February School Break Activities to Keep NYC Kids (and Parents) Happy

UPDATED: January 2020

“Midwinter recess” arrives soon for NYC public schools so it’s time to break out your list of best February school break activities to keep the kids entertained.

Don’t panic – we’ve got your back on this one.

Start with our list of best family and kids’ winter activities in and around NYC. The skating rinks, indoor play spaces and the like listed here are proven winners … although we can’t guarantee that there will be snow for sledding that week.

Museums offering February school break activities

Make sure you check the event calendars of your favorite NYC museums and public venues. Many offer special February school break activities and programs, sometimes at little to no cost. Some of our favorites include:

• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
• Children’s Museum of Manhattan (that’s it in the top photo)
• New York Hall of Science (read about past great events we experienced there)
• Brooklyn Botanical Garden
• NY Transit Museum

Looking for something a little different that kids and the kid in you will love? Try the Museum of Illusions on 77 8th Ave., for amazing and magical trip that will confide your senses.

Take in a show or movie

New York has a vibrant live theater scene for children as well as adults. So along with trying to score some discount Broadway show tickets, check out a few of favorite children’s theaters. Several offer extra weekday shows during the school break so you can make some memories:

• Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre (read about a past show we saw there)
• TADA! Theater
• The New Victory Theater

If the play isn’t your thing, how about a movie?

We can hook up up with discount tickets to the New York International Children’s Film Festival, which starts the weekend of Feb. 21. Films for kids 3 to 18 are playing each weekend at select boroughs around Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn, and their will be stuff to keep mom and dad entertained, too. Go to the NYICFF website and use promo code NYCDADS20 for $2 off each. Watch for more info here next week.

If there’s nothing at your local multiplex, The Museum of the Moving Image always has family friendly exhibits to check out and they also offer special family matinee screenings during school breaks.

Parks for all seasons

If you want to get your kids out in the fresh air (or at least physically or mentally active indoors), don’t overlook our great NYC parks programs while looking for the best in February school break activities. Visit the NYC Parks School Break page for listings on the many programs and events offered in every borough on your children’s days off. Most of these events are free!

Even more things to do

One of your best resources to find things for your kids to do, whether its February school break or any ol’ weekend, is Time Out Kids: New York City. Browse the home page if you like for the latest and definitely click the “Things to Do” tab for update lists of things happening today through the new month.

Photos: Children’s Museum of Manhattan (top), NYGovParks.org (below)