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In a few days, El Paso’s youth will be out of school and will be able to enjoy some time off.
Once they raid the refrigerator, play with their toys and catch up on any games or shows, they may be interested in getting out of the house.
Fortunately for parents or grandparents, there are a variety of festive occasions that will keep kids interested this month. There are also some other entertainment options, such as bowling alleys and trampolines.
Here are some things to know and do while kids are on a break from school.
The first day of winter is marked by the winter solstice, which takes place on Thursday, December 21.
Most schools will release students for their winter break in mid-December. Here are some of the most sensible school districts and dates.
Socorro ISD will be on leave from Dec. 16 to Jan. 3. Ysleta ISD will be on winter break Dec. 21-22, Dec. 25-29, and Jan. 1-3. El Paso ISD will be on winter break from Dec. 25 to Jan. 5. San Elizario will have its winter break from Dec. 18 to Jan. 1. Canutillo ISD will have its winter break from Dec. 18 to Jan. 2.
New Mexico’s historic sites at the Fort Selden Historic Site will host its annual five-p. m. Night of the Luminaries event. until nine p. m. on December 15 at 1280 Fort Selden Road, Radium Springs, New Mexico.
During the event, visitors can expect more than 900 soft accessories lining the fort’s footprint, a campfire, and family-friendly activities including holiday-themed crafts. Join the site to say goodbye to 2023 and make a wish for 2024 over the campfire. Tickets are $7 for adults and single for children.
They can be obtained online at https://my. nmculture. org/20947/27727.
St. John Paul II Catholic Church will have its children’s posada at 6 p. m. Dec. 16 and 17 at 518 Gallagher St. For the occasion, a piñata and treats, on a first-come, first-served basis. Free.
La Fe Family Health Center will have its classic luminaires on Scenic Drive starting at 6 p. m. to 10 p. m. December 16. The event is free, however, the center accepts canned food in the most sensitive part of Scenic Drive with Santa. Cash donations are also being made to feed families in need in El Paso.
Vehicles can access Scenic Drive on Richmond Avenue (east of the mountain). Traffic will enter Scenic Drive at Richmond Avenue and head west in one lane. Vehicles will exit via Scenic Drive at Rim Road. Drivers are asked to dim the lights of their vehicles and continue slowly and conscientiously along the appropriate route. For protection reasons, participants are requested to remain inside their vehicle at all times.
In December, the El Paso County Coliseum’s outdoor ice rink at 100 E. Paisano Drive will feature public skating. Available dates and times are 8 a. m. to 11:45 a. m. and noon to four p. m. on Dec. 15, noon to 4 p. m. on Dec. 15. and from 6 p. m. to 10 p. m. from December 17 to 23, from December 26 to 30 and from 6 to 8 p. m. to 10 p. m. on December 16, from 12 p. m. to 4 p. m. 24 and 31 December. Public skating admission is $20, military admission is $19, and skate rentals are free. Information: 915-four79-7825.
The Rink at WinterFest is great for getting into the holiday spirit. The outdoor ice-skating rink is at the El Paso convention center plaza through Jan. 1.
The rink will feature family programming, entertainment and local vendors seven days a week. Skating sessions will last 50 minutes.
Opening hours: five in the afternoon. to 10 p. m. Monday to Thursday, five in the afternoon. to 11 p. m. Friday, noon to 11 p. m. Saturday, noon to 10 p. m. Sundays starting November 18. Holiday hours: Thanksgiving, five p. m. to 10 p. m. , Christmas Eve from noon to 5 p. m. and Christmas Day from noon to 10 p. m.
Tickets: General admission is $10 for ages 6 and older, $5 for kids 5 and younger, and $7 for military with ID and first responders with ID. All-inclusive tickets are $20 for a 50-minute skate session, 50-minute Glacier Guide session and Sun City Express Boarding Pass. Group tickets are $8 each for groups of 10 or more.
The El Paso Community Foundation will present Christmas films from the Plaza Classic Film Festival at the Plaza Theater this winter. Loose Christmas videos are screened at the Plaza Theater and made larger at the El Paso Museum of Art. Part of WinterFest, the movie series runs for several days until December 24.
No price ticket is required. First come, first served, first served. The Christmas videos at the Plaza Theatre will be screened in “Plaza Classic style,” adding 30-minute functionality via Richard Garven on the Wyler Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ before the film.
Here’s the Holiday Movies schedule:
Dec. 16 at the E. P. Energy Auditorium at the El Paso Museum of Art
3:00 p. m. : Frozen (PG)
DEC. 21 at the Plaza Theatre Kendle Kidd Performance Hall
1 p.m.: The Polar Express (G)
3:30 pm: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (PG)
Dec. 24 at the Plaza Theatre Kendle Kidd Performance Hall.
13:00: It’s a Wonderful Life (PG)
TecH20 will offer free family activities from 10 a. m. to 1 p. m. m. on Friday, Dec. 22 at 10751 Montana Ave. Activities will involve water and include the creation of melted art in the shape of a snowman.
Monkey Rock at Sunland Park Mall offers a variety of attractions, adding 10 bowling alleys, virtual real games, golf, a wall, mini-golf and an arcade. Currently, the center offers two-hour packages for $19. 99 and $39. 99, depending on the attractions chosen.
The hours are from 1 p. m. to 1 p. m. to 8 p. m. Tuesday to Thursday, 1:00 p. m. to p. m. Friday to Saturday, 1:00 p. m. Sunday. Closed on Mondays. Information: www. monkeyrock. us; 915-626-5220.
Escape the Sun City, a new gaming domain located at 200 S. Santa Fe St. , uses an Oculus Quest 2 headset to allow five other people to play in an escape room. The company offers three other escape rooms with seven other games. Between the ages of 12 and 17 they must have a parent sign a waiver.
Most escape rooms start at $22, plus fees. Gaming is $10 per person. Bundles start at $35 per person.
Make appointments; Walk-ins are not permitted: escapesuncity. com
A new site, Climbing Sessions
A day pass starts at $18, plus tax. Memberships are also offered. Hours: noon to 10 p. m. Monday to Friday and from 9 a. m. to 7 p. m. Saturday, Sunday. Information: www. sessionsclimbing. com
The standalone indoor playground has two locations, at 2290 Joe Battle Blvd. to the east and 4564 Doniphan Drive to the west. The Array gym features virtual attractions, giant mazes, ball pits, an impediment track, and a ninja tower.
Prices and hours vary by location. Information: xzonekids. com
Urban Air West El Paso, 801 S. Mesa Hills Drive, is an indoor park that features a skyrider, ropes course, laser tag, bumper cars with turning zone, warrior impediment course, walls, play area with tubes (great for toddlers) and a combat beam, all in a 50,000-square-foot space. All attractions are based on height.
The adventure park includes a café serving burgers, pizza, pretzels, wings, poultry steaks, fries, soft drinks, and sports drinks.
Tickets for Ultimate Play start at $25. 99 plus tax. Other pass-priced ticket fares are available. Information: www. urbanair. com
The Sky Zone franchise took over the former Rockin’ Jump in the summer of 2022, at 1691 N. Zaragoza Road.
Management said the adjustments would come with lower prices, time-based all-inclusive pricing, new attractions such as parkour and SkyTower, as well as new anniversary packages.
Cost: Timed packages start at $10 and $12 for a 60-minute jump. It also offers special systems such as sensory moments, home classes and small jump times. Information: www. skyzone. com
The Family Entertainment Center, 251 E. Redd Road, offers a game room, mini-golf, and a pirate mission escape room. The dining spot is also known for its crispy McCrory’s tacos. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, get taco plates for $5.
Hours are noon to 8 p. m. each and every day. Virtual reality, go-karts and bumper boats open at 4 p. m. Three-hour wristbands Friday through Sunday start at $35. Information: 915-585-9663.
The indoor park at 3851 Constitution Drive offers go-kart games, mini golf and laser tag. Opening hours: noon to 8 p. m. Sunday to Thursday, from 11 a. m. to 9 p. m. Friday and Saturday. Information: https://bobosfun. com
For children 12 and under, Ally B Gator’s, at 11210 Armor Drive, Suite 4A, offers an indoor inflatable playground. This is a one-time payment for unlimited offline games. Attractions come with a 60-foot impediment track, a giant pirate ship, and an 18-foot-tall slide.
A safe toddler zone has a bouncer and a soft mat play area. The Mangrove Cafe offers pizza, hot dogs and other snacks, including beer and wine for mom and dad. Nonslip socks are required for jumpers, and masks for 13 and older in common areas.
Hours: noon to 9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays, by appointment for groups on Monday-Wednesday. Cost: $8 for 18 months to 3 years, $10 for 4 to 6-year-olds, and $12 for 7 to 12-year-olds. Information: 915-496-7712.
The Relaxe Axe Throwing Room at 808 Montana Ave. offers one-, two- and three-hour sessions, starting at $25, for an hour or more. Book your time and dates online at www. relaxeptx. com.
The corporate indoor skydiving iFly at 430 Vin Rambla Drive offers everything from individual experiences to parties and team-building activities. A two-flight experience starts at $59. 95. There are special offers for educators, military, and medical professionals. Information: www. iflyworld. com
Topgolfing El Paso, 365 Vin Rambla Drive, offers hours of golfing fun from other bays. Order snacks or a meal and enjoy the fun of hitting the balls to show off. It also offers several games on the course.
The hours are from 10 a. m. to 11 p. m. Monday through Thursday and from 10 a. m. to 1 a. m. Friday to Saturday and from 10 a. m. to 11 p. m. The charge ranges from $28 per hour per bay to $48 at night. On Tuesdays, you can get half-fare travel cards.
Information: https://topgolf. com
Read more: Countdown to Christmas: 24 Days of Holiday Activities for Families
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; [email protected], @EPTMaria on Twitter; eptmariacg on TikTok.
This article originally published in the El Paso Times: El Paso Winter Vacation: Fun Activities for Kids Include Ice Skating
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