Winter break is here, have no fear, indoor activites abound around the region

By MICHELLE SCHMIDT Inland360.com

“There’s nothing to do here.” The small-town mantra never feels more true than this time of year, when holiday preparations are over and out-of-town family is loafing about your house and outdoor temperatures keep you in and you already went to the movies — twice. There is some truth to the saying, but indoor options for families looking to get out of the house are out there:

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Open Gym at 360 Gymnastics Kids of all ages are invited to throw on some comfy clothes and get some winter wiggles out at an hourlong open gym. The opportunity is offered several days over the break and is open to the public. Kids 5 years and younger are required to have an adult supervising them on the floor. When: From 11 a.m. to noon Dec. 23, 27, 30, 31, Jan. 2-4 Where: 1489 Poplar St. in Clarkston Cost: $5/child

Aquatic centers If it’s too cold to play outside, maybe you’d consider a swim at one of the local indoor pools that are open over the break. Pullman Aquatic and Fitness Center is open regular hours (except some holiday closures, noted below). In addition to the regular schedule, the Asotin County center is offering four Holiday Dollar Swims over the break. Admission for those 18 and younger is $1; adult admission is regular price. Kids 5 years and younger must have adult supervision with them in the water; kids 10 years and younger must have an adult supervisor in the facility. Adults who just watch and don’t swim aren’t required to pay admission.

Asotin County Family Aquatic Center – Holiday Dollar Swim When: From 1:30–3:30 p.m. Dec. 23, 27, 30 and Jan. 3 Where: 1603 Dustan Loop in Clarkston Cost: $1/kids, $3.75/adult residents, $4.25/adult non-residents

Pullman Aquatic and Fitness Center When: Open regular hours (5 a.m.–4 p.m., 6–9 p.m.) except holiday closures Dec. 24-26 and Jan. 1; closing at 4 p.m. Dec. 31 Where: 500 N.W. Larry St. in Pullman Cost: Free/3 years and younger, $3.75/4-17 years, $5/adults, $3.75/60-plus years, $13.75/family

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Palouse Discovery Science Center School may be on break, but if your children’s curiosity isn’t, consider heading to the Palouse Discovery Science Center. And if you’re quick about it, you can find out what winter solstice is; the center is offering a special planetarium show this Saturday. Besides these shows, kids can excavate for bones, get up close to live animals and demystify optical illusions. The center maintains its regular Tuesday through Saturday schedule except for holiday closures Dec. 24-26 and Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. The remaining days it is open from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Solstice Planetarium Show When: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dec. 21 Where: 950 N.E. Nelson Court in Pullman Cost: free/2 years and younger, $5/2-14 years, $7.30/15-54 years, $6/55-plus years

Historical Museum at St. Gertrude It’s a bit of a drive for some of us, but the Cottonwood museum has a wide range of unique items. Kids might be tempted to brush past some of the older relics, but when an adult explains they’re looking at an old-fashioned “washing machine” or military uniforms or calculator, they’ll have a pocketful of questions about the next item on display. Historic collections range from technology to geologic to religious and include the Rhoades Emmanual Memorial collection of Asian and European artifacts, some of which date back to the 14th century. When: 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday, with holiday closures Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1 Where: 465 Keuterville Road in Cottonwood Cost: Free/children younger than 7, $3/7-17 years, $6/adults ——— Schmidt can be contacted at themichelleschmidt@gmail.com or at (208) 305-4578.