Holiday Light Displays in Connecticut, various locations
If you haven’t had the chance to check out one of the holiday light events in Conn., now is the perfect time since many are still open until the start of January. Take a leisurely drive through sparkling lights and you'll hear your kids say "ooh!" and "ahh!"

Family Friendly Museums in Connecticut, various locations
The weather outside may be frightful, but if you make a visit to your local museum, you can stay warm and toasty. There are many great museums in Hartford County. Many will have special hours or events during the holidays.

Teen Game Day, Avon
Need your teen to shut off screens for a little bit? Tuesday, December 23, kids in grades 7-12 are welcome to drop in to the Avon Free Public Library for Teen Game Day from 3 - 4:30.  p.m. Small and large group games and they hand out candy for participation!

Avon Free Public Library, 281 Country Club Road, Avon, CT 06001 860-673-9712

Little Green Tambourine, Canton
This special little place is offering several programs including: Christmas Eve Camp on Dec. 24, Winter Break cooking camp on Dec.29, Winter Break Science Camp on Dec. 30 and a New Year's Eve Party on Dec. 31 from 10 a.m. -12 p.m.

Little Green Tambourine, 166 Albany Turnpike, Suite 3, Canton, CT 06019 860-352-5504

Northwest Park's Wonderful Wildlife Camp, Windsor
This full-day program is offered to kids in grades 1 - 6 and offers hands-on activities, crafts and games and lots of time spent in nature. The program runs Dec. 27 through the 30, from 9 am. to 4 p.m.

Northwest Park, 145 Lang Road, Windsor, CT 06095 860-285-1886

New Britain Museum of American Art, New Britain
NBMAA offers many great classes and their Co-Create Art Adventures program will be running on Dec, 27, 28 and 29.  The art topics will include Winter Wonderland Recycled, 'Dori-gami' and 'Loretta's Luminous Mobiles.' Pre-registration is recommended. Runs from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Ages 6 and up.

NBMAA, 56 Lexington Street, New Britain, CT 06052 860-229-0257

Stew Leonard's, Newington
Stew Leonard's comes through again with great little cooking classes for kids. This year they are offering New Year's appetizer parties. They will offer toddler classes as well as classes for kids ages 6-12. Let’s celebrate the New Year by whipping up some of our favorite appetizers, including layered taco dip, mini-pizza bites, Swedish meatballs, loaded potato skins, and cheesy garlic crescent bombs.

Stew Leonard's, 3475 Berlin Tpke, Newington, CT 06111 860-760-8170

Simsbury Public Library Magic Show, Simsbury
Wednesday, December 28 the library will offer a fun Magic Show performed by David Reed-Brown for ages 3 and up. The magic show will be for one hour, from 2 p.m. to 3 pm.

Simsbury Public Library, 725 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury, CT 06070 860-658-7663

Roaring Brook Nature Center, Canton
How about camp in Winter?  'Explorations in Winter' will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Dec 27. and 28 and 9 a.m. to 3:30 pm. on the 29 and 30. Pre-registration required.

70 Gracey Rd, Canton, CT 06019 (860) 693-0263

Roaring Brook Nature Center, Canton
Would you like to sit down to a light breakfast with Elsa and Anna?  Breakfast begins at 10:30 followed by a story time at 11:30. Crafts and scavenger hunt until 3pm. Cost: $6 children & adults  New Year's Eve morning (Dec. 31).

70 Gracey Rd, Canton, CT 06019 (860) 693-0263

New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, Windsor Locks
NEAM has a week long series of special activities from December 26 to Dec, 30.  Topics and special activities will include Aviation Art, Aero-modeling, and rocket balloons.  These special events will be offered with a paid entrance to the museum from 10 a.m to 2 p.m.

NEAM, 36 Perimeter Rd., Windsor Locks, CT, 860-623-3305

Windsor Art Center, Windsor
WOW Art Camp will be held December 26 to December 30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students will have a full-day of programming including drawing, painting, collage and sculpture.

WAC, 40 Mechanic Street, Windsor CT 06095 860-688-2528

The Children's Museum, West Hartford
The museum is offering a full week full of programming in fhe sciences for your kids from December 26 to January 2.  They can learn about all sorts of topics including: animals, science and space. Children in grades 1-6.  Pre-registration is required.  Offered 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Children's Museum, 950 Trout Brook Drive, West Hartford, CT 06119 860.231.2824

Connecticut Science Center, Hartford
So many different science themes and topics for kids to learn about during Conn. Science Center's winter vacation camp.  Choose from Solstice Celebration, Snowball Earth, Green Mission, Pixelmania and Magic School Bus. Classes Run Dec. 27-29 and Jan. 16.

Conn. Science Center, 250 Columbus Blvd Hartford, CT 06103 860-724-3623

Wethersfield Historical Society, Wethersfield
Kids in grades 1-8 are invited to come to the Keeney Kids History program on Tuesday, December 27 and Wednesday, December 28, 2016. They will play games, do activities and tour local historical homes from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wethersfield Hist. Society, 150 Main Street, Wethersfield, CT 06109, (860) 529-7656

Photo Courtesy: Little Green Tambourine