We're knee-deep into winter, which means it's almost time for the public school midwinter recess. This year's midwinter recess runs Monday, Feb. 21-Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. Do you have plans for your kids that week? If not, let us help you plan some fun activities! Browse our list of exciting activities you can enjoy in NYC and nearby during this year's midwinter break, and be on your way to winter-time family fun!
Midwinter Break Activities
1. See Sharks at the American Museum of Natural History
200 Central Park West, Manhattan
212-769-5100
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Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 10 am–5:30 pm
Admission: General Admission Plus One includes general admission plus one special exhibition, giant-screen 2D or 3D film, or Space Show: $28 (adults), $22.50 (students/seniors), $16.50 (children ages 3-12). Reservations required.
The American Museum of Natural History's (AMNH) new exhibit, Sharks, aims to debunk common misconceptions about these magnificent creatures and impress shark lovers of all ages. The exhibit features 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!
2. Experience Bumper Cars on Ice at Bryant Park
Between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, between 40 and 42 Streets, Manhattan
212-768-4242
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Hours: Monday-Friday, 2-8pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11am-5pm
Admission: Tickets start at $20
Bumper cars are back at the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park. But these bumper cars have a twist—they're on ice! So get ready to bump, slide and spin on the park's ice rink, open through Feb. 27.
3. Head to the New Battery Playscape
The Battery on State Street, Manhattan
212-344-3491
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Hours: Open year-round, daily, 8am to dusk
Admission: Free
Kids learn about ecology and the environment at the Battery Playscape, a new playground that has slides, tree houses, puppet shows and more interactive fun.
4. Winter Village at Governors Island
Governors Island
212-440-2200
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Hours: Daily, 7am-6pm, through at least February 2022
Admission: Check the website for information.
Enjoy seasonal fun for all ages. Wondering how to get there? The Winter Village is located at Colonels Row on Governors Island, which is considered part of Manhattan and located in New York Harbor. Get to the island by taking the ferry from Manhattan at 10 South St. Boats run daily. A round trip ferry ticket is $3 for adults and free for seniors and children younger than 12. Check out the ferry schedule at govisland.com/ferry.
5. Minecraft at Liberty Science Center
222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City, NJ
201-200-1000
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Hours: Thursday-Friday, 10am-4pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm. The exhibit will be available through Sept. 5.
Admission: Tickets are $8, plus general admission to the museum ($29.99; $24.99, ages 2-12).
Minecraft: The Exhibition, which opens Feb. 18, features the scenes and characters from the popular video game, Minecraft.
6. RiseNY Flight Simulator
160 W. 45 St., Midtown, Manhattan
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Hours: Sunday-Monday and Wednesday-Thursday, 10am-8pm; Friday-Saturday, 10am-10pm.
Admission: $28; $26 seniors ages 65 and older, students, and military with ID; $24 children ages 3-12.
See museum galleries, experience the ultimate feeling of flight, and soar virtually above New York City at this new attraction in Manhattan.
7. Children's Museum of Manhattan's New Year Celebration
212 W. 83rd St., Manhattan
212-721-1223
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Hours: Monday-Friday, Feb. 21-25,10am-5pm
Admission: $15; $12 seniors and visitors with disabilities
Join CMOM all week long to explore different Asian cultures and their traditions for celebrating the new lunar year.
8. Black History Trilogy #3 at Flushing Town Hall
137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing
718-463-7700 x222
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Hours: Feb. 24; 7pm
Admission: $15
Award-winning Broadway veteran Tina Fabrique (Ragtime, Bring in da’ Noise, Bring in da’ Funk, The Wiz, Bubbling Brown Sugar, Gospel at Colonus), pays homage to Gospel – spiritual music that was, and still is a staple of African-American life.
9. Mae Among the Stars at Alley Pond Environmental Center
224-65 76 Ave., Oakland Gardens
718-229-4000
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Hours: Feb. 23, 11am-12pm
Admission: $20
Read a book and have an adventure at Alley Pond. To celebrate Black History Month, the book featured will be Mae Among the Stars, about the first black female astronaut, by Roda Ahmed.
10. Black History Month Celebration with the Bushwick Library
Online
718-602-1348
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Hours: Feb. 26; 1-2pm
Admission: Free
Join the Indigo Arts Dance and Drum Ensemble for a celebratory program. In this interactive performance for Black History Month, participants will learn fun dance steps, hear traditional folktales, try their hands at percussion and more. The program will be available on the Bushwick Library Facebook page.
11. Visit the New York Hall of Science…It's Back!
47-01 111 St., Corona
718-699-0005
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Hours: Visit the website for updated information.
Admission: $14; $11 children and seniors
The museum is reopening on Feb. 19 after being closed due to the pandemic and damage from Hurricane Ida. Come back and see the museum to learn about science!
12. See Spineless at the New York Aquarium
602 Surf Ave., Brooklyn
Phone: 718-265-3474
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Hours: 10am-4:30pm (through April 1)
Admission: $24.95; $21.95 seniors; $19.95 ages 3-12; children ages 2 and younger are free.
The Spineless exhibit at the Wildlife Conservation Society's New York Aquarium features a breathtaking array of aquatic wildlife that are all invertebrates, meaning they don’t have backbones. Animals to see include jellies, a giant octopus and a crab that spans 12 feet claw to claw.
13. The NYPL New Teen Center at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library
455 Fifth Ave., Midtown, Manhattan
212-340-0925
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Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8am-9pm; Friday, 8am-8pm; and Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm
Admission: Free
Teens can head to this new center that offers fun and educational activities, programs, and events to help young adults learn, grow, and thrive as they continue out of the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
14. Go Snow Tubing
Plan a day trip (or overnight getaway!) to one of these parks that offer snow tubing and more family fun in NY, NJ, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
15. Ice Skating in NYC and Nearby
Head to one of these ice rinks in NYC or nearby for some winter-break family fun.
16. Bounce at a Trampoline Park
Jump into fun at one of the many trampoline parks located in NYC and nearby.
Main image courtesy Liberty Science Center
