Depending on where you live, your child will likely get about two weeks off of school for winter vacation. While your average 8-year-old would argue that it’s not very long, it can be an eternity if the weather is nasty and you don’t have enough plans.

Here are a few things you can do to pass the time if you’re not traveling.

Take a cooking class

While shopping for overpriced gadgets at my local Sur La Table last week, I happened to pick up a schedule of their cooking classes. Not only do they offer two-day holiday kids’ camps (featuring — you guessed it — cookies and also an Iron Chef style baking match), kids are welcome to take other classes with a parent. It won’t be cheap, but at least you’ll go home knowing how to make prime rib or tamales.

See an IMAX movie

What do you get when you add lunch (or dinner) to an IMAX movie? About five hours of quality family entertainment, that’s what. Choose from quasi-educational films like Arabia, Hubble or Tornado Alley, or just go for pure fun with Happy Feet 2 or Puss in Boots.

Ride the bus or train

Unless you live in a very urban place, chances are your kids don’t get to ride buses and trains very often. This is a shame, because kids just love buses and trains. Plan a half-day excursion to a bookstore, museum, park, or restaurant, and take public transportation. It’ll be nice to get out of the car.

Host a games night

You probably won’t be the only family at home over the break. Why not round up a handful of kids and host a games night? No, not video games, board games. Little kids can stick with Uno or Memory Match, while older children can go try Word on the Street or Blokus. Got teens? Teach them how to play poker.

Find an indoor water park

If there’s anything more fun than a water park, I don’t know what it is. In colder areas of the country, you can even find indoor water parks. The weather outside may be frightful, but inside it’s always 80 degrees. Oh, and there are lazy rivers, wave pools and three-story waterslides too. Park access is often for hotel guests only, but a handful of resorts sell day passes too.