5 Things for Families

Tomorrow is 2015, and approximately none of us have those flying cars we were promised. Here are some family-friendly activities to soften the blow. I guess.

December 31, 2014; 9:41 AM • by Valerie Catrow

1. RVA Winter Puppetfest

Puppets Off Broad Street’s RVA Winter Puppetfest closes up shop this weekend, so you best get your sweet bippies down there. They’ve got two shows to choose from: Little Red & the Ginger Bread Man on Friday and Squirrel Stole My Underpants on Saturday. Both are recommended for ages three and up.

• Friday, January 2nd and Saturday, January 3rd • shows at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM
• Richmond Triangle Players, 1300 Altamont Avenue
• $10 (service fees do apply)

2. CMoR’s New Year’s Eve Bash

Sometimes I think it would be fun to keep our son up until midnight to officially ring in the New Year. But then I remember that I’m not crazy. All Children’s Museum of Richmond’s locations will host a “Countdown to Noon” (including a juice box toast) with story times, contests, and character appearances.

• Wednesday, December 31st • 10:00 AM — 1:00 PM
• All CMoR locations
• Free with admission ($8; free for members and kids under 1)

3. New Year’s Eve Family Frolic

If you prefer your family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebrations to take place outdoors, head over to Lewis Ginter for a live concert from the Ululating Mummies, a chance to make a New Year’s hat, photo pops with the Garden Keeper and Butterfly Fairy, and more. You’ll also get to take part in “Rolling in the New Year” with a big group roll down the hill into the Rose Garden. Bonus: those who are already in the Garden for the Family Frolic are welcome to stay for Dominion GardenFest of Lights from 5:00 to 10:00 PM.

• Wednesday, December 31st • 2:00 — 5:00 PM
• Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue
• Free with admission ($12 for adults; $8 for kids; free for members and kids under 3)

4. Cine Classics: Back to the Future

Our kid is still a little young for this one, which is a total bummer because I plan to judge his sense of humor based solely on his reaction to this scene:

• Saturday, January 3rd and Sunday, January 4th • 11:00 AM (doors open at 10:30 AM)
• Movieland, 1301 N. Boulevard
• $5.50

5. RVA on Ice

You know that line from “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas” that goes “And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again”? Yeah. Most of us are probably right about there. Thankfully, RVA on Ice’s powers-that-be did us a solid and are keeping the rink open right through that last bitty-bit of winter break. Use it!

• Open through Sunday, January 4th • see website for hours
• 6th and Broad Streets
• $5 admission (kids under 5 are free); $5 skate rental ($3 for kids)

December 31, 2014 9:41 AM 0