Oklahoma City family fun is just beginning.
It's a few days before Christmas and Winter Break is happening right now. Yesterday was my fifth grader's last day; my kindergartner wraps up today. They'll be home all day long starting tomorrow.
If you're looking for Winter Break camps, it's not too late. There are even some happening the day after Christmas and those couple of odd days between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. I noticed Sylvan has a free robotics class on Jan. 2 too. We aren't doing camp this season in our family but I know it's a terrific option for a lot of families if you can find a space. I'd be right there with you reserving a spot this week if we needed one while there's still room.
Instead, we're going for that long winter's nap, a staycation Christmas.
The idea of a long break without the constant drop-off/pick-up cycle always sounds idyllic. No after-school activities or homework to worry about, just the 
family gathered around with Christmas stories and mugs of hot chocolate. I daydream about that peaceful image every December and yet, I know this is all going to descend into a period of unfolded laundry and odd schedules punctuated by pine needles and sugar cookie crumbs.
Every year, I feel like I'm waking up to the broken nutcracker after a night of dancing with the sugar plum fairy. Well, that's one book we did get through already. It's possible but won't happen on its own.
A solution that has worked for us in the past is to leave some things on the calendar. Our staycation Christmas doesn't mean staying away from our community. It's not too late to come up with a plan for your Winter Break. Here are three fun free activities on my own calendar right now:
- SHIFT at Factory Obscura: This art installation in downtown Oklahoma City is new and will only be in town through the end of February. We're going to see it this Saturday. I'll share all the details in a future post. The fact that it's free and looks immersively interesting makes it worth the trip.
- L
iving Nativity at First United Methodist Church: Our family isn't Methodist but my toddler goes to a Methodist school and we always look forward to visiting a display with livestock and parish members dressed as the Holy Family. The feeling of community is really welcoming there. Get details here on this free event. If you're looking for local Christmas Eve services, many are listed here. - Oklahoma City Museum of Art's free winter admission for kids: Children ages 17 and under can tour the museum without charge Dec. 26 though Jan. 1. The Question of Beauty exhibition looks interesting and it also ends in February so we should go see it while we can.
iving Nativity at First United Methodist Church: Our family isn't Methodist but my toddler goes to a Methodist school and we always look forward to visiting a display with livestock and parish members dressed as the Holy Family. The feeling of community is really welcoming there. If you're looking for other winter activities, find them here with our Winter Fun Guides. You can always check out MetroFamily's calendar if you find yourself without plans and needing to get out of the house.
Happy Winter Break! And I hope your Christmas is happy too.
