Steve Thompson needed a break.
The Ringgold resident was having fun Thursday afternoon, sledding at Ross's Landing with his 7-year-old daughter Alexis and 11-year-old son Jake. But getting outside was almost a necessity, he said, because Catoosa County schools hadn't come back from Christmas break before this week's snow hit, so his kids have been home for almost a month.
"I'm ready for them to go back [to school]," he said.
After several days of snow, ice and closed schools, many parents may be feeling as frazzled as Thompson, ready for their little ones to go back to class so their lives can get back to normal.
Thompson said his family has watched movies, played games such as Monopoly and done chores around the house to keep the kids busy. He recently had them clean out their closets.
"They didn't care for that one too much."
But as roads are cleared, people have ventured from home to seek entertainment.
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On Thursday, the crowds at the Creative Discovery Museum were much larger than normal for the season, Executive Director Henry Schulson said. That's compared with Tuesday, when the museum had only 19 visitors, he said. The museum is closed on Wednesday.
"We've definitely seen an increase in visitors over a typical Thursday," Schulson said.
Many grownups told museum staff that Thursday was the first day they felt it was safe to travel.
Admission to the museum is half price Saturday, with admission at $5.45 for ages 2 through adult. Many museums throughout Tennessee are participating in the half-price admission program to coincide with the inauguration of Gov.-elect Bill Haslam.
Schulson said Saturday also is "Snow Day" at the museum with winter-related activities from noon until 4 p.m.
Event Coordinator Amy Barrett said there are plans to make snow inside the museum as well as igloos and snow cream, along with many other events.
"Come on down and have some fun with us," she said.