Make up goofy songs or poems about
each product and dress up for the part.
Be sure to videotape the skits for hilari-
ous family memories.
Put together a winter
emergency kit. Include spare hats,
mittens, scarves, and boots, a flashlight,
and other items in case you get stranded.
Your home kit should include items for
a snow-in or power loss. Have everyone
work together to create a list and gather
items for the kits.
String
a
snowflake
streamer. Make snowflakes by fold-
ing white paper several times and then
trimming different shapes around the
edges. Open the snowflakes then string
them on a piece of yarn, and hang it
across the room.
Visit the library to snuggle up
for a relaxing read. When you arrive,
learn how and where to find books on
your interests such as sports, science, or
a hobby. Then choose several books to
bring home. Don’t forget to check out
music CDs, audiobooks, videos, com-
puter games, and magazines for plenty
of indoor entertainment.
Get away at a weekend
resort. Check your travel agency for
one of the many winter resorts for out-
door enthusiasts that offer activities and
accommodations for the whole family.
Try downhill or cross country skiing,
snowshoe excursions, and more.
Make a winter trivia game.
Buy a pack of small index cards. Then
write a question on each card related
to snow, winter weather, winter safety,
arctic animals, or any other winter-re-
lated topic you can think of. Write the
answers below. To play the game, take
turns reading the questions while other
players shout their answers. The first
person with the correct answer scores a
point.
Kimberly Blaker is a freelance parenting
and lifestyle writer. She also writes con-
tent and blog posts for businesses for a
wide range of industries and is an expert
in on-page SEO. Find her at kimberly-
blaker.com
Cures for “Cabin Fever”
HORSE DRAWN SLEIGH RIDES
The Stateline Draft Horse Club will be providing sleigh or wagon rides around
the grounds of the Chautauqua Institution (weather dependent) every weekend
through the end of February. Rides are from 1pm to 3pm, leaving about every
half hour from the parking lot beside the Chautauqua Bookstore. Tickets will be
available at the Chautauqua Bookstore starting around 12:30pm on the day of
the rides. Tickets: $5 for adults, $3 for children. The Chautauqua Bookstore is
open daily from 9am to 5pm. For more information, call 716-357-2151.
THE ICE AT CANALSIDE
There are plenty of activities here to keep your family busy on a winter day — ice
bikes, ice bumper cars, curling, ice skating, igloos in which to keep warm, ice
bowling, and even a “Skate in Your PJs Day” on February 2nd from 10am-2pm.
Come dressed in your favorite PJs and receive $1.00 off admission and FREE
skate rentals! Visit https://buffalowaterfront.com for their full schedule of events.
WINTER FESTIVALS
FESTIVAL OF FIRE & ICE • Saturday, February 8, 2020 This annual celebration
of winter outdoor play provides time and space for everyone to remember the
winter games we love and to discover new ways to play through the oldest sea-
son. Enjoy ice sculptures, sledding, hot chocolate, snow fort and den building,
bonfires, and much more from 3pm-6pm. Dress warmly and bring some cash for
fiery/icy treats. The event is free and open to everyone; suggested donation is
$15 family donation or $5 individual. Presented by the Ithaca Children’s Garden
at 121 Turtle Lane, Ithaca, NY 14850. For more info, call 1-607-319-4203 or visit
https://ithacachildrensgarden.org/events/festival-of-fire-ice/
LAKE GEORGE WINTER CARNIVAL • Each Weekend in February Lake George
Village offers a month-long celebration of winter during this annual family-
friendly festival. The Lake George Winter Carnival takes place each weekend
throughout February (Saturdays and Sundays from 02/01/20 to 02/23/20).
Relish the warmth of tasty samples during the chowder, chili, BBQ, and chicken
wing cook-offs. Witness the always hilarious and fun outhouse races - a crowd
pleasing favorite - as well as ATV races, polar plunges, fireworks, and more! Kids
can participate in children’s activities, go for a pony ride, and toast marshmal-
lows on the beach. And that’s just a sample; there’s so much fun for everyone.
View the complete list of events and activities at https://www.lakegeorge.com/
winter/carnival/
WHERE TO SNOWSHOE
Tifft Nature Preserve (www.tifft.com) is just a five-minute drive from downtown
Buffalo and offers five miles of trails and boardwalks. Admission is free. Tradi-
tional wood snowshoes and young children’s plastic snowshoes are available for
rent in the Tifft Nature Preserve Environmental Education Center during open
hours when snow is at least 6 inches deep. Children ages 3-6 /up to 45 pounds:
$3 per pair; children 45+ pounds and adults: $5 per pair. Please call 716-825-6397
to ensure availability or for more information. *Sturdy footwear recommended
(hiking and work boots work best). The Center is open year round, Wed.-Sat.,
10am-4pm; Sunday, 12pm-4pm. If you have your own snowshoes, trails are open
year-round from dawn to dusk. Cross-country skiing is also permitted here but
you must have your own skis.
Beaver Meadow Audubon Center (http://www.buffaloaudubon.org/beaver-
meadow-audubon-center.html) has 8 miles of groomed trails. Snowshoe rentals
are found at the visitor’s center along with seasonal exhibits, live animals and a
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February 2020 WNY Family 7