We asked those who followed us on Facebook to give us some ideas of free and low-cost resources in Erie County to share in our newsletter. We were overwhelmed with the response. We have more resources than we could fit in this newsletter. So, we made this post to our latest news section. Here you have a list of numerous activities for the month of February and some that recur throughout the year. We have not edited their responses.
In addition to this list, please try:
http://fun4kidsinbuffalo.blogspot.com/2009/09/free.html
http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/category/buffalo-ny-usa/places-to-go/indoors
http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/category/buffalo-ny-usa/places-to-go/outdoors
ONGOING
Niagara Power Authority – free
Griffis Sculpture Park - donation
Borders on Walden Ave. childrens story telling Saturday mornings at 11am
The test gardens at the marina; the observation deck at city hall; the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society museum; Free Friday's at the Albright Knox art gallery; the Naval Park and museum...
Tops Amherst and West Seneca stores have great cooking classes for kids of all ages - not free but relatively low cost. Need to register in advance but schedule of classes is available online.
A lot of different Wegmans stores also have free kids/family movie nights on Friday nights now also.
February 3
Say Cheese!, Elma Public Library, 1860 Bowen Rd., Elma, 6:30-7:30pm. Story time for children grades K-3 features “cheesy” read-alouds, games and craft. Register in person or call 652-2719.
FEBRUARY 5
Chinese New Year, Tops Cooking School, 3980 Maple Rd., Amherst & 355 Orchard Park Rd., West Seneca, 6-8:30pm. Food fest for Aspiring Chefs ages 11-15, includes Spring Rolls, Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir-Fry and more. $20. Call 515-2000 (Amherst), 517-3006 (West Seneca) to register.
FEBRUARY 7
Family Funday at The Gallery: Words of Art, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, 1285 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, 1:30pm. Art inspired stories, project using words and art, special exhibition Fletcher Benton: The Alphabet. Recommended for ages 12 and under. FREE with gallery admission. Call 882-8700 or visit www.albrightknox.org.
WNED Kid Fest, WNED Studios, 140 Lower Terrace, Buffalo, 12-5pm and 2/7, 2/8 12-4pm. Event features live performances, character meet & greets, games, crafts, activities and more. Admission: $10/adult, $7/child. Call (888) 202-2859 or visit www.wned.org for info.
FEBRUARY 13
Frosty Feathers, Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve, 93 Honorine Dr., Depew, 10:30am. Join in a search for winter resident birds and be part of the Great Backyard Bird Count. FREE, registration required. Call 683-5959.
Be My Valentine, Tops Cooking School, 3980 Maple Rd., Amherst & 355 Orchard Park Rd., West Seneca, 10-11:30am. Little Chefs ages 3-6 with parent will prepare and enjoy Heart Shaped Mini Turkey Burgers, Crispy Carrot Fries, Heart Spun Cocoa and more. $13. Call 515-2000 (Amherst), 517-3006 (West Seneca) to register.
Puppet Making Workshop, Kenan Center, 433 Locust St., Lockport, 1pm. Create a puppet with found materials and imagination, led by master puppeteer, Matthias Kuchta.
$12 adults, $6 children, pre-registration required. Call 433-2617. See calendar box item for Rumpelstilskin performance with Matthias Kuchta this evening.
FEBRUARY 14
National Engineering Week Kick-Off, Buffalo Museum of Science, 1020 Humboldt Pkwy., Buffalo, 1-4pm. Come and learn about robotics, polymers, automotive engineering and more. Activities facilitated by UB’s engineering club members. FREE with paid museum admission. Call 896-5200 or visit www.sciencebuff.org for info.
FEBRUARY 15
Dollar Day, The Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo, 10am-5pm. Enjoy the beautiful Gardens for $1 admission, $1 specials in Gift Shop. Visit www.buffalogardens.com for info.
Family Days…Explore the Arts, Explore & More, 300 Gleed Ave., East Aurora, daily through 2/19, 11am-3pm. Try a different paper art each day during winter break. FREE with museum admission. Call 655-5131 or visit www.exploreandmore.org.
FEBRUARY 17
Babes in The Woods, Beaver Meadow Nature Center, 1610 Welch Rd., N.Java, 10-11:30am. Nature discovery program for kids ages 3-5 and their parents. Registration required. $5/child & adult. Call 800-377-1520 or visit www.buffaloaudubon.org.
FEBRUARY 20
Family Day at the Museum, Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society Museum, 25 Nottingham Ct., Buffalo, 12-3pm. Museum tours, scavenger hunts, crafts and hands-on activities. $10/child, parents FREE. Call 873-9644 or visit www.buffalohistory.org.
Greater Buffalo Train and Toy Show, Fairgrounds Agri-Center & Expo Building, 5600 McKinley Pkwy., Hamburg, 10am-5pm and 2/21, 10am-4pm. Exhibition and sale to benefit WNY Railway Historical Society. $6, children under 12 free. Contact Steve at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
for info.
FEBRUARY 21
FREE Family Film Series: Shrek, Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St., Buffalo, 2pm. Tickets available approx. 10 days prior film date at Wegman’s (Erie & Niagara counties) and Shea’s Box Office on first come, first serve basis. Rated PG.
Native American Festival, Niagara Falls State Park, Prospect St., Niagara Falls, (snow date 2/28), 11am-4pm. Snow snake demonstration, storytelling, snowshoe walks and hands-on activities at the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center area. Call 282-5154 for info.
FEBRUARY 26
Teen Night, Ken-Ton Family YMCA, 535 Belmont Ave., Kenmore, 7-9pm. Great food, music and dancing for 12-18 year olds. $5 advance (by 2/25), $7 at the door. Call 874-5051 for info.
