Students throughout the state have been home for days due to Winter Storm Nemo and now, many are about to begin their February break.  It seems like the kids will spend more time home than in school this month.  After enjoying several cozy snow days occupied by books, videos and board games I know I'll be taking advantage of some of the great events going on in the coming days for some family fun outside of the house. Our posts on Winter Break Activities in Fairfield and Hartford Counties are a good place to start as you plan your long weekend. 

We hope you enjoyed your snow day last weekend as much as we did. Even though we were disappointed that so many events were canceled at the last minute, I know my family was glad to have a bit of a break from running around. My daughter spent hours playing in the snow—in fact she refused to leave until her toes started burning from the cold (snow in your boots gets you every time)..

While we might get a few light flurries this weekend, it doesn't look like sledding will be on the agenda over midwinter school break, but lots of other fun activities are. We've got Chinese New Year Parades, awesome day trip and staycation ideas, roundups of the best current museum exhibits for kids and family shows, and more in our Winter Fun Guide. Out in New Jersey, maple sugaring season has arrived and on Long Island, you can try to spot the seals. Plus the Mommy Poppins team is hosting a special Presidents' Day art meet-up at Hiho Batik. The possibilities for the four-day recess are almost endless.

Our New Jersey site is also giving away two family four-packs to Sahara Sam's Oasis Indoor Water Park in West Berlin. Of course if you subscribe to our free newsletters you knew that already, since we've been telling you about it all week. We're always giving away things in our emails which is why it's worth signing up.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

February school vacation kicks off this weekend, and Boston offers plenty of ways to keep kids busy throughout the break. Options this weekend range from special movie events like the annual Bugs Bunny Film Festival at the Brattle Theatre and a weekend of science activities at the Hynes to a trip to Georges Island and three (!) model train shows.

National Engineers Week is this week; check out the special events that will keep kids interested in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines. We’ve also highlighted over 30 museum programs and special activities taking place throughout February School Vacation Week.

And if you find yourselves wishing for a relief from the snow over the break, please see Tara’s roundup of indoor gardens - you don’t have to travel far to leave winter behind!

Read on for things to do this weekend, and be sure to visit our calendar for more ideas.

Enjoy!

My nine-year-old son has had happy feet practically since birth. He already has many years of tap-dancing under his belt and he took ballroom dancing in his school last semester. He was thrilled to be dancing (in school, no less!) and quickly picked up the foxtrot, merengue, swing dancing and even the tango. The ballroom dancing program hadn't even wrapped before he was asking if he could continue to take lessons outside of school.

I said, of course... but then I started doing the research. To my surprise, while there are plenty of schools that offer one-off classes here and there like flamenco or salsa, and lots of ballroom dancing studios for adults, there aren't that many programs for children that focus solely on the genre. However, I did find a handful of NYC spots that can give your little movers and shakers a dedicated ballroom dance experience, plus info on how you can bring ballroom dancing to your kids' school.

Come mid-February, we’re all ready to add a little fun to our everyday routines. NJ has some great events, whether you’re up for learning, exercise or entertainment. Check out the new Curious George exhibit at Liberty Science Center, a puppet performance of The Tortoise and The Hare or get your dose of American history by celebrating George’s birthday at Washington Crossing State Park. Read on for our top picks and find a listing of all NJ activities in our Event Calendar.

This weekend, ValleyStreamMom.Com, a website that focuses on all things happening in or around Valley Stream, is hosting its Second Annual Valentine's Day Party at the Valley Stream Presbyterian Church. "David Pleasant Presents SHOUT, JUBA & JIVE" is at the LICM in honor of Black History Month. Do your kids love the cartoon characters from Nickelodeon? Why not bring them to United Skate of America's Breakfast with the Characters where they'll get to meet Umizoomi's Geo, Yo Gabba Gabba's Foofa, Dora, and Spongebob and Patrick. If your daughter is looking to channel her inner diva, Hot Cuts Hair Salon is hosting a Glitz and Glam Party where she can get all glammed up with hair beading, makeup, and manicures.  While you're there, enjoy pizza from Novi Restaurant and some sweet treats.  Also on tap: a Winter Family Scavenger Hunt at the Sherwood-Jayne Farm in Setauket, as well as Walt Whitman High School Marching Band's Night at the Rink at the Syosset-Woodbury Ice Rink in Woodbury.  As always, please check out our events calendar every day for fun activities for the family, and don't forget our guide to winter break activities for things to do on the Monday holiday and all week long next week!

The National Museum of the American Indian, which is located in the stunning Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, is a great destination on any day, literally. It's one of only a few NYC museums that are open every day throughout the year (save Christmas) and admission is always free.

But this winter, there's a new reason to visit: The institution's first-ever Animation Celebration! Looking North. Instead of bundling up and listening to traditional tales around a fire, families are invited to experience the vibrant stories and culture of Native Americans from Canada’s Arctic and Subarctic regions in the museum's toasty second floor screening room.