Tibetan kids.
PHOTO courtesy of VDM

A mysterious land in the Himalayas, Tibet is known as the country that sits “on top of the world.” Explore the unique culture and traditions created by people who thrive in this extraordinary landscape of mountains and valleys at the Virginia Discovery Museum. Visit a nomads tent. Learn the many uses of yaks in the highlands. Try blanket weaving or trade goods in the bustling market. Listen to Tibetan music while you dress in traditional garb for the Losar Festival, celebrating the Tibetan lunar New Year. Explore the Buddhist altars where all Tibetans worship. This exhibit opens young eyes to a fascinating world that remains one of the most inaccessible and intriguing places in Asia today. At the east end of the Downtown Mall. 977-1025.

The Polar Express.
PHOTO courtesy of Warner Bros.

The Polar Express chugs into the Science Museum of Virginia’s IMAX theater for the holiday season. This new classic, based on the children’s book of the same title by Chris Van Allsburg, tells the story of a doubting boy who boards a magical train headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus’s home. 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. 804-864-1400.

Writing.
PHOTO BY Caitlinator - Flickr

Teens ages 13-18 interested in creative writing can join the club and get inspired at Crozet Library. This writing group is a chance to practice your skills, learn new techniques, read what other teen writers are working on, and hear helpful comments about your own writing. Drop-ins are always welcome. In the old train station on Three Notch’d Rd. 832-4050.

Virginia Discovery Museum.
PHOTO BY Linda J. Kobert

Starting today, actress and acting instructor Lana Young leads a 6-week acting class for aspiring performers ages 6-8 at the Virginia Discovery Museum. Children learn how to perform while exploring their imagination in a safe and fun environment. Fun and focused exercises teach children how to listen to their scene partners and build communication skills. They will learn basic stage technique, how to break down scripts, and how to find their objective as the character. The goal—teaching life skills through acting—is to build self-esteem and confidence while showing children how to find truth in a character. Registration required. On the east end of the Downtown Mall. 977-1025, ext. 9.

Virginia Discovery Museum.
PHOTO BY Linda J. Kobert

The Virginia Discovery Museum offers families a night out…for parents and kids. VDM’s Date Night Drop-off program for children ages 4-7 lets the kids enjoy crafts, games, pizza,carrots, a beverage, and lots of free time to play in the Museum, giving parents the chance to enjoy other things. Pre-registration is required. Space is limited to 12 children per week and will not run without a minimum of 4 children, so be sure to call to register before 5pm the Thursday before the program. Registrants will be notified by 5pm on the Thursday before the program if we need to cancel. Payment is due when child is dropped off for program. East end of the Downtown Mall. 977-1025, ext. 9.

McCormick Observatory.
File photo

The view is out of this world at Public Night at McCormick Observatory (weather permitting). UVA’s research telescopes on O-Hill will be pointed heavenward, and Astronomy Department staff and students will be on hand with a slide show and answers to starry questions. McCormick Rd. 243-1885.

Checkers.
PHOTO BY sciondriver - Flickr

Central Library is Game Central. Players in grades 6-12 can brush up their skills on their favorite game in Wii Sports, then show off their footwork in DDR. There’s Boggle, checkers, or try your luck with board games such as chess or Battleship. Snacks, too. No registration required. 201 E. Market St. 979-7151, ext. 3.

Here is the caption.
PHOTO BY BOB

Artist Abandon hosts a “Family Fun Art Party,” a two-hour painting workshop for families with children ages 6 and up. Emily Page-Steacy will walk participants through step-by-step instruction as they create their own original canvas. 8350 Faber Road, Faber, Va. 906-6210.

Amazement Square.
PHOTO courtesy of Amazement Square

Winter is the ideal time to view constellations, planets, and other celestial bodies in and beyond our solar system.
Wee ones and others can explore the inner workings of our own cosmic backyard and the mythology behind some constellations at Amazement Square’s “Starry, Starry Night.” Make your own star finder to help find constellations on your own throughout the year and, weather permitting, use them to sort out the stars at the museum. 27 Ninth St., Lynchburg. 434-845-1888.

Montpelier’s Big Woods.
PHOTO courtesy of the Montpelier Foundation

City folks can tour one of the last remaining old-growth forests in the East with a winter walk in the Big Woods at James Madison’s Montpelier. Staff lead the walk through the 200-acre old-growth forest that lies just beyond the back lawn of the mansion. Designated by the U.S. Department of Interior as a National Natural Landmark, the “Big Woods” is recognized as the best example of an old-growth forest in the Piedmont. 11407 Constitution Highway in Orange County. Reservations required. 540-672-2728, ext. 110.

The woods in winter.
PHOTO BY Linda J. Kobert

Hearty outdoor types can join a winter trail walk and discover the plants, fungi, insects, and animals that are visible in winter and learn how they are adapted to survival at Ivy Creek Natural Area. Meet at the kiosk next to the parking lot at the Ivy Creek Natural Area.  1776 Earlysville Rd./Route 743. 973-7772.

Teenage fans of Japanese anime can get a sneak preview of the latest releases and meet other enthusiasts at Northside Library’s Anime Club. There’s Japanese food, flicks, and lots of fun for kids in grades 6-12. Registration is recommended but not required. Albemarle Square. 973-7893.

Teens ages 9-12 can warm up your noggin with a new, made-with-your-own-hands fleece hat-no sewing skills required. Central Library has a variety of materials for you to design a cozy (and stylish) hat in this chilly weather workshop. Registration required. 201 E. Market St. 979-7151, ext. 3.

Bear in the woods.
PHOTO courtesy of RTF

Kids of all ages are invited to dress warmly and bring a favorite stuffed animal for a fun-filled hike on the Rivanna Trail with the Rivanna Trails Foundation. Discover how our city forests help real animals stay warm in winter. Meet at Riverview Park at the end of Chesapeake St. 964-1022.

Virginia Discovery Museum.
PHOTO BY Linda J. Kobert

Kids will have a chance to explore the infinite possibilities of all things steampunk at a Teacher Work Day workshop at the Virginia Discovery Museum. Kids ages 4-7 will make dirigibles and steampunk goggles to go with them. They will create metallic art, fantasize about the past and the future, and look at how technology changes through the ages. It’s a day of gears, gadgets and, most of all, good times. Registration required. On the east end of the Downtown Mall. 977-1025, ext. 9.

Virginia Discovery Museum.
PHOTO BY Linda J. Kobert

Guest instructor Lynn Campbell introduces kids ages 5-9 to Yogadoodle at the Virginia Discovery Museum. With this fusion of traditional yoga postures and creative expression, children learn postures to help experience their physical sense while exploring sight, sound, and stillness with their peers. Registration required. On the east end of the Downtown Mall. 977-1025, ext. 9.

Amazement Square.
PHOTO courtesy of Amazement Square

The idea of traveling through space has existed throughout history, but it was only in the 20th century that the idea truly came to life. Share these amazing discoveries as we explore the history and possibilities of space travel at Amazement Square. Use your imagination to design your own space shuttle. 27 Ninth St., Lynchburg. 434-845-1888.

The Charlottesville High School Orchestra presents Peter and the Wolf, a narrated musical tale designed to introduce children to the transporting sounds of the orchestra. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the fun and excitement of classical music with the entire family. Tickets can be purchased from any CHSO member, at both Greenberry’s and New Dominion Book Shop, and at the box office one hour before each performance.  MLK Jr. Performing Arts Center. Melbourne Rd. 245-2726.

Chess.
PHOTO BY DLKinney - Flickr

Northside Library hosts Game Night. Teens in grades 6-12 can  show their skills on Wii, PS2, and all the board games you can handle. Come for serious competition or to try new games. There are prizes for all, and snacks too. Registration is recommended, but not required. Albemarle Square. 973-7893.

Playing games.
PHOTO courtesy of Charlottesville Chess Club

Big kids can come unplugged and meet your neighbors at Gordon Avenue Library. We’ll have great board and card games on hand for casual play. Players of a certain age can come play the classics, learn some new ones, and make new friends, too. 1500 Gordon Ave. 296-5544.

Learn to Knit.
PHOTO BY Jackie - Flickr

Knitters, beaders, stitchers - come one, come all to Crozet Library. Crafty types ages 8-108 can bring any project you’re working on (or interested in learning) and join this fun group for an hour of handcrafting and sharing. As you work on your own project, we’ll highlight a variety of craft techniques, allowing you to explore and expand your interests and creativity. Registration is requested and is ongoing. Drop-ins are welcome. In the old train station on Three Notch’d Rd. 823-4050.

Race to Nowhere.
Publicity photo

Charlottesville High School PTO sponsors a screening of the nationally acclaimed documentary film Race to Nowhere at Martin Luther King Jr. Performing Arts Center. The film focuses on pressures faced by schoolchildren and their teachers in a culture obsessed with achievement, competition, and the pressure to perform and points to a silent epidemic in our schools: disengaged students, stress-related illness, depression and burnout, cheating, and young people arriving at college and the workplace unprepared or uninspired. A panel discussion with experts on education, child psychology, and college admissions will follow the screening. This film is for parents, educators, and anyone interested in children and education. Tickets can be purchased online at a discount, or at the door.1400 Melbourne Rd. 295-2676.

Old Michie Theatre presents an original interpretation of the famed Brothers Grimm tale, Snow White.  The performance combines masking, dance, and puppetry with a few twists and additions. 221 E. Water St. 977-3690.