Kids and Teens: What to Do Over the Holiday Break

Winter Break Mini-Camp at John Jay Homestead

When/Where: Tuesday December 27-Friday, December 30 from 10 a.m.-12 noon at

Event:  This is a two-hour educational program for kids ages five to ten. Mini-Camps:

Tuesday December 27th:  I Spy! where kids explore the historic house at John Jay Homestead looking for undiscovered features around each corner. Wednesday, December 28th:  Picturing Me—children explore the extensive portrait collection at the Homestead and then create their own portrait. December 29: Hats Off!  Kids learn that most early 19th century houses didn’t have closets and find out where people stored their clothes—then make their own hat boxes. Friday, Dec. 30th: What's for Dinner?  What did John Jay eat during the winter when there was nothing growing on his farm?  Children learn about 19th century food and participate in a canning activity.

Price: $15 per child per day; members of the Friends of John Jay Homestead receive a $3.00 daily discount.  Reservations are required: 914-232-5651 x101.

Holiday Break Camp at Katonah Art Center

When/Where:  Holiday Week 1: December 19 - 23 • Holiday Week 2: December 26 – 30 at .

Event:  A winter break arts camp for kids (grades 1-5)  and teens (grades 6-12) Students will work with a variety of materials, trying their hand at  clay, painting, drawing & crafts and games. Resident sculptor Keith Yerger will be constructing a giant candy house during the camp weeks.

Price:  Half-day 5 days: $340/week; Full-day: $650/week.  You can also pick individual days.

Yorktown Stage Holiday Camp

When/Where: December 27-30 from at Yorktown Stage from 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.

Event:  A few days of theater fun at Yorktown Stage. Kids will sing, dance and act in "A Little Shop of Horrors," that will be performed on the last day.

Price:  $200 for four days

Future Stars Holiday Break Camp

When/Where:  December 26-30, from 9 a.m.-12 pm at Purchase College

Event: For kids ages 6-14, play baseball, soccer, basketball or lacrosse in this holiday-week sports camp.

Price:  $70 per day or $295 for the week, contact 914-273-8500 

Sing Along

When/Where:  Wednesday, December 28, 11 a.m. in the Garden Room at the .

Event:  The Katonah Village Library and Laura D'Amico of Music Together invite you and your family to join in a musical celebration of the holiday season. Children of all ages, their parents, grandparents, and caregivers are invited to sing songs and play instruments at this festive musical program.

Price:  Free

13th Annual Westchester County Slam Dunk Tournament

When/Where:  Monday through Thursday, December 26 – 29 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains beginning at 12 noon each day.

Event:   See some of the area’s best high school basketball match-ups when 24 of the best boys’ and girls’ high school teams play against each other.

Price:  Admission is $5 per day

Bronx Zoo Ice Sculpting Demonstrations

When/Where:  December 26-28, 30 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Bronx Zoo

Event: Watch artists turn blocks of ice into glistening statues of a variety of animals. And on December 29, there will be a competition as ice carvers test their animal sculpting skills.  Also at the zoo, from December 27-30, there will be a play area with a marine-animal themed 25-foot slide carved out of solid ice that kids can slide down.

Price:  Free with admission

Family Holiday Program at St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site

When/Where: December 27, 28, 29, 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site at 897 South Columbus Avenue in Mount Vernon

Event:  18th century games, colonial dress-up, tours of the historic site and church, activities, music and demonstrations—all designed for children on vacation from school along with their parent or caregiver.

Price:  Free

Chanukah on Ice

When/Where:  Sunday, December 25 from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. at Westchester Skating Academy, 91 Fairview Park Drive in Elmsford

Event:  Co-sponsored by Chabad of the Rivertowns, Chabad of Briarcliff, and Chabad of Bedford, this is family ice skating party for children and adults. Skate along to contemporary Jewish music and classic Hanukkah songs while a professional ice sculptor will carve a giant 8 foot tall Menorah out of ice. There will be entertainment by world-renowned fire juggler and traditional latkes and donuts will be served.

Price:  $10 advance, $13 at door. To purchase tickets in advance or for more information, call Chabad at 914-923-2522 or visit the website.

Skiing at Thunder Ridge

When/Where: Ski days are open all week at the Patterson, NY ski area.  Monday-Fridays from 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday, December 31 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, January 2 from 12 noon-5 p.m.

Event:  Drive or take Metro-North’s “ski train” to Patterson, NY (where a shuttle will pick you up) for a day of skiing. Lessons are available for all ages and abilities.

Price:  Adult lift tickets are $50, Junior (ages 6-12) are $37 and kids five and under are $12.  Rentals are available as well as complete lesson-lift-rental packages.

Christmas Light Show in White Plains

When/Where:  Through January 2, the lights will be on seven days a week from 5:30 p.m.-11p.m at 21 North Kensico Avenue in White Plains.

Event:  See a Christmas light display with over 7,600 lights on 96 channels synchronized to music. These Christmas lights enthusiast homeowners invite you to enjoy the show. After every 5th song, Santa will appear in the attic window. When visiting, tune your FM car radio to 107.7 to hear the program.

Price:  Free, click here for more info