Ready for February vacation with the kids? Presidents Day falls on Monday, February 18 this year, and most Westchester schools are closed that whole week for a winter break. While some families fly south for February break, and others head north to ski, there’s no reason why families can’t enjoy a winter “staycation” right here in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. There’s so much to do!

With numerous tourist attractions, a slew of play spaces, scheduled events, and loads to enjoy outdoors, Westchester offers plenty of fun without the need for air travel or pesky traffic. Below we’ve rounded up some of our favorite ways to spend the week off from school without breaking the bank OR packing a suitcase.

Looking for more things to do? Consult our guide to FREE things to do in February, and make sure to check out our Event Calendar and follow us on Facebook!

If your library card hasn’t left your wallet in a while, it may be time to pry it from its confines and put it to use.

More than a means to borrow books, your Westchester library card is your ticket to a host of privileges that you might not even know about. Put away the credit card and let this other piece of plastic save you money on admissions, shopping, and periodicals. In addition to checking out books, you can also borrow other media and even musical instruments, cooking supplies, and recreation equipment. Access technological services, learn a new language, support academic study, reserve a room. All this and more may be available, depending on the specific offerings of your local branch. Read on to see what you might be missing—not to mention all the books and free events, from storytimes to STEAM activities!

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The holidays may be over, but winter will be with us as long as the groundhog dictates. We know how hard it is to keep the kids occupied this time of year, so we’ve gathered a slew of activities that you can do with your kids this season—beyond storytime and baking cookies.

Whether you're looking to stay local or you're itching to explore beyond our borders, we have ideas that should suit every level of motivation. You can embrace the cold at a winter festival or celebrate one of many winter holidays, including Chinese New Year, Groundhog Day, and Valentine's Day. Try a winter sport like snow tubing or skiing, or get some indoor action at a trampoline park or play space. And that's just the beginning—read on for the full list.

Looking for even more? Consult our Event Calendar and sign up for our newsletters to stay in the loop. We’ll keep you busy all winter long!