Though February is prone to unsavory weather, the bright side is the many exciting family events happening in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. With celebrations of Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day, Black History Month, Mardi Gras, and Chinese New Year, the fun is sure to chase away the chill!

Not all the events we’re highlighting this month fall under those themes, though. New this year is City of Science, a hard-to-believe-it’s-FREE attraction for STEAM lovers. With recent changes to the circus industry, the annual appearance by the Royal Hanneford Circus takes on added significance.

Other February traditions include the Chinese New Year Festival, featuring acrobats, cuisine, and other cultural appeal; Old-Fashioned Winter’s Afternoon, offering seasonal fun; and Maple Sugaring Tours (with a kick-off party, to boot), heralding the launch of maple-sugaring season. Several stage productions also merit parental attention (unfortunately, The Cat in the Hat, which we highlighted in our 50 winter activities post as a hot ticket, is sold out).

This is just the tip of the iceberg! Read on for the full list of our month’s top picks, and remember you'll find many more on our Event Calendar, plus lots more on the way. Sign up for our newsletters to keep track of new finds!

Keeping kids educated and entertained can cost a pretty penny, so we like to help our readers find ways to keep expenses from getting out of hand. That’s why we keep our eyes peeled for FREE and low-cost classes and activities for kids of all ages.

Below we’ve rounded up classes offered by local stores, which include STEM programs, crafting, fitness, and more. We’re big fans of the $0 price tag, but we’ve also included a few that allow for one-time visits up to about $30. Many stores have various locations, so be sure to check with these to confirm local schedules, offerings, and rates.

Looking for more? We’ve previously rounded up 60 FREE Places to Play, which include stores, nature centers, play spaces, and other venues. Of course, libraries are also a great resource, and many offer one-time and recurring classes in coding, 3D printing, yoga, Zumba, cooking, and more. Most importantly, keep tabs on our Event Calendar, where we curate the best local events with a heavy emphasis on FREE and inexpensive.

Cold temperatures and snow on the ground doesn’t mean you have to spend the next few months stuck at home (and, let's face it, who would want to?). We’ve rounded up some of our favorite events and things to do with preschoolers in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this winter. From stage performances to nature programs, holiday celebrations to play places, we’ve got you covered.

Want more? For all ages, check out our mammoth list of 50 things to do this winter in Westchester, as well as our Event Calendar. Be sure to sign up for our newsletters to stay in the know!