Sand sculpture shark.
Photo courtesy of SMV

The Science Museum of Virginia boasts a display of huge sand sculptures created last June by three sculptors. Trouble is, the signs say Do Not Touch. Now is the time for those who just can’t stand keeping their hands out of the sand to dig in the beach area with plastic pails and shovels. You can get creative and create a small sand castle if you like - and you also may find buried treasures. Forgot your plastic shovel and pail? The museum has some available until they run out. Now about those statues… Most of the signs still say Do Not Touch and the barriers are up - but wait. Over by the smaller statue there is an area that allows you to get in line and touch a portion of the statue. There’s also a time lapse video the sculptors creating the sand statues. While you’re at the museum, visit the permanent exhibits Science Unplugged and Bioscape and watch the museum’s rats play basketball. 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. 800-659-1727.

Central Library screens the documentary Fre sh with special guest speaker Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms. The film, directed by Ana Sofia Joanes, celebrates the farmers, thinkers, and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Each has witnessed the rapid transformation of our agriculture into an industrial model, and confronted the consequences: food contamination, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, and morbid obesity. Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a future of our food and our planet. 201 E. Market St. 979-7151, ext. 211.

The Charlottesville High School Orchestra presents Peter and the Wolf, with Jamie Bernstein, composer Leonard Bernstein’s daughter. Plus catch the world premiere of Aesop’s Fables. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the fun and excitement of classical music with the entire family. MLK Jr. Performing Arts Center. Melbourne Rd. 245-2726.

Wild Things
PHOTO courtesy PVCC

PVCC’s Student Art Club sponsors Free Movie Friday on the big screen in the comfortable and spacious V. Earl Dickinson theatre. Today wild ones can watch Where the Wild Things Are. No tickets required. General seating. 501 College Dr. 961-5362.

Funcracker.
PHOTO courtesy of ABT

The Funcracker Variety Show, featuring an abridged Nutcracker, dancers, a vocalist, and violinist is a 1½-hour extravaganza for the whole family. This anti-blues, mid-winter holiday flavored production is presented by Albemarle Ballet Theatre and Studio for the Performing Arts  with the help of other artists. Proceeds from this family-oriented show will go to the “Dancing Off The Streets,” a need-based scholarship fund. One lucky child will win a Ballet Birthday Party valued at $500. Western Albemarle High School, Rt. 250 west in Crozet.

Winter wonderland.
PHOTO BY Linda J. Kobert

Young thespians ages 7 and under can act up at the library as they take a wondrous winter tale and create a magical snow scene to take home. No registration required.

January 16 at Crozet Library

January 25 at Central Library

February 3 at Gordon Avenue Library

Christmas cookies.
PHOTO BY Rochelle Hartman - Flickr

Revelers can come in out of the cold and celebrate the holidays at the Crozet Mudhouse where Chef Margot Diaz and Barista Amy Turnage spend the evening reading timeless Christmas stories and decorating cookies. Crozet Ave. 571-241-7210.

Trail walk.
PHOTO BY Linda J. Kobert

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

Nature at play.
PHOTO BY Aunt Owwee - Flickr

Kate White leads an afterschool program for families at Ivy Creek Natural Area where participants will play nature games, learn songs, do crafts and hear stories. Participants are expected to learn the songs so they can sing with the storyteller. Parents are strongly encouraged to play. This is a full family participation activity for families with children of all ages. Patterned after the invisible school of nature mentoring. Meet in the Education Center at Ivy Creek Natural Area. 1776 Earlysville Rd. 973-7772.

Trees in winter.
PHOTO BY Linda J. Kobert

Aspiring naturalists of all ages can learn to identify trees even in the dead of winter using bark, branching, seed, and other distinguishing characteristics. Ellen Powell of the Virginia Department of Forestry leads a winter walk in the Ragged Mountain Natural Area. Meet in the Ragged Mountain Natural Area parking lot. 1730 Reservoir Rd., off Fontaine Ave. 973-7772.

The red planet.
PHOTO BY Jason B - Flickr

Earthlings can get close to the planet Mars at Ivy Creek Natural Area. Charlottesville Astronomical Society will help you visit the red planet without leaving Earth. Following a short presentation in the Education Center on the recent discovery of Martian caves, we will view the sky from the open mowed area next to the barn. Bring your own telescope or look through the scopes set up by the Charlottesville Astronomical Society. Use low beam or red flashlights only. Dress for the weather. Cloudy skies will cancel this event. 1776 Earlysville Rd. 973-7772.

Bird in winter.
PHOTO BY Mike Baird - Flickr

Nicol Butters tells nature stories to toddlers, then helps them make tree decorations for the birds at Ivy Creek Natural Area. After making popcorn strings and peanut butter cones, they’ll trim the trees around the Education Center with them. Meet in the Education Center. 1776 Earlysville Rd. 973-7772.

Into the woods.
PHOTO BY Linda J. Kobert

Kids ages 9-13 who don’t have school today can come to Ivy Creek Natural Area to play. Youth in Nature Day is a day camp designed to introduce children to the natural world, explore a variety of habitats, teach outdoor safety and navigation, explore the history of Ivy Creek, and practice working with a field journal. Bring a lunch. Snack is provided. Registration is required. For more information or to sign up, download this form or call LoriAnne Barnett at 872-4580. ICNA is on Earlysville Rd. 973-7772.