“Raising Kids in the Richmond Area”

This week is filled with fun and much of it starts at home on Christmas Eve. Children are anticipating the arrival of Santa Claus as Christmas Eve draws near an end – and many will set out the cookies and milk to celebrate his arrival and fuel him on his journey. Christmas morning will be filled with joy and excitement in many homes.

During this time, we also remember those who are suffering loss of loved ones and we continue to pay it forward with 26 Acts of kindness to honor their memories. Whether you’re able to do 26 acts, or 1, 4, 8, 20, 40, 60 or more, it doesn’t matter. The important thing is to do something for others when you can and be kind to everyone.

We have lots of new events and activities posted on these links:

• Holiday Movies at Movieland in December for just $5 per person.
• Check out many plays and performances around town – including inexpensive movies. Click here for Movies, Plays, and Performances.
• Winter Break Camps. Great opportunities for kids to engage in education, fun, and activities during their winter break.

To have an event posted on the Completely Kids events listing, send us an email. Check out our weekly events calendar here:

Ongoing

December 26-28, 2012

Winter Break Jump-n-Art Camp 2012. 9am. Pump-it-Up locations (visit website for locations and times). Welcome to JUMP-N-ART, where the arts are alive and hopping. Now kids can independently explore both their creative side and their bouncing side in one amazing camp, and you can enjoy some ‘ME’ time! JUMP-N-ART emphasizes the joy of self expression through fine art for kids ages 4-11. Kids spend part of their time laughing, bouncing and playing games and part of their time exploring their inner Rembrandts. Don’t forget to bring socks!

Through Sunday, December 30th

Madeline’s Christmas Children’s Theatre at Willow Lawn. Presented by Virginia Repertory Theatre. Visit the website for show times and fees.

Through Monday, December 31st

A Colonial Christmas.  Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center. Offers a glimpse of 17th- and 18th-century holiday traditions with special tours and interpretive programs and, from December 26 through 31, musical entertainment of the period.

Christmastown Busch Gardens – Experience Busch Gardens in a whole new light during Christmas Town: A Busch Gardens Celebration.  Christmas Town continues select days through Dec. 31.

Through Sunday, January 6

Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked The World. Science Museum of Virginia.

Through Monday, January 7th (Closed Dec. 24 & 25)

GardenFest of Lights. Nightly, 5pm-10pm. Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. One of Richmond’s most popular family holiday events. Holiday tradition features more than a half million lights, botanical decorations, trains, holiday dinners, family activities and more. Activities for families and children include Merry Mondays every Monday evening from 5pm-8pm throughout GardenFest, featuring story time with the Garden Keeper, s’mores at the warming fire, and Santa sightings in the Conservatory. Fee.

Through Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Polar Express (film in IMAX^®DOME). Various times. $9 general admission, $5 for members – fee.

Through January 31st

RVA on Ice. 4pm-10pm. 6th and Broad Street. Grand Opening of ice skating rick next to CenterStage. Open through January 31st (weather permitting). Visit the website for rink times and hours. Fee.

Fan Holiday House Tour. 1pm-5pm. The 50th Annual Holiday House Tour, featuring an array of fabulously-decorated homes in the Fan District, will be held on December 8th and 9th, 2012.  Official ticket sales through Eventbrite.com. Fee.

 

SOON!

Wednesday, December 26th through Tuesday, December 31st

Romp n’ Roll Winter Camp. See website for times at each location.  All Richmond-area locations are currently registering for Winter   Winter Camp is sure to fill up fast, so call to reserve your spot today! Fee.

 

This Week

Tuesday, December 25

Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 26

Holiday Glitter: Monument After Dark. 6pm. The most popular walking tour! Enjoy the lights and glitter of Monument Avenue while it’s decked out for the holidays. This early evening stroll combines history with a touch of glitz! Dress for the weather, and bring a flashlight. Reservations required: (804) 649-0711 x301. Meet at the Lee Monument at Allen and Monument avenues.

Eric Sommer at the Science Museum of Virginia. 1pm. Guitarist, song crafter, and writer Eric Sommer, performs live in Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked The World, sharing his original guitar work. His presentation includes Q&A for guitar players and demonstrations.

Welcome Campfire at Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield. 6pm. This program is just for our campers! Come enjoy marshmallows and interesting information about Pocahontas State Park. Learn about where to find good trails, activities, facilities, nature programs, and more in the park. Please bring a camp chair and get to know your park. Free.

Thursday, December 27th

Penguin Party.  Dumbarton Library.  Free.

Candy Cane Hunt. 10:30am. Ginter Park Library. Enjoy a festive holiday story, an outside candy cane hunt, and a delicious hot cocoa! Extra-lucky searchers will find a special prize winning candy cane. Register: 804-646-1236. Free.

Friday, December 28th

The Rinard Family Concert. 7 pm Henrico Theatre, 305  E. Nine Mile Road, Henrico. Hymns, original creations, and toe-tappin’ favorites – from ” Amazing Grace” to “Crazy,” with a little bit of everything in-between. For all ages. Free. Reservations required.

Kids Post Holiday Celebration at Spirited Art. 10am-11:30am. Get the Family out after the holidays and into our studio! We are having great Create Date celebrations. Kids and Adults Paint together as they are lead step by step through their paintings. At the end of the hour and a half each person takes home their own masterpieces that are meant to be hung together!

Kids Night Out. 5pm-9pm. Tuckahoe Sports. Every kid deserves a special night out…and so do you! That’s why we created Kid’s Night Out. Parents get an evening to themselves while the children get to renjoy a special night out to run and play with our energetic instructors and enjoy a pizza party dinner at Tuckahoe Sports! Fee.

Saturday, December 29th

RVA on Ice. Visit website for hours which vary based on weather conditions. Face Painting and Kwanzaa Craft-making.

RVA on Ice. Visit website for hours which vary based on weather conditions. FREE movie: It’s a Wonderful Life. Free.

Arena Racing USA. 7pm. Richmond Coliseum. Real ½ scale race cars flying around a $500,000 indoor race track that barely fits inside a hockey rink. This 2 ½ hour family-friendly show features talented drivers speeding side-by-side, jockeying and bumping, and sometimes even flipping all for the entertainment of enthusiastic fans.

Sunday, December 30

Guitar Performance: Dorian + Bethany at the Science Museum. 1pm. Eclectic covers and original tunes live on stage in Guitar: The INstrument That Rocked the World! Fee.

Kids and Adults Sunday Family Painting Day at Spirited Art. 1pm-2:30pm. Get the Family out after the holidays and into our studio! We are having great Create Date celebrations. Kids and Adults Paint together as they are lead step by step through their paintings. At the end of the hour and a half each person takes home their own masterpieces that are meant to be hung together!