The house is decorated for the holidays, the cookies are baked, the kids are out of school… it can only mean one thing: winter break! Here are some 20 Fun Family-Friendly things To Do in the area to spread holiday cheer and make life-long memories with your kiddos during the entire week (or two!) of winter break.
First things first, check the Macaroni Kid Schenectady calendar for daily events and happenings. If you are traveling out of town, check for a Macaroni Kid edition at your destination to find great events in that area.
1. Capital Holiday Lights
All you need is a thermos full of Hot Chocolate and some Christmas Carols playing in your radio. Then head towards Washington Park in Albany and be amazed at the spectacular light display! The drive through runs from November 27, 2015, until January 2, 2016. More information HERE.
First things first, check the Macaroni Kid Schenectady calendar for daily events and happenings. If you are traveling out of town, check for a Macaroni Kid edition at your destination to find great events in that area.
1. Capital Holiday Lights
All you need is a thermos full of Hot Chocolate and some Christmas Carols playing in your radio. Then head towards Washington Park in Albany and be amazed at the spectacular light display! The drive through runs from November 27, 2015, until January 2, 2016. More information HERE.
2. Camp-in by the Christmas Tree
Bring the outdoors in and make it fun! Set up tents and sleeping bags by your Christmas Tree or in your living room. Make hot dogs, popcorn and s’mores and watch a movie. Instead of going to ben in their rooms, the kids just camp "out" in the living room.
3. Visit the Museum of Science and Innovation (miSci)
Trains & Toys Holiday Show is now open and will be at the museum until January 18, 2015. Explore the intricate 19- x 27-foot display of running O Gauge (Lionel) model trains. Stay and play! The Play Space is full of science toys you don’t have at home.
4. Try Ice Skating
Enjoy some old-fashioned ice-skating fun! Even though the weather is not winter-like just yet the Empire State Plaza's Ice Skating rink is now open daily from 11am to 8pm.
Other Ice Skating Rinks In & Around Schenectady are listed HERE.
5. Go for a Hike!
It's a hike for the whole family (even extended ones), it's fun and it's FREE to join the hikes! Check out Hike It Baby Capital Region's schedule and join in one of their hikes. Read more about Hike it Baby Capital Region HERE.
6. Explore the Outdoors
Join Albany Pine Bush's Winter Solstice Hike or the 7th Annual Cookie Burner Stroll; or Learn How to Snowshoe at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center.
7. Bake your Favorite Christmas Cookies
This is one of our favorite things to do in the house during the holidays. My 3-year old is excited to help me gather the ingredients, measure, mix and clean up. My personal favorite is Jacques Torres's Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe, first Chocolate Cookie New York Times named "perfection".
8. Donate old clothes and toys to local charities
Let the kids sort through their clothes and toys and then donate whatever you can put away to local organizations like Things of My Very Own in Glenville, or City Mission in Schenectady.
9. Watch a movie at home or in the local Cinemas: Movieland 6 (Bowtie) in Schenectady, Rotterdam Square Cinema or Scotia Cinema.
10. Winter Scavenger Hunt
Divide into teams, hand out disposable cameras, assign a topic and roam the neighborhood.
11. Snow Fun!
It's not here yet but when it comes you can Build a Snowman, go tubing or sledding. Popular sledding areas are: Collins park in Scotia, Indian Meadows in Glenville, River Road park in Niskayuna and Central Park in Schenectady. Do you know more public areas that are FREE for sledding? Do tell!
12. Burn off Energy at these Indoor Play Areas
For toddlers to teens, Skyzone Albany is the world's first indoor trampoline park. From open jump, 3-D Dodgeball, Toddler Time and SkyRobics, there is truly something for everyone!
Tiny Tots Tea Room is Capital Region's Premiere Indoor Play Café for little ones 9 months to 6 years old. It offers unstructured, unscheduled fun during Open Play, 6 days a week.
Other Indoor Play Areas can be found HERE.
13. First Night 2016
First Night Saratoga celebrates its 20th anniversary this year! As one of the oldest and largest First Night celebrations in the country it is the most affordable, accessible, family-friendly, safe and exciting way to spend New Year's Eve in the region. This is a GE Kids in Free Days event. One child aged 12 and under will be admitted free with each paid adult. Buy your buttons HERE.
Comment below and tell us what you do for Winter Break fun with the family?
