Family-Friendly Activities for Winter Break (Feb 17-25)

It’s winter, everyone is restless, and the kids are home from school for winter break.  All of a sudden, food can’t stay in the refrigerator for more than a few minutes before it’s devoured, indoor soccer means all of the lamps in the house are in peril, something sticky mysteriously begins to show up in the strangest places, and all of the kids’ show theme songs collectively get stuck in every parent’s head. It’s a sign: it’s time to get the kids out of the house and get their creative juices flowing!  This list of winter break activities, including weekend offerings, will help Westchester parents find those kids’ activities for winter break 2024.

February 17
Sensory Screening: The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Presented by Bedford Playhouse
On February 17, Bedford Playhouse hosts a sensory screening of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which follows the silly adventures of two classic video game brothers. The event offers a neurodivergent-friendly environment with reduced sound and dim lighting and encouraging interactive participation. Presented with the Inclusive Initiative, this event is part of a monthly series promoting inclusivity.

February 17
Woof Woof the Shadow Puppet
Presented by Westchester Children’s Museum
Children’s emotions are the topic of the day at Westchester Children’s Museum on February 17. Woof Woof the Shadow Pup, an interactive shadow dance performance, is designed to promote creative play and empathy.

February 18
Bead Maze Sculpture Workshop
Presented by KinoSaito
KinoSaito hosts a workshop led by Mohegan Lake artist Lilly Gummerson at the Hendrick Hudson Free Library inspired by Alina Tenser’s works previously on view at KinoSaito. Participants will create sculptures resembling bead mazes often found in kid spaces.

February 19-23
February Break Camp
Presented by The Picture House Regional Film Center
The Picture House Regional Film Center offers a February Break Camp during which students in kindergarten through grade 5 create a feature film trailer in five days. Campers work as a class and in small groups to develop the film idea and produce the trailer as they learn about genre, character development, camera work, acting and directing.

February 19-23
School’s Out, Stars Are In (SOSI)
Presented by Hudson River Museum
Hudson River Museum presents “School’s Out, Stars Are In” for teens and families during winter break. Kids can experience a planetarium show and make construction paper dragon puppets for Lunar New Year and mixed-media collages for Black History Month. As always, museum visitors can also view current exhibitions and tour the historic Glenview home.

February 19-23
Winter Art Break
Presented by Pelham Art Center
During the Pelham Art Center’s Winter Art Break, kids are invited to enroll in one of several mini camps, each with its own theme. In Digital Game Design, students learn game creation using Procreate and Adobe Photoshop. Digital Toons offers instruction in comic creation with Procreate. In Little Architects, children collaborate to build a city with clay and recycled materials. The Winter Break Camp includes painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, and movement activities.

February 21-23
3-Day Creativity Camp
Presented by Hudson Valley Writers Center
Hudson Valley Writers Center (HVWC) offers its 3-Day Creativity Camp for grades 3-5. The camp, led by Rochester writer Misty Yarnall, includes writing, improv games and crafts. Yarnall, who is HVWC’s Youth Programs Coordinator, fosters inclusive storytelling spaces through her workshops as students are encouraged to explore elements of character, setting, and plot.

February 24
Kindness Weekend
Presented by Westchester Children’s Museum
This February, Westchester Children’s Museum is hosting Kindness Weekend featuring several STEAM activities. For one, Kindness Ripples explores the impact of small acts. Meanwhile, Human Circuits demonstrates how electricity is conducted. Helping Hands demonstrates prototyping a moving hand model. Friendship Bracelets offer crafting opportunities, while The Cookie Fiasco storytime introduces fractions to young minds. Finally, Balance explores emotional and physical balance through interactive activities.

February 23
Teen Open Studio
Presented by Pelham Art Center
Pelham Art Center offers Open Studios every Friday, in which teens can explore various mediums and techniques, connect with peers and artists, and receive guidance for AP portfolios or college applications. Pelham Art Center provides materials, a safe space and professional support for artistic endeavors.

February 24
Afghanistan Arts & Culture Day + Concert
Presented by ArtsWestchester
Afghanistan Arts & Culture Day, part of ArtsWestchester’s Westchester Roots Series, explores the rich culture of Afghanistani music, dance, crafts, and poetry. Participants can engage in hands-on henna workshops, experience the sounds of Afghanistan’s instruments, and learn from local experts about arts and crafts, weaving, traditional dress and fashion, and more. The day of activities will be followed by a concert performance by Heart of Afghanistan featuring the Fanoos Ensemble.

February 19-23
February Break
Presented by Rye Arts Center
Rye Arts Center offers a series of week-long workshops to engage kids of all ages during winter break. For Ceramics Week, students learn to work with clay through pottery and hand-building techniques. During Drawing, Painting & Sculpt Week, students explore color and texture through a variety of media.