Family Times February 2025 by Family Times

FEBRUARY 2025

Is your child ready to stay home alone?

SHORTEST WAIT TIMES.

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Take your Big Game celebration to the next level with these baked potato pops.

12 Parenting

Signs your child is ready to stay home alone—and how to prepare them for success.

14 Together Times

Seven ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day as a family (plus a love bug craft). 20 Calendar + February Break Fun

FROM THE EDITOR

When I was growing up, my parents always made sure that Valentine’s Day was extra special.

Each year, before we left for school, there was a bag of gifts waiting for us on the kitchen table. They were simple at first, just some candy and a toy, but as we got older, my parents began adding things like gift cards and video games. And when I went off to college, and then grad school, I still received one in the mail.

My mom said she enjoyed keeping the ritual going, even though we weren’t “kids” anymore—I know we always looked forward to it!

If you’re thinking about starting your own tradition this year, there are seven ideas on pages 14 and 15

Speaking of traditions, the Big Game is right around the corner. Your next party is sure to be a hit with the recipe for baked potato pops on page 10 (kids will love them, too!).

And parents, you won’t want to miss our calendar of events on pages 17-24 or our list of February break camps on pages 26-27. There’s plenty to keep your child, or teen, entertained all week.

As always, thank you for reading!

GENIUSES AT WORK

PUBLISHER/OWNER

William Brod

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Courtney Kless CourtneyK@familytimescny.com

CONTENT DIRECTOR

Steve Guglielmo

CREATIVE SERVICES MANAGER

Robin Barnes

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Renate Wood

CONTRIBUTORS

Sarah Lyons

SALES MANAGER

Tim Hudson (ext. 201)

ADVERTISING CONSULTANT

Lesli Mitchell (ext. 204) LMitchell@familytimescny.com ADDRESS 9 Albany St., Suite 2e Cazenovia, NY 13035 (315) 422-7011 fax: (315) 422-1721

familytimescny.com

Courtney Kless EDITOR IN CHIEF

“Landmark Theatre.”

– DERICK, CLAY “Vietnamese Noodle House!”

– DANIELLE, NORTH SYRACUSE

“Funk ‘n Waffles.”

– AMANDA, LIVERPOOL

“Drinks and dinner in Armory Square.”

– KATIE, AUBURN

“Tully’s.”

– ANDREA, GREENWOOD

QUESTION OF THE MONTH QUESTION OF THE MONTH

“Three Lives bar.”

– KARYN, CLAY

“Denny’s.”

– DEB, SYRACUSE

Other Local Date Night Ideas

❍ Take a cooking class at Vince’s Gourmet Imports.

❍ Make your own candle at Camp Candle Bar.

❍ Attend a performance by the Syracuse Orchestra.

❍ Go roller skating at Skate-N-Place.

❍ Watch a show at the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology’s National Grid ExploraDome

❍ Explore the stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues at Destiny USA.

❍ Enjoy a night of comedy at Funny Bone.

❍ Attend a one-session art workshop hosted by Right Mind Syracuse.

❍ Go rock climbing at Central Rock Gym.

❍ Cheer on the Syracuse Crunch or the Syracuse Mets (depending on the season).

❍ View more than 200 species of animals at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.

❍ Try axe throwing at Far Shot Syracuse.

Bring Your Own Equipment or Rent Skates, Skis, or Snowshoes!

Shop and Dine at Locally Owned Shops.

Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST)

BY COURTNEY KLESS

Can you briefly tell us about the history of the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST)—and your current exhibits?

The Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST) was founded in 1992 in a storefront on Salina Street. Over the past three decades, the museum has grown into its current 35,000-square-foot space in the historic Armory building in the heart of downtown Syracuse.

The MOST includes dozens of hands-on and interactive exhibits and monthly activities. We’re excited to be debuting our newest permanent exhibit—GROW—this spring, which is all about agriculture and food systems right here in Central New York. GROW will give visitors a chance to learn about the science and technology used by farmers and food producers and how food production affects the world around us.

Some of our other popular exhibits include the Dino Zone, with incredible animatronic dinosaurs and a tank of live stingrays; BUILD, where kids use giant foam blocks to construct anything they can dream of; DECONSTRUCTED, presented by Micron, which uncovers the world of semiconductors and microchips and how they power the world around us; and the Stickley Science Playhouse, a four-story interactive area that invites kids to unleash their energy running through a huge climbing, sliding, and jumping structure. Finally, our National Grid ExploraDome is an incredible domed theatre showing nature and science documentaries and planetarium shows six times a day.

2 1 3

Who makes up the museum’s educational team?

We have an incredible education department led by Emily Stewart, Ph.D., that is always developing new, engaging activities and programs primarily for ages 4–13, but with fun for the whole family. Emily’s team of eight includes science educators, inclusion programs specialists, and others who engage with guests both at the museum and off-site to make science learning fun and attainable. Whether conducting a discovery session for a school field trip, doing a demonstration at a local library, or educating museum guests during one of our many programs, our education team makes science come alive! With a focus on STEM education, the team’s goal is to introduce the next generation to the amazing STEM career opportunities they can be a part of right here in their own community.

What programs do you offer on a monthly basis?

The MOST offers many recurring programs at the museum. Check our website, most.org, for more information or to sign up for special programs:

• Our new Family Film Series shows a family-friendly matinee at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, the first full weekend of each month. Upcoming shows include Elemental, Minions: The Rise of Gru, and Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie.

• Amazon presents Be the Scientist on the last Saturday of each month highlights a new science profession and activities.

• Sensory Friendly Time, from 9-11 a.m. the third Sunday of the month, is an opportunity for guests who prefer a less stimulating museum experience, when sounds are turned down and crowds are fewer. We also offer an ASL-interpreted show in our National Grid ExploraDome at 10:30 a.m.

• Our STEAM Explorers programs include MACNY Future Women in STEM for girls in grades 6-8, held on the second Saturday of the month, October-May, with different female STEM professionals from local companies leading them in a fun, hands-on activity. KeyBank Future Innovators in STEM is targeted toward students of color, with a challenge-based workshop each month aligned with the MOST’s five STEM Challenges.

• We have seven Inclusion Showcase displays throughout the year highlighting scientific achievements of individuals and groups who are historically underrepresented in STEM fields.

Does the MOST have any other special activities or events planned for 2025?

We have a ton of great activities coming up this year! Check our event calendar at most.org/events for the most up-to-date list of activities. Some highlights include:

• The new GROW exhibit opens March 27.

• The Earth Day Festival on April 19. This free outdoor event will feature fun sustainability activities for the whole family, vendors, food trucks, and more.

• Our free STEM Challenges run through the school year, including the CNY Science & Engineering Fair on March 30, the Rocket Team Challenge on May 31, the Catapult Challenge on Oct. 18, and the Bridges Challenge in November. Information and sign-ups are available at most.org/stem-challenges.

• The MOST runs week-long camps during the February and April school breaks and through the summer that engage kids in fun science activities.

• In October, we celebrate EEK = MC2 with a full weekend of Halloween-themed activities throughout the museum.

• December brings our Arctic Pajama Parties that include our famous hot cocoa bar, hands-on arctic science activities, and a screening of a special show in our National Grid ExploraDome.

BAKED POTATO POPS

Recipe and photo courtesy of Hood

INGREDIENTS

• 24 baby potatoes (about 1 inch in diameter)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• ½ teaspoon salt and pepper

• ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese

• ½ cup Hood® Sour Cream 12 oz Squeeze Bottle

• 4 slices bacon, cooked and finely chopped

• 2 green onions, thinly sliced

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Place the potatoes in a medium bowl. Add oil, salt, and pepper and toss to coat the potatoes evenly.

STEP 2

Arrange the potatoes in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 20 minutes or until tender. Allow to cool slightly.

STEP 3

Preheat the broiler and position the rack in the center of the oven.

STEP 4

Arrange the potatoes so that they are touching. Sprinkle the potatoes evenly with cheese.

STEP 5

Broil the potatoes for 1 to 2 minutes or until the cheese melts. Arrange the potatoes on a serving platter.

STEP 6

Drizzle with sour cream, and sprinkle with bacon and green onions. Serve warm.

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Is Your Child Ready to Stay Home Alone?

BY SARAH LYONS

Giving kids the responsibility of staying home alone can be a positive, confidence-building experience—a rite of passage. Every parent will reach the point where they are faced with the decision of whether their child is ready. But how do you know if they are? Children must have the skills and maturity to handle being on their own safely.

There is no magical age that determines if a child is ready to be home alone, but kids who are show the following signs:

• Not fearful of being alone in the home.

• Exhibits good decision-making.

• Shows that they are aware of others and their surroundings.

• Proves themself to be responsible and trustworthy.

• Knows their home address and phone number, as well as how to get in touch with their parents.

• Can make a snack for themselves.

• Knows how to use a phone, call a neighbor for help, and dial 911.

• Follows simple rules and instructions.

• Knows basic first aid.

If you believe your child is ready, how can you prepare them for success?

GO OVER THE RULES

Are friends allowed to come over? Is the child allowed to leave the house? Are there cable channels the child is not permitted to watch? Go over these and any other family rules and make it clear that your child understands.

DISCUSS POSSIBLE SITUATIONS

If someone comes to the door, what is the child to do? If the phone rings, are they to answer? How will they respond if someone asks to speak to the parent? “She is busy right now. Can I take a message?” is a good response.

KITCHEN SAFETY

Make sure the child knows how to use kitchen appliances and tools and discuss what they are allowed to make in the kitchen. Only cold snacks? Can they use the microwave?

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Does your child know what to do in case of smoke or a fire? What should they do if there are severe storms? Do they know basic first aid? Post emergency phone numbers and contact information so your child has it in case of an emergency. Discuss who to contact if parents are unreachable (like a neighbor, a family member, or a friend).

CREATE A LIST OF “DOS” AND “DON’TS”

Don’t play with matches or lighters. Don’t let anyone in the house. Don’t leave the house, except in an emergency situation. Do call and check in when you get home from school. Do work on homework and chores. Each family is different and will have their own list of what is expected.

ROLE PLAY

Act out different scenarios that may arise. Pretend that the child needs to reach you; what will they do? How would they call 911? Pretend the phone rings. How will they answer? By walking through different situations, kids will be better prepared if the unexpected happens.

START SLOW

Begin by leaving the child for 15-30 minutes at a time and slowly increase. Talk about any questions or problems that may have arisen. Ask your child about their feelings when home alone. If the child is fearful, they may not be ready to be on their own.

Leaving your kids home alone for the first time is a big step. Even if they are not planning to babysit, consider enrolling them in a babysitting class. The skills taught there can be very useful for kids who are beginning to stay home alone.

Seven Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Your Kids

BY SARAH LYONS

Valentine’s Day is traditionally a time for couples to express their love for one another, but it is a great chance to show your children how much you love them, too. While children typically exchange cards and small gifts on Valentine’s Day, this year try starting some fun new traditions for your family.

1. DESSERT FIRST

Just once a year it can’t hurt to have your sweets before your meal. Offer cake or ice cream and let the kids enjoy their dessert without having to eat their veggies first.

MAKE IT HEART-SHAPED

After your dessert-first dinner, serve up some fun Valentine’s Day-themed meals. Heart-shaped pancakes or heart-shaped pizza are both fun and easy. Get the kids involved in the kitchen, and you will have more time to make special memories of your Valentine’s Day dinner.

3. GO ON A “DATE”

Many people go on a date with their significant other to celebrate Valentine’s Day, but consider taking your child on a “date” to a place of their choice. If you have more than one child, each parent can pair off or take turns so all kids get to participate. Spending quality time together is a great way to show your kids you care and get the conversation flowing.

4. CUDDLE UP

If going out isn’t for your family, set aside time to cud-

dle up on the couch with those you love. Make popcorn, put on some comfortable pajamas, rent some movies, and spend some time together relaxing in the comfort of your living room. To make it extra special for Valentine’s Day, add red sprinkles to the popcorn and choose movies that have a love theme.

5. BAKE AND SHARE

Bake some Valentine’s Day-themed cookies to share with someone you love. While you are at it, double the batch and give them to someone who may be spending Valentine’s Day alone this year.

6. HIDE THE HEARTS

Hide paper hearts around the house and have the kids go on a search for them. Whoever finds the most wins a prize such as a small toy or a book. You might want to have prizes on hand so that everyone gets a turn being the winner.

7. DECLARE YOUR LOVE

The simplest way to show others you care is to tell them. Have each family member state one reason why they love the others. You can also write these on scraps of paper and read them as a group. Tuck them away in a special envelope and pull them out year after year to reread them.

LOVE BUGS

Supplies:

• Toilet paper tubes or paper towel cardboard tubes. You can experiment with different heights.

• Acrylic paint in pink, red, purple, or any color you choose.

• Paint brushes.

• Scissors.

• Glue or hot glue.

• Foam craft sheets in pink, red, purple, or any color you choose.

• Pipe cleaners.

• Googly eyes.

• Pom poms.

• Masking tape.

• Sharpie.

This Valentine’s Day, love bugs are a great project for the little ones in your life. Plus, you get to recycle! Kids can practice their tracing and cutting skills as they make the heart wings for their love bugs. For the real young ones, parents can provide pre-cut hearts, available right now in the seasonal craft section of your favorite retail store.

Steps:

1. Find some cardboard craft tubes. You can recycle your cardboard toilet paper roll or paper towel roll tubes, which we did here, or order them on Amazon.

2. Paint the cardboard tubes any color you would like and let them dry. This will be the base/body of the bug. Here, I chose to use Valentine’s-themed colors.

3. Trace and cut out heart shapes for the wings. I drew and cut out a heart that I then used as my template for the other wings. If you are not as confident with your drawing skills, you can always find a heart image online, then print and use that as your template.

4. Glue your heart wings to your cardboard roll and let them dry.

5. Glue your googly eyes on, and affix pipe cleaners for the legs and antennae. If the glue is giving you trouble with this step, you can use masking tape (I happened to have some red masking tape on hand). Have fun making silly faces with a sharpie and curl your antennae. Add some more paint or Sharpie to the body of your love bugs to give them some personality. Once the glue is dry, your love bug is ready!

– NATALIE DAVIS

FEBRUARY

date at the time of publication. Please visit the sponsoring organization’s website to

p.m. Walk amongst full-scale dinosaurs.

Fairgrounds, 581

Rosamond Gifford Zoo, 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse. $15 per child/adult pair. rgz.campbrainregis

Education Center for children’s activities, hot food, fly-tying, music and wagon rides. Rogers Environmental Education Center, 2721 NY-80, Sherburne. Free. friendsof

February Stewardship Work Day. 9 a.m.-noon. Attendees ages 14 and up can “learn new skills, spend time outside and give back as a volunteer.” Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. Free. Registration required: baltimorewoods.org.

Stroller Safari. 9:45-11 a.m. Children ages 5 and under, accompanied by an adult, will have the opportunity to explore the zoo, participate in interactive activities and listen to stories about animals.

KeyBank Future Innovators: Science 10-11 a.m. This program is “a month ly challenge-based workshop for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students ages 11+ featuring local BIPOC speakers, activity leaders and mentors.” Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), 500 S. Franklin St., Armory Square, Syracuse. Free. Registration re

Junior Naturalist Program. 11:30 a.m. Each month, families can enjoy themed walks and nature activities. The theme for January’s session is “Feathered Friends.” Participants will be taught how to identify the birds at Rice Creek’s feeders. Afterward, they will create an air-dry clay model of a bird. Rice Creek Field Station, SUNY Oswego, Thompson Road, Oswego. Free. oswego.edu/rice-creek.

Winter Living Celebration. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Stop by the Rogers Environmental

Syracuse Winter Fair. a.m.-9 p.m. This annual event features ice sculptures, food, fireworks and a mini midway. Expo Center, New York State Fairground, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse. Pre-sale tickets: $5/adults; $3/ages 11-16 and seniors (ages 65+); free/ages 10 and under. At the door: $8/adults; $6/ages 11-16 and seniors; free/ages 10 and under.

Rochester Americans vs. Syracuse Crunch. 5 p.m. Join the Crunch as they celebrate Wizarding Night. Upstate Medical University Arena, 800 S. State St., Syracuse. $22+. syracusecrunch.com.

SUNDAY, FEB. 2

Jurassic Quest. 9 a.m. & noon. Walk amongst full-scale dinosaurs. New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse. $44.05/kids ultimate admission (ages 2-10); $28.93/kids standard admission (ages 2-10); $28.93/general admission (ages 11 and up); free/children under age 2. tickets.jurassicquest.com.

Cabin Fever Limited. 11 a.m. Take a trip to the Remsen Depot. There, you will relax by a fire, drink hot chocolate and make s’mores. Utica Station, 321 Main St., Utica. $25-$75. adirondackrr. com/cabin-fever-limited.

Syracuse Winter Fair. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. This annual event features ice sculptures, food, fireworks and a mini midway. Expo Center, New York State Fairground, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse. Pre-sale tickets: $5/adults; $3/ages 11-16 and seniors (ages 65+); free/ ages 10 and under. At the door: $8/adults; $6/ages 11-16 and seniors; free/ages 10 and under. nyswinterfair.com.

Chemsations: Polymer Party. 2-3 p.m. Attendees will investigate super-absorbent materials and create slime. Sciencenter, 601 1st St., Ithaca. Included with admission: $12.50/person; free/children under age 2. sciencenter.org.

MONDAY, FEB. 3

See Library & Ongoing Events

TUESDAY, FEB. 4

See Library & Ongoing Events

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5

Sharing Nature with Your Child: Winter Critters. 11 a.m.-noon.

Children ages 3-5 will learn about the animals that stay active all winter and how those that don’t manage to survive. There will also be a themed craft and a hike. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $6/ child (members); $7/child (non-members). Registration required: beaverlakenature. org/events.

Animal Feeding. 4-4:30 p.m. Watch as snakes, lizards, frogs and fish enjoy their favorite meals. Sciencenter, 601 1st St., Ithaca. Included with admission: $12.50/person; free/children under age 2. sciencenter.org.

THURSDAY, FEB. 6

Art Story with the Utica Public Library. 10:30-11 a.m. Children of all ages can enjoy a story—then explore the galleries. Munson, 310 Genesee St., Utica. Free. munson.art.

Homeschool Days: Trotting through the Trees. 11 a.m.noon. Children ages 7-12 can go on a hike with a naturalist around Beaver Lake and explore the role of trees in the ecosystem. Afterward, they’ll run in a tree relay race and create treethemed crafts. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $6/ child (members); $7/child (non-members). Registration required: beaverlakenature. org/events.

FRIDAY, FEB. 7

Kids’ Night Out. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Children ages 6-10 can take a tour of the zoo, play games and more. The event also includes a pizza party. Rosamond Gifford Zoo, 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse. $40/ non-members (7% discount for members). Registration required: rgz.campbrainregistration.com/Landing.

SATURDAY, FEB. 8

MACNY Future Women in STEM – Using STEM in Pest Management. 10-11 a.m. Women from area companies will guide attendees through a hands-on activity. This program is designed for girls in grades 6-8. Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), 500 S. Franklin St., Armory Square, Syracuse. Free. Registration required: most.org.

Wegmans Community Days. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Families receive pay-what-you-wish admission courtesy of Wegmans. Museum of the Earth, 1259 Trumansburg Road (Route 96), Ithaca. Pay-What-You-Wish. museumoftheearth.org.

Kids Unplugged Cooking Classes –Be My Valentine. 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Attendees will make heart-shaped quesadillas and chocolate chip cookies. Salt City Market, 484 S. Salina St., Syracuse. kidsunpluggedcny.com/Events.

Block Printing. 1-2 p.m. Children ages 6-12 can use simple supplies to create their own print. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $6/ child (members); $7/child (non-members); $5/vehicle. Registration required: beaverlakenature.org/events.

Puppy Love Paw-ty with the Heeler Sisters. 4-5:30 p.m. Families can join Bluey and Bingo for a Valentine’s-themed craft. Little Village Play, 119 W. Seneca St., Manlius. $30/session. littlevillagecny.com/upcoming-events.

Utica Comets vs. Belleville Senators. 7 p.m. Join the Comets as they celebrate Retro Night. Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium, 400 Oriskany St. W., Utica. $36+. uticacomets.com.

SUNDAY, FEB. 9

Children’s Cake Class – Valentine’s Monsters. 11 a.m.-noon. Children ages 4 and up (or age 3 with supervision by a parent) will decorate an ice cream cake. Charlee’s Ice Cream, 112 Kasson Road, Camillus. $19.98/child. charleesicecream.com.

Snowshoe Sundays. noon. Join the Cazenovia Preservation Foundation for Snowshoe Sundays – no experience necessary (if there is no snow, a winter hike will be held instead). Free snowshoes are provided by FROSTY, but you can also bring your own. Meier’s Creek Brewing Company, 33 Rippleton Road, Cazenovia. Free. cazpreservation.org.

Science Connections: Cornell Undergraduate Research Board. 2-3 p.m. Participate in a slime-making demonstration and a spaghetti and marshmallow tower-building competition. Sciencenter, 601 1st St., Ithaca. Included with admission: $12.50/person; free/children under age 2. sciencenter.org.

MONDAY, FEB. 10

See Library & Ongoing Events

TUESDAY, FEB. 11

See Library & Ongoing Events

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 12

Animal Feeding. 4-4:30 p.m. Watch as snakes, lizards, frogs and fish enjoy their favorite meals. Sciencenter, 601 1st St., Ithaca. Included with admission: $12.50/ person; free/children under age 2. sciencenter.org.

THURSDAY, FEB. 13

Trail Tales. 11 a.m.-noon. Children ages 3-5, and an adult, can listen to a nature story and a song, then go on a themed hike. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. Included with park admission: $5/vehicle. beaverlakenature.org/events.

Stuff a Valentine. 4:30, 5 & 5:30 p.m. Take part in open play and make your own Valentine’s-themed stuffed toy. Playday, 4979 W. Taft Road, Liverpool. $25/one child; $40/two siblings; $55/three siblings. Registration required: playdaycny.com/ events/valentine-stuffy.

FRIDAY, FEB. 14

Kids’ Night Out – Valentine’s Day Edition! 5-7:30 p.m. This 2.5-hour session for children ages 2-7 will feature crafts, imaginative play and a bounce house –plus dinner (with pizza, juice and a heart cookie). Little Village Play, 119 W. Seneca St., Manlius. $25/session. $18/each additional sibling. littlevillagecny.com/ upcoming-events.

SATURDAY, FEB. 15

Maple Magic. 10 a.m.-noon. Take a tour of the sugarbush – and learn about the history of maple sugaring. Rogers Environmental Education Center, 2721 NY-80, Sherburne. Free. Registration required: (607) 674-4733 or ellen@ friendsofrogers.org. friendsofrogers.org.

display) and outdoor activities (sled races, sledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snow tunnel, marshmallow roasting) at this annual event. Great Swamp Conservancy, 8375 N. Main St., Canastota. Free. greatswampconservancy.org.

SUNDAY, FEB. 16

SENSORY FRIENDLY

Sensory Friendly Time. 9-11 a.m. The museum turns down the noise, turns off the flashing lights and makes other accommodations so people with sensory processing challenges can explore the exhibits. There will also be an ASL-interpreted National Grid ExploraDome show at 10:30 a.m. ($6/person). Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), 500 S. Franklin St., Syracuse. $9/adults; $7/youth and seniors. most.org.

MONDAY, FEB. 17

See Library & Ongoing Events

TUESDAY, FEB. 18

February Break Small Animal Days at CountryMax. 10-11:30 a.m. & 2-3:30 p.m. Kids start with a craft (a popsicle stick bird feeder with their own bag of bird seed), then meet the friendly small animals of CountryMax (ferrets, hamsters, gerbils, even snakes and lizards). Country Max Baldwinsville, 2964 NY-31, Baldwinsville. CountryMax Dewitt, 3179 Erie Blvd E., De Witt. CountryMax Cicero, 5808 Crabtree Lane, Cicero. Free. Registration required: countrymax.com/february-break.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 19

Animal Feeding. 4-4:30 p.m. Watch as snakes, lizards, frogs and fish enjoy their favorite meals. Sciencenter, 601 1st St., Ithaca. Included with admission: $12.50/ person; free/children under age 2. sciencenter.org.

THURSDAY, FEB. 20

Winter Hibernation Festival. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. There will be a mix of indoor activities (Lady Bug Cafe, educational exhibits, kids’ crafts and games, Swamp Snappers

Art Alive! Family DaysFebruary Break. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Enjoy a performance by Alex and the Kaleidoscope (11 a.m.), then stay for a music workshop (1 p.m.). Munson, 310 Genesee St., Utica. Free. munson.art.

FRIDAY, FEB. 21

Toronto Marlies vs. Syracuse Crunch. 7 p.m. Join the Crunch as they celebrate Hockey is for Everyone Night. Upstate Medical University Arena, 800 S. State St., Syracuse. $22+. syracusecrunch.com.

SATURDAY, FEB. 22

Amazon Presents Be the Test Engineer. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Explore the activities of a test engineer. Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), 500 S. Franklin St., Syracuse. Free/student participants; $14/ adults; $12/seniors (ages 65+). most.org.

Music of Studio Ghibli. 10:30 a.m. & noon. The Syracuse Orchestra will play music from My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Ponyo and more. Inspiration Hall, 709 James St., Syracuse. $22/adults; $16/seniors; free/under age 18. syracuseorchestra.org.

Owl Prowl: Nighttime Ninjas. 7-9 p.m. Attendees ages 10 and up will walk through Baltimore Woods, stopping along the way to call for owls and explore the characteristics that help their nighttime survival. Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. $6-$9. Registration required: baltimorewoods.org.

SUNDAY, FEB. 23

Company, 33 Rippleton Road, Cazenovia. Free. cazpreservation.org.

MONDAY, FEB. 24

See Library & Ongoing Events

TUESDAY, FEB. 25

See Library & Ongoing Events

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26

Storytime & Hike. 10:30-11:30 a.m. This session will feature stories, songs and exploration. Rogers Environmental Education Center, 2721 NY-80, Sherburne. Free. friendsofrogers.org.

Sharing Nature with Your Child: Winter Bird Watching. 11 a.m.-noon. Children ages 3-5 will learn about the birds at Beaver Lake. There will also be a themed craft and a hike. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $6/child (members); $7/child (non-members). Registration required: beaverlakenature.org/events.

Animal Feeding. 4-4:30 p.m. Watch as snakes, lizards, frogs and fish enjoy their favorite meals. Sciencenter, 601 1st St., Ithaca. Included with admission: $12.50/ person; free/children under age 2. sciencenter.org.

Winter Stargazing, Stories, and Song. 7-8 p.m. Take a guided tour of the night sky and learn the fundamentals of stargazing (like how to spot and identify stars planets, and constellations). Stories and songs, inspired by the night sky, will also be featured. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $6/ child (members); $7/child (non-members). Registration required: beaverlakenature. org/events.

THURSDAY, FEB. 27

FRIDAY, FEB. 28

See Library & Ongoing Events

For the full calendar, visit familytimescny.com/ things-to-do-in-Syracuse-NY.

COMMUNITY LIBRARY OF DEWITT & JAMESVILLE 5110 Jamesville Road, Jamesville. (315) 446-3578. CLDandJ.org

LIBRARY EVENTS

BALDWINSVILLE

PUBLIC LIBRARY

33 E. Genesee St., Baldwinsville. (315) 635-5631. bville.lib.ny.us

FRIDAY, FEB. 7

Drop in Art: Crocodile Popsicle Stick. 3-5 p.m. All ages. Free.

THURSDAY, FEB. 13

Reading with Addie the Dog. 4-5 p.m. Ages 2-10. Free.

TUESDAY, FEB. 18

Teen Hangout: Magic Tricks. 3-5 p.m. Teens. Free.

FRIDAY, FEB. 21

Drop in Art: Moving Foam Characters. 3-5 p.m. All ages. Free.

Click here for more events

THURSDAY, FEB. 6

Teen Writer’s Workshop. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Ages 12-18. Free. Registration required.

THURSDAY, FEB. 13

Teen Valentine’s Chocolate Night. 6:307:30 p.m. Ages 11-18. Free. Registration required.

MONDAY, FEB. 17

Perler Beads. 1:30-3 p.m. Ages 6 and up. Free. Registration required.

FRIDAY, FEB. 21

February Break Movie & Pizza: The Wild Robot. 2-4 p.m. All ages. Free.

Click here for more events

FAIRMOUNT COMMUNITY LIBRARY

406 Chapel Drive, Syracuse. (315) 487-8933. fairmountlibrary.org.

SATURDAY, FEB. 8

ESF Nature Explorers – Winter Animals. 1-2 p.m. All ages. Free. Registration required. These are just some of the family-friendly events in February.

MONDAY, FEB. 17

Kids’ Winter Book Club. 2-3:15 p.m. Grades 2-4. Free. Registration required.

THURSDAY, FEB. 20

Kids Can Cook. 2-3 p.m. Ages 6-11. Free. Registration required.

Click here for more events

FAYETTEVILLE FREE LIBRARY

300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. (315) 637-6374. fflib.org.

THURSDAY, FEB. 6

Paper Flowers. 4:15-5 p.m. Grades 3-6. Free. Registration required.

THURSDAY, FEB. 13

Faux Sugar Cookies. 4:15-5 p.m. Grades 3-6. Free. Registration required.

SATURDAY, FEB. 22

Pokémon TCG Tournament. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. All ages. Free. Registration required.

THURSDAY, FEB. 27

DIY Bookmarks. 4:15-5 p.m. Grades 3-6. Free. Registration required.

Click here for more events

LIVERPOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY

310 Tulip St., Liverpool. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org

SATURDAY, FEB. 8

Winter Carnival. 10 a.m.-noon. All ages. Free.

MONDAY, FEB. 17

Code a Robotic Pig. 1-2:30 p.m. Ages 10 and up. Free. Registration required.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 19

Let it Snow in the Library. 1-2 p.m. Ages 5-10. Free. Registration required.

THURSDAY, FEB. 20

Let’s Build a Mini Rollercoaster. 1-2:30 p.m. Ages 6-9. Free. Registration required.

FRIDAY, FEB. 21

Teddy Bear Hibernation Story Time. 1-2 p.m. Ages 3-6. Free. Registration required.

Click here for more events

MANLIUS LIBRARY

1 Arkie Albanese Ave., Manlius. (315) 682-6400. manliuslibrary.org.

MONDAY, FEB. 10

Tween Writer’s Box. 6-7 p.m. Ages 9 and up. Free. Registration required.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 12

Kids Paws & Read. 4-5 p.m. Ages 5-8. Free. Registration required.

SATURDAY, FEB. 15

Family Story & Author Visit. 10:30-11:15 a.m. All ages. Free.

Click here for more events

MAXWELL MEMORIAL LIBRARY

14 Genesee St., Camillus. (315) 672-3661. maxwellmemoriallibrary.org

TUESDAY, FEB. 4

Tuesday Kids Craft. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; also Feb. 11, 18 & 25. Ages 3-10. Free. Registration required.

SATURDAY, FEB. 8

Maxwell at the Canal – Origami Mugs with Hugs. noon-2 p.m. All ages. Free.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 12

Teen Zone. 3-5 p.m. Grades 6-12. Free.

Click here for more events

NOPL BREWERTON 5440 Bennett St., Brewerton. (315) 676-7484. nopl.org

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 12

Love is in the Air: Valentine’s Drop-In Craft for Kids. 4-7 p.m. All ages. Free.

SATURDAY, FEB. 15

PAWS of CNY: Meet George. 10:30-11:30 a.m. All ages. Free.

FRIDAY, FEB. 21

Drop in Craft: Color of the Year. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. All ages. Free.

Click here for more events

NOPL CICERO

8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero. (315) 699-2032. nopl.org.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 12

Kids Make: 3D Flower Cards. 3:30-4:30 p.m. All ages. Free. Registration required.

TUESDAY, FEB. 18

Tissue Paper Flower Crowns. 4-5 p.m. Tweens and teens. Free. Registration required.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 19

Kids Learn Cupcake Decorating. 2-3 p.m. All ages. Free. Registration required.

FRIDAY, FEB. 21

1000 Books Before Kindergarten Celebration with Donna B. 10 a.m.-noon. Toddlers and preschoolers. Free.

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NOPL NORTH SYRACUSE

100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse. (315) 458-6184. nopl.org

TUESDAY, FEB. 11

Kids Bake Heart Shaped Cookies. 4-5 p.m. Ages 8 and up. Free. Registration required.

FRIDAY, FEB. 14

Valentine’s Craft. 2-4 p.m. All ages. Free.

TUESDAY, FEB. 18

Drop in Crafts for Kids – Winter Animals. 3-7 p.m. All ages. Free.

THURSDAY, FEB. 20

Teens Create with Oreos! 2:30-4 p.m. Grades 5-12. Free. Registration required.

TUESDAY, FEB. 25

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Party. 4-5:30 p.m. All ages. Free. Registration required.

Click here for more events

PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT

SATURDAY, FEB. 1

Primary Trust 7:30 p.m.; also Feb. 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9. Watch a performance of Primary Trust, a “poignant drama about embracing new beginnings.” Syracuse Stage, 820 E. Genesee St., Syracuse. $30-$90. syracusestage.org/ primary.

TINA – The Tina Turner Musical. 2 & 7:30 p.m. Broadway in Syracuse presents its third show of the 2024/25 season, a musical about the life of Tina Turner. Landmark Theatre, 362 S. Salina St., Syracuse. $39.90$83.90. nacentertainment.com/ tina-broadway-in-syracuse.

THURSDAY, FEB. 6

Chocolate Discovery Presented by Byrne Dairy & Deli. 6-8:15 p.m. Sample chocolates from Sweet on Chocolate and watch a Star-Crossed Lovers planetarium show. Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), 500 S. Franklin St., Syracuse. $50/ individual; $80/couple. most.org/ chocolate-discovery.

FRIDAY, FEB. 7

February First Friday. 5-7:30 p.m. First Friday returns to Munson with live music, light hors d’oeuvres and interactive art activities. Munson, 310 Genesee St., Utica. $5. munson.art.

SATURDAY, FEB. 8

Valentine’s Paint and Sip. 2-4 p.m. Create a Valentine’s Day-themed painting with a local artist. Rome Art and Community Center, 308 W. Bloomfield St., Rome. $40/members; $45/ non-members. Registration required: romeart.org.

FRIDAY, FEB.14

Everson is for Lovers: Opening Night and Valentine’s Celebration. 5:30-8 p.m. Celebrate the opening of Making American Artists: Stories from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, 1776–1976, with music from the Syracuse Orchestra, couples’ art activities and guided tours. Everson Museum of Art, 401 Harrison St., Syracuse. $25/members; $50/ non-members. everson.org.

Have an event or an idea for Parents’ Night Out?

Email courtneyk@familytimescny.com with more information.

ONONDAGA FREE LIBRARY

4840 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. (315) 492-1727. oflibrary.org.

TUESDAY, FEB. 18

Washi Tape Bracelets. 11 a.m.-noon. Ages 4-10. Free. Registration required.

THURSDAY, FEB. 20

Grow-Your-Own Crystals. 2-3 p.m. Ages 5-10. Free. Registration required.

FRIDAY, FEB. 21

Anime Club. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Ages 12-18. Free. Registration required.

MONDAY, FEB. 24

Pokémon Trading Card Game. 6-7 p.m. Ages 7-12. Free. Registration required.

Click here for more events

PAINE BRANCH LIBRARY

113 Nichols Ave., Syracuse. (315) 435-5442. onlib.org.

SATURDAY, FEB. 8

Origami Cat Heart Pocket. 2-3 p.m. Teens. Free.

ONGOING EVENTS

Snow Leopard Days. Daily, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; through Feb. 28. See snow leopards, Humboldt penguins, red wolves and other animals for a discounted price. Rosamond Gifford Zoo, 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse. Admission in February: $5/ adults; $2.50/ages 62 and up; $2/ages 3-18; free/ages 2 and younger. rosamondgiffordzoo.org.

SATURDAY, FEB. 15

Family Winter Fun. 2-4 p.m. All ages. Free.

Click here for more events

SKANEATELES LIBRARY

49 E. Genesee St., Skaneateles. (315) 685-5135. skanlibrary.org.

THURSDAY, FEB. 6

Family Read Aloud Book Club. 6-7:30 p.m. All ages. Free. Registration required.

SATURDAY, FEB. 15

Book Buddies. 1-2 p.m. Ages 5-8. Free. Registration required.

MONDAY, FEB. 24

After School Unwind. 4-5 p.m. Ages 8-12. Free.

Click here for more events

SOLVAY PUBLIC LIBRARY

615 Woods Road, Solvay. (315) 468-2441. solvaylibrary.org

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 19

Horsedrawn Sleighrides. Saturdays & Sundays, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. A 20-minute ride into the woods. Highland Forest Park, County Road 128, Fabius. $10/person; free/under age 5. Reservations required: cnycarriagecompany.com/sleigh-rides.

Wicked. 3-6:30 p.m. All ages. Free.

THURSDAY, FEB. 20

Mario Day! 2-3:30 p.m. All ages. Free.

FRIDAY, FEB. 21

Taylor Swift End of an Era Celebration. 2-4 p.m. All ages. Free. Registration required.

Click here for more events

WHITE BRANCH LIBRARY

763 Butternut St., Syracuse. (315) 435-3519. onlib.org.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5

Snowy Fun for Kids – Log Cabins with Pretzels and Frosting! 3:30-4:30 p.m. All ages. Free.

THURSDAY, FEB. 13

OCPL Button Maker for Valentine’s Day. 3:30-4:30 p.m. All ages. Free.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 19

Snowy Fun for Kids – Snowy Slime! 3:30-4:30 p.m. All ages. Free.

Click here for more events

For more indoor and outdoor winter activities, check out our annual guide in the January issue!

MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTO

Storytimes. Preschool Storytime (ages 2-5): Tuesdays (except Feb. 18), 10:15-11 a.m. Fairmount Community Library, 406 Chapel Drive, Syracuse. Free. Registration required: (315) 487-8933. fairmountlibrary.org

STORYTIMES

Baldwinsville Public Library

Storytimes. Drop in Storytime with Mr. KC (ages 2-5): Mondays (except Feb. 17), 10:30-11 a.m. Read and Play Storytime (6 to 24 months): Tuesdays (except Feb. 18), 10:30-11 a.m. Storytime with Mrs. G and Ms. Jessie! (ages 2-4): Wednesdays, 9:3010 a.m. Baldwinsville Public Library, 33 E. Genesee St., Baldwinsville. Free. (315) 635-5631. bville.lib.ny.us.

Barnes & Noble Storytimes (DeWitt). Storytime with Miss Rachael: Thursdays, 10 a.m. Barnes & Noble, 3454 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Free. (315) 449-2948. barnesandnoble.com.

Barnes & Noble Storytimes (New Hartford). Saturday Storytime: Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. Barnes & Noble, 4811 Commercial Drive, New Hartford. Free. (315) 768-1075. barnesandnoble.com.

Central Library Storytimes. StoryPlay (ages 3-5): Thursdays, 1:30-2 p.m. Central Library, 447 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-1900. onlib.org.

Community Library of DeWitt & Jamesville Storytimes. Babies and Books (birth-18 months): Mondays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Story Play (ages 0-5): Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Community Library of DeWitt & Jamesville, 5110 Jamesville Road, Jamesville. Free. (315) 446-3578. CLDandJ.org.

Elbridge Free Library Storytimes. Story Hour (ages 1-5): Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Elbridge Free Library, 241 E. Main St., Elbridge. Free. (315) 689-7111. elbridgelibrary.org.

Fairmount Community Library

Fayetteville Free Library Storytimes. Storytime & Craft (preschoolers): Tuesdays, 10:30-11 a.m. Toddler Storytime (ages 0-3): Wednesdays, 9:30-10 a.m. Baby Storytime (ages 0-18 months): Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. (315) 637-6374. fflib.org.

Liverpool Public Library Storytimes. Preschool Story Time and Stations (ages 3-5): Mondays (except Feb. 17), 2-3:30 p.m. Baby Storytime (birth-18 months): Tuesdays (except Feb. 18), 9:30-10:30 a.m. Toddler Story Time: Wednesdays (except Feb. 19), 9:30-10:30 a.m. Family Story Time (ages 5 and under): Thursdays, 9:3010 a.m. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org.

Manlius Library Storytimes. Toddler Storytime (ages 0-3): Tuesdays, 10:3011:30 a.m. Preschool Story Time: Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Manlius Library, 1 Arkie Albanese Ave., Manlius. Free. (315) 682-6400. manliuslibrary.org.

Maxwell Memorial Library Storytimes. Storytots Story Time (ages 0-5): Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Maxwell Memorial Library, 14 Genesee St., Camillus. Free. (315) 672-3661. maxwellmemoriallibrary.org.

MOST Storytimes. STEM Storytime (ages 2-6): Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (and February break week), 11:30 a.m.-noon. Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), 500 S. Franklin St., Armory Square, Syracuse. Included with museum admission: $12/adults; $10/ children (ages 2-11); $5/seniors (65+); free (under 2). (315) 425-9068. most.org.

Storytime: Thursdays, 10-10:30 a.m. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero. Free. (315) 699-2032. NOPL.org.

NOPL North Syracuse Storytimes. Storytime with Miss Sarah: Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse. Free. (315) 458-6184. NOPL.org.

Onondaga Free Library Storytimes. Family Storytime (babies, toddlers and preschoolers): Wednesdays (except Feb. 19), 10-11 a.m. Onondaga Free Library, 4840 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. Free. Registration required: (315) 492-1727. oflibrary.org.

Paine Branch Library Storytimes. Story Time with Miss Sue: Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m. Paine Branch Library, 113 Nichols Ave., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5442. onlib.org.

Skaneateles Library Storytimes. Baby Bounce & Rhyme (ages 2 and under): Wednesdays, 9:15-9:45 a.m. Read, Sing, Play Storytime (ages 2-5): Wednesdays, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Skaneateles Library, 49 E. Genesee St., Skaneateles. Free. (315) 6855135. skanlibrary.org.

NOPL Brewerton Storytimes. Story Time with Miss Megan: Tuesdays, 10:3011:30 a.m. NOPL Brewerton, 5440 Bennett St., Brewerton. Free. (315) 676-7484. NOPL.org.

NOPL Cicero Storytimes. Family

Solvay Public Library Storytimes. Toddler Storytime: Tuesdays, 10:15-11 a.m. Solvay Public Library, 615 Woods Road, Solvay. Free. (315) 468-2441. solvaylibrary.org.

Soule Branch Library Storytimes. Lapsit Storytime: Thursdays, 10:30-11 a.m. Soule Branch Library, 101 Springfield Road, Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5320. onlib.org.

EDITOR’S PICKS

SUNDAY, FEB. 9 & SUNDAY, FEB. 23

Snowshoe Sundays

Noon. Join the Cazenovia Preservation Foundation for Snowshoe Sundays – no experience necessary (if there is no snow, a winter hike will be held instead). Free snowshoes are provided by FROSTY, but you can also bring your own. Meier’s Creek Brewing Company, 33 Rippleton Road, Cazenovia. Free. cazpreservation.org.

FRIDAY, FEB. 14

Kids’ Night Out –

Valentine’s Day Edition!

5-7:30 p.m. This 2.5-hour session for children ages 2-7 will feature crafts, imaginative play and a bounce house – plus dinner (with pizza, juice and a heart cookie). Little Village Play, 119 W. Seneca St., Manlius. $25/session. $18/each additional sibling. littlevillagecny.com/upcoming-events.

SATURDAY, FEB. 15

Maple Magic

10 a.m.-noon. Take a tour of the sugarbush – and learn about the history of maple sugaring. Rogers Environmental Education Center, 2721 NY-80, Sherburne. Free. Registration required: (607)674-4733 or ellen@friendsofrogers.org. friendsofrogers.org.

SATURDAY, FEB. 22

Music of Studio Ghibli

10:30 a.m. & noon. The Syracuse Orchestra will play music from My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Ponyo and more. Inspiration Hall, 709 James St., Syracuse. $22/adults; $16/seniors; free/under age 18. syracuseorchestra.org.

FEBRUARY BREAK FUN

Are you looking for some things you can do with your family over winter break? Start with this list of area camps and attractions:

Camps

Beaver Lake Nature Center, Winter Nature Camp. Feb. 17-21, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Grades 1-4. Attendees will snowshoe, build snow sculptures and more. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. onondagacountyparks.com.

Central Rock Gym Syracuse, Winter Vacation Program. Feb. 17-21, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Ages 8-13. Children can learn basic rock climbing skills through bouldering, top rope climbing, games and obstacle courses. Central Rock Gym Syracuse, 600 N. Franklin St., Syracuse. centralrockgym. com/syracuse/kids.

CNY Gym Centre, School Vacation Gymnastics Camp. Feb. 17-21, 9-11:30 a.m. (half day) and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (full day). Ages 5-12. Activities include: a bounce house, gymnastics, trampolines, games

and arts and crafts. CNY Gym Centre, 3133 Erie Boulevard E., Syracuse (DeWitt location). 4155 State Highway 31, Clay (Clay location). cnygymcentre.com.

Everson Museum of Art, Winter Art Camp. Feb. 17-21, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Ages 8-12. Participants will create their own works of art and explore different art techniques with help from a local artist and instructor. Everson Museum of Art, 401 Harrison St., Syracuse. everson.org.

Museum of Science and Technology, Sensory Science Winter Recess Camp. Feb. 17-21, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Ages 6-10. Campers will experience a week filled with sensory science, with access to exhibits, Science Playhouse time and shows at the National Grid ExploraDome. Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), 500 S. Franklin St., Armory Square, Syracuse. most.org/learn/camps.

Rome Art and Community Center, Art Infusion Camp. Feb. 17-21, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Ages 5-12. This camp will feature themed arts and crafts, drama and games. Rome Art and Community Center, 308 W. Bloomfield St., Rome. romeart.org.

Rosamond Gifford Zoo, One Day Zoo Camps. Feb. 17-21, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Ages 6-12. Attendees will complete STEAM activities and learn about animals. Rosamond Gifford Zoo, 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse. Registration required: rosamondgiffordzoo.org.

Shades of Orange Art Studio, February Break Camps. Feb. 17-21, 9 a.m.-noon. This year’s daily themes are: More Wicked Fun! (Feb. 17); Minions (Feb. 18); Wicked Wednesday (Feb. 19); Go Nuts for Donuts (Feb. 20); and Journaling Through Art (Feb. 20). Shades of Orange Art Studio, 5885 Circle Drive E., Cicero. shadesoforangestudio.com.

The Warrior Factory, Holiday Camps. Feb. 17-21. 9 a.m.-noon (half day); 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (full day). Attendees will learn ninja skills. The Warrior Factory, 170 Township Blvd., Suite 20, Camillus. syracuse.thewarriorfactory.com.

Attractions

Children’s Museum of Oswego. 7 W. Bridge St., Oswego. Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $11/children and adults; free/children under age 1. cmoo.org. Visit town square, play with water and learn about lake effect snow and the recycling process.

Destiny USA. 1 Destiny USA Drive, Syracuse. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Price per activity varies. destinyusa.com. Home to a variety

of family-friendly attractions: 5 Wits, Apex Entertainment, Billy Beez, Get Air, Little Ray’s Nature Centre and WonderWorks.

Erie Canal Museum. 318 Erie Blvd. E., Syracuse. Daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $10 suggested donation. eriecanalmuseum.org. Inside, you’ll find a canal town, a full-size replica boat and a children’s area.

Museum of Science and Technology (MOST). 500 S. Franklin St., Armory Square, Syracuse. Thursday-Sunday (plus February break), 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Museum admission: $18/adults; $14/children ages 2-15 and seniors (65+); free/children under age 2. most.org. Explore 35,000 square feet of science and technology exhibits –like the Telecommunications Lab, the Dino Zone and the Earth Science Discovery Cave.

Rosamond Gifford Zoo. 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse. Daily, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Discounted admission in February: $5/ adults; $2.50/ages 62 and up; $2/ages 3-18; free/ages 2 and younger. rosamondgiffordzoo.org. Ongoing attractions include a snow leopard, an Amur tiger and Humboldt penguins.

Sciencenter. 601 First St., Ithaca. Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $12.50/general admission; free/children under age 2. sciencenter.org. Inspires people of all ages to discover the excitement of science through exhibits and programs.

Splash Indoor Waterpark Resort. 92 E. 1st St. Friday, 4-8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday pricing: $25/ages 12 and up; $20/ages 3-11 and seniors; $19/spectators; free/under age 2. Saturday and Sunday pricing: $30/ages 12 and up; $25/ages 3-11; $20/seniors; $19/ spectators; free/under age 2. splashindoorwaterpark.com. Splash Indoor Waterpark Resort houses water slides, a splash pad, an activity pool, an arcade and a restaurant – all spread across three levels.

Utica Zoo. 1 Utica Zoo Way, Utica. Daily, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Admission: $9/adults (ages 13-61); $8/seniors (ages 62+), military and college students; $6/children ages 2-12; free/children ages 1 and under. uticazoo.org. Visit more than 200 animals, including wallabies, beavers, African lions, mountain zebras, lynxes, red foxes and spider monkeys.

National Days FEBRUARY

Feb. 2: National Groundhog Day

Feb. 6: National Chopsticks Day

Feb. 7: National Fettuccine Alfredo Day

Feb. 9: National Pizza Day

Feb. 10: National Umbrella Day

Feb. 17: National Random Acts of Kindness Day

Feb. 20: National Muffin Day

Feb. 27: National Polar Bear Day

Source: nationaldaycalendar.com

FAMILY TIMES CALENDAR LISTINGS ARE FREE!

LISTINGS ARE DUE BY FEBRUARY 5 FOR THE MARCH ISSUE

Send information about your family-friendly event to: Family Times calendar, 9 Albany St., Suite 2e, Cazenovia; fax to (315) 422-1721; or email to courtneyk@familytimescny.com.

Include date and time of event, location with numbered street address and town, price, and phone number for publication. We give priority to low- or no-cost events aimed at parents, kids, or parents accompanied by kids.

For additional exposure: Click here to upload your event to the community guide. Click on the FAQ tab for a video tutorial.