When the winter break blues set in, try something from this list.

When the winter break blues set in, try something from this list.

By ALISON KEMP

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — Christmas presents will usually amuse children out of school for winter holidays for a few days.

Then what?

It doesn’t take long for children (and teens and college students) and parents to get stir-crazy. Being at home for a week or more without some out-of-house activities could be torturous.

So here’s an assortment of activities that could bring back the holiday cheer to children without traveling too far from home, as this list contains activities found only in the Mahoning Valley.

Some places have special winter break activities, such as the Children’s Museum of the Valley, the Chevrolet Centre and the YMCA. Most people probably have heard of most of these places, but perhaps a trip has never been taken there.

Museums

Arms Family Museum of Local History: The museum does not house weapons and armor as the name might imply; rather, it was the Arms family home. It contains period furniture and clothing and has exhibits with information about the people of the Mahoning Valley — Native Americans, immigrants, settlers, coal miners and the like.

Admission: Up to $4

648 Wick Ave., Youngstown

Hours: 1-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.

The Butler Institute of American Art: This is America’s first museum of American art. It has a special area dedicated to new media and electronic art that uses computers, holography, lasers and other digital media. There is also a children’s craft room to create art.

Admission: Free

524 Wick Ave., Youngstown.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; noon-4 p.m. Sunday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

The Butler Trumbull Branch

9350 East Market St., Howland.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday.

The Butler Salem Branch

343 East State St., Salem.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.

Children’s Museum of the Valley: The museum is filled with hands-on learning opportunities with exhibits about science, weather, news, art, books, animals, games and simple machines. Special activities are planned for the holidays. “We know we’ll have more kids that usual,” said Tina DeVito, manager of education at the museum.

Admission: Up to $5

139 E. Boardman Street, Youngstown.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; 1-4:30 p.m. Sunday. Special hours Monday are 5-8:45 p.m.

Activities:

Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. meet and greet turtles Oscar and Baxter.

Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. all-ages story time, Tales From the Book Nook, and African folk tales.

Thursday at 11:30 a.m. guided African art activity.

Thursday at 1:30 p.m. Holiday Twister.

Fridays between 10 and 10:45 a.m. receive free admission. All-ages story time begins at 10:45 a.m. Stay and explore the museum until noon. Stay longer for just half price. Regular admission of $5 applies to those who arrive after 10:45 a.m.

Friday at 1:30 p.m. join our educator in the art gallery to work on our “Friendly People Around the World” mural.

Saturday and Sunday will feature story times and arts and crafts.

Monday will bring special First Night Youngstown activities from 5-8:45 p.m.

Jan. 2 will feature story time at 1:30 p.m. Admission is waived later that evening from 5 -8 for First Place Community Night.

Jan. 3, at 11:30 a.m. beaded icicle treasures can be made.

Jan. 4 is Super Story Special Friday. There is an all-ages interactive story time at 10:45 a.m. At 1:30 p.m., the activity is cut-out collage masterpieces.

Other hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 2; then return to regular hours of 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 1-4:30 p.m. Sunday.

McKinley Museum: It is part of the National McKinley Birthplace Memorial. There is memorabilia from his life in Niles, Civil War and Spanish-American War artifacts, and campaign and presidential materials.

Admission: Free

40 N. Main St., Niles.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Closed this Monday and Tuesday.

National Packard Museum: Packard cars and Packard memorabilia fill this museum. William Doud and James Ward Packard established the Packard Electric Company in 1890. Their first car was built in 1899. Because of the brothers’ success, Warren became the first American city to light its streets with incandescent bulbs.

Admission: Up to $5

1899 Mahoning Ave. N.W., Warren.

Hours: Noon-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

Ward Beecher Planetarium: The planetarium at YSU will have a show about stars as part of the First Night Youngstown program on Monday night.

Admission: Free

Hours: Shows at 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m.

Sports

Basketball

YSU men. Admission: $6 or $10. Beeghly Center, YSU

Games: 2:05 p.m. Saturday; 7:35 p.m. Jan. 3; 1:05 p.m. Jan. 5

YSU women. Admission: $6 or $10, Beeghly Center, YSU

Games: 5:15 Jan. 3; 3:25 p.m. Jan. 5

Bounce-A-Round Rentals: Children can jump around as long as they want in the store’s indoor facility filled with inflatable toys, obstacle courses and slides. Admission: $7; 215 McClurg Road, Boardman.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday; noon-6 p.m. Tuesday. Hours in January have not been determined yet, but they will be open seven days a week.

Bowling: There are a few too many alleys in the Valley to name them all, so pick your favorite. Take this opportunity to teach you children how to keep score.

Golf —Creekside Golf Dome: This indoors facility has simulators of golf courses for anyone looking to golf year-round or to try out new clubs.

1300 N. State St., Girard.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Glow Fore It!: Black light miniature golf themed with dinosaurs, outer space, under the sea and the jungle.

8414 Market St., Boardman.

Hours: Noon-10 p.m. during school holidays.

Hockey

SteelHounds: Admission: $8-$22

Chevrolet Centre, Youngstown.

Games: Friday, Saturday, Jan. 4 and Jan. 5, all at 7:05 p.m.

Ice skating

Chevrolet Centre: The Skating Club of Greater Youngstown is hosting a holiday skate, with a Christmas tree and holiday music. Free lessons for beginners will be available.

Admission: $5 and $3 for skates

Hours: Thursday 6-8 p.m.

Ice Zone

Admission: Up to $7 and $3.50 for skates

360 McClurg Road, Boardman

Hours: Every day for various hours from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m.

Warren City Ice Rink

Admission: $5, which includes skates.

Courthouse Square, Warren.

Hours: 4-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 4-10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and school holidays; noon-7 p.m. Sunday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. New Year’s Eve; noon-9 p.m. New Year’s Day.

Saturday has free lessons from 9-9:45 a.m.

Sunday is Hockey Day, and the Phantoms and YSU team will demonstrate from Noon–1 p.m. A SteelHounds demo is 2–3 p.m.

Monday is a New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party 8 p.m. -midnight.

Jan 3 is Skating & Dancing under the Stars with free ballroom dance lessons at Market on the Square.

Parks

Columbiana County Park District

Little Beaver Creek Greenway Trail: Hiking and cross country skiing on 11 miles along Little Beaver Creek between Lisbon and Leetonia.

Parking areas: The Trail Head in Lisbon on Route 164/Lincoln Avenue; St. Jacob-Logtown Road, off Route 30/Lincoln Way; on Eagleton Road; on Route 558, just off of Old Route 344.

Scenic Vista Park: Hiking and sledding

11000 Wayne Bridge Road, Lisbon

Mill Creek MetroParks: Last Hike of the Year, Sunday at 2 p.m.

Explore the eastern shore of Lake Cohasset and the Amphitheater. Meet at Ford Nature Center. Moderate difficulty with hills and steps, 3 miles.

Chick-A-Dee-Dee-Dee, Jan. 5 at 9 a.m.

Black-capped chickadees are inquisitive birds that can sometimes be coaxed into landing on your hand, especially when tempted with food. Birdseed is provided. Hope for cold and dry weather. Certified Volunteer Naturalist Nancy Brundage will serve as host. Meet at Ford Nature Center.

Ice-Making Before Frigidaire, Jan. 6 at 1:30 p.m.

During the early 1900s the Youngstown Ice Company harvested ice for commercial use from Mill Creek and the Mahoning River. The event begins indoors with a 30 minute presentation about the ice harvesting industry. Then there is a walk to see what remains of the Youngstown Ice Company. You may continue with us for a hike around Lake Glacier. Meet at the Davis Center. Moderate difficulty with hills and steps, 1/4 mile or 3 miles.

Wick Recreation Area: Sledding and cross-country skiing

The end of Belle Vista Avenue, Youngstown.

Mosquito Lake State Park: Hiking and cross country skiing

1439 State Route 305, Cortland.

Packard Park: Sledding

Behind Packard Musical Hall at 1703 Mahoning Ave. N.W., Warren.

Roller skating

Champion Rollarena

5040 Mahoning Ave., Champion.

Cortland Roller Rink

290 S. High St.

Activities:

Friday night teen skates from 8-11 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday family skates from 1-4 p.m.

New Year’s Eve skate from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Skate Zone: In addition to roller skating, there is Laser Tag and a play area.

5420 Mahoning Ave., Austintown.

Hours: Noon-6 p.m. Wednesday; noon-8 p.m. Thursday; noon-4 p.m. Monday

Saturday will feature an all-night skating party from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.

New Year’s Eve middle school dance party from 7-10 p.m.

YMCA: Both the Youngstown Central and Davis Family YMCAs are having winter break activities. There are gym games, crafts and swimming each day, along with an off-site trip.

Davis Family YMCA

Admission: $25 for members and $30 for non-members daily

45 McClurg Road, Boardman

Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday.

Activities:

Wednesday’s trip is to Chuck E. Cheese’s.

Thursday is to the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland.

Friday is to the Ice Zone.

Youngstown Central YMCA

Admission: $28 for members and $36 for non-members daily

17 N. Champion St., Youngstown

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday

Activities:

Wednesday has a trip to Olympic Fun Center in Hermitage.

Thursday and Friday are spent at the Y.

Basketball Skills Clinic for children ages 5-12

Youngstown Central YMCA

Admission: $12

Hours: 3-5 p.m. Sunday

Books, movies and etc.

Eastwood Mall’s Equarium: Home to over 125 different species of fish.

Admission: Free

Eastwood Mall, Niles.

Hours: From mall’s opening until 9 p.m. daily.

The library: Public libraries have movies and CDs, along with books, that can be rented for free. Check out how-to books or other non-fiction books on a specific topic; for instance, get a book about the night sky and then go outside and try out your new skills.