By JUNE SULLIVAN
No, play time requires planning and usually driving somewhere. But this doesn't have to be all bad. There are quite a few fun activities - indoors and out - that the family can enjoy together.
For example, there will definitely be days during the holiday recess when a little exercise and fresh air will be tempting. Well, there is nothing quite so enjoyable as seeing your breath mark the air as you glide along frozen ice. And if, like some, your tendency is to slide more than glide, you'll find that many rinks offer lessons.
In addition to ice skating, we've included a list of performances at local children's theaters and a very special exhibit that the whole family can enjoy along with their dinosaur-crazed offspring.
So, here's to the bell ringing at recess. Few are too old to remember that there's not a better sound anywhere.
Ice-Skating Rinks
Newbridge Arena
2600 Newbridge Rd., Bellmore
(at south end of road, inside Newbridge Park)
(516) 783-6181/www.NewbridgeArena.com
Open till April 1
Indoor rink. Public skating sessions regularly are 10 A.M-noon and 4-6 P.M. Mondays; 10 A.M.-noon, 4-6 P.M. and 8-10 P.M. (live DJ night) Fridays; 11:30 A.M.-1:30 P.M., 2-4 P.M. and 8-10 P.M. Saturdays; 11:30 A.M.-1:30 P.M. and 2-4 P.M. Sundays. A special holiday schedule, which supersedes the regular schedule, is: 10 A.M. only, Sunday, Dec. 24; closed Monday, Dec. 25; 12:30, 3:15 and 8 P.M. Tuesday, Dec. 26th; 10 A.M., 12:30, 3:15 and 8 P.M. Wednesday, Dec. 27th; 12:30 and 3:15 P.M. Monday, Jan. 1.
Skating lessons on Wednesdays from 4-4:30 P.M. are part of an ongoing program governed by US Figure Skating Assoc. Skate rentals available. Call for session and lesson costs.
Freeport Recreation Center
130 E. Merrick Rd., Freeport
(516) 377-2310
Open till April 1
Enclosed rink. Sessions are 4-6 P.M. Tuesdays, Thursdays; 7:45-9:45 P.M. Fridays (4 P.M. puck shoot); 12:30-2:30 P.M., 3:30-5:30 P.M. Saturdays, Sundays and school holidays. Skate rentals available.
Grant Park
Broadway & Sheridan avenues; Hewlett
(516) 571-7821
Open till early March
Sessions are 10 A.M.-noon, 12:45-2:45 P.M., 3:30-5:30 P.M. daily; 8:30 P.M. Friday, Saturday and Sunday; puck shoot 6-7:30 P.M. Fridays. Discount books, lessons and charter times are available.
Children's Theater
Cultural Arts Playhouse
714 Old Bethpage Rd., Old Bethpage
(516) 694-3330
A favorite family orphan is also a favorite musical. "Annie" runs through Jan. 13. Performances at 8:30 P.M. Fridays; 8 P.M. Saturdays and 3 P.M. Sundays. No performances Dec. 24 and 31. 2 P.M. holiday matinees Dec. 26 and 28. Tickets for holiday matinees are $15; all other performances $18/adults, $16/children and seniors.
Broadhollow's Centre Stage
Molloy College
1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
(631) 581-2700
"The Nutcracker." Performed by the Lumiere Ballet at 8 P.M. Friday, Dec. 22; 2 and 8 P.M. Saturday, Dec. 23. Tickets: $18/adults, $15/seniors +65, $12/children under 12.
Fantasy Playhouse
317 Merrick Rd., Lynbrook
(516) 599-1982
"Beauty and the Beast." Based on classic French tale. 1 P.M. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 28, 30, 31; 3:30 P.M. Dec. 23, 27, 29, 30. Tickets: $8.
"Into the Woods." Written by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. 10 A.M. Wednesday, Dec. 27; 8 P.M. Saturday, Dec. 30. Tickets: $15/adults; $13/seniors, students.
"The Toys that Missed Christmas - The Santa Show." New holiday musical. Children may sit on Santa's lap after performance. 4:30 P.M. Dec. 23, 24, 26, 27, 29. Tickets: $8.
"Grease." 8:30 P.M. Fridays, 8 P.M. Saturdays, 4 P.M. Sundays, Dec. 23, 29, 31, Jan. 6, 7, 13, 14. 4 P.M. Dec. 26, 28. Tickets: $15. Students/seniors: $13.
"Nine Candles for David." Original Chanukah musical. 11 A.M. Dec. 23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 30. Tickets: $8.
Sands Point Preserve
95 Middleneck Rd., Sands Point
(2 miles north of Port Washington PO. & 6 miles north of Exit 36 on LIE; via Rte 101
(Searingtown Rd./Port Washington Blvd.)
(516) 571-7900/7901
"Dinosaurs 2000." Due to its overwhelming popularity, exhibit has been extended through Feb. 25. Nearly 100,000 visitors have already seen the lifelike, robotic dinosaurs that highlight the exhibit. Featured creatures include Coelophysis from the Triassic Period, Apatosaurus, Stegosaurus and Archaeopteryx from the Jurassic Period, and Triceratops, Ankylosaurus, Pteranodon, Purasaurolophus, Deinonyschus and Tyrannosaurus rex from the Cretaceous Period.
A "hands-on dinosaur robot without the skin allows visitors to see the construction and to control the movements of the body, head, arms and eyes. Kids can have their pictures taken on a "climb-on" Triceratops with a menacing T. rex lurking behind them. A moving model of the earth demonstrates the break-up of the super-continent, Pangaea, during the "Age of Dinosaurs." Graphic panels enable visitors to view the wide variety of dinosaurs that once inhabited the earth. Fossils and replicas, including a glacially-transported dinosaur track found on Long Island's north shore, complement the moving models and illustrations.
A second exhibit hall presents exhibits featuring dinosaurs and extinct mammals. Interactive computer programs explain extinction theories for dinosaurs and Ice Age mammals, and other programs encourage young children to color their favorite dinosaurs and ancient mammals.
Open Tuesdays through Sundays (and Monday holidays) from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children (3-12) and $4 for seniors (60+).
