Activities can help ease stress of holidays

BUSY MAMA

LISA PEMBERTON | • Published November 23, 2008

Comments (0)

Ready or not, the holiday season is officially upon us.

For most families, the next six weeks are fully booked with shopping excursions, dinner parties and other holiday festivities. No doubt, it’s a stressful time of the year.

If you need a break, here are some fun, family-friendly activities that will help lighten up your holiday season.

1. Skate away your stress.

After a day of shopping in Seattle, enjoy fresh crisp air during an outdoor skating session at the Group Health Ice Arena at Bellevue Downtown Park. The arena is a block south of Bellevue Square at Northeast First Street and 102nd Avenue Northeast, Bellevue.

A portion of the ice rink is covered for rainy weather, and spectators can stay warm in a heated tent. It is open daily from Nov. 28 to Jan. 11. Hours vary.

Admission is $7 with your own skates, and $10 with skate rental. Or stop by a Bank of America branch and pick up a free pass to skate on Mondays throughout the season.

For more information, call 425-453-1223 or go to www. magicseason.com.

If you’re looking for something a little warmer and closer to home, the indoor Sprinker Recreation Center in Spanaway also offers daily skating sessions. Hours vary.

Admission is $5 to $7 with skate rental, or $3 to $5 with your own skates. In addition, Sprinker offers Cheapskate Sessions (which include skate rental) for $4 on certain days. For more information, call 253-798-4000 or go to www. co.pierce.wa.us/pc/services/ recreate/SPR-ice.htm.

2. Take in a light show.

Holiday light displays can brighten up some of the dreariest nights.

Here are some of the places that will be aglow for the season:

Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium features more than a half million lights. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. daily, Nov. 28 to Jan. 4. Cost is $7 a person.

For more information, call 253-591-5337 or go to www. pdza.org.

Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park boasts nearly 300 elaborate displays, and is the largest holiday drive-through display in the Northwest. Hours are 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. daily, Nov. 27-Jan. 4. Cost is $13 per vehicle. For more information, including where to buy discount tickets, call 253-798-4000 or go to www.co.pierce. wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/parks/ flights.htm.

Next page >>