So you made it through the Christmas holiday. Congratulations!
The presents are unwrapped, the leftovers are carefully packed and stacked in the refrigerator… but the kids are on winter break for another week. And if your family is like most, by Wednesday Barney and Ben will be tearing up the house while Janice and Jen argue over the tv remote. You… well, you “can hardly wait for school to start again.” So, Totally Buffalo has come up with a list of some ways to keep your little ones entertained without breaking the bank and driving you up the wall.
You’re probably thinking, “go outside and play!” And, why not? Western New York is kind of a winter wonderland!
It’s easy to head out and build a snowman or even a snow family!
If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous…
Kissing Bridge and Holiday Valley, are great outdoor options. But because these are more of a day trip kind-of-thing, why not hit the little hills?
Beaver Island State Park on Grand Island offers a variety of winter activities including sledding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Outdoor enthusiasts can take on the day in Orchard Park… just bring the toboggan! Chestnut Ridge has activities that will definitely tucker your little one out.
And along the lake in Youngstown, Fort Niagara State Park is a great place to tell the kids to “take a hike.” The park offers outdoor recreation like sledding and snowshoeing.
Lace-up and hit the ice…
The Hyde Park Ice Pavilion in Niagara Falls recently underwent $9 million in renovations, making it a premier rink in the area.
Cornerstone Ice Arena in Lockport offers a “Cheap Skate” during winter break.
Then, of course, there is The Ice At Canalside in Buffalo. In addition to the family fun it offers all year-round, the ice has become one of the most popular winter attractions WNY has had in years.
Warm up indoors…
If you’re done with the cold but are still suffering from cabin fever, the Buffalo Science Museum is a great place to explore. You can learn about planets lightyears away or find out what life was like here on earth millions of years ago. The museum has interactive exhibits that will keep kids of all ages entertained.
In Niagara Falls, your little ones can explore life under the sea at the Aquarium of Niagara. With “touch tanks” and behind the scene tours, the aquarium is a fun and educational way to keep the kids busy.
And if you want to mix it up a bit… Take a road trip to The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester.
Looking for a little “me” time…
There’s no doubt, the holidays are exciting. But there’s a lot of prep-work that goes into pulling them off. And at the end of the day, there is often some serious cleanup that needs to happen. From taking the tree down to cleaning out the toy box, keeping the kids at home can delay the process. Setting up a playdate exchange is a fun way to give you and a friend the time you need to get your lives back in order.
Have a fun idea to fill the time over winter break? Make sure to comment below.
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