Holiday family fun

Take advantage of all that Houston has to offer your family this season!

Friday, Dec. 19, 7pm: Starlight Movie Night at Rice Stadium; “A Christmas Story” on the jumbo screen; Bring your blankets and lawn chairs or just sit on the turf; Pack a snack and bring your blankets and lawn chairs or just sit on the turf; Free movie, free parking (enter gates 13A or 13B on Greenbriar), www.rice.edu/movie

Friday, Dec. 19 & Saturday, Dec. 20: Campfire Christmas at the George Ranch; Experience the beauty of the holiday season with guided tours of the 1830s Jones Stock Farm and the 1890's Davis Mansion decorated in the spirit of the season. Finally, travel through the park in a mule-drawn hay wagon then join the George Ranch cowboys around the campfire with caroling and story-telling to celebrate the season; Reservations required: 281-343-0218 ext 258; http://www.georgeranch.org/

Saturdays, Dec. 20 & 27, 2-5pm: Victorian Ornament Workshops for Children—Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens; Make take-home ornaments that reflect styles popular in late-19th-century America; Adults $7.50; Children under 18 Free; Free for museum members; 1 Westcott Street, Houston, TX 77007; http://www.mfah.org/bayoubend/

Sunday, Dec. 21, 1-5pm (last entry 4:30pm): “Holiday History” Family Day at Bayou Bend; Let Bayou Bend be your ghost of Christmas (and Hannukah) past as we delve into the history of holiday celebrations throughout the years! Outside, enjoy the fabulous sounds of local talent of all ages as they ring in the season with your favorite holiday songs and stories. Create holiday crafts and your own special decorations for the season. Guests may tour the first floor of the house and view this year’s Yuletide exhibition; Free; 1 Westcott Street, Houston, TX 77007; www.mfah.org/bayoubend

Sunday, Dec. 21, 2pm: Christmas for the Critters at Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center; Make a tasty natural treat to take home and share with backyard wildlife; All ages; Free—Reservations required 281-446-8588; 20634 Kenswick Dr., Humble, TX 77338; www.hcp4.net/jones; www.hcp4.net/parks/Parksprograms.htm

Now through Dec. 28: “The Nutcracker” performed by the Houston Ballet; http://www.houstonballet.org/

Saturday, Jan. 3, 11am-3pm: Hands-On Houston at the Center for Contemporary Craft; Free craft open house for the whole family; Houston Area Fiber Artists will help participants create paper bead necklaces; Supplies are provided; Free; 4848 Main St.; http://www.crafthouston.org/

Now through Jan. 5: Seasons of Sharing at the Children’s Museum of Houston; Learn how holidays are celebrated around the world (exhibit celebrates Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Diwali, Christmas, Las Posadas, Hanukkah, and Lunar New Year); $5; Thursdays 5-8 p.m. are Free; Children under 2 are free daily; 1500 Binz; 713-522-1138; http://www.cmhouston.org/

Tuesday, January 6, 2009, 6-8pm: Twelfth Night at Galveston’s Moody Mansion in cooperation with the Galveston Symphony Orchestra; Light refreshments will be served; Free; 2618 Broadway, Galveston; www.moodymansion.org/specialevents.html

Open daily now through Jan. 19: The Ice at Discovery Green; Outdoor holiday skating on Kinder Lake (7,200 square-foot skating surface) in downtown Houston; All ages $10 for 1½ hour skate session + skate rental; www.discoverygreen.com/icerink/

Open daily now through Jan. 19: The Ice Rink at Woodlands Town Center; Children 5+ $9.50 for skate session + skate rental; coupon on-line; http://www.thewoodlandsicerink.com/; 281-419-5630