A long holiday break away from school is on most students’ wish lists this Christmas. But for parents, it can be a juggling act between working and scrambling to find activities to keep their children entertained so they don’t start developing cabin fever.

Following is a roundup of activities — some free and some a little more costly — available in the Meridian area to help younger children and pre-teens celebrate the season while also keeping them busy.

Public Library

The Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library, located at 2517 Seventh Street, has several free activities planned to keep little ones and school-age children entertained.

On Thursday, Dec. 14, students in grades kindergarten through fifth grades can participate in some Christmas-themed group games, called reindeer games, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Meanwhile, students in grades sixth through 12th will meet at 3:30 p.m. to put together holiday cookies in a jar they can bake with their family or friends or gift to someone during the season.

The library is also bringing back its Holiday Escape Room Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 18-20, and slots are still available for families to sign up to participate. Anyone who is interested in searching for clues and solving a series of puzzles to escape the room before time runs out must schedule their visit through a SignUpGenius link on the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library website at meridianlauderdalecolibrary.com.

On Tuesday, Dec. 19, toddler and pre-K students will search high and low beginning at 10 a.m. as they take part in a Christmas scavenger hunt to find all of the holiday-themed items in their notebook.

Then on Thursday, Dec. 21, children in kindergarten through 12th grades are encouraged to wear their fanciest pajama set and have cookies and cocoa while watching a classic Christmas movie, “The Santa Claus” starring Tim Allen, during Pajamas and a Christmas Movie at 2:30 p.m.

On Friday, Dec. 22, the third annual Santa’s Workshop is scheduled at the library with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus expected to make an appearance. Participants are encouraged to bring a camera and drop by any time between 9:30 a.m. and noon and then from 1-2:30 p.m. to take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Those taking part in the workshop can also visit the library’s Children’s Department at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to hear stories read by Mrs. Claus and make some fun crafts to take home. Or, they can venture outside to meet some furry friends from the North Pole’s farm provided by Angie Hales Pony Tales.

During Santa’s Workshop, parents and guardians are encouraged to donate blood by visiting the Vitalant Blood Mobile, which will be set up in the west parking lot.

On Thursday, Dec. 28, children in grades K-5th can make a 3D snowflake using wooden clothes pins and other craft materials during a craft activity beginning at 3:30 p.m. Meanwhile, students in 6th through 12th grades can enjoy playing various card games while sipping on hot chocolate with friends during Cards and Cocoa from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

The Meridian Lauderdale County Public Library will be closed for the Christmas holiday beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 22, and reopening at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 27. The library will close for the New Year’s holiday beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 29, and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 2.

Temple Theatre

The Temple Theatre in downtown Meridian will show the beloved holiday movie “The Polar Express” on Sunday, Dec. 17, and again on Saturday, Dec. 23. Admission is $5 per person with showtimes on both dates at noon and 3 p.m.

“The Polar Express” is the story of a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary train ride late on Christmas Eve bound for the North Pole and the home of Santa Claus. The boy makes several new friends during the journey, while discovering that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.

To purchase tickets, visit the Temple’s website at thetempletheatre.com.

Mississippi Children’s Museum

The Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian kicked off its winter celebration at the museum back in mid-November with lots of activities planned to keep young students entertained through the long winter break.

The museum has taken on a magical, wintry look for its Winter Wonderland experience, which will continue daily through Jan. 7. Participants can go sock skating in the Snowflake Village and pose for a photo op with a larger-than-life snow globe, while also taking part in the museum’s regular exhibits and holiday activities.

Santa Claus will drop by the children’s museum from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17, and Saturday, Dec. 23, so it’s not too late to give Santa your holiday wish if you haven’t had a chance to meet up with him yet this Christmas season. Attendees can make reindeer food with Santa at the Dec. 17 event and enjoy story time by the tree with Santa on Dec. 23. Mrs. Claus will stop by the museum on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 2-4 p.m. to share stories with the children from back home at the North Pole.

Beginning at 11 a.m. on Dec. 16 and Dec. 23, children can enjoy hot cocoa and cookies at the museum’s Reindeer Workshops. Participants can choose their fabric and sew a cozy sweater or scarf for their new plush reindeer friend. The cost for the class, which includes one reindeer and all of the materials needed, is $35 for one child and one adult and $15 for an additional child.

Also on Dec. 16, Shea Leake will conduct a holiday cookie workshop from 3-4 p.m. where children will get the chance to decorate their own holiday cookies. The cost of attendance, $30 for members and $40 for nonmembers, includes admission to the museum and its fun exhibits, a box of four pre-baked cookies for one child and their guardian and decorating supplies. Online pre-registration is strongly encouraged for the event.

MCM-Meridian will offer instructor-led winter day camps for area students with themes centered around the museum’s educational initiatives. Registration for the day camps is required, and the cost to attend is $45 per camp, which includes museum admission, for members and $50 for nonmembers. The themes for this year’s camps include Holidays Around the World Day for Thursday, Dec. 21, which will look at how Christmas in celebrated in countries around the world; Winter Arts for Friday, Dec. 22, which will focus on a day of creating art projects, including Winter Wonderland slime; a winter STEAM camp on Thursday, Dec. 28, where students will learn why marshmallows melt in hot chocolate and will create winter art; and Snow Day camp on Dec. 29, where students will make snow and discover how polar bears stay warm.

All of the holiday activities at MCM-Meridian lead up to the museum’s big celebration for young revelers on Saturday, Dec. 30. Noon Year’s Eve will be held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. that day and will feature confetti-filled festivities, do-it-yourself party gear crafts, cheerful melodies and a big burst of confetti at noon. Activities are included in a regular museum admission.

Northeast Park Tennis Center

Anyone who has children, ages 4 to 15, interested in playing tennis can let them get introduced to the sport during a Christmas Break Camp at Northeast Park Tennis Center from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 20.

During the four-hour camp, participants will receive tennis instruction and will take part in drills and tennis games. Pizza will be available for lunch, and attendees are encouraged to bring their water bottles.

The cost for the Christmas Break Camp is $50. Anyone interested in registering their child should contact Pete Mazzella, director of racquet sports at the Northeast Tennis Center, at 601-720-5574.

Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience

On Wednesday, Jan. 3, youth ages 10-15 are invited to attend a monthly art-based workshop at the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience where they will create art using puzzle pieces. A free event, the monthly workshops are designed to help students develop friendships, explore new art forms and learn more about Mississippi artists. Registration on The MAX website, msarts.org, is required.

Lastly on Saturday, Jan. 6, The MAX will celebrate its “Jammin’ January First Saturday” with participants creating New Year’s picture frames from 10 a.m. until noon in the MAXClassroom. Then, they can experience the thrill of making music in The MAX’s own Governor’s Recording Studio from noon until 2 p.m. They can join in with fellow artists on an interactive jam session by bringing their own instrument and discovering the recording process. All activities are included with the First Saturday admission price of $5 for adults, $1 for ages 6-17 and free for ages 5 and under.