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 rinks or simply chucking the kids into a snowbank to build forts are 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 winter and has almost enough snowballs and snow forts to compensate for our own lack of snow.

That the film is sweet and touching and about more than kids playing about in the snow is a bonus.

 La Guerre des Tuques 3D is in theatres now.

Running time: 84 minutes

2. Carnaval des Animaux

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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 steal the 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

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Cirque du Soleil is back at the Bell Centre, but this time with something different from one 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's Avatar, and the director is in Montreal for the show's premiere on Dec. 21.

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

Toruk is on at the Bell Centre, 1909 des Canadiens Avenue, in French and English.

Dec. 20 - Jan. 3

4. The Biodome

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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 Biodome is at 4777 Pierre-de-Coubertin Avenue.

5. Luminotherapy

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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 seesaws are lit up with LED lights, and they make music when you move them.

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

Luminotherapy is at Place des Festivals, in Montreal's Quartier des Spectacles, until Jan. 31