Photo: shutterstock.com

Planning for out of town guests can be stressful, especially when trying to figure out what to do once everyone’s done eating. Here are some activities to get everyone out of the house (and out of your hair). They’re fun, too. Trust me, even Great Aunt Gertrude will have a good time.

Cara Mia Theatre’s ‘Nuestra Pastorela is fun twist on the Nativity story. Photo: Linda Blase

Instead of heading out to a crowded cineplex this Thanksgiving weekend, treat the gang to a play. Cara Mia Theatre’s quirky and fun Nuestra Pastorela is spin on the traditional Mexican tale of the shepherds’ search to find the Christ child using the Star of Bethlehem as their guide. In his unique adaptation the shepherds are depicted as a family of clowns with red noses. As they set off on their urgent search for the babe they encounter a bumbling devil and his assistant who are, ahem…hell-bent, on derailing them. The lively and lighthearted show is full of slapstick and laughs and is perfect for the whole family. As a special Thanksgiving treat the nice people at Cara Mia are offering 20% off tickets for performances on Nov. 26 & 27! Just enter the coupon code ArtandSeekJr when you purchase your tickets online.

Two french hens! One of 12 depictions from the famous carol currently on display at the Dallas Arboretum. Photo: Therese Powell

Take the family for a stroll through the Dallas Arboretum.  Not only will the autumnal colors of the lakeside park be in full bloom, but it’s also a great time to catch their annual 12 Days of Christmas exhibition. The elaborate exhibit is actually a collection of life-size Victorian gazebos–12 to be exact–filled with costumed characters and scenery made in the theme of the famous Christmas carol. The kids will have fun spying the small details–our favorites were the sleeping kitties in the Eight Maids-a-Milking gazebo–and it will remind grandma and grandpa of fancy decorated store windows from Christmases past.

Birds of a feather flock together at the Trinity River Audubon Center. Photo: TRAC

Another event that will appeal to the nature lovers in your family is  NovemBIRD at the Trinity River Audubon Center. The birding hike happens Saturday morning (don’t worry, complimentary coffee is available for the sleepyheads in your group) and it will be lead by an Audubon guide who will point out both native and migratory feathered friends. The event is for all ages and skill levels so everyone from the tinies to senior citizens will enjoy this one.

See classic holiday songs come to life at the Bush Center. Photo: The Bush Center

Resist the urge to shop until you drop this Friday and instead come to the George W. Bush Presidential Center for their “Deck the Halls” Black Friday event. Patrons visiting the center will see the White House as it was decorated in Christmas of 2004 when Mrs. Bush selected “A Season of Merriment and Melody ” as the theme. The Center will be decorated with festive vignettes depicting classic holiday songs including “Frosty the Snowman,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and “Jingle Bells.” In addition to the holiday decorations there will also be hot cocoa, musical performances, and photos with Santa Claus in the Oval Office.

Hold on tight! It’s slippery! Photo: Trinity River Vision Authority

Feeling logy after that big meal? Work it off with a little exercise at Panther Island Ice, Fort Worth’s only outside ice skating rink. The popular rink opens this Friday and is back for another year of holiday skating at Panther Island Pavilion located inside the Coyote Drive-In complex. You and the family can skate to your hearts content until Jan. 16. Admission is $12, which includes skate rental.