We're in that weird, stir crazy time of year when winter youth activities and sports have wrapped up but (melting) snow still covers the ground. This is the time of the year -- more than ever, I swear -- when parents hear those immortal words:

"I'M BOOOOOORED!"

What to do? Here's one idea. (This is the first in a running feature on this blog of off-beat and little-known family activities.)

Take a trip to the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting. I hadn't heard of it until last month, when my fourth-grader's class took a field trip there. Staff took the class through a variety of hands-on activities, including a televised quiz show and the complete production of a radio broadcast. Kids in the class did everything from writing breaking news that came across the teletype to engineering the show to announcing the upcoming rock and roll songs. Who knew the kids would love La Bamba so much?

I wondered if these activities were only saved for classes and groups, but managing director Steve Raymer told me via email that the museum tries to make them available for individual visitors as well. (Preference goes to groups if they have booked time at the museum, though, so you might want to call ahead if those activities sound like fun.)

Price is reasonable ($6 adults, $5 students/seniors) Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wedneday through Saturday. The museum has an interesting mix of old TV and radio equipment on display as well. On Sunday, April 3, an annual Sherlock Holmes Radio Drama takes place.

Just something to keep in the back of your mind for when those immortal words come from your kids ...