family activites
Winter Break Fun!
10 things to do in our area when schools are closed this month BY KATELIN WALLING
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his issue is chock-full of fun things to do for the holidays, and we couldn’t be more excited about it! But once that last present is unwrapped, you’ve probably had your fill of all things holiday. And who can blame you? After all, Christmas decorations hit the stores before the kids are done trick-or-treating! So, to balance everything out, here’s our top list of family activities to keep your kids—and you!—entertained while school is closed for winter break (that’s Dec. 24-31 this year).
TREAT THE KIDS TO A SHOW!
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What’s more quintessential NYC than heading to Broadway?! There are so many shows running that are great for families, including The Lion King, Wicked, Dear Evan Hanson, and Aladdin. What’s more? You can enter to win 4 tickets to a few shows in our Winner Wonderland giveaway, including Mrs. Doubtfire, Come From Away, and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. Turn to p. 12 for details!
GET LOST IN A MUSEUM.
TAKE A SPIN ON THE ICE.
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Nothing says winter fun like gliding freely on the ice! Excuse us while we live out our Winter Olympic dreams (in our heads, at least…). Staten Island Skating Pavilion (3080 Arthur Kill Road) offers public sessions and lessons on its indoor rink, while WWII Veterans War Memorial Ice Skating Rink in Clove Lakes Park offers outdoor public sessions.
SEE THE VIEW OF NYC FROM ABOVE.
We live in greatest city in the world, and NYC’s observation decks will remind you of that wonder when you feast your eyes on some amazing views. Old favorites are the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock, but have you been to the Edge yet? Or NYC’s newest observation deck at Summit? It’s an experience you won’t believe until you see it.
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26 December 2021 • siparent.com
Our area has such an abundance of museums that you’re 100-percent guaranteed to find one your family loves. Whether it’s the Staten Island Children’s Museum, Snug Harbor, or one in Manhattan, time spent at a museum is not wasted. Want something exciting to entice your kids with? American Museum of Natural History (one of our absolute favorites!) has a new exhibit opening Dec. 15: Sharks. It will feature dozens of life-size shark models ranging from the enormous megalodon to the adorably tiny pocket shark that fits in the palm of your hand!
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SPEND AN AFTERNOON SLEDDING.
If there’s enough snow on the ground, of course! Bundle up, grab your sled, and head over to Clove Lakes Park for an afternoon of downhill fun! Want a little more thrill? Head to a nearby snow tubing park, like Campgaw Mountain in Mahwah, NJ, or Mountain Creek Resort in Vernon, NJ.
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