Some of your kids are probably still chewing on their Halloween candy, but believe it or not, it's time to make plans if you want to hop on some of the area's Santa Trains.

Here's a rundown of the big ones. Please add your favorites if one is missing.

1. Museum of Life and Science's Santa Train. The very popular and long-running Santa Train at the Durham museum starts chugging Dec. 4. It runs Dec. 4 to Dec. 6, Dec. 9 to Dec. 13, and Dec. 16 to Dec. 21. Tickets go on sale Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. And they can take only a day or two to sell out. So on your marks ... To purchase tickets, go to lifeandscience.org or call 919-220-5429, ext. 313. 

2.North Carolina's Amtrak's Santa Train runs between Raleigh and Greensboro the morning of Dec. 5. Santa hops aboard the train on the way and hangs out with you at the Greensboro station, where there also are other activities. You're typically back in Raleigh by late morning. Go to www.bytrain.org for the exact schedule and tickets. Tickets last year were sold out by just before Thanksgiving. A similar ride runs between Charlotte and Greensboro and will feature personalities from Radio Disney.

3. New Hope Valley Railroad's Santa Train runs Dec. 5 and Dec. 6 and Dec. 12 and Dec. 13 with departure times starting at 11 a.m. This also is a very popular event. Here are the details and ticket information.

4. Pullen Park's Holiday Express in Raleigh runs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 10 through Dec. 13. Crafts, live performances, carousel rides and a night-time ride on the park's popular train. Click here for more information or call 831-6468.

5. The N.C. Transportation Museum  in Spencer (about two hours away) has several Christmas trains. The Jingle Bell Express runs Dec. 1-4, Dec. 8-11 and Dec. 15-18. Its Santa Trains are Dec. 5-6, Dec. 12-13 and Dec. 19-20. Another event called Cookies and Cocoa with Santa runs Dec. 5, Dec. 12 and Dec. 18-19. Click here for details or call the museum at 704-636-2889.

6.  And if you're up for a real drive, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will start up its Polar Express rides on Nov. 6 with dates through Dec. 23. Click here for details and tickets (which are $57 for adults, $40 for kids ages 2 to 12, and $10 for kids under two).

Looking for things to do with your kids? Go to www.trianglemom2mom.com/play and check back here every Thursday.