Kids at Winter Play—Five East End Holiday Ideas

“Old Jack Frost” will be making an East End appearance soon enough during the winter months. There are so many offerings from events at the local library to museums, shows and arts and crafts. ’Tis the season to be jolly—here are a few great suggestions that you and your children will enjoy:

1. Winter Wonderland

Take the kids to see Winter Wonderland at the Gateway Theatre, 631-286-1133, The Seiskaya Ballet of the Nutcracker at the Staller Center in Stony Brook, 631-632-ART, WHBPAC in Westhampton Beach, 631-288-1500 or 631-324-0806 for shows at Guild Hall in East Hampton.

2. Baking For Kids

Bake with your kids and their friends. Tate’s Baking for Kids cookbook offers a variety of amazing and simple recipes that everyone will love. In- side, Kathleen King, owner of the renowned Tate’s Bake Shop in the Hamptons, shares over 20 of her favorite recipes for kids to bake at home, including gingerbread, devil’s food cake and of course, her signature, mouthwateringly delicious chocolate chip cookies. Each recipe is explained in five easy- to-follow steps, and the book itself is practical to use, with a foldout base so that it stands up by itself and pages that wipe clean even after the messiest of baking sessions. It’s a great fun book, packed full of tempting recipes that kids and adults will enjoy making, baking and of course eating together. Available on Amazon.com and Tate’s Bake Shop in Southampton. (Continued below)

3. Fun With Books

Fun at the Library! I’m always impressed by how many wonderful and educational classes and workshops are offered at our local libraries for no charge or a minimal fee. Please check out a few upcoming kids events listed on the opposite page. On the North and South Forks there are many locations to choose from and a few include: The Amagansett Free Library, 631-267-3810, the Montauk Library, 631-668-3377, Quogue Public Library, 631-653-4224, John Jermain Memorial Library, Sag Harbor 631.725.0049, Rogers Memorial Library, Southampton, 631-283-0774, Westhampton Beach Library, 631.288.3335, the Hampton Library, Bridgehampton, 631-537-0015, the Riverhead Free Library, 631-727-3228 and the Shelter Island Library, 631-749-0042.

4. Under the Sea

Take a trip to the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead. Choose from a variety of fabulous programs for children like the Penguin Encounter, Creatures of the Night, Mammals, Sensory Fun, Fishy Antics, Rainforest Experience, Beach Bums, Our Amazing World, The Shark Encounter (Shark Dive), Scientist for a Day, Sea Lion Kiss, Sleep with the Fishes, Trainer Program and much more. Each adventure is a learning experience and would make for a great holiday gift that your kids will love for years to come! The Long Island Aquarium is located at 431 Main Street, Riverhead. 631-208-9200 ext. 426 (H2O) www.longislandaquarium.com

5. A Day at the Museum

Take a class or workshop or host a party for your child and their friends at CMEE in Bridgehampton. The Children’s Museum of the East End started with a conversation around a kitchen table in Amagansett. In 1997, seven mothers gathered weekly because they were very disappointed at the few educational opportunities for children on the East End of Long Island. Inspired by the excitement they and their children experienced at the new children’s museums that were opening and helping to define communities around the country, they began meeting regularly at each other’s homes. They hit on the idea of launching a new organization that would teach children about the East End and world around them by promoting learning through play. CMEE. Please visit www.cmee.org or call 631-537-8250. Become a member for 2013!