As crisp fall days give way to colder temperatures and daylight becomes more condensed, it can be tempting to hunker down inside. For those of us with children at home though, cabin fever can set in quickly. Save the indoor activities for truly inclement weather. When there is a chill in the air and a little snow on the ground, head out for family fun! Here are a few of our recommendations to beat winter blues and make the most of what can be a magical season.
Bundle Up and Have a Blast
The beach chairs and pool toys may be packed away, but that doesn’t mean that outside time is over. When the snow starts falling, lots of outdoor winter activities are calling! Here are some of our favorites, along with a few safety tips:
- Ice Skating Lace up your skates and head to Christopher Morley Park in Roslyn Heights or Eisenhower Park in East Meadow. In New York City, make time to skate at the classic rink at Rockefeller Center. Make sure kids understand the importance of following all skating rink rules and consider helmets and knee pads for little ones.
- Sledding Nothing quite matches the thrill of speeding down a hill of fresh snow! Be sure to choose a spot that is clear of trees, boulders, or poles and away from streets or parking lots. Sledding should always be supervised by an adult and is best enjoyed during daylight hours when conditions are snowy, but not icy. Check these local spots:
- Bethpage State Park in Old Bethpage
- Belmont Lake State Park in North Babylon
- Heckscher Park in Huntington
- Newbridge Road Park in Bellmore
- Old-Fashioned Snow Play Build a snowman, a snow dog, or a whole snow family! Check that the wind-chill temperature is above 32 degrees before heading out and make sure everyone wears layers with protective gloves and hats.
Keep Your Wits About You
Cold temperatures often equal more indoor time, but don’t let winter pass by in a blur of TV and video games. Sneak in some educational entertainment during winter weekends and school breaks.
- Cultivate Environmentalists The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation organizes age-specific ecology lectures and other outdoor and indoor activities, including beach cleanups in late fall and early winter, which are a great way to show kids how to take care of natural resources.
- Get More Than Books at the Library Your local library can be one of the richest sources of entertainment for kids of all ages. Many libraries double as community centers and offer educational programming and events. Some also offer discounted or free passes to area museums. Some of our favorites include the Garden City Library, Babylon Library, and the Bryant Library. Some programs and benefits are only available to local residents, so be sure to check the library closest to you.
- Nurture a Budding Artist The Children’s Museum of the Arts in SoHo hosts exhibits that will spark artistic creativity and imagination, and also offers kids the chance for hands-on art making with established artists.
Family Fun Around Town
Brighten up winter days without traveling far. Spend some quality time and treat yourself and your tribe with one of these activities:
- Book a Spa Day Darlings and Divas in Amityville specializes in kids parties and The Milk & Cookies Kids Spa in Manhattan has a “Cool Dudes” menu so little guys can get in on the fresh and clean action. Looking for mother-daughter time with an older teen? Deep Blue Med Spa, with locations in Garden City, Babylon, East Hills, and Manhattan, specializes in skin rejuvenation offers facials with medical-grade ingredients, including a special teen facial.
- Catch a Hockey Game For sports enthusiasts, hockey season is the most exciting part of winter. New York’s pro hockey league, the Islanders, play home games at Barclays Center in Brooklyn and Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale. Support up and coming players at a Long Island Royals game.
- Stop, Shop, and Stroll Holiday shopping can feel like a chore – unless you’re strolling in a European style open-air market! Check out the Holiday Shops at Bryant Park for unique gifts and local artisan offerings.
- Holiday Lights + Hot Chocolate = Winter Perfection Be dazzled by over a mile of festive lights at the Jones Beach display and then warm up with hot chocolate at The Witches Brew, a Long Island favorite that offers dairy free options. In Manhattan, be sure to see the iconic Rockefeller Center Tree and follow up with a hot chocolate at Jacques Torres Chocolate.
Happy Winter From Dr.STITCH
We hope your family has a cozy, fun, and safe winter season. If accidents do happen, call Dr.STITCH. We hope you never need us, but we’re here if you do! Save our contact card to your mobile phone for on-call treatment of facial trauma, hand injuries, burns, complex wounds and lacerations, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.