is the museum’s biggest fundraiser of the year. The Cottonwood Railway mini-train is running and hot chocolates, smores and snacks are available.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING
Strap on the cross-country skis or snowshoes and go explore the winter wonderland around Prince George.
Forests for the World and Moore’s Meadow are great local destinations for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
In addition, the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
The club has trails, including dog-friendly trails, for skiing and snowshoeing and offers equipment rentals and lessons for beginners.
CANDY CANE LANE
Just because Christmas is over doesn’t mean the lights are off at Prince George’s iconic Candy Cane Lane.
Walk or drive through the festive displays in the area near Upland Street, between Wilson Crescent, McKenzie Avenue and Aitken Crescent, until Jan. 5.
Be sure to stop and get a fun family photo at the selfie stations, and maybe a free hot chocolate and snack as well.
WATCH A HOCKEY GAME
The Prince George Cougars host the Kamloops Blazers at CN Centre on New Year’s Eve.
The puck drops at 6 p.m. and tickets start at $10.
The Prince George Spruce Kings are on the road, playing a double-header against the Wenatchee Wild on Dec. 30 and Dec. 31 starting at 7:05 p.m. and 5:05 p.m. Have a watch party at home by streaming the games online.
DOWNHILL SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING
For downhill skiers and snowboarders, the Hart Ski Hill is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily until Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
Purden Ski Village is expected to be open 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily, including New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Do you have your own suggestions for fun family activities over the holiday break? Share them in the comment section below.
