Five family-friendly festivities in Winnipeg over the holidays

Getting the whole family together for a little festive cheer can make for some tough decisions. That's why our SCENE staff have put together a little list of festive suggestions to help take the pressure off.

Whether it is for your rambunctious young ones who just want to head outdoors for fun, or for your inquisitive child who is all about educational entertainment, we've got you covered with our Family Friendly Festive Guide.

1. The Three Munschketeers:  For families who like theatre this has become a holiday tradition. The Prairie Theatre Exchange's presentation of Robert Munsch's work (as adapted for the stage by Debbie Patterson) this year features We Share Everything!, Wait and See and Where is Gah-ning?, along with some of the celebrated children's author's newer works. "Munschketeers" runs December 22nd to January 5th, but act quickly parents, tickets are selling out fast.

2. Canad Inns Winter Wonderland: It's no secret that kids love Christmas lights, so what better way to impress than to show them over a million, all from the warmth and comfort of your own car? Canad Inns Winter Wonderland features almost 30 themed areas, all bathed in brilliant light, down a 2.5 km road. The gates are open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every night from now until January 7th (but closed Christmas day).

3. Run away and join the circus at the Manitoba Museum. Circus: Science Under The Big Top reveals the secrets of the circus with an interactive, hands-on exhibit that melds storytelling with science. While your child safely learns the art of tight-rope walking (harness included, of course) you parents will be kept equally entertained as you read the fascinating (and sometimes tragic) stories of circuses past.

Also at the Manitoba Museum: The Planetarium  gets our vote for the sheer brilliance of combining Santa with the Solar System. From Boxing day to January 8th you can check out The Alien Who Stole Christmas  daily at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m, 'Tis the Season at 12, 2 and 4 p.m, while Manitoba Skies will play everyday at 3 p.m. It's both educational, entertaining and above all relaxing.


4. Eaton's Fairytale Vignettes because every good festive season needs its own smattering of retro figurines. In a world of 3-D graphics and hi-tech gismos, there is something comforting and unique about these tiny little scenes from fairy tales. It will have you parents feeling nostalgic while your kids will be seeing something quite old, in a new unique way.    

5. Scotiabank Family New Year's Eve. The Arctic Glacier Winter Park will be happening all day for your outdoor-loving little ones. Nothing says "Happy New Year" like watching your kids tire themselves out by skating on 1.2 kilometres of trails, going up and down the Toboggan Run, or learning new tricks on the Snowboard Fun Park. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. there will also be Horse Drawn Wagon Rides (sponsored by Scotia Bank), while your kids can also find respite from the cold with a kids crafts workshop in The Forks Market from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.