10 Things To Do With Kids to Burn Off the Post-Holiday Sugar Rush

"And mom and dad can hardly wait for school to start again ... "

Whether its Bing Crosby or Johnny Mathis singing those words, most of us can agree there's more than a little truth in them.

If the kids are still running on a sugar high from this weekend's holiday revelry, here are a 10 ways to help them burn off the excess energy while still enjoying time as a family:

1. Movies

Catch a kid-friendly film like Monsters, Inc. 3D or The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey at nearby MJR Partridge Creek or Chesterfield Crossing Cinemas.

Price: Matinee shows, from noon to 6 p.m., are $5. Super Saver shows before noon on Friday, Saturday and Sunday are $4.50.

2. Indoor Waterpark

The Macomb Township Recreation Center's Aquatic Center is the closest thing this area has to an indoor waterpark. Life guards are always on duty, so whether patrons are using the water slide, play structure, lazy river, hot tub, log roll or feature pool for lap swimming, safety is a priority. More information on pool hours can be found on the Rec Center's website.

Price: Use of the pool is included in rec center membership. All-day passes can be purchased for $5 by residents and $10 by non-residents. Children under 3 are free. The all-day pass buys access to all areas of the rec center and can be used for multiple same-day visits.

3. Ice Skating

Suburban Ice Macomb on 25 Mile Road offers open skating one to two times a day during the holiday week. Check the calendar for times.

On Dec. 28, the Michigan State University hockey team will drop in from 2 to 4 p.m. to practice and meet with fans. This event is free.

Price: Holiday Skate – $5 adult (13 and up); $4 child (12 and under); $3 skate rental

4. Get Active

Joe Dumars' Fieldhouse offers dozens of activities from arcade games and laser tag, to miniature golf and the climbing wall.

Price: Adventure packs, featuring a combination of activities and gaming tokens, can be purchased for $10-20.

5. Roller Skating

If you haven’t checked out The New Rink , then winter break is the perfect time to do so. The rink features a 90,000-square-foot wood floor skating area.

Price: $6, Dec. 26-28 and Jan. 1-4, from 1 p.m.-4 p.m.; or $5, Dec. 26-27 and Jan. 1-3, 7-9 p.m.

6. Sledding

Weather permitting, the hills of Stony Creek are alive with the sound of sledding. The 4,000-acre park, which extends across Oakland and Macomb counties, offers winter sports enthusiasts a gamut of fun and family-friendly options.

There are several sledding, tobogganing and snowboarding hills at West Branch and Gladeview picnic areas.

Clinton Township is also home to a sledding hill. You'll find it off Romeo Plank between Canal and Clinton River. The driveway is located next to the baseball diamonds. 

Price: Entrance admission to the metropark. The winter park hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. 

Use of the Clinton Township hill is free.

7. Crafts

For a hands-on art experience, head to Plaster Playhouse in Shelby Township to create a masterpiece. No appointment neccessary to teach your children how to make and paint ceramics, plaster and create beautiful mosiacs.

Pricing: Prices range from $8 for one child per hour to make a ceramic, to $15 for four children for an hour. 

8. Bowling

STRIKE! Polish up on your bowling skills with open bowling at Shelby Lanes , or Imperial Lanes.

Price: Shelby Lanes – Check December daily specials; Imperial Lanes – Open bowing during the week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at $2.25 per game,

9. Jungle Java

Sip on a cup of Joe with some friends while your kids play in the jungle – an indoor playscape that is. Kids will have a blast climbing, sliding, and chasing at Clinton Township 's Jungle Java, which is located east of Partridge Creek off Hall Road. There is also a Lazer Cave, basketball courts and a toddler play area.

Jungle Java prides itself in offering healthy food options for the kids and adults, too. 

Price: Adults and children under 1-year-old, free; children ages 2 and older,  $7.50; children ages 12-23 months, $3. A kid's meal will run you $3.99.

10. Imagination

Check out the children's section at one of the Clinton-Macomb Public Library locations. The main branch library at Canal and Romeo Plank roads offers the largest kid's section, complete with a puppet stage, children's storytime alcove and collection of books and movies beyond a child's wildest dreams.

Price: Free