5 Things to Do With the Kids During School Vacation

So the holidays came and went and all the presents are unwrapped. Now you have a house full of kids and an unscheduled week. Here are five family-friendly activities around the area that could help the kids stay out of trouble, save your sanity and help you all have some fun:

• Go ice skating! Burbank Ice Arena in Reading has open skating: Monday, 1-2:50 p.m.; Tuesday, 1:15-2:50 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, 1-2:50 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for students and seniors. On Dec. 31, you can skate into 2011 at Burbank Arena's New Year's Eve Dash, from 6-8 p.m. The event comes complete with face painting, a balloon drop at 7:30, and a Sierra Mist toast! Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for students. For more information call 781-942-2271.

• More ice skating. Tuesday, North Reading Youth Services is hosting a trip to the Frog Pond in Boston for a day of outdoor skating. You will meet up at the Reading train station at 8:15 a.m. and be home by 4:15 p.m. The cost is $25. For more information, call 978-357-5281.

• Between Tuesday and Thursday, the is offering drop-in classes for high school and middle school students. Warm up chilly bones in introductory yoga, pilates, Zumba and dance fitness classes. The prices range from $15 for all three days, $10 a day for two pre-registered days and $14 per class to drop in. A portion of the proceeds will benefit North Reading Youth Services. For more information call 508-633-9460, or e-mail colleenkelleher@verizon.net.

• On Wednesday, venture into Boston to the Museum of Fine Arts to hear children's book author and illustrator E.S. Redmond bring her award winning book, Felicity Floo Visits the Zoo to life from 1-1:30 p.m. The MFA also has ongoing Friday morning play dates for toddlers and other free family-friendly activities. 
• On Thursday, head over to North Reading Youth Service's Holiday Brunch at the Recreation Building. There will be pancakes, eggs and breakfast sandwiches served from 9-11:30 a.m. The cost is $3 per person. For more information call 978-357-5281. 

And here are some suggestion for inexpensive at-home activities: bake cookies, cut out snowflakes and hang them on your tree, draw holiday cards, read Dr. Suess' The Grinch Who Stole Christmas out loud and make hot chocolate or hot apple cider.