Wondering where to take the kids during Presidents Week? There are plenty of things to see and do on Long Island during this time. Here's a sampling of events that will keep the kids busy during their time off from school.
For more to do this month, please see February Calendar of Events on Long Island. If you know of other events that should be listed here, please email me at longisland.guide@about.com
Note: This article is updated every year. Here are the Presidents Week events for 2012.
1. Nassau County Museum of Art
Photo © The Nassau County Museum of Art
The Nassau County Museum of Art, One Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor, NY.
Winter Break Art for Families.
February 22-24, 11 a.m- 2 p.m.
The winter school vacation week features hands-on art making for children of all ages and their adult companions. Inspired by the colors and subjects of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s work, museum docents will be in the galleries to assist young visitors develop their own creative responses to what they see in the galleries.
Museum admission plus $5 per family materials fee. No reservations are needed. Families Making Art Together is held in the museum’s main building, the Arnold & Joan Saltzman Fine Art Building.
Afterwards, stroll around the museum's lovely sculpture garden if the weather (hopefully) gets warmer.
2. Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum
Linda Tagliaferro
President’s Day: Flubber Film n’ Fun Mon, Feb 20 at 12:00 and 3:00 pm. Learn about sources of goo from the ocean, and have some stretchy fun by creating your own slime batch. Enjoy a showing of Disney’s film Flubber (rated PG), with free movie snacks! FREE With Paid Admission, Members free. All ages. Reservations required. RSVP at (631) 367-3418, ext. 16.
Ocean Explorers Camp - Tuesday, Feb. 21 through Friday, Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. Join the museum's popular camp for an under-the-sea adventure. Discover a different ocean topic every day, play ocean games, try sticky experiments, and have fun with arts & crafts. Snacks served; bring a water bottle. For ages 5-8; 9 year olds may come as Group Leaders for $20 day. Members $25 day, $90 4 days; Others $30 day, $105 4 days. 15% sibling discount. RSVP at (631) 367-3418, ext. 16.
3. Fire Island Lighthouse
Photo © Linda Tagliaferro
Reduced fees for tower tours for children under 12. Kids must be at least 42" tall to climb the tower. There will be different activity statios and a scavenger hunt for kids. Come visit their new addition-The Fire Island Light Station Fresnel Lens Building, which houses the original First Order Fresnel Lens.
Special Features-In the Lens Building
Tuesday, 11 am- Origami
Wednesday, 11am - author Vivian Farrell will do a dramatic presentation on her book, “Roberts Tall Friend”.
Friday, 11 am -“Light” magic! from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. for the kids.
For more details, visit Fire Island Lighthouse.
4. Long Island Children's Museum
Photo © Linda Tagliaferro
There's always plenty of fun for kids at the Long Island Children's Museum. Go to the LICM website to see the full calendar. The Long Island Children's Museum is located at 11 Davis Avenue in Garden City. For more information, please go to Long Island Children's Museum or call (516) 224-5800.
Watch a video about the Long Island Children's Museum.
5. Long Island Aquarium (formerly Atlantis Marine World)
Photo © Christopher Paparo, Atlantis Marine World Aquarium
There's always lots of fishy fun at The Long Island Aquarium (formerly Atlantis Marine World Aquarium), including areas where they can pet an actual sting ray, see a living coral reef, watch sharks circle and much more.
Atlantis Marine World is located at 431 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY. For more information, please go to their website at Atlantis Marine World or phone (631) 208-9200.
6. Cradle of Aviation Museum
Photo © Linda Tagliaferro
The Cradle of Aviation Museum, Charles Lindbergh Blvd., East Garden City, NY.
Event Horizon - Escaping a Black Hole!
Winter Recess - Mon-Fri, February 20-24, 12-4 PM
Deep in the heart of our Galaxy lurks a black hole four million times as massive as our Sun. We now believe that many or most galaxies contain similar supermassive black holes, hidden in most cases by clouds of dust. What are these black holes? How do we know they are there? How do they form? Investigate all these exciting questions when you join us during the February vacation break.
Activities include: Black Hole Workshop exploring NASA’s NuStar telescope with spectroscope demonstrations And make a spaghettification flip book to take home! See how a black hole is formed and what will happen if you get too close to one.
Half hour workshops Mon-Fri. February 20-24, 12-4pm. Free with museum admission.
More details at The Cradle of Aviation Museum or (516)572-4066.
7. WMHO Educational & Cultural Center, Stony Brook Village
The Ward Melville Heritage Organization Education and Cultural Center, Stony Brook Village Center, Main Street on the Harbor, Stony Brook, offers Fun in Motion $10 per day or $16 for both days.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Tempo Tuesday! For ages 5-6.
From 10 to 11 a.m.: Stretch & Dance with toys and drums
From 11-11:30 a.m.: Snack (parents bring in fruit of the day: apples and oranges), and Plant Your Seedling Craft.
For ages 7-8
1-2 p.m.: Stretching/drums for rhythm and exercise
2-3:30 p.m.: Snack (parents bring fruit of the day: apples and oranges)and Plant Your Seedling Craft.
Thursday, February 23
Hip Hop Thursday -
Ages 5-6
From 10 to 11 a.m.: Stretch & Hip Hop dancing
From 11-11:30 a.m.: Snack (parents bring in fruit of the day: strawberries and bananas), and Plant Your Seedling Craft.
Ages 7-8
From 1-2 p.m.: Stretch & Hip Hop dancing
From 2-2:30 p.m.: Snack (parents bring in fruit of the day: strawberries and bananas), and Plant Your Seedling Craft.
In addition to Fun in Motion, the kids can also enjoy "Hot Cocoa & Marshmallows" Children's Authors' Sessions. 10:30 am (ages 3-5), $3 pp, Educational 7 Cultural Center, Stony Brook Village, 631-689-5888 (Authors series include readings, craft activity, Story Scrapbook and more.)
Wed., Feb. 22: Joi Nobisso, author of 50 children’ s books, including “Shh, The Whale is Smiling.”
Thurs., Feb. 23: Cheryl Taborsky, author and illustrator of digital children’s books. Reading of “Sarge” about raising a guide dog. A real Guide Dog Foundation puppy will be there for the kids to meet.
More info and reservations: please call (631) 689-5888.
8. Vanderbilt Museum
The Vanderbilt Museum is located at 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport, NY. Directions and updated details on programs and events: visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org. For more information, call 631-854-5579. Admission General museum admission is $7 for adults, $6 for students with ID and seniors (62 and older), $3 for children 12 and under. General admission includes estate-grounds access to marine museum, Memorial Wing natural-history and ethnographic-artifact galleries, Nursery Wing, Egyptian mummy and Stoll Wing habitat dioramas. For a mansion tour, add $5 per ticket. (A video tour of the mansion is available on request.)
