Saturday. Getting kids to behave in a museum is akin to serving them brussels sprouts. It rarely ends well. The Denver Art Museum is bravely stepping into the fray with Great Games Weeks, starting at 10 a.m. Saturday. Games like West African Mancala and Western Bingo Showdown will be scattered about so families can play their way through the museum. Also watch for puzzles, riddles and rhymes, plus a new touchable tortoise sculpture by Paul Manship. Best of all, children from the state under age 18 get free admission. The galleries of games are set up through Jan. 6. Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Avenue Parkway; 720-865-5000. Adults can participate in Great Games for free with museum admission. Colorado residents: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students. Nonresidents: $13 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, $5 for kids ages 6 to 18. Children under 6 are free.
Tonight-Sunday. December’s reputation is wrapped up in the holidays, but the month has separate charms of its own. That’s why Crossroads Theater celebrates the last month of the year in “A December Suite.” This nondenominational musical play tells the silly story of the Fitzenstarts Sisters’ preparations for their big winter recital. Music by Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi and Shostakovich combine with puppetry and dancing in tribute to December’s many qualities. 7 tonight. 7 p.m. Saturday. 2 p.m. Sunday. Crossroads Theater, 2590 Washington St.; 303-832-0929. Adult tickets are $10; children $8. The show runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 30.
Saturday. Santa’s taking a much-needed break from his Christmas preparations this weekend. The big man himself will be hanging out at the Shops at Northfield Stapleton on Saturday, sipping hot chocolate and seeing a movie. First, he’ll be chilling at Borders Books and Music at 1:30 p.m to make crafts and sample treats. Then, at 3 p.m., he’ll head over to the Harkins Theatres to watch Jim Carrey’s version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” All are welcome to relax with Mr. Kringle at either location. Tickets to the movie are limited, though, so pick them up at guest services beforehand. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Salvation Army. 1:30 and 3 p.m. Saturday. The Shops at Northfield Stapleton, north of Interstate 70 on Northfield Boulevard; 303-375-5464. The Borders event is free. Movie tickets are $5 — one per person.
Wednesday-Thursday. Budding pilots can do everything but take to the skies during Kids Days at Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum. The airplane hangar that houses the museum will be abuzz with hands-on activities. Visitors can build and launch a rocket, test out a flight simulator and sit in the cockpit of a historic airplane. The museum’s new KidSpace will be open, too, for even more creative fun. Older kids will love exploring the museum’s collection of aircraft, including an F-14 fighter and a huge B-52 bomber. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, 7711 E. Academy Blvd.; 303-360-5360. $9 for adults age 13 and older, $8 for seniors age 65 and older, $6 for children age 4 to 12. Admission is free for museum members.
