There are times of the year where I wish I was a kid again. The holiday season is definitely one of those times.

While there are many reasons why it would be great to be a child during the next month or so, one of my main reasons for wanting to be a kid is because of the NFB Holiday Animation Workshops, running this year from December 27 to January 4. The daily hands-on workshops allow children between the ages of 6 and 13 to explore the fascinating worlds of clay and paper cut-out animation, and each child finishes their very own mini-movie at the end of the session.

If you're looking for a Christmas gift for the little tyke (son, daughter, nephew, niece, kid that keeps following you around in the neighborhood, etc.) in your life, you really can't go wrong the NFB Holiday Animation Workshops. With an admission price of $5 per child — or free with the donation of a non-perishable food item for the Daily Bread Food Bank of Toronto — the workshops not only allow for some good bonding time with your younger buddy, but also give adults and children alike the opportunity to exercise their creativity and share their movies with the world.

The theme of the year has been inspired by the ballet The Nutcracker, and during each workshop expert facilitators will show you how to create Nutcracker characters out of clay and paper cut-outs, and bring them to life using professional animation equipment. Each child will be able to take home their Nutcracker mini-movie, and all movies will be posted on-line after the holidays.

Here's a quick look at all the workshops that will make up the NFB Holiday Animation Workshops, each running at noon and 3pm each day:

• Thursday, December 27: Holiday Toys (Clay animation)
  Visit the NFB's toy shop, build your own holiday toy out of clay and bring it to life with the magic of animation.
• Friday, December 28: Midnight Strikes (clay animation)
  Create your own mouse out of clay and animate it prowling among the holiday treats.
• Saturday, December 29: The Nutcracker's Transformation (paper cut-out animation)
  Animate the Nutcracker as he transforms from a wooden doll into a dashing prince.
• Sunday, December 30: The Magical Snowy Forest (paper cut-out animation)
  Create your own Clara or Nutcracker out of paper and join the dance of the snowflakes.
• Monday, December 31: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (clay animation)
  Create your own Sugar Plum Fairy or one of her delightful treats out of clay and watch as she and her candies dance across the stage.
• Wednesday, January 2: The Russian Dance (paper cut-out animation)
  Create your own Russian doll out of paper and animate it twirling throughout the Kingdom of Sweets.
• Thursday, January 3: The Waltz of the Flowers (paper cut-out animation)
  Create your own flower out of clay and invite it to join the waltz.
• Friday, January 4: Pas de Deux (clay animation)
  Animate the Nutcracker and your very own Sugar Plum fairy dancing together in the Palace of Sweets.

The workshops will take place at the NFB Mediatheque, 150 John Street, and reservations can be made by calling 416-973-3012.

You can find more information about the NFB Holiday Animation Workshops on the NFB Mediatheque workshop schedule, and more about the many great things you can do at the NFB around the holiday season (including buying unique gifts!) on the NFB website.

Post header photographer by highwaygirl67. Drawn image courtesy NFB.