60+ Things to do in NYC During Midwinter Recess

This year, NYC schools’ midwinter recess takes place from Friday, Feb. 12 through Sunday, Feb. 21. Below are 10 amazing ideas for what to do over February break with your kids—from learning about 18th-century board games to fighting like a ninja and coloring like KAWS. For the full 2020-2021 NYC Public School calendar, click here. For updates on in-person learning in NYC schools, click here.

What to do Over February Break

Celebrate Lunar New Year 2021

WHEN: Friday, Feb. 12, 11:30am–1pm
While the city’s annual massive parade and fireworks display have been postponed due to Covid, you can still welcome the Year of the Ox (and kick off the first day of February break) with music and dancing in Chinatown’s American Legion Kimlau Memorial Square on Feb. 12, the start of the new year. Join the Lion Troupe for a free display of movement and confetti, then complete your afternoon with some dim sum or bubble tea. Or, find another family-friendly Lunar New Year celebration near you.

Participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count 

WHEN: Feb. 12-15, whenever works best for you!
A few weeks ago, my son and I watched in amazement as a hawk dive-bombed a pigeon in mid-air. What made the scene all the more remarkable was the fact that we were sitting inside our apartment in the middle of Manhattan. The annual Great Backyard Bird Count lets everyone be a naturalist, even city dwellers like us. Participating is easy: Spend at least 15 minutes watching a feathered friend or two over the four-day period, and report your data to one of the biggest biodiversity-related citizen science projects in the world.

Play Tourist in Your Town 

WHEN: Whenever!
Mid-winter recess is the perfect time to play tourist in your town. Tour Your City offers a searchable database of tours for the taking, searchable by borough, interest, and neighborhood. For example, you and your teen can learn all about Staten Island’s art deco treasures, or explore some particularly photogenic spots in Queens. The NYC Parks Department maintains a regular roster of events hosted by Urban Park Rangers. It’s also the perfect time to check off some items on the NYC bucket list for kids, with smaller crowds at traditionally “tourist” locations.  

Zoom with Exotic Animals at the Bronx Zoo 

WHEN: Feb. 15-20; Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday; times vary
Putting the “zoo” in Zoom, the Bronx Zoo is offering four animal meet-and-greets during mid-winter break with an aardvark, penguin, fennec fox, and porcupine ($32.95 per device). In addition to the session’s featured animal, you’ll meet two surprise guests and be able to chat with a zookeeper. Not only does this give a budding animal lover the chance to see animals up close, but the fee goes to supporting all of the zoo’s 700+ species.

Participate in a Historical Workshop or Game

WHEN: Feb. 16-19, Tuesday-Friday, 1-2pm
Some of the city’s history museums have bonded together for four sessions of old-fashioned gaming. Put another way: the Midwinter Break Fun & Games Virtual Workshop Series will demonstrate what Revolutionary War-era kids did to pass the time in the days before Minecraft. The free, interactive workshops range from learning to write in secret code, thanks to the friends at Morris Jumel Mansion, to making paper toys with the fine folks at Lewis Latimer House Museum. Everything takes place over Zoom. Separate registration for each program is required.

Play with Slime at the Sloomoo Institute 

WHEN: Thursday-Friday, 3-8pm; Saturday, 10am-9pm; Sunday, 10am-8pm
There’s just something about slime. As you stick your hands in the gooey stuff, all your cares and worries seem to fall away. That goes double for your kids, who won’t be able to get enough of this special hands-on interactive pop-up in Soho. At the Sloomoo Institute (even the name is fun to say), kids of all ages can twist, pull, glop, glob, slither through, jump over, and even dip toes into mounds of the colorful, slippery stuff. Timed tickets required ($39 per ticket, kids under 1 are free).

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by SloomooInstitute (@sloomooinstitute)

Go on a Cemetery Tour

WHEN: open daily, times vary
A cemetery walk? Why, yes. Taken together, the lovely Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn and Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx boast almost 900 strollable acres, full of countless trees, carved angels, and endless opportunities for speculating about the lives lived by those buried there. Speaking of burials, both cemeteries are home to some very famous New Yorkers, among them Susan Smith McKinney-Steward (the first female black doctor in New York state), Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Leonard Bernstein in Brooklyn; and Miles Davis, Madam CJ Walker, and Herman Melville in the Bronx.

Conduct Science Experiments for Kids

WHEN: Whenever!
Scientists should study the direct relationship between amount of fun had and size of mess made. Try that experiment for yourself (if you dare) by encouraging your kids to get their science on during the break. The Children’s Museum of Manhattan has directions for making clouds, using stuff you likely already have kicking around the kitchen, while Incredible Science will help you and your brood construct a glitter volcano. Science Kids boasts an enormous array of interactive fun, including making lemony soda and fake snot with gelatin and corn syrup—just don’t get confused and drink from the wrong glass!

Get Kids Active Outside

WHEN: Whenever!
During the winter months, your family may be tempted to hunker down and stay inside. But just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean your kids have to turn into couch potatoes or screen-time zombies. There are plenty of ways to get up and move outside (when the weather’s cooperating)—from hiking and sledding to building a snowman or having a friendly snowball fight. Not loving the cold weather? There are a variety of opportunities to stay active indoors too! 

Enroll Your Child in a Mid-Winter Recess Program

WHEN: Dates and times vary
During February break, your kids can attend in-person or online camps focused on the hobbies they love most. If you have an athletic child in your life, Chelsea Piers, for example, offers camp sessions including ninja and parkour, gymnastics, and the awesome mishmash known as ‘multi-sport’ (including but not limited to soccer, flag football, basketball, and baseball). Got a little artist? Inspired by its upcoming exhibit, KAWS: WHAT PARTY, the Brooklyn Museum is running a daily virtual art-making camp. Each day offers a mix of education from museum staff, peer interaction, snacking, stretching, drawing, and mixed media work. (Campers will be divided by age.) The camp culminates in an online “Open Studio” on Friday. 

Events for Families During Mid-Winter Recess

Skip to Manhattan
Skip to Brooklyn
Skip to Queens
Skip to Long Island
Skip to Westchester
Skip to Rockland

Events During Mid-Winter Recess in Manhattan

FREE. WINTER BREAK ONLINE Virtual Mid-Winter Recess Family Programs
WHEN: February 12-18, various days and times
WHERE: New York Transit Museum, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Join the New York Transit Museum online for family workshops during mid-winter recess, special storytelling workshops, fun activities, and storytime with Museum staff and special guests!
WANT TO GO? See website for full line up. Advanced registration required for some programs.

FREE. ONLINE Designing America
WHEN: February 15, 11am-12pm
WHERE: The Skyscraper Museum, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate Presidents' Day with The Skyscraper Museum and recognize the ways American presidents have inspired and designed notable American buildings. Learn about presidential constructions from George Washington's Mount Vernon Mansion to the future Obama Presidential Center. Using key features of American architecture, like columns and domes, kids will act as presidents to design their own buildings.
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.

IN PERSON Mardi Gras Princess Play
WHEN: February 15, 10:30am-12pm
WHERE: Let’s Dress Up, 345 East 85th Street, Yorkville
AGES: 3 and older
WHAT: Let the good times roll as you celebrate Mardi Gras with masks, beads and some New Orleans style fun. This is a 90 minute Princess Play session with dress up and a tea party.
WANT TO GO? $35. Advanced registration required.

FREE. WINTER BREAK ONLINE 2021 Virtual Kids Week at Intrepid Museum
WHEN: February 15-19, 10am-3pm, daily
WHERE: Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum will host its annual Kids Week festival virtually this year. During Kids Week, children of all ages and interests will learn more about STEAM through virtual presentations, workshops and demonstrations designed to educate and inspire This year, Kids Week will be all virtual and feature three themes across the five days - Space & Science, Music & Arts, and Safari & Nature. Partners, presenters and programs for this year's virtual Kids Week include: American Museum of Natural History, NASA, American Society of Civil Engineers, Billion Oyster Project, The Radio City Rockettes , the Climate Museum, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, Curious-on-Hudson, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Kerbal Space Academy, Ballet Hispanico School of Dance, U.S. Space Force, the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Robofun, Rube Goldberg, Two by Two Zoo, Meet the Creators with Brigette Barrager, Rachel Ignotofsky, Laura Knetzger, Lauren Castillo, and Judd Winick, Meet the Authors with Theanne Griffith, Bill Doyle, Jennifer L. Holm and John Rocco, Mindfulness Expert for Children: Kira Willey, Wildlife Conservation Society featuring the Bronx Zoo, and more.
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.

IN PERSON Winter Break Hours
WHEN: February 15-19, 10am–5:30pm
WHERE: The American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park W., Upper West Side
AGES: All
WHAT: The Museum will be open the full week of February 15. Attendance is limited to 25 percent of normal visitation to allow ample room for physical distancing, providing a unique, intimate opportunity to visit beloved Museum icons like the blue whale model, the Titanosaur, and T. rex and other fossils.
WANT TO GO? $18-$23; pay as you wish for NY, NJ, and CT residents with ID. Advance timed-entry ticket reservations are required.

ONLINE Dinosaur Yoga
WHEN: February 15, 2-2:45pm
WHERE: Karma Kids Yoga, Online
AGES: 3-7
WHAT: Calling all Paleontologists! Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk like a Stegosaurus, have a snack with a Triceratops, fly with Pteranodon, and dig up the bones of the mighty Diplodocus? Join Karma Kids Yoga and gather all of your gear for a Dinosaur Yoga adventure! Traveling around the world, you'll discover some of the fiercest animals that roamed the earth millions of years ago and snack alongside our favorite Herbivores. Jump into the sand pits and dig up dinosaur bones, help baby dinosaurs hatch from their eggs and create never before seen dino yoga poses, all while keeping our eyes peeled for the most powerful of all dinosaurs, the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex!
WANT TO GO? $15 per child. Advanced registration required.

FREE. WINTER BREAK IN PERSON Kids Week: Parade!
WHEN: February 16, various programs from 9:25am-12:45pm
WHERE: Bryant Park, 40th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Midtown
AGE: All
WHAT: Parade around Bryant Park on Mardi Gras during Kids Week! This marvelous day includes loads of beads, bubble blowing, brassy instruments, a take-away craft, and of course, ice skating!
WANT TO GO?
 

FREE. ONLINE Little New-Yorkers @ Home: If You Want a Friend In Washington: Wacky, Wild & Wonderful Presidential Pets
WHEN: February 16, 3:30pm
WHERE: DiMenna Children's History Museum at New-York Historical Society, Online
AGES: 3-6
WHAT: Celebrate Presidents’ Day and join special guest Erin McGill, author of If You Want a Friend In Washington: Wacky, Wild & Wonderful Presidential Pets, Enjoy her reading and ask questions about the presidential pets that have passed through the White House.
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.

ONLINE Virtual Cartooning Class
WHEN: February 16 and 18, 10am
WHERE: PLAYDAY, Online
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: Learn to draw an iconic cartoon character with one of the Play Day dynamic art instructors!
WANT TO GO? $15 per class. Advanced registration required.

ONLINE Virtual: Meet Victoria Confino
WHEN: February 16, 4pm
WHERE: Tenement Museum, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Journey back in time to 1916 and learn from an actor playing Victoria Confino, a real 14-year-old girl who immigrated to the United States in 1913. Victoria will show us her home, and share stories of her daily life and how her family keeps their culture alive through food, language, holidays and more. See how life in 1916 was quite different from today, but also explore how people cope when they move to a new place and are uncertain about the future- an experience as relevant today as it was in her time. Throughout the program, participants will have a chance to ask Victoria their own questions.
WANT TO GO? $15 per device; free for members. Advanced registration required.

FREE. WINTER BREAK IN PERSON Kids Week: Lunar New Year
WHEN: February 17, various programs from 9:25am-12:15pm
WHERE: Bryant Park, 40th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Midtown
AGE: All
WHAT: Welcome the Year of the Ox during the Bryant Park Lunar New Year Celebration! Learn about the Chinese art of ribbon dancing, make a wish on the wishing trees, fashion a stylish ox crown, and watch a lion dance performance by New York Chinese Cultural Center after a morning of kids’ skate sessions.
WANT TO GO?

FREE. WINTER BREAK IN PERSON Kids Week: Summer on Ice
WHEN: February 18, various programs from 9:20am-12:30pm
WHERE: Bryant Park, 40th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Midtown
AGE: All
WHAT: Do you miss summer? Bryant Park is bringing the best of summer to Bank of America Winter Village with giant pool toys on the ice and a drop-in obstacle course reminiscent of field day! The fun continues with a tropical take-away craft and a special performance by Ice Theater of New York.
WANT TO GO?

FREE. WINTER BREAK IN PERSON Kids Week: Pajama Party
WHEN: February 19, various programs from 9:20am-12:30pm
WHERE: Bryant Park, 40th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Midtown
AGE: All
WHAT: Dance the day away during the first ever Kids Week Pajama Party! Wear your coziest pjs on ice, make a dreamcatcher, and watch ice dancers from Ice Theater of New York perform a dream-like routine!
WANT TO GO?
 

FREE. ONLINE Virtual Museum Storytime: Presidents!
WHEN: February 19, 11:30am
WHERE: Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden, Online
AGES: 6 and younger
WHAT: Join Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden for a virtual museum storytime. Read picture books with funny stories about presidents, and then explore the Museum for a scavenger hunt with a presidential theme.
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.

Events During Mid-winter Recess in Brooklyn

IN PERSON Drive In: Up
WHEN: February 15, 6:15pm
WHERE: Skyline Drive-In NYC, 1 Oak Street, Greenpoint
AGES: All
WHAT: See the Pixar classic Up. Seventy-eight year old Carl Fredricksen travels to Paradise Falls in his home equipped with balloons, inadvertently taking a young stowaway. 96 mins. Rated PG (for some peril and action).
WANT TO GO? $80 VIP; $55 car up to 7 passengers; $35 motorcycle; $22 single seat. Gates open at 3:30pm. Purchase tickets in advance.

IN PERSON Drive In: Shrek
WHEN: February 15, 6:15pm
WHERE: Skyline Drive-In NYC, 1 Oak Street, Greenpoint
AGES: All
WHAT: After his swamp is filled with magical creatures, an ogre agrees to rescue a princess for a villainous lord in order to get his land back.90 mins. Rated PG for mild language and some crude humor.
WANT TO GO? $80 VIP; $55 car up to 7 passengers; $35 motorcycle; $22 single seat. Gates open at 3:30pm. Purchase tickets in advance.
 

FREE. WINTER BREAK ONLINE Midwinter Break Fun & Games Virtual Workshop Series
WHEN: February 16-19,1pm
WHERE: Wyckoff House Museum, Online
AGES: 4-10
WHAT: Join the Wyckoff House Museum and sister sites Morris-Jumel Mansion, Old Stone House, Historic Richmond Town, and Lewis Latimer House Museum for a series of interactive virtual programs. During each session educators will guide participants to create their own fun, historical hands-on activities and games from household materials. Travel though NYC, and the past, without leaving your home!
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.

IN PERSON Winter Break Hours
WHEN: February 12-19, 2021, Fridays and Monday, 10am and 2pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Children's Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights
AGES: All
WHAT: Visit the museum during special hours this Winter Break!
WANT TO GO? $13; reservations required.
 

Events During Mid-Winter Recess in Queens

FREE. ONLINE Black History Month Winter Family Workshop Camp
WHEN: February 15-19, 1-2pm
WHERE: Queens Museum, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: The Virtual Queens Museum Family Workshop Black History Month Winter Camp offers families opportunities to explore topics such as art, science, and history while simultaneously honoring Black History Month. It will be a week filled with amazing activities. Each camp day will consist of a Zoom art share out component where families will have the chance to participate in fun games and share the art that they have created.
WANT TO GO? E-mail fkhuda@queensmuseum.org to register.

FREE. ONLINE WINTER BREAK Midwinter Break Fun & Games with Historic Houses
WHEN: February 16-19, 1-2pm
WHERE: Lewis Latimer House Museum, Online
AGES: 8-12
WHAT: Learn how to create your own fun & games this Midwinter Recess with NYC Historic House Museums! Join the Wyckoff House Museum and sister sites Morris-Jumel Mansion, Old Stone House, Historic Richalmond Town, and Lewis Latimer House Museum for a series of interactive virtual programs. During each session, educators will guide participants to create their own fun, historical hands-on activities, and games from household materials. Travel through NYC, and the past, without leaving your home!
WANT TO GO? Sessions will be occurring over Zoom, and are free to attend with RSVP. The materials list will be sent upon registration.

FREE. IN PERSON Take In Your Takeout!
WHEN: February 15, 8am-6pm
WHERE: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing
AGES: All
WHAT: The Queens Botanical Garden is open on Presidents' Day and encourages visitors to support local Flushing businesses by picking up take out and enjoying it in the garden. They are conveniently located on Main Street, Flushing, where so many local restaurants like Dumpling Galaxy, Nurlan, HK Cafe, and more, offer up the cuisines of the world!
WANT TO GO? Admission is free.

FREE. WINTER BREAK ONLINE Story Time
WHEN: February 15-19, 10-10:40am
WHERE: Astoria Bookshop, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Bring a Book Buddy and settle in while Gina reads new & well-loved stories.
WANT TO GO? Watch on Instagram live.

Events During Mid-Winter Recess on Long Island

IN PERSON Winter Pop-Ups
WHEN: February 15, 10am-1pm
WHERE: Bailey Arboretum, 194 Bayville Road, Locust Valley
AGES: 4-12
WHAT: Honor the last day of the annual Great Backyard Bird Count with the Bailey Arboretum. Launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) was the first online citizen-science project to collect data on wild birds and display results in real time. Visit birdcount.org to learn more about it!
WANT TO GO? $7; $5 members. Tickets need only be purchased for participating children.
 

IN PERSON Blast Off!
WHEN: February 15-20, 10:30am-12:30pm, daily
WHERE: Long Island Children's Museum, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City
AGES: All
WHAT: Dr. Mae Jemison, a physicist and NASA astronaut, became the first African-American woman to travel to space in 1992 aboard the Endeavor shuttle. Celebrate Black History Month and pay tribute to Dr. Jemison’s historic journey by creating your own NASA-inspired sticker scene.
WANT TO GO? Included with admission: $14; $13 ages 65 and older; free for members and children younger than 1. While supplies last.

IN PERSON Nature Walks
WHEN: February 16-19, 11am, 1pm, and 3pm
WHERE: Garvies Point Museum, 50 Barry Drive, Glen Cove
AGES: All
WHAT: Go on a different themed nature walk every day of winter break.
WANT TO GO? Included with admission: $5; $3 children 5-12 yrs.

FREE. IN PERSON Teen Program: President's Day Kahoot Challenge
WHEN: February 16, 9am- February 19, 8:30pm
WHERE: Levittown Public Library, Online
AGES: 13-17
WHAT: How much do you know about our presidents and U.S. history? Take this Kahoot challenge to see!
WANT TO GO? Registration required.

ONLINE Winter Break For Art
WHEN: February 16-18, Anytime
WHERE: Nassau County Museum of Art, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: This winter break, join the Nassau County Museum of Art virtually from the comfort of your home for three days of artmaking celebrating women artists! Inspired by the artists on view in the museum’s current exhibition, they’ve designed a trio of special projects. For each day you register, you’ll receive access to a different pre-recorded video tutorial taught by museum educator Katie to guide you step by step through your artmaking. View at the time of day that works best for you, and press pause, rewind and re-watch anytime you need to as you explore new artmaking processes and ideas.
WANT TO GO? $20 per day; $10 per day members

IN PERSON Watch the Landing of the Mars Rover Live!
WHEN: February 18, 1:45-2:15pm
WHERE: Cradle of Aviation Museum, Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Garden City
AGES: All
WHAT: After nearly 300 million miles (470 million km), NASA’s Perseverance rover completes its journey to Mars on Feb. 18, 2021. But, to reach the surface of the Red Planet, it has to survive the harrowing final phase known as Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL). Watch the live broadcast in the museum’s Space Gallery. The planetarium Coordinator will be on hand to answer questions.
WANT TO GO? Free with admission: $16; $14 children 2-12 and seniors 62 and older. Reserve tickets in advance.

IN PERSON Art Program
WHEN: February 16-19, 10am-4pm, every 1/2 hour
WHERE: Garvies Point Museum, 50 Barry Drive, Glen Cove
AGES: All
WHAT: Make a different themed nature inspired craft every day of winter break.
WANT TO GO? Included with admission: $5; $3 children 5-12 yrs

FREE. IN PERSON President Scavenger Hunt
WHEN: February 18-19, 10am-5pm
WHERE: Shelter Rock Public Library, 165 Searingtown Road, Albertson
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Hidden around the Children's Room are 10 Silhouettes of Presidents. Visit the Children's Room to find them and get a prize!
WANT TO GO? No registration required.

IN PERSON Maple Sugaring Workshop
WHEN: February 19, 12pm or 2pm
WHERE: Bailey Arboretum, 194 Bayville Road, Locust Valley
AGES: 4-12
WHAT: Do you know that New York is the second largest producer of Maple Syrup in the United States? Discover the process of creating this breakfast favorite from tree to table. Learn about different species of maple trees found in the area and tap one of the trees!
WANT TO GO? $7; $5 members. Tickets need only be purchased for participating children.

IN PERSON Craft Day! - Friendly Frogs
WHEN: February 15, 10am-5pm
WHERE: Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor
AGES: All
WHAT: Get crafty at the Hatchery or take your kit home to complete! This is an outdoor activity.
WANT TO GO? Free with admission: $7; $6 seniors 65 and older; $5 ages 3-12. One per child while supplies last.

ONLINE Winter Wonderland
WHEN: February 15, 10-10:30am
WHERE: Long Island Maritime Museum, Online
AGES: 6-11
WHAT: Learn all about snow! Listen to a winter story, create an adorable snowman craft, and put together a festive winter window sun catcher!
WANT TO GO? $5. Advanced registration required.

IN PERSON Birds of Vineyard Field—Winter School Break Outdoor Nature Walk
WHEN: February 15, 10:30-11:30am
WHERE: South Fork Natural History Museum, 377 Bridgehampton Sag Harbor Tpke., Bridgehampton
AGES: All
WHAT: Vineyard Field is a great place to see a wide variety of birds. Join SOFO Environmental Educator Rachel to learn about resident winter species and how to identify the birds you see on this trail walk.
WANT TO GO? $15; $10 ages 3-12; free for members. Advanced registration required.

IN PERSON Hatchery Tour
WHEN: February 16-19, 2-2:30pm
WHERE: Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor
AGES: All
WHAT: Learn how the fish are cared for throughout all stages of their life and take a tour through the trout hatchery. This is an outdoor activity.
WANT TO GO? Free with admission: $7; $6 seniors 65 and older; $5 ages 3-12

ONLINE Secret Superheroes of the Animal World
WHEN: February 16, 11am-12pm
WHERE: Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Batman, Robin, Spiderman, Wolverine, Catwoman. Animals are the inspiration to many of your favorite superheroes. Learn which of the Hatchery’s animals have their very own superpowers.
WANT TO GO? $10. Advanced registration required.

IN PERSON Letterboxing
WHEN: February 16 and 17, 10am-5pm
WHERE: Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor
AGES: All
WHAT: Follow the clues in search of the Hatchery’s own letterbox.
WANT TO GO? Free with admission: $7; $6 seniors 65 and older; $5 ages 3-12

IN PERSON WINTER BREAK Self Guided Scavenger Hunt
WHEN: February 16 and 18, 10am-4pm
WHERE: Long Island Maritime Museum, 88 West Ave., West Sayville
AGES: 6-12
WHAT: Stop by the museum, pick up an activity sheet, and go on an educational scavenger hunt of the museum grounds. Fill out the sheet and pick up a reward at the museum's front desk.
WANT TO GO? $5.

IN PERSON Wooly Bear Caterpillar Search—Winter School Break Outdoor Nature Walk
WHEN: February 16, 10:30-11:30am
WHERE: South Fork Natural History Museum, 377 Bridgehampton Sag Harbor Tpke., Bridgehampton
AGES: All
WHAT: Woolly Bear caterpillars are the red and black banded caterpillars we often see wandering across the grass in the fall, on their way to find a spot to hibernate for winter. They stay safe from the cold under old wood or dead leaves in the forests and fields or in your backyard. If you know where to look for them, you can peek at them as they sleep curled up in a ball, waiting to spin their silk cocoons in late winter. After just a few weeks in their cocoons, they will emerge in the spring as adult Isabella tiger moths.
WANT TO GO? $15; $10 ages 3-12; free for members. Advanced registration required.

IN PERSON February Winter Break Fun
WHEN: February 16-19, 9:30am, grades 5-8; 2:30pm, grades 9-12
WHERE: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory | DNA Learning Center, 334 Main Street (25A), Cold Spring Harbor
AGES: 11-17
WHAT: The DNA Learning Center is excited to welcome students for in-person science programs. Attend one or attend them all!
WANT TO GO? $25 per session. Advanced registration required.

ONLINE WINTER BREAK Forest Friends
WHEN: February 17, 10-10:30am
WHERE: Long Island Maritime Museum, Online
AGES: 6-12
WHAT: Learn all about the animals who live in the forest. Listen to a story, create a snowy owl craft, and put together a forest photo frame!
WANT TO GO? $5. Advanced registration required. Craft materials can be picked up at the museum.

ONLINE Beware the Kraken Virtual Craft Workshop
WHEN: February 17, 11am
WHERE: The Whaling Museum & Education Center, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: What has an eye the size of a dinner plate? The giant squid of course! Tales of giant squid terrorized mariners for centuries. Discover terrifying tales and interesting facts about this mysterious creature and create a fun giant squid craft.
WANT TO GO? $5 donation greatly appreciated. Advanced registration required. See listing for supply list.

FREE. ONLINE Wildlife Detective
WHEN: February 17, 11am-12pm
WHERE: Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Have you ever wondered what animal made the footprints in your backyard? Or what kind of critter is making that loud sound during your hike? Join the Hatchery for a fun glimpse into the secretive world of animal signs, and learn how to identify wildlife without even seeing them!
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.

FREE. ONLINE "Minecraft Hour of Code Workshop"
WHEN: February 17, 11am-12pm
WHERE: Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau, Online
AGES: 8 and older
WHAT: In this unique, creative, one-hour virtual workshop, students will have fun learning and being inspired by Minecraft, computer science and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Using the power of code and AI, students will actually learn to program the Agent character to prevent forest fires and regrow a forest!
WANT TO GO? Free. Advanced registration required.

FREE. ONLINE ZOOM INTO ART: POLLOCK DRIP PAINTING
WHEN: February 17, 4-5pm
WHERE: Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center, Online
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: Learn the art of Drip Painting!
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.

FREE. IN PERSON Paint with Ice
WHEN: February 18, 10am-5pm
WHERE: Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor
AGES: All
WHAT: Create a artistic masterpieces with ice paint. Outdoor activity.
WANT TO GO? Free with admission: $7; $6 seniors 65 and older; $5 ages 3-12

IN PERSON What Do Bugs Do in Winter?—Winter School Break Outdoor Nature Walk
WHEN: February 18, 10:30-11:30am
WHERE: South Fork Natural History Museum, 377 Bridgehampton Sag Harbor Tpke., Bridgehampton
AGES: All
WHAT: Ever wondered what happens to all the insects and spiders in the winter? Animals that you can’t even avoid in the summer suddenly become impossible to find. Join Paul on a winter trek through Vineyard Field to learn all about the cold weather strategies of Long Island’s creepy crawlies.
WANT TO GO? $15; $10 ages 3-12; free for members. Advanced registration required.

ONLINE WINTER BREAK Escape the Hatchery: A Virtual Escape Room
WHEN: February 18, 11am-12pm and 3-4pm
WHERE: Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, Online
AGES: 13 and older
WHAT: After a fun visit at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, you’ve accidentally been locked inside the main building! You have one hour to escape before a winter storm hits, stranding you here all night. Can you make it out? Limited spaces available.
WANT TO GO? $10. Advanced registration required. See listing for suggested supply list.

IN PERSON Learn How to Identify Animal Sign—Winter School Break Outdoor Nature Walk
WHEN: February 19, 10:30-11:30am
WHERE: South Fork Natural History Museum, 377 Bridgehampton Sag Harbor Tpke., Bridgehampton
AGES: All
WHAT: Have you ever noticed a weird track in the woods or mysterious scat in your backyard? Here’s your opportunity to learn how to identify these various forms of animal signs, all by yourself. Following a brief introduction of animal sign identification, Jake will give participants a chance to test their new skills as we search Vineyard Field for animal signs such as tracks and scat.
WANT TO GO? $15; $10 ages 3-12; free for members. Advanced registration required.

ONLINE Narwhal, Unicorn of the Sea
WHEN: February 19, 11am
WHERE: The Whaling Museum & Education Center, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate winter with these mysterious arctic whales. Learn all about these elusive creatures and how their tusks inspired legends of unicorns. Transform a paper plate into a narwhal friend of your very own!
WANT TO GO? $5 donation greatly appreciated. Advanced registration required. See event listing for supply list.

IN PERSON Craft Day! – Slithering Snakes
WHEN: February 19, 10am-5pm
WHERE: Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor
AGES: All
WHAT: Get crafty at the Hatchery or take your kit home to complete! Outdoor activity.
WANT TO GO? Free with admission: Free with admission: $7; $6 seniors 65 and older; $5 ages 3-12. One per child while supplies last.

ONLINE Snowy Celebration
WHEN: February 19, 10-10:30am
WHERE: Long Island Maritime Museum, Online
AGES: 6-11
WHAT: Do you want to build a snowman? Listen to a winter story, create a snowman stress ball, and construct a polar bear!
WANT TO GO? $5. Advanced registration required. 1st-5th. Craft materials can be picked up at the museum.

FREE. ONLINE LIVE Virtual Bug & Butterfly Encounter
WHEN: February 19, 10am
WHERE: Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau, Online
AGES: 5-11
WHAT: Don't miss the Youth Bureau's LIVE Virtual Visit to the Long Island Aquarium for a Bug & Butterfly Encounter. Trained staff will show an amazing collection of bugs and butterflies from all over the world.
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.

ONLINE WINTER BREAK Paint Along
WHEN: February 19, 4-5pm
WHERE: Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Join the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium for a virtual Paint Along! Bring your creativity, and your supplies, to make a watercolor frog.
WANT TO GO? $10. Advanced registration required. See listing for supplies needed.

Events During Mid-Winter Recess in Westchester

FREE. ONLINE Songs for the Campaign Trail: Presidential Theme Songs in American History
WHEN: February 15, 1-2pm
WHERE: St. Paul's Church N.H.S., Online
AGES: All
WHAT: In celebration of President's Day, music historian Robert Cohen explores the interesting & revealing story of Presidential campaign themes songs, throughout American history, with audio samples of the songs and commentary.
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.

IN PERSON Winter Animal Tracks & Traces
WHEN: February 15, 10-11am or February 16, 1-2pm
WHERE: Sheldrake Environmental Center, 685 WEAVER STREET, LARCHMONT
AGES: K-5th Grade
WHAT: Have you ever wondered what animal made those tracks? Who is traveling on the trails or through your yard? Find out how to solve these mysteries. Spend some time learning about animal tracks and even make some of our own. Then, explore Sheldrake, looking for tracks and signs of rabbits, deer, squirrels, and other animals. Learn what tracks can tell us about which animals are active during the winter, where they go, and how they survive.
WANT TO GO? $25; $20 members. Advanced registration required. This is a drop-off program.

FREE. WINTER BREAK ONLINE School's Out, Stars Are In (SOSI)
WHEN: February 15-19, 12:30pm and 2pm, daily
WHERE: Hudson River Museum, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Students on school break, along with their families, are invited to engage in virtual art and science workshops, storytimes, and planetarium shows, all of which are free and interactive.
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required.

ONLINE Art of the Song: Dream Big
WHEN: February 15, 11am
WHERE: BenAnna Band, Online
AGES: 0-6
WHAT: Back by popular demand, BenAnna Band and Matters of the heART are presenting Art of the Song: Dream Big via Zoom. This interactive art and music class will give kiddos opportunities to play, learn and create together and be celebrated in their own way. This class will focus on the question "Who we want to be when we grow up?" and how we can be those people now too!
WANT TO GO? $5. Advanced registration required.

FREE. ONLINE CHILDREN'S TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD ZOOM WORKSHOP SERIES
WHEN: February 15, 17, and 19, 3:30-4:30pm
WHERE: Blue Door Art Center, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Blue Door Art Center is doing a special series for mid-winter break. It is called Travel Around the World in 3 Days on Zoom, with Zafiro Acevedo. Children will create art from around the world; Native American dream catchers, Brazilian carnival masks and Chinese Lanterns for the new Lunar Year, year of the Ox.
WANT TO GO? RSVP required once for all three sessions by February 12, 7pm. Bring your art supplies.This program is free, but donations are welcome!

IN PERSON Winter Friends
WHEN: February 17 or February 19, 1-2pm
WHERE: Sheldrake Environmental Center, 685 WEAVER STREET, LARCHMONT
AGES: 3-5
WHAT: Join Sheldrake for some winter fun. Start by making pine cone bird feeders. Then head out on the trails, looking for winter birds and the other creatures that spend the winter here. Take your bird feeder home, hang it outside, and see who comes for a treat!
WANT TO GO? $25; $20 members. Advanced registration required. This drop-off program is held entirely outdoors.

IN PERSON Fun with Snow and Ice
WHEN: February 18, 1-2:30pm
WHERE: Sheldrake Environmental Center, 685 WEAVER STREET, LARCHMONT
AGES: 4 and older
WHAT: Embrace the elements of Winter and play with some ice and snow activities. Do some fun experiments with ice and play some ice-themed games. Then take a winter wonderland walk around the pond and explore how the animals that call Sheldrake home brave these cold winter days!
WANT TO GO? $30; $25 members. Advanced registration required.

Events During Mid-Winter Recess in Rockland County

IN PERSON Nyack Feasts!
WHEN: February 15-21, 12-10pm, daily
WHERE: Main St. & Broadway, Nyack
AGES: All
WHAT: Foodies, friends, and families with a hankering for fun and good food will find great eats and great values in Nyack during the village's first-ever Nyack Feasts restaurant event. During this week-long culinary celebration, diners can choose their formats and flavors from 16 participating restaurants offering a variety of options - such as discounts of up to 20% on indoor dining and pick-ups, and special menus at special prices, plus free items to accompany orders, as well as family meals for four ready to-go at a discounted price.
WANT TO GO? Deals and Discounts Vary by Restaurant.

FREE. ONLINE Family Fun Night! Sip & Drip!
WHEN: February 18, 5:30pm
WHERE: New City Library, Online
AGES: 8 and older
WHAT: Join New City Library online for a fun night of painting! Follow along with the video instructor, pause when you need to, and create a beautiful work of art! Before the program begins, you need to set up a table to paint on where you can see your computer screen.
WANT TO GO? Please register all family members that will be painting. Materials will be available for pick up at the library beforehand.