Winter break is a welcome breath of fresh air after the hustle and bustle of the first few weeks of December. But kids get bored easily — and sometimes parents just need a break.

Don't forget to check out the holiday lights around central Arkansas (most of them stay lit through the New Year) and pay Santa a visit! But once you've checked those holiday tasks off of your list, here are several ways to keep your kids busy in Little Rock over Christmas break.

1. Winter Zoofari at the Little Rock Zoo

Kids ages 5-8 can spend a full day getting up close and personal with animals at the Little Rock Zoo at a Zoofari Camp. Camp goes from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., lunch is included and kids get to expereince amazing encounters with nature and science, both outdoors and in the classroom. The one-day camps take place Dec. 20, 21, 27 & 28 and Jan. 2. 

Registration for each day is $49 for Zoo members and $59 for non-members. Early check-in and late check-out are also available for an additional fee. Click here for more details and call 501-661-7229 to register.

2. Audition Workshop at The Rep

The Arkansas Repertory Theatre will hold a free audition workshop Jan. 5 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. for young actors interested in auditioning for The Rep’s 2019 summer student production of "Willy Wonka Jr." The camp is open to students ages 9-18 and participants should RSVP to Anna Kimmell at akimmell@therep.org.

Audition appointments for the show are available Jan. 11 from 4:30-9 p.m. Click here for more info on auditions.

3. New Year's Eve at Museum of Discovery

Has it been a while since you heard that iconic countdown on the final day of the year? When bedtime for the kids is 8:30 p.m., you don't have to stretch yourself until midnight. Head to the Museum of Discovery for a "Noon Year" celebration on Monday, Dec. 31 from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Enjoy kid-friendly activiites and a whopping big countdown to the noon hour! The event is included in regular museum admission.

4. Hayride at Pinnacle Mountain State Park

Get outside and enjoy some winter fun at Pinnacle Mountain State Park on a holiday hayride on Saturday, Dec. 29 at 3 p.m. Jostle, bounce, and laugh your way across the fields and through the woods on a guided hayride and then enjoy a warm camp fire, stories, hot chocolate and marshmallows.

5. Winter Camp at Ferncliff

Ferncliff Camp, which is located right here in Little Rock, offers both day camps and overnight camp during Christmas break. 

Fifth-12th graders can spend three days and three nights at Ferncliff enjoying all their favorite camp activities, plus a few new wintery ones as well! Winter Overnight Camp begins Thursday, Dec. 20 at 4:00pm and ends Sunday, Dec. 23 at 4 p.m.

Winter Day Camp is for first-sixth grade students from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21-Sunday, Dec. 23. Kids will get to enjoy many of the same activities as those who attend the overnight camp. 

6. Winter Camp at The Little Gym

Get your kiddos moving at camps for ages 3-8. Kids will go on an adventure to a winter wonderland and will camp only using the tools in their backpacks. The Little Gym's winter camp is filled with adventure and winter fun!

Camps start at $25 per session and on Dec. 26, 27 & 28, the fun goes from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Dec. 31 & Jan. 2, camp goes from 12:30-3:30 p.m.

7. Shows at The Robinson Center

The holiday break is a perfect time to see a show! The musical "Finding Neverland" hits the stage at The Robinson Center on Dec. 22 & 23 and tells the story of what happened before the classic tale of "Peter Pan."

Moscow Ballet's "The Nutracker" is also in town with two showtimes on Dec. 27. The touring performance is a Christmas classic perfect for older kids or any child who loves dance.

For more ways to stay busy this holiday break, click here to check out our guide to winter fun in central Arkansas or find our guide to free activities in downtown Little Rock right here.