Looking for ways to get the kids out of the house this chilly winter season or ideas for how to spend the upcoming February break? We've got you covered! Bundle up and enjoy the beauty of winter with family-friendly outdoor adventures or enjoy indoor activities that include learning new skills, using your creativity, or fun and games for the whole family. Scroll on to find ways your family can beat the winter blues in Albany County. 

1. Skate the Day Away at Local Ice-Skating Rinks

There are plenty of places to ice skate throughout Albany County! From Albany's iconic ice-skating rink at the Empire State Plaza to indoor rinks and scenic ponds, ice skating is a great way to spend a winter day. Plus, the Empire State Plaza offers Learn to Skate Clinics for skaters of all ages and skill-levels. 

Learn more about Albany's ice skating locations below: 

2. There's Snow Much Fun to Have in Albany County

There's plenty of ways to take advantage of a snowy day in Albany County. Strap on some snowshoes and explore the Pine Bush Preserve, Pine Hollow Arboretum, Thacher Park, Ann Lee Pond Nature Preserve, Huyck Preserve or Five Rivers Environmental Education Center. Or take on popular sledding hills at Lincoln Park, Washington Park, Tawasentha Park or Elm Avenue Park.

Find more ways to enjoy a wintertime adventure below:

Empire State Plaza Ice Rink

Outdoor Winter Adventures in Albany

Bundle up! Winter may be chilly, but Albany County offers an array of outdoor activities for More 

John Boyd Thacher Park in winter

5 Ideas for Outdoor Winter Day Trips in Albany County

Bundle up and embrace the chill. Capital Region locals searching for outdoor winter day trips have a More 

3. Learn About Nature During the Wintertime

The winter may be a popular time for people and animals to stay quiet and cozy, but there's still plenty to learn about nature during this time. The Pine Bush Preserve offers special winter experiences to discover more about the plants and animals of the rare habitat. For those shorter winter days, the preserve offers a collection of ways to "Discover the Night." 

Thacher Park is also a great location to learn more about nature. Visit the Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center offering discovery opportunities for explorers of all ages. 

4. Learn a New Skill During a Children's Baking Class 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Nelly (@nellystreats_518)

Staying indoors and learning a new skill is a great way to spend a chilly winter day. Nelly's Treats in Cohoes offers a series of youth baking classes each month.

5. Adventure into Other Worlds with Family-Friendly Performances, Film Screenings, and Story Hours

Palace Theater winter

Whether on a page, on a screen, or on a stage, there are plenty of exciting stories for children to watch or listen to this winter in Albany County.

Designed for preschool-aged children, head over to the Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza for a Story Hour every two weeks. Or, geared toward children in primary grades, enjoy the Neighbors for Neighbors' Story Hour at Capital Repertory Theatre once a month. 

For the upcoming school break, head over to the Palace Theater on Tuesday, February 20 for a Family Fun Day. The event offers a free screening of Disney's Frozen with accompanying activities. Or head over to a Regal Movie Theatre located in Crossgates Mall or Colonie Center Mall for a Saturday Morning Kids Flick. This program offers $2 tickets every Saturday for a children's movie during the first showtime of the day.

6. Get Crafty with Art Making Opportunities 

Stay indoors and make masterpieces this winter at a local art studio in Albany County and beyond! The Pottery Place in Stuyvesant Plaza offers fun, ready-to-paint pottery pieces. Kids can choose anything to paint from their favorite animal to a new piggy bank. Or stop by the Albany Institute of History & Art for one of their Art for All workshops every second Saturday of the month. Visitors of all ages can create art pieces inspired by the museum's collections. Albany Center Gallery offers Art. Work. Space workshops for local youth on the second Saturday of each month. In partnership with The RED bookshelf and Honest Weight Food Co-Op, the classes are led by a local artist and have covered everything from mural painting to clothing design to comic book making.

7. Explore Albany County's Museums

Stay warm and let creativity flourish this winter! Regional museums are offering plenty of events to keep little learners busy during the chilly months. Join the Albany Institute of History & Art for their Art for All programs with craft activities inspired by the Ancient Egypt exhibition and Hudson River School collection. The New York State Museum is offering winter children’s programming focused on legends from Haudenosaunee culture.

8. Find Fun & Games for the Whole Family

Dave & Buster's at Crossgates

Have a family fun day at one of Albany County's indoor venues. Visit Dick's House of Sport in Latham and take on the rock wall. Or make a trip to Crossgates Mall and play the day away at Dave & Busters, find your way through an adventure at 5 Wits, or enjoy a round of mini golf that's out of this world at Space Adventure Mini Golf.