Sometimes the idea of a week long school break can strike fear in the hearts of parents. You don’t want them sitting in from of the television all week but aren’t really sure what there is to do since your child is usually in school! Here in Saratoga Springs there are plenty of activities and events to offer that will keep your kids happy and active all week.
First you can check out the Children’s Museum, a Mamatoga favorite. They have a full roster of great events this week starting with Live Animal Presentation: Reptiles on Monday from 10-11am. Join in the fun and meet some scaly special guests in the Pet Vet exhibit where kids will learn more about caring for these unusual pets from their owner, Children’s Museum educator Lindsay. All week the museum will have special activities and will also be open every day during the week for fun drop in play.
Another great option for school break activities is Saratoga Arts. For nearly 15 years, Saratoga Arts has been dedicated to offering quality fine art and fine craft classes, taught by regional artists, to students of all ages and artistic levels. Founded in 1986 by and for artists and audiences, Saratoga Arts is a non-profit arts service organization dedicated to developing and promoting a thriving year-round cultural environment in Saratoga-area communities.The Arts Center, located at the corner of Broadway and Spring Street in Saratoga Springs welcomes viewers to art exhibits, teaches students of all ages and skill levels in a wide variety of art classes and workshops, holds performances of all types, and puts together many programs that bring the arts to the Saratoga area. Directed by a professional staff and volunteers and supported by the community, Saratoga Arts enriches the lives of Saratogians. When regional schools are on break, Saratoga Arts offers full-week programs in both theater and visual arts for children ages 5-14. In addition to the classes they will be offering this week they also have information on their February break schedule, check out more here.
Exploring what they have to offer at the Go! World Awareness Museum in Glens Falls is a great way to spend a school vacation day (or even two). The mission of the World Awareness Children’s Museum is to inspire curiosity and foster understanding and appreciation of worldwide cultural diversity. This week they will be offering their European Holiday Traditions Series where they will explore the traditions of different European countries including Germany, Poland, Lithuana and Romania. For example, the European Holiday Traditions: Romania program will have participants make a hedgehog bauble, listen to Romanian stories and enjoy Romanian sweets led by special guest hosts. In addition, the museum offers onsite interactive multi-cultural exhibition space to explore individually or with a prearranged group tour led by the Museum educator,The International Youth Art Exchange with its collection of 6000+ pieces of art from more than 70 countries and extensive collection of authentic artifacts and educational objects as well as educational outreach programs to regional schools and groups. The museum is located at 89 Warren St. in Glens Falls, NY and you can visit their website here.
If we do get some snow this week, check out the Beginning Snowshoeing class at the Saratoga Spa State Park from 11-12:30pm on Thursday. Snowshoeing is amazing exercise, and with this class you and your kids can participate together! Participants will practice putting on the snowshoes before learning how to walk on a short, flat loop around the park. This program costs $5 per person with snowshoe rental. Contact them at (518) 584-2000 Ext. 116 to register and keep in mind that this program will be cancelled if there is no snow! But, snow or no snow, you can head to the State Park on the first day of the new year for their First Day Hike from 11am to 1pm to get a jump start on those healthy New Year’s Resolutions! Bring along some hiking shoes or snowshoes depending on weather (snowshoes also available for rent) and a water bottle and be prepared to work up a little sweat while you take in all the beauty of our gorgeous local park in the winter.
So whether your school break is a snowy one or not, you’ll be covered on activities to keep young minds and bodies active and entertained! Check out Mamatoga.com for more information in our School Break Survival Guide which will also have ideas on crafts and kid friendly recipes to try out at home.