Local Ways to Thrive Inside
Liven up the winter with these upbeat activities!
By Courtney Kless
Let’s be honest, the winter months in Central New York aren’t exactly known for their warmth. Fortunately, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the season indoors. These are a few ideas:
CNY Science & Engineering Fair, hosted by the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology (MOST)
1. Get Smart
Looking for ways to tire out your kids and feel like an all-star parent? Take advantage of these indoor learning opportunities.
Encourage your kid to pick a STEM topic and get hands-on exploring it. Make a DIY lava lamp, build a bubbling volcano, or engineer a drinking-straw roller coaster. If your kid creates a really amazing, original project, consider entering it into the CNY Science & Engineering Fair, hosted by the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) on Sunday, March 29. Children and teens in grades 4-12 will have a chance to present their projects, plus everyone attending the fair will receive free admission. It’s a win-win!
Keep the learning going at other nearby museums. The CNY Living History Center in Cortland has real-life tractors and farm equipment that are perfect for machine-loving youngsters. At the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse, the whole family can walk through a life-size canal boat. There are more historic sea-faring vessels moored near the H. Lee White Maritime Museum in Oswego. Finally, take a step back in time at the Ward W. O’Hara Agricultural and Country Living Museum in Auburn, where kids can see a one-room school, general store, old-fashioned kitchen, carriage house, and other staples of country life.
For more brain-boosting events, don’t forget about your local library; they host educational programs for all ages throughout the month, including adults!
2. Get Artsy
Shades of Orange Art Studio
Kids are bursting with creative energy. The trick is getting them to keep their crayons off the walls and onto something you actually want to display. These programs make it easy.
First, the big news: 315Mom and the Everson Museum of Art are launching a Young Artists Showcase. The winning submission from each age group (4-8, 9-13, and 14-18) will be published in the magazine AND displayed in the museum. More details can be found at 315mom.com.
Upgrade your family’s drawing, painting, and ceramic skills at the Liverpool Art Center, Munson, Shades of Orange Art Studio, and the YMCA of Central New York. All offer art classes for children, tweens, and teens.
And, of course, we can’t forget about the performing arts! Whether your kid loves music, theater, or just likes a good excuse to dress up, there are plenty of ways to get involved. The Syracuse Orchestra has a full schedule of events for January and February, and Broadway in Syracuse continues its season at the Landmark Theatre with performances of MJ (Jan. 6-11) and The Music Man (Feb. 10-14).
If your teen is a writer, remember that Syracuse Stage is accepting submissions for its Young Playwrights Festival until Feb. 10. While the contest is only for high schoolers, consider giving younger siblings the job of “test-driving” the script by acting out scenes and seeing what plays well.
Luna Cat Cafe
3. Get Cozy
When the wind is howling and no one wants to deal with snow gear, cozy is the way to go.
Sometimes, all you need on a cold day is a cup of hot chocolate. Make your own “hot chocolate bar” with peppermint sticks, sprinkles, whipped cream, and fancy straws. Or, support a local business; Café Kubal, Cake Bar, Recess Coffee, and Sweet on Chocolate all have the sweet treat on their menus.
If you love the cafe vibes but need more entertainment for your family, head to a spot with a tasty menu and entertainment. Luna Cafe lets you socialize with adoptable cats while you indulge in Japanese snacks and drinks. At Luv Handles, you can make your own frozen yogurt treats, then play vintage arcade games from Pac-Man to Ninja Turtles.
To brighten your home, take the kids to a local greenhouse like Carol Watson Greenhouse in LaFayette or Crazy Daisies in Syracuse, and pick out plants for a DIY dish garden. Let your kids choose a theme like Pokémon or Moana and then pack their mini jungle with characters. Bonus: your whole family will enjoy the greenery, since research shows that caring for houseplants can boost overall happiness.
Sunnycrest Park Ice Rink
4. Get Active
When the snow starts piling up, finding outdoor play opportunities can be a little tricky. But fear not: there are many local spots where your child can release their pent-up energy.
Start with the winter classic: ice skating. Indoor rinks like John Dunn Ice Rink at Meachem Park in Syracuse, Kennedy Arena in Rome, Midstate Athletic Community Center in Cicero, Sunnycrest Park Ice Rink in Syracuse, and Three Rivers Athletic Complex in Baldwinsville are all indoors, away from the elements.
If you truly want to escape the weather — and maybe even pretend it’s summer — try swimming inside. The city of Syracuse has three indoor pools with free open swim hours. There are two nearby waterparks: Splash in Oswego and Cascades in Cortland.
Prefer roller skating? There’s a place for that, too! Skate-N-Place in Liverpool hosts open skate sessions on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and even has a session just for children ages 8 and under.
If you’re up for some friendly competition instead, Destiny USA in Syracuse and Shipwreck Amusements in Cortland both have indoor glow-in-the-dark miniature golf courses that are open year-round. Shipwreck also boasts a claim to fame: the 2016 Guinness World Record for the longest miniature golf hole.
Or you can visit a local bowling alley. AMF Syracuse Lanes in Syracuse and Flamingo Bowl in Liverpool regularly offer cost-saving deals.
Corning Museum of Glass
5. Get Away
Winter is actually a great time to get out of town, and you don’t have to leave the state to do it.
Ideas include: having a day of play at the Strong Museum in Rochester; creating your own art at the Corning Museum of Glass; exploring sports history at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown; learning about science at the Museum of the Earth in Ithaca; or splashing around at the state’s largest indoor waterpark at Kartrite Resort in Monticello.
If relaxation is your goal, consider renting a cabin in the Adirondacks, Berkshires, or Poconos. Just remember to stock up on books, board games, and fuzzy socks beforehand!
You can also skip the drive altogether and take a staycation. Rent a hotel room for a night or two and take advantage of amenities: heated pools, hot tubs, room service, and in-room movie nights. Don’t have the funds? Pretend your home is a hotel by piling blankets on the couch and delivering “room service” to the living room. If everyone’s motivated to have a great time, you’re sure to forget all about the snowstorm that’s raging outside.