Albany’s weather in February can easily go from warm to frightful sleek & snow, we never know. Here we are heading into March! It always seem that as parents we have more to do than time to do it. On top of many moving tasks & responsibilities we have to stay on top of as adults, add on having to find unique ways to occupy & entertain our ever growing children. Albany’s winters forces us to find indoor activities that won’t break the bank but gives our kids the freedom to run around, explore & discover. Lucky for us we can find many great Kid Friendly indoor activities that were created with different accessibility options in mind. For most schools we’re 3 days into Winter Break & inhouse activities may have hit their limit! “It gets boring being in the house with the same TV, Tablet, Toys & “non fun” activities “ - My 7 year old. The overwhelm got you feeling under? We’ve got you covered (no pun intended!) with these 5 indoor locations in Albany NY, your kid(s) will get the entertainment they need all while remaining dry & warm.
Visit the Ice Ages Exhibition at the New York State Museum
Yesterday myself a family friend, her kids & my baby all went to the Museum. In my 7 years living in Albany I’ve never been. It was an amazing experience just walking through the different exhibitions. My favorite was seeing the Ice Ages Exhibits, the displays were so realistic I was blown away. My daughter’s favorite part about visiting the museum was being able to run around with her friends & read all of the descriptions of the exhibit. On a free - donation payment structure, your family can experience New York State Museum’s The Ice Age Exhibit located at 222 Madison Avenue Albany NY 12208, every Tuesday - Sunday, 9:30 AM - 5 PM. If you do go to the exhibit be sure to tag us in your social photos.
For more information about the museum & it’s many exhibits you can visit this link right from your phone.
Venture into the Pine Bush Reserve’s Discovery Center
These cold & wintery months requires indoor exploration & nowhere is warmer, more open & FREE to be explored like the Discovery Center at Pine Bush Reserve. Sitting at the entrance of the Pine Bush Reserve’s 3k sq ft terrain is the discovery center. Within its walls you can visit their gift shop, the various exhibits & learn how they preserve the plants & animals that live within the landscape. The in depth descriptions & guides have a unique way of explaining the exhibits & what they’re about. The Discovery center is open Monday - Friday; 9am-4pm & Saturday - Sunday 10am-4pm. You can also check their calendar for a wide range of activities & events happening within their doors. Located at 195 New Karner Road Albany, NY 12205, & online the discovery center is guaranteed to excite the hearts of all nature, plants & animal lovers.
Go on an adventure into 5 wits Albany
Live action adventure right on the first floor of Crossgates' Mall! Is your family interested in deep space, draco’s castle, & tomb as a form of entertainment? Stop in to 5 Witts, reservations should be made in advance online. Their hours of operations are as follows; Mon, Wed, Thurs - 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Tues - 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Fri | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Sat | 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM & Sun | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM. For more information about this location head over to their website.
Expand your kid’s minds with reading at Albany’s Public Library Washington Branch
Biweekly my daughter and I visit the youth center on the third floor of the Washington Braunch of Albany Public Library. The wide variety of books, events, & activities easily sucks you in without realizing how much time has passed by. Exploring the library is free, & an amazing experience no matter what age your kiddies are. The hours are Mon - Thur 10 am-8 pm
Fri |10 am-6 pm, Sat | 10 am - 5 pm. My daughter loves the youth center mostly because of the read along vox books. She has said that it makes her feel like she reads on a fast pace, & it helps her when she might be confused about a word. The Youth center is located at 161 Washington Avenue Albany, right at near the bus station. Head to their website for a list of all of the events & activities happening in the Library
Hang with Good Karma Studio during one of their classes or workshops.
For families interested in Aerial, Circus Arts, Yoga & Fitness experiences Good Karma Studio in Albany, NY provides many classes, workshops & activities. Whether you’re looking for a recurring class structure for your child, a one time event or to attend a workshop this is among one of the best studios in town. Their highly-trained instructors combine mindfulness, & prioritize your comfort for a great yogi experience. The prices vary. You can visit the studio in person at 12 Walker Way Albany, NY 12205 or online.
I hope these five indoor family & kid friendly locations opens the door to family exploration in Albany NY. And provides opportunities to bond deeper. Don’t forget to check Macaroni Kid Albany events calendar {link}, subscribe to our newsletter & follow us on all socials (Instagram & Facebook) for even more ideas for indoor (and outdoor!) family fun in Albany NY. We keep the calendar updated so that you can spend less time looking for something to do and more quality time with your kids! If you feel so inclined do share this link with a friend who is also seeking more ideas of things to do in Albany NY with their kids.
