The email said to write about five different things to do with your kids over the holidays.

Does tying them up with five different colors of duct tape and leaving them in their rooms for five days count?

Probably not.

OK. So you're stuck with the urchins and need something to do. What follows is a tape-free list of suggestions.

Washington State History Museum

For the 21st year, the museum will host its Model Train Festival from Dec. 17 to Jan. 1.

Bring the children Dec. 21-23 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and they'll be treated to a visit from the Big Engineer himself, Santa.

The photos are free and will be emailed to an address of your choosing.

For more info, visit washingtonhistory.org.

Great Wolf Lodge

Put the little ones in the car and head toward the South Pole down I-5 to Centralia.

This resort is a family getaway that allows children to splash away in the indoor water park, explore activities and attractions in the resort, and experience on-site dining, too.

As a special treat, enjoy Snowland, a magical winter wonderland complete with decorations and visits from Santa through Jan. 1.

To learn more, visit greatwolf.com.

Museum of Pop Culture

This suggestion is more in line with preteens and teens, but the little ones might like the ride to Seattle.

MoPOP (the former Experience Music Project) is a museum dedicated to the idea that powers rock ‘n roll, MoPOP reaches all audiences through collections, exhibitions and educational programs through the use of interactive technologies.

For more info, visit empmuseum.org.

The Children's Museum of Tacoma

The museum does not charge admission; the museum asks for a donation.

With the philosophy of believing that play is the elemental component of children's learning, the museum engages young children and their parents or caregivers in self-directed play.

Core early childhood experiences form a basis for play in the museum's five main areas of woods, water, voyager, invention and Becka's studio.

For more play, visit traveltacoma.com.

Other Fun Ideas

Take the kids over to the Pierce College Science Dome. With 58 seats and a 38-foot domed screen, the munchkins can explore space, stargaze and get up close with the pyramids or fly through the human body.

To check it out, visit pierce.ctc.edu/dist/sciencedome/.

Don't feel like going inside?  Another place for the kids is the "Castle" at Fort Steilacoom Park. They will soon be tired - and happy.

For playtime in the park, check out cityoflakewood.us/parks-and-recreation/parks/fort-steilacoom-park.

Other ideas to explore (check out soundsfunmom.com) are cooking together, having a scavenger hunt, going to a local beach, helping out at a food bank, or drawing on the wall.

Yep, drawing on the wall.

Use some painter's tape to stick a piece of butcher's paper to the wall.  Let the little artists create a mural.  Hopefully, they stay on the paper.

There you have it.

Oh, and local hardware stores have holiday specials on duct tape.

Good luck.