Winter can be a challenging time to keep kids active and engaged. While it’s tempting to throw on the TV and call it a day (we’ve all been there), there are plenty of alternatives to entertain and educate, both at home and out in the Hamptons and, a quick day-trip away, on the North Fork.
“Keeping your children engaged plays vital roles in their cognitive functioning, their physical and mental well-being and can even lead to better sleep quality which is crucial for their growth and development” says Karyn Cooper, co-owner of North Fork Discoveries, a local preschool and childcare center.
“With a little creativity, you can turn your home into a playground filled with laughter, learning, and memories,” she continues. Cooper suggests simple activities such as building a blanket fort, conducting easy science experiments (like creating a volcano with baking soda and vinegar), creating obstacle courses, taping a hopscotch grid, hosting a dance party or freeze dance, playing balloon volleyball, and setting up a scavenger hunt.
When looking to venture outside the house, the North and South Forks offer plenty of options, even in the cold winter months.
Get into Nature
Rachel Goodale, local mom and owner of Stroller Strong Mamas, embraces the philosophy that “there’s no such thing as bad weather – you just need to dress appropriately.” Goodale goes for a hike with her family once a week, recommending the below kid friendly locations.
Quogue Wildlife Refuge (3 Old Country Road, Quogue)
The “stroller friendly, perfect little loop” makes for a “quick, easy and nice adventure,” Goodale says. The nature library makes it fun for the kids to read along the way as well.
Cranberry Bog Nature Preserve (3675-2815 Lake Avenue, Riverhead)
“This one is trickier with a stroller, but great for older kids”, Goodale says. The one-mile trail includes cranberry plants, wildlife, fun little bridges and streams.
Children’s Classes
Webster’s Kickboxing (32645 Main Road Suite 2, Cutchogue
Help your child build fitness and self-defense skills in a fun and engaging way. “We use real kickboxing techniques and combinations to increase focus, balance, coordination, and confidence,” says Mike Webster, owner of Webster’s Kickboxing & Fitness. Kids classes run on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. for ages 6-10 and 11-14.
Stroller Strong Mamas (13105 Main Road, Mattituck)
In addition to parent and me workout classes, Stroller Strong Mamas offers a large variety of kids classes including story time yoga, playgroups, sensory classes, holiday themed events (with an upcoming Valentine’s Day class) and more. A Toddler Fitness class will also be offered where the focus will be on bigger movements to work on balance, coordination and teamwork. Goodale plans to include obstacle courses and relay races, where kids “have so much fun they don’t even realize they are working out,” she says.”
Town Rec Center + Libraries (Various)
Check out local recreation centers and libraries for a variety of weekly programs that enrich both the brain and body. In recreation centers, check out the year-round programming at the YMCA East Hampton RECenter, the community centers in Southampton (their “Hamptons Got Talent” shows are a popular event for kids grades 5 to 12), Bridgehampton and Flanders, and the Shelter Island Recreation Department, which has weekly after-school programming Monday through Friday. And of course, the abundant programming at town libraries from Montauk to Hampton Bays is not only prolific, but fun, too, offering everything from homework help to story time to movie screenings, music and a multitude of other creative offerings.
Open Play
Safari Adventure (1074 Pulaski Street, Riverhead)
Designed for kids ages 1 to 10, Safari Adventure features a four-level indoor playground packed with inflatables, offering plenty of opportunities for active play. The space also includes a hands-on sensory area, perfect for sparking creativity and stimulating young imaginations.
Children’s Museum of the East End (376 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton)
There’s a wealth of interests for your kids to pick from here, from the Legacy Tree Gallery where kids 3 to 8 can jump, climb, swing and create their own obstacle courses, or board a ship, run a (play) farmstand or hop on board a fire truck, all for the regular price of entry ($19). CMEE’s Winter Kids Club for ages 3 to 6 is designed to help wee ones dip a toe into art, science, cooking and other fun, enriching activities. February 18 and 19, from 9:30 to 12 noon; for both days, the cost is $85 for members, $110 for non-members.
North Fork Cheer (22355 Route 48, Cutchogue)
In addition to more structured tumbling and cheer classes, North Fork Cheer also offers open play tumble for infants and toddlers. Toddler Time takes place from 9:15-10:00 a.m. on Saturdays. Mommy/Daddy and Me is offered on Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
