Best Winter 2010/2011 Events for Kids in the Tri-Cities Area of Northeast Tennessee

The Tri-Cities area of Northeast Tennessee offers some great events and activities for kids during the cold winter months. When your children are bored and tired of being cooped up inside, get them involved in some of the activities available. Most are very reasonably priced or even free.

Hands On! Regional Museum in Johnson City
Hands On! is a museum that encourages a child to learn through play. They have permanent exhibits, such as the Eastman Discovery Lab where children can learn about biology, chemistry, earth science, and even physics. There is also the Ark, which deals with animals, their habitat, and the environment. Hands On! also has feature exhibits that change on a regular basis. Through January 9, 2011, children can enjoy the feature exhibit known as Animal Secrets. Here they can pretend that they are a chipmunk or look out from an eagle's nest. They can also be the naturalist studying animals from streams, woodlands, meadows, and caves -- all from the naturalist's tent. Having worked for awhile at Hands On!, I can also tell you that the museum is as much fun for the adults as for the children. So, when the weather prohibits outdoor play, gather up the family and play at Hands On! Regional Museum. [Special note: Hands On! frequently has special events scheduled during Downtown Johnson City's First Friday celebration. Call for information.]

Hands On! Regional Museum
315 East Main Street, Johnson City, TN 37601
423-434-HAND (4263)
Hours: Closed on Mondays September - May; Tuesday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Allow 1½ - 2 hours to tour the entire museum.
Prices vary.

Jonesborough
Jonesborough, Tennessee's oldest town and home to the International Storytelling Festival, seems to always have something going on throughout the year. The winter months are no exception. During December, there will be the Holiday Storytelling Concert at the International Storytelling Center along with a production of "A Christmas Carol" at the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre. Children will love "At Home With Santa" on December 11, where they will visit with Santa and be able to enjoy various games and activities, including crafts and carriage rides. Volunteers will also help the little ones find Christmas gifts for their family at the Santa Mart. Jonesborough is constantly updating their events calendar, including storytelling events, which can be found on their website.
Jonesborough, Tennessee

Jonesborough Visitors Center
117 Boone Street, Jonesborough, TN 37659
423-753-1010 or toll free 866-401-4223
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Weekends 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The Exchange Place
The Exchange Place is a living history farm located in Kingsport and harks back to how life was in the early 1800s. December is actually a busy time at the farm. During the day on December 4 (10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.), the Exchange Place offers Christmas in the Country, which is a free event. There will be crafts from local artisans, along with traditional holiday foods. In addition, there will be various workshops, including a parent-child workshop where parents can help their children make a woven Christmas ornament. (There is a small fee and reservations should be made. For more information, see: Christmas in the Country.) Finally, at 4:15 p.m., there will be the Yule Log Ceremony, where everyone can gather around a bon fire and celebrate an ancient tradition. The Exchange Place also offers numerous school programs. During the winter months, special group tours can also be scheduled. I, however, have often just stopped by the farm and wandered around the grounds. You will be able to see the buildings and gardens as they were in the 1800s. In addition, there are sheep, pigs, draft horses, and chickens. For example, I visited the farm one day when they had just separated the male sheep from the females. The males followed me everywhere. The Exchange Place is just a great place to spend a wonderful time outdoors, no matter the weather, and a great place to learn about history. I have also volunteered for some of the special events held at the farm and can attest to the delight that children exhibit whenever they visit this piece of living history.

The Exchange Place
4812 Orebank Road, Kingsport, Tennessee 37664
423-288-6071
Hours vary. Call for additional information. Also, see my article on The Exchange Place: An Historical Attraction in Tennessee.