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Sports

10 Fun Activities for Kids During February Vacation

Ways for kids to spend their school break, without driving their parents crazy.

February winter recess is a much-needed break from studying and school activities for Rye area  students. But it  also means parents have to keep kids preoccupied. Luckily, local organizations have some great options for productive fun that will get them out of the house, instead of sitting glued to the television or video games.

Aquatic Adventures

If your kids can't get enough of "Finding Nemo," or if they just love all things under the sea, send them to the Maritime Aquarium's Winter Vacation Camp. Throughout the week, they will have daily adventures of aquatic life, from a scavenger hunt to observing how otters play. The program is for children ages six to nine, and will run from Feb. 15 to 19, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with extended care options in both the mornings and afternoons. Registration costs $85 per day or $385 for the entire week. Advance reservations are required. Call 203-852-0700, extension 2206 or go to Maritimeaquarium.org for more details.

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Winter Sports

Instead of sitting indoors, your kids could be playing basketball, doing gymnastics or other fun activities at the Rye YMCA. There's even a three-day, two night winter camp in the Catskills for children ages 11 to 14 to enjoy outdoor winter sports. The various camp programs, which will run from Feb. 15 to 19, offer options by age group for children ages 5 and up. Go to www.ryeymca.org or call 914-967-6363 to find the perfect program for your child and for registration details.

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Multi-Sports With the US Sports Institute

Another option for sportier tykes is the Rye Recreation's Multi-Sports Camp. Kids will be able to participate in a variety of athletics from around the world with the US Sports Institute in a fun, safe environment. Campers will receive technical instruction in each sport before playing their own games. The camp runs from Feb. 16 to 18 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for children grades kindergarten through two at the Osborn School gym, and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for children grades three through five at the Rye Middle School gym. Registration costs $100 for Rye residents and $125 Non-residents. Call 914-967-2535 for more details.

Movies, Book Swaps, Crafts and More

Kids can spend an afternoon cozied up with friends watching a movie, doing arts and crafts, reading and more at the Rye Free Reading Room throughout winter recess. Starting the week is the Valentines Cupcake Decorating Challenge on February 13 at 10 a.m. with Valentines' stories followed by a cupcake competition. The library will also show movies that week, including "Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure" (G) on Feb. 16 and "G-Force" (G) on February 17.  A Book Swap will be held on Feb. 18 and drop-in crafts will be held on Feb. 19 and Feb. 20. Go to www.ryelibrary.org or call 914-967-0480 for times and more information on each event.

Nature Exploration

Even on the coldest days of the year nature is still hard at work, and the Rye Nature Center will show you just how busy all the creatures are. Children ages 3 1/2 to 8 are invited to the RNC Feb. 15 to 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to see what nature looks like in winter and to investigate how animals survive until spring. Make sure they're dressed and prepared for the weather, as activities will be both indoors and outdoors. Go to www.ryenaturecenter.org or call 914-967-5150 for registration and more information. And don't forget to pack a lunch!

February Break Mini Camp

If you don't want to commit your kids to an activity the entire time they're off from school, the Port Chester Department of Recreation's February Break Mini Camp is the perfect compromise. Children can spend a few mornings that week playing games in the school gym such as kickball and volleyball, and weather permitting, they may even play outside on the playground, before heading inside for board games and a snack. The camp will be held Feb. 16 to 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for children in grades one through five. Call 914-939-2354 or go to www.portchesterny.com and search under the Department of Recreation for more information and registration.

XXI Winter Olympics at the Larchmont Library

Usually you're supposed to keep your voice down at the library, but during February break, the Larchmont Public Library is turning up the volume. Visit Feb. 17 for the library's own version of XXI Olympic Winter Games.
From funny sports stories for children ages 2 to 4 to an indoor snowball relay race for children ages 8 to 11, there will be something for kids of all ages. Go to www.larchmontlibrary.org or call 914-834-2281 for more details.

Captain Underpants Party

On Feb. 18, join the Larchmont Library for its Captain Underpants series party where they'll have an underwear slam dunk competition, use the Name–O–Change–O chart to find out their Professor Poopypants name, and have a TP Tower making contest. Go to www.larchmontlibrary.org or call 914-834-2281 for more details.

Musical Theater Week

The Rye Arts Center is offering its own School Vacation Program and Musical Theater Week for kids who love the arts. The musical theater workshop is open for children ages 8 to 13. Kids will prepare "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday Feb.15 through Friday Feb. 19 with a performance for immediate family on Friday at 7 p.m. For more information and registration go to www.ryeartscenter.org, or call 914-967-0700.

Sculpting and Drawing

If enough children register, Japanese comic and cartoons and drawing will be available in a series called "Manga Week" for children ages 8 and up, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 15 to 19 at the Rye Arts Center. Ceramics classes are also available those days from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for children ages 5 to 8 and from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. for ages 9 and up. For more information and registration go to www.ryeartscenter.org, or call 914-967-0700.

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