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Community Corner

Winter Break: Ideas and Events

Keep the kids busy with this guide to special events happening between Christmas and New Year's Eve.

This year's winter break for the is from Dec. 23 to Jan. 2. With the weather dipping lower each day, it is easy for kids to get stir crazy in the house over break. Have no fear, Patch has put together a guide of events to keep kids busy during their time off from school.

Dec. 26 to Jan. 2: This holiday season means lots of entertainment at the movies. The Adventures of Tin Tin (PG), We Bought a Zoo (PG) and War Horse (PG-13) will each be released over winter break. For show times at the on Fort Couch Road, click here

Ice skating is a great way to stay active during the winter months. Luckily, South Park offers many skating sessions this season. The outdoor ice rink will be open from noon to 10 p.m. from Dec. 26 to 30 and Jan. 2 with half-hour breaks at 4 and 7 p.m. There will be special holiday hours from noon to 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children and senior citizen. 

Dec. 26 to Jan. 1: The National Aviary is hosting plenty of events this holiday season. Fleury, a one year-old Snowy Owl will perform in the starting at noon on Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. This show will have audiences singing along to traditional carol songs. The show also features free-flight bird appearances while learning lesser known bird trivia, including why Santa chose reindeer instead of penguins to fly his sleigh. General admission to the Aviary is $13 for adults; $12 for seniors; and $11 for children ages 2 to 12. Children under 2 are admitted free. Tickets to the Holiday Bird Show are an additional $5 per person.

Find out what's happening in Peterswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Dec. 26 to 30: in McMurray is offering a on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. These holiday camps are three hours long and give parents some time to run errands, shop or just relax. The program will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday; 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Monday; and 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday. The camps start at $35 for one camp and the more you do, the more the discount! Call 724-941-0100 to register your child.

Dec. 26: The Harlem Globetrotters are coming to the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh. This is you don’t want to miss this winter break. The Globetrotters will introduce a class of newcomers, highlighted by the “Tallest Pro Basketball Player,” the “Shortest Globetrotter Ever” and the “Team's First Female in 19 years!” The entertainment begins at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $20.75. Click here to purchase tickets.

Dec. 28: The in Canonsburg is offering a day learning over winter break. Lango Pittsburgh will teach a free Mandarin demo class from 3 to 3:30 p.m. and a free Spanish demo class from 4 to 4:30 p.m. Call 412-298-2013 or click here to register.

Dec. 29: The Mt. Lebanon Ice Center is holding a special for preschool- through kindergarten-aged children accompanied by at least one adult on skates and siblings of the pre-school and kindergarten aged child. This special event runs from 9 to 11 a.m. The cost is $4.25 per person including the skate rental.

Dec. 31: This New Year’s Eve, the Pittsburgh Zoo will have a for the whole family! The event starts at 11 a.m. and features a “countdown to noon” with a ball drop. Guests will get to sign the New Year's ReZOOlution banner and dance silly with Radio Disney! The cost is $10 for adults, and $9 for children and seniors. Click here to purchase tickets in advance.

Find out what's happening in Peterswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Another family-friendly New Year’s Eve idea is at the . Activities run from 6 to 10 p.m. and include skating, soccer, face painting, dodge ball and much more! The cost is $8 per person if tickets are purchased in advance and $10 the day of the event. For advance tickets, call 24-745-6666 ext 200.

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