Kids Korner: February 13 to 20, 2025
Winter break is a great time to create special memories. From learning about nature, the solar system and making fun crafts to watching live theater, there are plenty of activities on the North Shore for families with young children to enjoy during this week-long vacation.
PROGRAMS
First Steps in Nature
Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown continues its First Steps in Nature series for ages 2 to 4 on Feb. 14 at 9:30 a.m. with hands-on exciting activities, crafts, stories and much more. Children will gain a greater appreciation of nature and wildlife while having fun. $20 per child. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org. 631-979-6344
Make a Valentine’s Day Card
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor from Feb. 14 to 16. Make a Valentine’s Day card for one of your favorite animals at the hatchery. Cards will be displayed on the animal’s tanks. Free with admission of $7 adults, $6 seniors and $5 children ages 3 to 12. 516-692-6768
Crafts with Recycled Materials
Children ages 3 to 12 with a parent/caregiver are invited to stop by Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket on Feb. 15 between 10 a.m. and noon to create a work of art with recycled materials. No registration required. Bring a friend! Questions? Email [email protected]
Falling In Love With Wildlife
Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown presents its annual Falling in Love with Wildlife event on Feb. 16 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Join them for an afternoon of close encounters with wildlife. Meet some cute and loveable animals, play an animal matching game for Valentine’s Day, and create a craft to remember the day. There will be many photo opportunities including an “Animal Kissing Booth.” Best suited for ages 2 to 10. $15 per child and $5 for adults. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org.
Vanderbilt Winter Workshops
Suffolk County Vanderbit Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport presents two winter workshops for children in grades K through 4 during February recess: Portraits & Mixed Media Selfies (Children will visit the mansion, search for interesting elements in the collection of portraits, and create self-portraits.) on Feb. 17; and Animals in Winter & Woodland Lantern (Children will explore the wildlife dioramas, learn about adaptations that help animals in winter, and make a woodland-inspired lantern) on Feb. 19. Classes will be held from 10 a.m. to noon and are $20 per child, $18 members. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
Story & Craft with Nana Carol
The Next Chapter bookstore, 204 New York Ave., Huntington hosts a Story and Craft event with Nana Carol on Feb. 17 at 10:30 a.m. Free. No registration required. Appropriate for ages 0-4. 631-482-5008
Trash to Treasure
Join the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor for a Trash to Treasure drop in event on Feb. 17 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Check out the museum’s new 26-sculpture of a giant squid created from plastic trash found on beaches. Then, roll up your sleeves with artist Bri Sander from UpSculpt to transform plastic debris collected from our shores into miniature whimsical upcycled sea creature sculptures. No registration necessary. Admission fee + $10 participant; $5 member. 631-367-3418
February Break at the Hatchery
Enjoy February Break at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor with a Winter Wonderland Mosaic on Feb. 17, Paint with Ice on Feb. 18, Slimy Science on Feb. 19, Homemade Playdough on Feb. 20 and a Hatchery Tour with live animal encounters on Feb. 21. No reservations necessary. All activities will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are free with admission of $7 adults, $6 seniors and $5 children ages 3 to 12. www.cshfishhatchery.org. 516-692-6768
Pocket Solar System
What would our Solar System look like if we shrunk it down to fit in your pocket? Find out at a Pocket Solar System workshop at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport on Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. to noon where each participant will create and take home a scale model of the Solar System! For ages 6 to 8. $10 per child, $8 member. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
World Whale Week Crafts
Celebrate World Whale Week at the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor by dropping in to make crafts on Feb. 19 and Feb. 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. See and touch real whale bones from the museum’s exhibit and learn how you can help keep the oceans safe for these incredible creatures. Make an interactive ocean sensory jar featuring a clay whale of your own creation. Admission fee + $10 participant; $5 member. 631-367-3418
Stellar Suncatchers and Solar Observing
Children ages 9 to 12 can learn all about the Sun, create stellar suncatchers and safely look directly at the Sun through a solar telescope (weather permitting) at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport on Feb. 20 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. $10 per child, $8 members. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
Gesture drawing
Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport offers a Gesture Drawing Workshop with artist Wendy Klemperer on Feb. 20 from noon to 2 p.m. Participants will view drawings and sculptures in her exhibition Wrought Taxonomies, practice gestural drawing, and learn about the artistic process of creating sculpture that captures movement and form. For kids in grades 5 to 8 only. Tickets are $45, $40 members at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
THEATER
‘Frozen Jr’
Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown presents Frozen Jr. from Jan. 18 to Feb. 23. A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen Jr. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. Tickets are $26.50 per person. To order, call 1-800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org.
‘Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz’
Theatre Three, 423 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz from Feb. 19 to March 29 with a sensory friendly performance on March 2 at 11 a.m. Join them for an unforgettable trip down the Yellow Brick Road as Dorothy Gale is whisked away by a tornado to that magical land that lies just Over the Rainbow. Follow Dorothy and her friends the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Lion as they encounter challenges and celebrate friendship. All seats are $12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
‘Frozen Jr’
The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport kicks off the new year with a production of Frozen Jr. from Jan. 25 to March 2. When faced with danger, princesses Anna and Elsa discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. This enchanting musical features all of the memorable songs from the hit Disney film and will thaw even the coldest heart! All seats are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com
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