Kids On Extended Winter Break Find Creative Ways To Keep Busy

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- With no school again Monday and Tuesday in Minnesota, winter break just got a little longer. That little bit of panic set in for working parents: What to do with your kids?

Business was not as usual at Tunheim, a strategic communications firm in Bloomington.

"It was such a relief to hear our office say 'just bring your kids here. We'll have a kids snow day, it'll be fun," said Lou Ann Olson.

Tunheim allows its employees to work from home if they can, but Olson said being able to bring her kids into work, gave them a break from sitting at home. About a dozen kids spent the day at the office watching movies, playing games and hanging out.

"Our work area is on the other side of the building. We do have an adult here helping corral the chaos, but we are getting work done," she said. "We're very fortunate to have a president and CEO who's a working mom and understands the stress that comes along with that and understands more work is probably going to get done if the kids are here and we're able to be down the hall."

The Governor's early cancellation of school let parents plan ahead for Monday's cold day. It also gave companies an opportunity to bring in customers on a day when not many would be coming through the door. Indoor gyms and climbing walls were popular places to thaw out.

Vertical Endeavors rock climbing wall offered free gear to people looking for warm activity.

Nickelodeon Universe said since it's a fan of thrills, not chills, it's offering free rides until 9:30 p.m. Monday. Mall of America says it has had a big turnout, so families who do venture out will likely be waiting in lines.