Guides

It’s the time of year when cabin fever might be setting in and you are wondering what there is to do with the kids during the remainder months of winter here in the Berkshires. The holidays are over, school is back in session and spring feels like it will never get here. Rest assured, there are still plenty of exciting things to do with the family that will have everyone in the house asking what the plan for the day is going to be.

1. Hit the slopes! The Berkshires is home to several affordable family friendly ski resorts. Bousquet Mountain not only offers skiing trails that meet the various experience levels of your family, but premier tubing too. Warm up by the fire pits and take advantage of the Magic Carpet for easy returns. The whole family will be sure to have an amazing time. Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort also offers trail experiences from the novice skier to the expert, as well as fun lodging and dining options, and live music on selected nights. Another popular ski destination in the Berkshires is Catamount Mountain Resort. Catamount also offers multiple trail options, tubing, nightly entertainment and great dining that will help refuel your littles so they can keep going and going.
   
2. Find a hill! There’s nothing like a good old fashioned afternoon going sledding. Bring your kids to any one of the parks or well known hills in the Berkshires and watch them make long lasting memories zipping over the freshly packed snow. Clapp Park, Kirvin Park, Lee Elementary School, Reid Middle School and Monument Mountain High School are just a few options.
   
3. Join a playgroup! There is no limit to the playgroups you can bring your toddler or preschooler to. Early socialization has been proven to benefit children once they hit the school age years. Many of these playgroups have early literacy as their focus, but regardless, all of these groups provide your children with opportunities to build their social skills while having great fun with other kids their own age. Youth Center, Inc offers a daily Preschool Program with a curriculum that offers arts and crafts, games, and educational activities for your little one aged 3-5. Cheshire Public Library offers children a weekly Storytime, 18 Degrees offers a weekly Mommy & Me Play Group, and the Dalton Public Library offers a weekly Me, You and We Playgroup. Play & Learn with Kim is a playgroup you can find at the Mason Library that mixes up outdoor nature fun with arts and crafts. The Berkshire Athenaeum not only offers playgroups, but book clubs, magic shows and crafting experiences. Be sure to check out their website to find the most up to date event listings.
   
4. Blade-Runners! Maybe skating is more your child’s speed than sledding or skiing. In that case, head to the Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires where you can rent ice skates for next to nothing. Another fantastic indoor rink is the Peter W. Foote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Skating Rink. This venue can also be rented out for birthday parties! If you would rather have your kids breath in the crisp fresh air, you can bring them to the Lee Skating Rink, Onota Lake, Laurel Lake or Pontoosuc Lake. These lakes are also popular ice fishing destinations, so maybe you can catch dinner while your kids play!
   
5. Lego fun! Most kids love building with Legos, so if this sounds like your little one, be sure to take advantage of these Berkshire based building opportunities! Bottomless Bricks offers kids the chance to be a part of a Robotics Club, to participate in mini figure trading nights, or simply to come and build with a huge assortment of Legos. The Chatham Public Library has weekly programs for kids ages 5+ to get creative with Legos. The Stockbridge Library has a monthly Lego club for kids 3 years and older that allows them free creative play. On every first and third Thursday, head to the Stephentown Memorial Library with your little one; the first Thursday is a chance for them to play Lego Bingo where they can win Lego prizes, and the third Thursday is a chance for them to just hang out with friends and have free play with Legos.
   
6. Museums galore! Where to begin with the rich choices of museums in this area? The Norman Rockwell Museum has rotating exhibits that appeal to the inner child in all of us. While you are there, be sure to let your child explore their creative outlets in the arts and craft center where they can make their own special creations! The Berkshire Museum has no end to the family friendly activities they offer: Berkshire Backyard Exploration, Mummy-side chats, Chow Time and Meet a Friend- Animal Ambassador Spotlight. The aquarium that is located on the bottom floor will provide your littles with even more entertainment. My own children loved spending hours here, and I’m sure your own children will too. MASS MoCA is a museum that has something to offer everyone. Kidspace is a creative laboratory where younger kids are encouraged to explore their own self expressions. Older children will love roaming the exhibit spaces filled with contemporary art and occasional pop up dance or musical performances. Adults have their pick at various workshops, lectures, concerts or author talks to sign up for. Clark Art Institute also offers a wide variety of free-low cost programming for families such as Start with Art, First Sunday Free, Drop in Weaving, and New Parents Gallery tours. The last museum is a short drive away, but well worth it for the joy it will bring to your children. Springfield Museums offer access to five world-class museums, including the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, all under a single admission. There are storytimes, play opportunities, theater productions, animal encounters, hands-on learning activities, STEAM explorations, and sensory friendly experiences for those who need less stimulation.
   
7. Community Centers! When my middle daughter, who is now 18 years old, found out that I was writing this guide, she enthusiastically urged me to include local community centers. Berkshire South Regional Community Center was one of her favorite places to go when it was too cold to play outside. Berkshire South has an indoor pool that the public can use, as well as a hot tub, sauna, weight room, and a large gym where she used to shoot hoops and play with gymnastics equipment. There are multiple classes and programs that anyone can sign up for, but for a nominal fee anyone can get a day pass that allows use of the entire facility. Teens can enjoy their own space that includes a pool table while the youngest ones can enjoy free play in the baby and toddler room. If you run up an appetite while you’re here, don’t worry- there is a well stocked snack center with many sunny tables that will fit your whole family or friend group. UNO Community Center offers teen development training, youth health collaboratives, and teen writing workshops and showcases. Monterey Community Center is open for public use and recreational activities. Among their many offerings are cookbook clubs, ping pong, yoga, art activities, open studios and support groups.
   
8. Boredom Busters! Your one stop for knowing what is happening locally for the littles has to be South Berkshire Kids. This resource will let you know about available storytimes, playgroups, Brain Builder programs, gym playgroups, preschool yoga, as well as sing and dance programs! This resource covers multiple towns over South County, and can’t be beat!
   
9. Winter Wonderland! The Berkshires has more outdoor fun to offer besides skiing, sledding and skating. Nurture your little budding naturalist by bringing them to these family friendly wonderlands! Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is a year round favorite for many kids, big and small, but there is something extra special about visiting this nature preserve in the winter. There are easy hikes for even the youngest in your group, and even just taking a meandering walk through the snowy pines is fun as kids learn to identify animal tracks they see. Mount Greylock State Reservation offers families all sorts of adventures, nature scavenger hunts, cabin fever story times, wonderland activity days, and family friendly guided hikes.