WATERLOO -- A little adventure is good. A little bit more is even better.

Ava Klopfenstein spent part of her holiday exploring her grandparents' attic in Waterloo.

"She found her mother's Barbies," Joanne Lane said.

Then the family went to the circus.

Lane and her husband, Roger, visited the Grout Museum on Wednesday with their daughter, Lori, and son-in-law, Vaughn Klopfenstein, of Cedar Rapids. The Lanes' party also included Ava, 7; Ian, 9; and Peter, 11.

The group was among the first to join Discovery Days at the Grout Museum, 503 South St. Activities continue today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Discovery Days happen two times each year immediately following Thanksgiving and Christmas. The sites alternate between the museum and the Imaginarium, which is nearby. The concept started perhaps a dozen years ago, Executive Director Billie Bailey said.

From the museum's point of view, the holiday break offers an opportunity to capitalize on available free time people might be enjoying. From the participants' vantage, Discovery Days delivers family fun and, perhaps, a way to quench whatever cabin fever might be building up.

"Children today don't have enough opportunities to have hands-on, and intergenerational is always good," Lane said.

Ryan and others make sure everyone has plenty to make, touch and read. Organizers also try to pick motifs that appeal to all ages.

"That's how I look at a theme -- something that will draw kids and parents and activities that kids will enjoy," Ryan says.

Two years ago at the Grout, the theme was magic. This week, the museum went with another favorite.

"Kids love the circus," Ryan says.

Old and young can read books borrowed from the Waterloo Public Library, color pictures and learn magic tricks. Participants can move at their own pace among several stations, lingering over whatever tickles their fancy and skipping whatever doesn't.

"The older kids can probably do more on their own," Ryan says, "but the younger kids will need some direction."

During the week, Lee Przybylski, a junior at Cedar Falls High School, also demonstrated his considerable gift with various yo-yos; John Neeley of Waterloo shared talents as a magician; and Dean Franzen, a lecturer in mathematics at the University of Northern Iowa, delighted visitors by juggling.

Performers at Discovery Days receive an honorarium, but Ryan says the real incentive goes deeper.

"They're really doing this because they love their trade and love to share it with people," she says.

Before Przybylski finished Wednesday, he had Peter Klopfenstein experimenting with basic yo-yo tricks. Vaughn Klopfenstein dusted off his skills as well. Then the family turned rice and balloons into sets of balls to juggle, and Peter impressed his brother with a rope trick of his own design.

"The kids enjoy these types of activities," Vaughn said.

Ryan notes Discovery Days are a good value. Admission for a child is $3; an adult pays $4 -- unless they are members of the museum, in which they get in free.

"So it's not going to cost very much to come," Ryan says.

The fee also opens the entire Grout to visitors, and an explorer's pass opens doors in the entire museum district.

"A lot of people come and they haven't been here since they were a child … now they're bringing their children," Ryan said.

"Kids come with grandparents or mentors and have something that they can do together, not just a time-filler. … It's something that families can do together."

All of that sounds familiar to Lane, who shared Discovery Days with her extended brood.

"This is a way to experience some new adventures, and we haven't been to the Grout in a while," she said.

Contact Dennis Magee at dennis.magee@wcfcourier.com.