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4 Things To Do: Winter Break Fun For Kids

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Public schools across the Twin Cities are giving students a full two weeks off over winter break. Are you looking for some fun activities to try this winter vacation?

WCCO This Morning's Ali Lucia came up with a to-do list for you and your children. She visited with mother of four Gianna Kordansky, who runs her own website called Family Fun Twin Cities along with two other mothers. Her children range from age 4 to 9. It was house full of relatives looking for activities to pass the time one holiday that inspired the website launch.

"We live in a super tiny house, and one year over the winter break I was thinking to myself there has to be something to do, but was looking online and I couldn't find anything," Kordansky said.

She came up with her own list of four things to do over holiday break.

Snow Tubing

While playing in the snow with her kids, Kordansky recommended snow tubing if you're looking to take on the outdoors full speed at Elm Creek Park Reserve.

"They've got channels for you throw your tube down, I'm excited to try that," she said when Lucia interviewed her after the first major snowfall of the year.

While there's not much snow on the ground now, it's a bit too soon to rule out the possibility for some flakes during the holiday break.

Libraries

As for a pit stop indoors, Kordansky recommended visiting a local library. There are over 100 in the Twin Cities.

Museums

"Museums are really great. My favorite is the Minneapolis Institute of Art," Kordansky said.

The Minneapolis Institute of Art turns 100 in 2015. To check out some of the events MIA is hosting over the break:

-- "Winterlights: Celebrating the Season," a light show that celebrates a wide variety of holidays celebrated in December.
-- Purcell-Cutts House, the museum offers free shuttles.
-- "Italian Style: Fashion Since 1945." The exhibit is not free, but is quite the sight; from Prada to Gucci, you can see all different kinds of styles on display. The exhibit runs until Jan. 4.

Additionally, the Children's Museum can get pretty busy over holiday break. Kordansky suggested waiting until after break to pay a visit. The museum is closed on Mondays.

DIY Bird Feeder

If you're want to try something crafty at home, Kordansky gave Lucia her directions for an at-home bird feeder. You'll need:

  • 1 small packet of Knox plain gelatin. Four come in a box; we only used one.
  • 3/4 cup boiling water
  • 1/4 cup cold water
  • 1 pound of wild birdseed

Mix gelatin and water together until dissolved. Mix in one pound of wild bird seed, just a little at a time, until it's pretty hard to stir.

Set old, unused cookie cutters on wax paper and fill with seed mixture, packing it in.

Put the seed cakes in the freezer to harden for the day. Take it out of freezer, remove the wax paper, and put it outside on the bird feeder or on your deck railing with the cookie cutter and all. Wait for the birds to come and enjoy.

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