School break camps on Long Island: Fun winter activities
Mid-February winter break is right around the corner. But fear not, there's still time to enroll the kids in one of these six drop-in camps that will keep them busy, entertained, and, in most cases, learning lots of interesting and fun facts about animals, science and more.
Axolotls and more animals at Center for Science Teaching & Learning
1450 Tanglewood Rd., Rockville Centre
Full-day animal encounters take place during the break at this science and nature center.
David Vessey, of Franklin Square, holds a Northern Blue tongue skink at the Center For Science Teaching And Learning in Rockville Centre. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
"We’ll have different guests here showing animals that maybe we don’t have here, so that people get to interact and learn how to take care of animals and different things about them," says Michele Anselmo, a center educator. "We also educate them on the habitats and other things that are exciting about the animals."
The center's own goats, emus, snakes, conures, reptiles, turtles and axolotls (salamanders that look a bit extraterrestrial) will also be on hand. In addition to photos with their new animal buddies, kids will enjoy face painting and animal-themed crafts.
- WHEN 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 14 to 17 and Feb. 19 to 22
- COST Animal week is free with admission: $15 adults, $12 for children younger than 13
- MORE INFO 516-764-0045, cstl.org
Science galore at Science Museum of Long Island
1526 Plandome Rd., Manhasset
There’s a different holiday workshop every day at the museum, including its classic maple sugaring.
From left, Victoria, Amelia and Mila, of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County, learn how colors are added to candy during a candy chemistry workshop at the Science Museum of Long Island in Manhasset. Credit: Linda Rosier
"It’s an annual tradition that we specifically always do during the February holiday break because that is the time for maple sugaring," says Caitlin Orellana, director of education. Sap harvesting is on Feb. 20. "We tap our trees using a hand-cracked drill, so all the kids get to turn it a couple of times and all work together," Orellana says.
Other theme activities lead up to "Maple Sugaring" day: On Feb. 16, kids will learn about physics and flight during "Aerospace Adventure." For "Stones & Bones" on Feb. 17, they’ll examine the museum’s geologic specimens. "Challenge STEM" on Feb. 18 is project-based learning, where kids will be challenged to build the tallest and strongest tower out of marshmallows and spaghetti. "Animal Mania" on Feb. 19 will focus on the adaptive skills of reptiles and insects.
- WHEN 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 16-20; for ages 4 to 12, with kids split up by age and grade
- COST Drop-off program: $100 each day; bring your own lunch
- MORE INFO 516-627-9400, smli.org
Step back in time at Benner’s Farm
56 Gnarled Hollow Rd., Setauket
Dating to the 1700s, this private 15-acre family homestead gives kids an up-close look at what it was like to live on a farm.
Dozens of chickens gather in anticipation of being fed at Benner's Farm in Setauket. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
At the farm's winter break camp, kids can play and learn about farm life during the winter months and find out how to make maple syrup. Kids should dress warm — there will be plenty of outdoor activities.
- WHEN 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 16, 17 and 18; for ages 6 to 14
- COST Drop-off program; $90 per day or $250 for 3 days; bring your own lunch
- MORE INFO 631-689-8172, bennersfarm.com
Camp Zoo at Long Island Game Farm
485 Chapman Blvd., Manorville
Presented by the Foundation for Wildlife Sustainability at the Long Island Game Farm, Camp Zoo offers three days of in-depth animal exploration.
For "Migration & Observation" on Feb. 16, kids meet creatures on the move like birds, butterflies and fish — and learn how they travel incredible distances each year. Campers will also create nature journals and watercolor paintings inspired by winter wildlife.
Participants will create watercolor artworks influenced by winter wildlife at Wildlife Sustainablity (Camp Zoo) at LI Game Farm. Credit: Tricia Snyder/Foundation for Wildlife Sustainablity
Discover the secret winter hideouts of groundhogs, bats, reptiles and amphibians during "Hibernation & Habitats" on Feb. 17, and explore how animals build cozy homes.
On Feb. 18, there's "Adaptation & Plants," where campers learn how local animals like deer, foxes, sheep and raccoons adapt to winter. They'll design clay creatures, create tree-inspired art and discover the survival strategies of winter plants.
- WHEN 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 16-18; for ages 6 and up
- COST Drop-off program; $70 per day; $200 for three days
- MORE INFO wildlifesustainability.org
Play time on the turf at The Sports Dome
5600 Old Sunrise Hwy., Unit B, Massapequa
School break camps are separated by age groups at this sports hub, where the center's full 13,000 square feet of turf will be open exclusively to campers for full-day, half-day and morning programs.
Benny Casper plays kickball at Sports Dome in Massapequa. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
Coaches run the kids through games of soccer, flag football and dodgeball, breaking for snacks and lunch. Kids should bring their own peanut-free snacks, lunch and drinks.
- WHEN Feb. 16-20, for ages 5 to 11
- COST Drop-off program; $55: 9:30 a.m. to noon ; $70: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; $85: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- MORE INFO 516-795-5600, longislandsportsdome.com
Get creative at The Art Studio
221 N. Long Beach Rd., Rockville Centre
Kids can make a snow globe snowman, create art out of clay or sew a pillow at The Art Studio. Credit: Michael Mutone/The Art Studio
The studio will offer a variety of two-hour workshops where kids age 5 to 17 can paint bears, penguins and snowmen; create a mixed-media snow globe snowman; a clay pinched pot; sew a pillow; or do a digital art project.
- WHEN Workshops run 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Feb. 16-20
- COST Drop-off program: Step-by-step Painting and Mixed Media Project: $35; Clay Project; Fashion and Sewing: $45; Digital Art Project: $50
- MORE INFO 516-763-2050, theartstudiorvc.com
