Kids and teens in Muscogee County won’t return to their classrooms until Jan. 10.
Until then it’s up to parents and relatives to find fun and educational activities to prevent boredom and encourage learning.
Here are some local treasures that are free or inexpensive that can help families have a enriching winter break.
The Columbus Museum
The museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, has several exhibits that are perfect for family viewing and a children’s room where kids can play while they learn.
The museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today. Holiday weekend hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. The museum is closed Sunday and Monday. Next week, the museum returns to regular hours, which are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday; it’s closed Mondays.
If you haven’t seen the exhibit, “Slow Cadence: A Multi-Media Exhibition,” you better hurry. It closes Saturday. The exhibit explores how elements of speech affect people’s lives and the relationship between Southerners and their land.
Another exhibit, “To Remember a Vanishing World: The Photographs of D.L. Hightower,” features photographs taken between 1930 and 1965, by Barbour county businessman Draffus Lamar Hightower, who created a photographic record of life in west Alabama.
“On With The Show! History of the Springer Opera House and Theater in Columbus,” celebrates the Columbus area’s theater arts heritage.
The new exhibit “Sound and Vision: Monumental Rock ’n’ Roll Photographs,” features 40 prints by 20 photographers, of musicians including Little Richard, Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Son House, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Kurt Cobain and Tupac Shakur.
While parents need to keep a close eye on their children while visiting these exhibits, they can reward their kids’ good behavior with a visit to the Transformations children’s gallery where kids can play while they learn basic art concepts.
Admission to the museum is free. Call 706-748-2562 for more information.
National Infantry Museum
Cyndy Cerbin, director of communications for the museum, said a trip the museum helps children “see” what they’ve been learning in their history books at school.
“Help your children keep learning, even while they’re on their holiday break,” said Cerbin.
Guests will take an emotional walk along “The Last 100 Yards” exhibit where they’ll view life size dioramas portraying significant battles including Yorktown, Antietam, Soissons, Normandy, Corregidor, Soam-Ni, LZ X-Ray and Iraq. The exhibit uses lifecast sculptures of active duty soldiers.
Kids will likely enjoy The Family Gallery where they can try on Army uniforms and gear while playing inside a miniature Bradley turret. They’ll also learn how soldiers’ families are impacted by war.
Other galleries include World War II Company Street, The Cold War, World at War, The Sole Superpower and Ranger Hall of Honor.
Admission to the museum is free, though a $5 donation is requested. (Some activities such as combat simulators have a fee).
Stop by the IMAX Theatre where popular movies “The Polar Express” and “Happy Feet 2” are screened as well as documentaries “Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West” and “Tornado Alley.”
Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, though it’s closed on Jan. 1. The museum is usually closed on Mondays, but it’s open Jan. 2. Call 706-685-5800.
Oxbow Meadows
Three self-guided nature trails are open for families who want to get a bit of exercise at this environmental learning center associated with Columbus State University. Turtle and alligator ponds are fun for kids and adults to view.
Inside the center, at 3535 S. Lumpkin Road, live animal displays and giant fish tanks can be seen. Kids will learn about snakes and other reptiles as well as insects and horticulture.
The center is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. today. It’s closed Saturday-Monday. Regular hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Admission is free. For more information, call 706-507-8550.
Port Columbus
The Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus, 1002 Victory Drive, is chock-full of Civil War naval exhibits.
Highlights include the remains of the 225-foot-long Confederate ironclad ship CSS Jackson, plus the nation’s only ironclad simulator. Artifacts include “Ramparts to Topmast: Flags of Triumph and Despair,” the largest collection of Civil War naval-related flags on permanent exhibit, uniforms and weapons used by both navies during the Civil War.
Public relations manager Jon Ezzell encourages parents to bring their kids.
“You can certainly come by and tour the museum with your family,” he said.
The museum is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Admission is $6-$7.50.For more information, call 706-327-9798.
Coca-Cola Space Science Center
The fun gets started in the lobby at the science center with interactive flight simulators. Prepare to be wowed by a mock-up of the Mars rover.
The Omnisphere Theater Planetarium has a variety of shows where children of all ages can learn about the solar system’s planets and stars.
The center is closed Saturday and Sunday this weekend but regular hours resume Monday. They are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday. The center is closed on Sundays.
Admission is $3-$6. For more information, call 706-649-1470.
