Okay, I’m not going to lie to you:  this was freakin’ tedious. I’ve found that I really enjoy doing this blog.  I love writing, and prior to this I was one of those tragic people who considered herself a writer without ever actually, you know, writing.  So that’s excellent.  And I enjoy the sleuthing-out-the-activities part.  When I walk into a business and there’s some half-ripped old flyer that tells me about a new place where families can go, I get the same thrill that other women supposedly experience when they see a fabulous pair of heels.  But with this, so many places had so many activities that it was a lot of typing.  Blegh.  And I considered just making you follow the links over, but that’s a pain.  There’s a lot.  So I did the standard chronological order thing.

In any case, if you do find this helpful, would you please throw me a bone, here? If you’ve never commented, let me know you’re out there.  Or forward this link to friends or local businesses, or suggest my Facebook page.    That would be a thoughtful gift.

Please let me know if you’ve got additions, and remember, I want to know how these activities actually are! We all know that sometimes things sound like a good idea, but turn out to be not so fun (like egg painting).   And that sometimes when they say “5 and up”, they mean, “it’s developmentally appropriate for 5-year-olds, but we’ll certainly be kind to your 3-year-old and let her scribble with a marker,” while other times they mean, “we’re going to make your youngest feel like crap for being too little as if he doesn’t get that every day of his life.”

Finally, usually I feel supremely confident in my accuracy, but for this post I’d say it wouldn’t hurt to click the link before you head out the door–my eyes were crossed and my head was pounding by the end of this one, so I’m warning you now that I didn’t triple proofread it all.  Anyway,  read on!  And have fun!

All Weekend

• It’s the Dance Flurry Festival in Saratoga.  There’s a lot going on–check the website for details.  I’ve never gone, so I’d really love opinions about whether it’s “worth it” at adult ticket prices ranging from $25 to $50.

Saturday, February 13

• At the Albany Pine Bush, they’ll have a program called Nature’s Valentine, about animal courtship. Pre-registration is required (you can do it online).   It’s from 10-11:30 am, but they ask that you arrive a little bit early to pay–$5/family, $2/person, kids under 5 free.
• There’s a Valentine’s Day storytime at the Colonie Center Barnes & Noble at 11 am.
• At 11 am, the Children’s Museum of Science and Technology will have a presentation called Love Bugs. It’s designed for kids 2 to 5, pre-registration is required, and it’s $2 for non-members.
• There’s Mo Willems’ Pigeon Party! at 11 am at The Egg.
• Clifton Park is celebrating their Winter Fest from about 11 am – 4 pm.  They’ve got lots going on, including sleigh rides, tastings, tubing, the Zucchini Brothers, and Clifton Park Idol.  It’s free.
• From noon to 6 pm there’s a Russian Winter Festival at the Washington Armory in Albany.  It’s $7 for adults, $3 for kids 5-12, littler kids free.
• You can Make a Valentine at Albany Public Library’s Delaware Branch from 1-5 pm or Main Branch from 1-4 pm.
• At 1 pm, the Children’s Museum of Science and Technology will have a presentation called Heart Science. It’s designed for kids 5 and up, pre-registration is required, and it’s $2 for non-members.
• At 6 pm, there’s Chinese New Year Celebration at The Egg.  Tickets are $15.

Sunday, February 14

• Children can make valentines from 1-2:30 pm at the Family Sunday event at the Arts Center of the Capital Region in Troy.  It’s $5/child.
• You can Discover the Pine Bush at 1 pm. Pre-registration is required (you can do it online).   They ask that you arrive a little bit early to pay–$5/family, $2/person, kids under 5 free.

Monday to Friday During the Break

• TreePaad will be offering $20 2-hour Unlimited Play Passes.
• You can bowl most afternoons and Friday morning at Towne Bowling Academy on Altamont Avenue.  They have coupons on their website.
• At the New York State Museum, they have their School’s Out. . .the Museum is In! program from Monday to Friday from 1-4 pm.  Click link for details.  Keep in mind that Friday’s also New York in Bloom.
• Schenectady Museum has Planetarium  Shows Monday-Friday at 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, & 3 pm.  It’s $4 in addition to museum admission.
• Honestly, I became so exhausted trying to put in all of the Albany Public Library’s activities that I’ve only listed a few throughout the week.  Click the link for more.
• There’s Public Skating at the Times Union Center on the 16th, 17th, & 18th–if the location itself isn’t exciting to you, you might check other venues which are a bit less expensive.
• Rollarama has skating from 1-5 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday.
• Keep in mind that you can also check What About TODAY? for regularly scheduled events, but some of them are disrupted for the break week.  Follow the link and most places will indicate if they’re following the normal schedule or switchin’ it up for the Presidents’ Week.

Monday, February 15th

• Matthias Kuchta presents Rumpelstiltskin at 10 am and 1 pm at Steamer 10 Theatre in Albany.  When I spoke with someone from the theatre back in December, they recommended this as the best pick of the week–Kuchta’s a puppeteer from Germany catching us on a tour.  And you should totally just get a Steamer 10 pass.
• There’s a Snowshoe Hike at Grafton Lakes State Park at 10 am.  Pre-registration is required and $3/person includes snowshoes.
• At Moreau Lake State Park, they’ll be doing a variety of kids’ crafts from 10 am to 12 pm.  Registration is required and it costs $5.
• The Troy Public Library has a Mask Making Workshop at 11 am.  It’s for kids 7 and up, and they ask you to pre-register.
• At the Schenectady Museum, there are hands-on activities free with admission from 12:30 to 3:30 pm.  Today’s is Pocket Solar System.
• At 1 pm, they’ll be showing Spirited Away at the Albany Public Library’s main branch.
• There’s a GPS Adventure at the Albany Pine Bush at 1 pm.  Pre-registration is required (you can do it online).   They ask that you arrive a little bit early to pay–$5/family, $2/person, kids under 5 free.
• The Schenectady County Historical Society will host a class on Delft Tile Painting at 1 pm. It’s for 4^th-graders and up, and the cost is $25. Preregistration is required; call 374-0263.
• The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology will have a Spa Science program at 1 pm.  Kids 5 and up can make their own lotion.  Preregistration is required and it’s $2 for non-members.
• At 2 pm, kids can learn about fossils at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga.
• At 2:30 pm, there’s a Puppet Show at the Open Door Bookstore–they say it’s for kids 6 and up.  It’s free but registration is required.

Tuesday, February 16th

• At 9 am, kids can Build a Book at the Open Door Bookstore–it’s for kids 5 and up.  It’s free but registration is required.
• At 10 am, they’re having Olympic fun at Colonie Library.  It’s a drop-in program.
• At Voorheesville Public Library, they’re having a Chinese New Year Celebration for kids 4 and up at 10:15 am.
• At the Schenectady Museum, there are hands-on activities free with admission from 12:30 to 3:30 pm.  Today’s is Light and Color.
• The Albany Pine Bush has a program on Snow Birds at 1 pm.
• There’s a Teen Movie Marathon at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library for kids in grades 6 and up.  They’ll show Hoot at 10 am, How to Eat Fried Worms at noon and Holes at 2 pm.  And they’ll serve lunch!
• Steamer 10 Theatre has a ventriloquist at 10 am or 1 pm.  Remember–get the pass.
• The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology will have a program on NASA’s LCROSSE Mission to the Moon at 1 pm.  Kids 5 and up can make their own lotion.  Preregistration is required and it’s $2 for non-members.
• There’ll be Mardi Gras Madness at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library from 2-3 pm for kids in kindergarten & up.
• Bumble Beads is having a “Tea for Two” party from 2-4 pm.  It’s $25/child and pre-registration and pre-payment are required.

Wednesday, February 17th

• Steamer 10 Theatre has a magician at 10 am or 1 pm.
• At Grafton Lakes State Park they have a program on Animal Tracks and Traces from 10-11:30 am.  Pre-registration is required, $3/person includes snowshoes.
• From 10 am to 2 pm, there be crafts, music, and food to celebrate Black History Month on the South Concourse of the Empire State Plaza.
• There’s an Hola-La Spanish class at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga from 10-10:30 am.  It’s for kids in K-2, and you’re supposed to sign up ahead of time.
• At Voorheesville Public Library, they’re having a Lego Robotics program for kids in 4th grade and up at 10:15 am. Registration required.
• The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology is having a Bubble Festival from 11 am to 3 pm.  Free!
• At the Schenectady Museum, there are hands-on activities free with admission from 12:30 to 3:30 pm.  Today’s is CD Planisphere.
• At 1 pm, they’ll be showing Shorts at the Albany Public Library’s main branch.
• At Thacher Nature Center, they’re having a Snow Day!! including outdoor activities, s’mores, and more.  It’s from 1-4:30 pm.  Pre-registration is required, $10/family includes snowshoes.
• There’s a Beads! Beads! Beads! activity at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga from 1-3 pm.
• At 3 pm, the Troy Public Library will have a performance by High Peaks Juggling.  I’ve seen this juggler and he’s very fun.
• At Moreau Lake State Park, they’re having a Dusk Snowshoe Hike from 4:30-7 pm.  Call for details. There’s an Owl Prowl at the Albany Pine Bush at 6:30 pm.  Pre-registration is required (you can do it online).   They ask that you arrive a little bit early to pay–$5/family, $2/person, kids under 5 free.

Thursday, February 18th

• Steamer 10 Theatre has Komotion Movement Theater at 10 am or 1 pm.
• Five Rivers has a Family Program at 10 am.
• From 10 am to 2 pm, there be crafts, music, and food to celebrate Black History Month on the South Concourse of the Empire State Plaza.
• At Voorheesville Public Library, they’re having a Open Playtime for kids 18 months to 4 years old from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.
• There’s Book Bingo for kids in grades K-3 at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library from 11 am to noon.  Siblings are welcome.
• At the Schenectady Museum, there are hands-on activities free with admission from 12:30 to 3:30 pm.  Today’s is Our Changing Moon.
• They’ll be showing Wall-E at the Albany Pine Bush at 1 pm.  This event is free, but they ask that you pre-register online.
• The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology will have a program on Carbon at 1 pm.  Kids 5 and up can make their own lotion.  Preregistration is required and it’s $2 for non-members.
• The Schenectady County Historical Society will host a class on Wool and Felt Crafts at 1 pm. It’s for kids in kindergarten through 3^rd grade, and the cost is $3. Preregistration is required; call 374-0263.
• They’ll have a Training for Young Demigods in 4th & 5th grade fans of Percy Jackson at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library from 2-3:30 pm.  Pre-registration is required.
• The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame has a drawing and painting class from 2-4 pm.  You must pre-register; the cost is $8 and an adult must chaperone.  This is designed as an activity for a girl scout badge, but I think that it’s open to all.
• At 3 pm, they’ll be showing Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs at the Albany Public Library’s Delaware branch.

Friday, February 19th

• At Colonie Library, there’s a drop-in Baby and Me program from 9:30-11 am. It is for those under 36 months and their caregivers only.
• New York in Bloom begins at the New York State Museum–100 floral arrangements set up at a place that was already fun to visit.  The cost is $5/adult, kids 12 and under free.  This will continue through the weekend, but you’ll have to cough up an extra buck.
• Steamer 10 Theatre has the Zucchini Brothers at 10 am, 1 pm, and 3:30 pm.  Do you see how you could totally “spend” 10 passes in just one week if you wanted?  Okay then.
• From 10-11:30 am, there’s Wiggle and Giggle for little kids at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga.
• They’ll be showing Preschool Movies from 10:15 am to 11 am at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library.  This is a drop-in program.
• The Barnes & Noble at Colonie Center will have a Black History Month Storytime at 11 am.  After some stories, kids can try out some African drums.
• At the Schenectady Museum, there are hands-on activities free with admission from 12:30 to 3:30 pm.  Today’s is Cosmic Survey Cards.
• At 1 pm, they’ll be showing The Parent Trap –I’m assuming Lindsay Lohan, not Hayley Mills–at the Albany Public Library’s main branch.
• They’ll be doing Animal Origami at Moreau Lake State Park from 1-3 pm.  $5/person.
• The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology will have a program on Saturn at 1 pm.  Kids 5 and up can make their own lotion.  Preregistration is required and it’s $2 for non-members.
• At the National Museum of Racing, they’ll have a program on “equine anatomy” called It’s a Horse of Course at 1 pm.  It’s for kids 6-12, and the cost is $3.
• There’s a Girls’ Pajama Party at Voorheesville Public Library from 6-10 pm.  Registration in person.
• There’s a Coyotes Nightwalk at Five Rivers at 7 pm.

Okay, I don’t know about you guys, but I’m exhausted already.