Keep the kids entertained during the holiday vacation –inexpensively

Bring the family Downtown during school break
Most school-aged children are on vacation for two weeks and the budget’s blown on holiday gifts…What’s a parent to do? Listed below are several ideas to keep the kids busy without spending a fortune.

Active
•Bundle up and take a walk around The Canal and White River State Park or Monument Circle admiring the Circle of Lights® presented by the Contractors of Quality Connection and Electrical Workers of IBEW 481 (until Jan. 8) & twinkle lights in the trees – FREE.
•Go swimming at the Natatorium on the campus of IUPUI.
•Go duckpin bowling at Action Duckpin Bowl or Atomic Bowl Duckpin in Fountain Square.
•Take a twirl around the ice skating rink at the Indiana/World Academy Skating Academy in Pan Am Plaza. It’s a cheap treat – $4 or less to skate!
•Test your skills at the Amazing Games arcade at Jillian's in Downtown Indy. Afterwards, grab a bite to eat at the Hibachi Grill or the Video Café, located inside Jillian’s.

Educational
•Take a guided memorial tour and visit the Eli Lilly Civil War Museum, located in the basement of the Indiana Soldiers & Sailors Monument (open Wednesday through Sunday) – FREE.
•Take a tour through the Indianapolis Museum of Art or check out Christmas at the Lilly House. – FREE (parking included.)
•Visit holidays past at the beautifully decorated President Benjamin Harrison Home, dressed up in all the trappings of holidays past at the White House. He was the first president to decorate a tree in the White House.
•Kids will love the hands-on approach at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, where kids of all ages are encouraged to touch and let their imaginations take over! Don’t miss The Children’s Museum Jolly Days Winter Wonderland through Jan. 10. This event features a Snow Castle, Yule Slide and the interactive “animation” exhibit. In addition, the Children’s Museum will display Barbie: The Fashion Experience until Feb. 1.
•View the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art’s unique exhibits. (IUPUI students get in FREE.)
•Visit the past at the Morris Butler House Museum and the James Whitcomb Riley Home.
•It’s tea time! Take the family to the Indianapolis Propylaeum’s Holiday Children’s Tea “The World of Marionettes” Dec. 29.

Entertainment
•Visit the Indianapolis Zoo for Christmas at the Zoo & Woodland Wonderland presented by Community Health Network until Dec. 30. Enjoy the Zoo grounds covered in holiday lights, special animal shows and the new Woodland Wonderland display inside the Hilbert Conservatory.
•Don’t miss your last chance to see Peewinkle’s Christmas Puppet Show in 2009! This Downtown tradition will take place on Dec. 29 at the Indiana State Museum.
•Follow the yellow brick road to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis for “The Marvelous Land of Oz” through Jan. 3! •See the magic of Disney’s A Christmas Carol at the IMAX Theatre in the Indiana State Museum from now – Jan. 7. This new release will fill you and yours with holiday cheer!

Sports
•See the World Champion Indianapolis Colts in action vs. the New York Jets Dec. 27 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
•Cheer on your Indiana Pacers as they take on the Atlanta Hawks Dec. 26 and the Memphis Grizzlies Dec. 30 at Conseco Fieldhouse.