As Pasco County’s schoolchildren embark on their last full day of classes before the long winter break, moms all over Land O’ Lakes are likely scrambling to come up with things for them to do once the last bell rings on 2010.

After all, the break starts tomorrow and the buses won't run again until Jan. 10. That's a whole lot of days to fill after the holiday hoopla is over!

I must admit, with a first- and sixth-grader in my house, I’m sweating it just a little bit. Pasco’s break is typically pretty long, but thanks to a furlough day tomorrow, our kids are getting even more time out of school than the norm.

Rather than face another round of “Mom, I’m bored” as new gray hairs start to appear on my head, I decided to compile this list of possibilities for post-New Year fun. Here’s what I’ve come up with so far:

• A trip to Xtreme Adventures – With laser tag, indoor bumper cars and Xtreme Jump, this local destination is always a crowd pleaser. Plus, it has activities that suit my older daughter perfectly while also offering plenty for the little one to do, as well.
• An afternoon bowling – Royal Lanes in Lutz is also a great stop for a lazy afternoon. With plenty of lanes to choose from and some great prices, it’s an ideal way to stop the post-holiday boredom in its tracks.
• An escape to the movies – There’s nothing quite like a big bag of buttery popcorn and a kid-friendly flick to answer that age-old question: “Mom, what are we going to do today?” My favorite stop for a matinee is Cobb in Wesley Chapel. With its comfy seats, expansive snack bar and auditorium seating, we always have a good time.
• A picnic in the park – In this economy, budgets are far from endless. With that in mind, we’ll likely spend a day or two enjoying the playgrounds in Land O’ Lakes. My youngest daughter favors the Land O’ Lakes Community Center park where a large playground is nestled among trees and picnic tables are close by. Chances are she just really enjoys the fact McDonald’s is on the way, making a picnic of chicken nuggets and fries, a “convenience.” My older daughter prefers the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex because there’s more room to roam. The icing on the cake there is the dog park, which is always a fun stop.

Well, that’s my list so far. As you can see, it’s far from complete. If you have some no-budget or low-budget ideas, help a girl out! Just add your suggestions to the comments section.