Local schools are out April 10-14, so we've rounded up some ideas to help your family enjoy your spring break in Binghamton and the surrounding area!
1. Read Books!
No matter your age, a trip to the library can be an enriching experience. Borrow some books for the whole family and give your minds a break from digital overload! If you've got younger children, try to catch a Story Time while you're there. Here are some free Story Times throughout the area:
Lapsit Story Time for ages 0-3 | Monday, April 10th & Thursday, April 13th at 10AM | Binghamton
Storytime for ages 2-4 | Monday, April 10th at 10AM | Newark Valley
Preschool Storytime for ages 4-6 | Monday, April 10th at 10:30AM & 1:30PM | Vestal
Library Story Hour for ages 0-5 | Tuesday, April 11th at 10:15AM | Candor
Preschool Story Time for ages 3-5 | Tuesday, April 11th at 10AM | Johnson City
Storytime for ages 3-5 | Tuesday, April 11th at 10AM | Greene
Family Story Time open to all ages | Tuesday, April 11th at 3:30PM | Binghamton
Storytime open to all ages | Tuesday, April 11th & Thursday, April 13th at 10:30AM | Apalachin
Spring Break Story Time open to all ages | Tuesday, April 11th at 12PM & Saturday, April 15th at 10AM | Nineveh
Library Toddler Time for ages 2-4 | Wednesday, April 12th at 9AM | Deposit
Early Literacy Storytime open to all ages | Wednesday, April 12th at 10:15AM | Owego
Story Time open to all ages | Wednesday, April 12th at 10:30AM | Binghamton
Little Ones at the Library for ages 0-3 | Thursday, April 13th at 10AM | Hallstead, PA
If your kids love listening to stories, you won't want to miss the marathon of story reading happening on Friday and Saturday in Kids Commons at The Discovery Center. Their 4th Annual Read-a-Thon will feature a variety of readers from the community including Sheriff Akshar and players from the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. Stay tuned to their website and Facebook page for the detailed schedule. Attending the Read-a-Thon is free with admission to the Museum ($10/not-yet-member; $0/member).
Read-a-thon at The Discovery Center open to children of all ages | Friday, April 14th and Saturday, April 15th | Binghamton
2. Visit Animals!
Spring has sprung and baby animals are abound! Visit a local farm or zoo for a fun-filled day with some adorable critters.
Frog Pond Farms in Bainbridge is now open for the season and offers a free option for visiting a number of farm animals including pigs, cows, goats, ducks, chickens, rabbits, and more!
Ross Park Zoo in Binghamton is open everyday. Admission is $9/person or less depending on age and membership status. From April 9-16, they are offering a buy-one-get-one free admission deal.
Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville opens for the season on April 12th. Admission is $17.99/person or less depending on age and membership status.
Rainy day? Head to a pet store like Creature Comforts in Binghamton or PetSmart in Vestal!
3. Watch a Ballgame!
Whether they're sports fans or not, attending baseball games is a fun treat for many kids.
Opening Day for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies is on April 11, followed by home games each day thru April 16.
⚾ You can join their Lil Gallopers Kids Club for free to get a free t-shirt, lanyard, and membership card as well as free tickets to select Sunday home games and access to exclusive Kids Club events on Sundays.
Another option is to head over to the Bearcats Baseball Complex to watch Binghamton University's Division I college baseball team at their home games on April 11, and 14-16.
⚾ General admission is only $5. For $30, children 12 and under can get a Junior Bearcat Membership and receive admission to all regular season home Bearcats basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, wrestling and lacrosse games AND a t-shirt! For $50, adults can get a Pride Pass and receive tickets to all regular season non-basketball home sporting events (over 75 contests).
4. Explore a Play Space!
When kids are on break, often the best thing to do is just get out and PLAY! While there are a number of parks and play areas to choose from, here are our top play spaces to explore during Spring Break:
Spring into Fun at The Discovery Center will feature special programming each day between 11AM-2PM. If you haven't visited the Museum's Bug Squad traveling exhibit, we highly recommend going soon; it's only there thru April 30th. While their free outdoor play space, the Story Garden, won't officially reopen until April 22, the storybooks have been returned to the mailboxes and there are still plenty of features "open" to entertain the kiddos!
CK'Sters Fun Park (formerly Chucksters) opens for the season on April 8th. Given the forecast for the week, it should be a great time to be outdoors playing mini golf, laser tag, aeroball, wall climbing, and more!
Kidz Kingdom is planning to be open 10am-6pm Monday thru Friday (always check their Facebook to confirm!). This is a great spot for children 12 and under to exert their energy with bounce houses, slides, climbing obstacles, a musical stage, and plenty of matted space to tumble around.
Kids Camp at Head Over Heels is a drop-off option where children (4 years and older) are able to come to the gym and play for the day. Half and full day programs are available.
5. Go to a Show!
It's called Spring BREAK, so let the kids take a break and relax! Here are a few options that a bit more memorable than watching a show at home:
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is playing at the Cinema Saver in Endicott Wednesday, April 5th thru Thursday, April 13th. Showtimes are available every hour between noon-7pm.
Jeff Dunham Still Not Canceled Comedy Tour is coming to the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton on Friday, April 14th.
BAM! It's Magic! by Alexander Boyce will be at the Schorr Family Firehouse in Johnson City on Friday, April 14th and Saturday, April 15th. Alexander Boyce is a NYC magician who has performed extensively in the US and around the world.
