Kids Invited!

'Tis the season for families to spend quality time together. The holidays present a haven of vacation days, sumptuous meals, and gatherings of relatives that bring young and old together to renew and celebrate.

Lake Country is dotted with special events during this time of year. Here are a few areas that highlight indoor and outdoor activities for the entire family. If you have your own favorites, add a comment and share with our readers.

Duluth
If anyone knows how to weather a Minnesota winter, it's Duluth residents (including polar bears Bubba and Berlin). See them this winter, along with many animals from around the world, at the Lake Superior Zoo. Or introduce your kids to Anang and Zhoosh, the playful otters that inhabit the Great Lakes Aquarium with their freshwater friends.

Other popular area attractions include the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, Carnival Thrillz, an indoor family entertainment center, the twenty-two runs and Big Air Terrain Park at Spirit Mountain for skiers and snowboarders, and The Edge, a 35,000-square-foot indoor water park.

More info: www.visitduluth.com, 1-800-438-5884

Alexandria
Big Ole, a 28-foot-tall Viking, will be the first one to greet you when you arrive in Alexandria. One reason to head in his direction is Andes Tower Hills, a family-oriented ski area with 15 downhill runs, 15 kilometers of cross-country ski trails, a tubing hill, and an excellent terrain park with plenty of jumps, rails, and fun boxes. It's also one of the few ski areas in the state that does not serve alcohol on the premises. Another reason to visit Alexandria is the Big Splash Indoor Waterpark.

Spend a weekend here, and you'll understand why Alexandra bills itself as a city that's "easy to get to, hard to leave."

More info: www.alexandriamn.org, 1-800-235-9441

Brainerd Lakes
Although the lakes may be frozen over, the area's year-round resorts continue to lure vacationers up north with warm hospitality and a variety of recreation opportunities. Inside, swimming pools and game rooms provide hours of entertainment. Outside, families can try ice fishing, rent snowmobiles, or even take a ride on a dog sled.

Ski Gull Ski Area has twelve downhill runs—60 percent of which are designed for beginners. There's also a new tubing area, plus snowboarding, cross country skiing, and ice skating, all in one convenient location.

Several water parks have recently opened in this area. The Rapid River Waterpark was first on the scene in 2000, followed by the Three Bear Water and Themepark and the Paul Bunyan Water Park, both in 2005. All three have tree house play areas, an array of waterslides, and a lazy river. If you can't choose between them, try one water park Friday, one Saturday, and one Sunday!

More info: www.explorebrainerdlakes.com, 1-800-450-2838

If you have your own favorite Lake Country winter activity, please register or sign in and add a comment to share with our readers.