Sometimes you and the wee ones just need a mental break. I'm not advocating lying to the boss, of course, but do schedule personal leave in advance and use the time for an outing with your children. Weekdays are great days to go to a museum and expose the kids to Picasso or try a planetarium show. By skipping work and planning the outing on a weekday, you'll avoid long crowds and traffic. I recommend finding out if any food factories offer tours in your area.
Kids love to see everything from jellybeans to bread created.
It Is Better to Give Teach your child the beauty of giving and volunteer time with him or her. Deliver food baskets to the elderly or clean up a seniors' garden. Stuff envelopes for a charity. Whatever you do, bring your children along and let them participate with you. You'll not only spend time together, but also teach a valuable lesson about helping those in need.