Subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox.

Top Things To Do During Midwinter Break in NYC

1. Spyscape Museum

Enjoy being a spy for a day at this cool, interactive museum, and learn about the history of famous spies.

2. Nickelodeon Universe

Did you know the mega theme park at American Dream Mall is less than a half-hour bus ride away from NYC's Port Authority Bus Terminal? Book your tickets for a day of fun at the largest indoor theme park in the Western Hemisphere.

3. MoMA Family Festival

MoMA invites families to explore the idea of sustainability and nature through colorful crafts and activities in a festival spanning from Saturday, February 15-Wednesday, February 19. The event includes hands-on exhibits and installations like an upcycled world of soft creatures including a collaborative monster, plus films, workshops, and other fun activities.

4. CREA Interactivity

This brand-new play space is unlike any other we've explored, combining tech with physical challenges and quests themed after real-world problems. Register for a school break camp or schedule a drop-in session.

5. Brooklyn Children's Museum

Kids can climb the scaffolding in BCM's new In the Works exhibit or explore the rest of the kid-friendly spaces within its walls.

6. Xanadu Roller Arts

Enjoy a retro day out at this roller rink. Jam to retro disco, hip-hop, and current pop hits while you circle the rink on quads and reminisce about the good ol' days.

RELATED: Best Things To Do and See on a Hunter Mountain Getaway

7. Gilder Center at AMNH

Head to the kid-favorite American Museum of Natural History and explore the Gilder Center, which features an insectarium, butterfly vivarium, and floor-to-ceiling collection displays. You can also see its newest dino, Apex in the lobby, before heading into the heart of the museum for more fun, including the temporary Secret World of Elephants exhibition.

8. Chinatown's Lunar New Year Parade and Festival

Stake out your spot early for this mega parade on Sunday, February 16. Usher in the Year of the Snake with a colorful pan-Asian procession that celebrates traditions across the Asian world with floats, cultural performances, and fun.

9. Bryant Park's Bumper Cars

Book your tickets up to two weeks in advance for the chance to climb aboard the limited-time-only ice bumper cars at Bryant Park. While you're there, don't miss the other festivities, like ice skating, juggling, the carousel, and many events to keep kids engaged.

Visit the Sloomoo Institute and experience iconic WICKED displays. Photo by Jody Mercier 

10. Sloomoo Institute

Play with dozens of different slimes before crafting your own or taking a trip to Sloomoo Falls at this interactive museum of slime in Soho. Bonus: Through the end of February, enjoy a Wicked on Broadway mashup and play with Elphie's Brew or Glinda's Popular Pink Slime in front of some fun photo-ops from the show.

11. HAPIK

Explore this mega, kid-friendly climbing zone in Industry City, where colorful climbing walls and a challenging ropes course await.

RELATED: Parks and Playgrounds Guide for NYC Kids

12. Statute of Liberty

Avoid the summer crowds and visit Lady Liberty during midwinter break in NYC. Don't forget to check out the Statute of Liberty Museum.

13. Jackie Robinson Museum

Learn about the legacy of Jackie Robinson and the history of Black baseball at the Jackie Robinson Museum. Learn about the baseball star's local impact across New York City with a guided museum tour, games, and activities.

14. Bluey at CAMP

Meet Bluey, Bingo, Mum, and Dad inside a life-sized re-creation of the Heeler family's iconic house and go on an adventure through imagination at Bluey x CAMP.

15. The Met

Visit NYC's largest art museum to explore treasures from antiquity to the present. If you've got little ones in tow, be sure to check out the creative play space, the 81st Street Studio on the museum's ground floor.

16. Visit a Claw Machine Arcade

Test your luck at one of these local arcades where stuffies, trinkets, and even big-ticket items are there for the taking—if you've got a keen eye and a steady hand!

17. Nuttin' but a Word at the New Victory Theater

Kids ages 8+ will be impressed by the dancers of Puremovement who bring jaw-dropping moves to the stage along with a hip-hop-hued soundtrack that's high-energy for a full hour.

18. Harlem Globetrotters

It's high-flying, trick-shooting, and action-packed fun when this traveling troop of basketball stars takes the floor at MSG on Saturday, February 22.

Eclipso VR

Don some VR goggles and go on an adventure to the pyramids of Egypt or the art salons of the impressionists at this family-friendly midtown experience.

RELATED: 49 Best Things To Do this Winter in NYC

The NYBG orchid show brings some tropical appeal to the winter season at the New York Botanical Garden. Photo by Jody Mercier

19. NYBG Orchid Show

For a taste of the tropics without leaving the five boroughs, head to the New York Botanical Garden's annual orchid show, which opens Saturday, February 15. This year's theme features a colorful display of flowers inspired by Mexican Modernism.

20. DreamWorks Water Park

Enjoy slides, surfing, and plenty more wet and wild fun at North America's largest indoor water park inside American Dream Mall.

21. Explore a Winter Garden

These cool indoor public spaces offer respite from the elements, plus fun perks like kid-friendly eats, artwork, and more.

22. Discovery Days at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Learn about the trees of the Caribbean, embark on a conservatory quest, and enjoy a toddler-friendly discovery day at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which offers pay-what-you-wish admission on weekdays throughout the break.

23. Ice Skating

Lace your skates and enjoy the crisp winter air at one of NYC's outdoor ice skating rinks, including options at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Central Park, Brookfield Place, and on the roof of the Brooklyn Children's Museum. Prefer to glide indoors? Here's our list of indoor ice skating rinks in NYC.

24. Luminosa at the Queens Botanical Garden

Catch the tail end of QBG's vibrant light show, featuring more than 40 glowing lantern sculptures made by over 150 artisans. This is one of the last chances to see a light show of this kind until next holiday season and a good time to see the exhibit before it leaves in March. Read our full review here.

RELATED: Best Museums for Kids in NYC

Pray for a snow day so you can hit the sledding hills! Photo by Sara Marentette

25. Go Sledding

If the fresh powder flies in the city, check out one of our favorite sledding hills.

26. Kids Week in NYC Parks

Head to your local park to see what the Urban Park Rangers are planning during its FREE Kids Week programs, which include fun like bonfires, hikes, nature center exploration, and more.

27. Go Skiing

Gear up for some winter fun at these downhill skiing destinations or shred at one of these snowboarding parks within driving distance.

28. Kids Week at the Intrepid Museum

This is one of our favorite annual traditions! Not only can you explore the World War II-era aircraft carrier, but its hanger is a veritable wonderland of kid-friendly activities, experiences, and live entertainment. This year's events include presentations and displays from NASA, hands-on workshops, and even live animal shows.

29. Snow Tubing

Snow tubing is another great winter getaway. Bonus: It's easier than skiing and requires much less gear.

30. Midwinter Recess in Prospect Park

Explore the park's plants, insects, birds, and mammals with the naturalists from Prospect Park Alliance.

31. Freezin' Season Winter Workshops

Keep the kids busy with Freezin' Season Winter Workshops at King Manor, the historic house museum, which celebrates the life and legacy of Rufus King. The workshop runs Tuesday through Friday with hands-on activities each day.

32. Culture Pass

Not only are NYC's public libraries cool spots to hang out—but having a library card grants you gratis access to more than 100 cultural institutions. Be sure to reserve your FREE passes for February's midwinter break in NYC now, though!

33. Cross Something Off our 100 Things List

If you've done all of the above, maybe it's time to revisit our list of the 100 things to do in NYC with kids before they grow up!

Unless noted, all photos courtesy of the respective venues

A version of this story was published in 2018; it is updated annually.