Mixed ages

Get out

FREE A self-guided walking tour of Grand Central Terminal doesn’t have to involve much actual walking: Half the tour takes place in the main concourse. Print out a guide at grandcentralterminal.com/info/walkingtour.cfm, and talk to your kids about the building’s Beaux Arts interior. Of course you should point out the ceiling, which depicts the Mediterranean zodiac and 2,500 stars, and have them guess which of the main staircases is new and which was built in 1913. We also suggest you inform your fun-lovin’ criminals that the chandeliers are plated with real gold—an excellent investment in a bear market—and invite them to plan a heist. (We won’t rat you out.) Then steer them to the Oyster Bar ramps and let them run their little hearts out or experiment with the Whispering Gallery. Finally, head down to the food court, for choices that include Brother Jimmy’s BBQ, Junior’s and Two Boots pizza.

FREE You don’t have to be Jewish to appreciate Shabbat. “R&R: Shabbat” at the JCC is three hours long, free and open to all. The program includes art projects, a game room, a play space, family films and more. And if you want some religion, while the kids frolic, join the text study group for adults. Saturdays through Apr 4 2–5pm. 334 Amsterdam Ave between 75th and 76th Sts (646-505-4445, jccmanhattan.org)

It may never have occurred to you to take a double-decker bus tour of your own city. At the very least, you’ll have a few hours to relax while your kids learn something about their hometown. Try Citysights NY, and choose from tours of Downtown, Uptown Treasures and Harlem, or All Around Town, among others. Board at various stops in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Adults $39, children $29. citysightsny.com

FREE When your offspring really need to get outside, take them to the beach. No joke: Fort Tilden State Park has some of the city’s most secluded off-season shoreline, plus haunted-looking military structures, an observation deck, wildlife including owls and cottontail rabbits, and hiking trails. Best of all, sluggish adults will appreciate laying a blanket down on an uncrowded stretch of sand and letting the kids build their own private Venice. Gateway National Recreation Area, Rockaway, Queens (718-318-4300, nyharborparks.org/visit/foti.html)

Although it’s below zero outside and dry as dust in your apartment, the butterfly vivarium at the American Museum of Natural History is always hot and humid. We guarantee that the lush foliage and 500-plus brightly colored, fluttering friends will make you forget it’s February. amnh.org/exhibitions/butterflies.

Stay-at-home games

Nighttime and bedtime are not at all synonymous at this time of year, but you can still use the darkness to your advantage. Turn out all but one light and introduce your kids to the shadow puppets of your youth. If your repertoire encompasses only the dog and bunny, refer to shadow-puppets.com for inspiration. Its illustrations will easily help you boost your shadowy menagerie to include camels, elephants, goats and bears (plus a slightly disturbing figure called “The Goose a Prisoner”).

Toddlers | Preschoolers | Grade-schoolers | Tweens | Mixed ages

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