5 ways to keep your kids busy in Montreal this snowless holiday

As the temperatures stay stubbornly and unseasonably high, visions of tobogganing, skating on local rinksor simply chucking the kids into a snowbank to build fortsare being replaced by grim reality.

Two weeks of entertaining the kids:It's a daunting prospect. Fortunately, there is a lot going on that might just keep them occupied.

Here are a few ideas to get you started.

1. La Guerre des Tuques 3D

For a chance to see the thrill of winter, if not to experience it firsthand, there's La Guerre des Tuques 3D.

The animated film is a re-telling of a Quebec classic.

It is set in a village in the middle of winterand has almost enough snowballs and snow forts to compensate for our own lack of snow.

That the film is sweetand touchingand about more than kids playing about in the snow is a bonus.

La Guerre des Tuques 3Dis in theatres now.

Running time: 84 minutes

2. Carnaval des Animaux

The Tohu is hosting a fun, family-friendly circus show over the holidays. Carnaval des Animaux is by the Australian troupe Circa, a frequent visitor to Montreal.

This show tells the story of a party that ends in wild, dreamlike flights of fancy where the acrobats contort themselves into different animals. The caterpillar and the elephant are particularly good.

The versatile acrobats are frequently joined onstage by eight young performers from Montreal. These 7- to 11-year-olds stealthe show with their back flips and tumbling.

Add to that inflatable sharks, some mesmerizing video, giant red balloons, and the kids are sold on this one.

Carnaval des Animaux is at La Tohu, 2345 Jarry Street East.

It runs until Jan.3.

3. Toruk

Cirque du Soleil is back at the Bell Centre, but this time with something different fromone of their old shows redone for an arena tour.

Toruk is the company's latest ambitious flight of fancy.

It's a re-telling of James Cameron'sAvatar, andthe director is in Montreal for the show's premiere on Dec.21.

Unlike previous Cirque shows, Toruk relies heavily on multimediaand uses a narrator to tell the story of the Na'vi on a quest to save their world from disaster.

Torukis on at theBell Centre,1909 desCanadiens Avenue, in French and English.

Dec.20 - Jan.3

4. The Biodome

The Biodome is always a safe bet with the younger set. This year, there is the added appeal of a puppet show called Capy's Big Day, featuring some of the popular Biodome animals.

Then on Boxing Day, some of the animals will be getting a chance to unwrap presents. Shhhh,don't tell them:They're getting their favourite treats.

While out at the Biodome, a visit to the Planetarium is a good idea too.

The Biodomeis at4777 Pierre-de-Coubertin Avenue.

5. Luminotherapy

With the weather warm enough to take the kids to a playground, why not check out the free and enchanting Luminotherapy installation at Place des Festivals.

A row of seesawsare lit up with LED lights, and they make music when you move them.

It brings out the kid in everyonewho wanders past and hops on.

Luminotherapyis atPlace des Festivals, in Montreal's Quartier des Spectacles, until Jan. 31