So far you've made it through the vacation week, but maybe you are running short on projects, been through the entire rental movie list, and had every friend over for a playdate. Time for a day trip...you still have four days to enjoy!

There are tons of great trips in and around Westchester for all ages. Focus in on one, pack your bags and you're ready to go!

Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, & Sledding

The following areas are available for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding-- please call ahead for conditions and age/level appropriateness.

* Fahnestock Winter Park offers 15 km of marked trails (all groomed). They offer rentals such as: sledding tubes, baby sleds, snowshoes, skis (classic and skate), & boots and poles on a first come, first serve basis. There is a day lodge with food (ie: soup, chili, and snacks) and an outdoor fireplace. Fahnestock is a great introduction to cross-country skiing, the trails are easily navigated by little people (fairly flat and well groomed). The facility is definitely "crunchy" and "outdoorsy" but a great, casual place to go for a little outdoor fun. If your kids prefer the bells and whistles, this is probably not the place for you, but if you love to be outside and are looking for a great place to try out cross-country skiis or snow shoes, this is the spot for you! Open Thursday through Monday and Holiday weeks. Cold Spring, NY 10516, (845) 225-3998. More on Fahnestock Winter Park.

* Weather permitting, cross-country skiing is allowed seven days a week during daylight hours at the following locations (no rentals, bring your own equipment): Blue Mountain Reservation, Welcher Avenue, Peekskill; Croton Gorge, Route 129, Cortlandt; Croton Point Park, Croton Point Avenue, Croton-on-Hudson; Kitchawan Preserve, Route 134, Yorktown; Lasdon Park, Arboretum and Veterans Memorial, Route 35, Somers (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. only); Mohansic Golf Course, Baldwin Road off Taconic Parkway, Yorktown Heights; Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Routes 35 and 121 South, Cross River; Cranberry Lake Preserve, Old Orchard Street off Route 22, North White Plains; Maple Moor Golf Course, North Street, White Plains; Marshlands Conservancy, Route 1, Rye; Saxon Woods Park, Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains; Saxon Woods Golf Course, Mamaroneck Road, Scarsdale; Dunwoodie Golf Course, Wasylenko Lane off Yonkers Avenue, in Yonkers; Lenoir Preserve, Dudley Street off North Broadway, Yonkers; Sprain Lake Golf Course, Grassy Sprain Road, Yonkers; and at Tibbetts Brook Park, Midland Avenue, Yonkers.

* Sledding is permitted at Croton Gorge, Lasdon Park, Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River and Dunwoodie, Sprain Lake, Saxon Woods, Mohansic and Maple Moor golf courses.

To check on conditions in the Westchester County Parks weekdays, call the information hotline at (914) 864-PARK or log on to www.westchestergov.com/parks. On weekends, call the parks directly.

I am not a huge downhill ski fan, but my husband loves it and got a bug about taking the boys skiing last year-- we picked the most miserable, rainy day of the week and headed North for a little family activity. We booked a private lesson (although I have also heard fun things about the ski school lessons), bundled them up and rented the cutest little boots and skis you could imagine.

The "bunny hill" is more of a bunny walk and is perfect for first time, nervous little people. The instructors were very sweet with the boys and we were very tolerant-- our youngest just wanted to take his skis on and off and asked to be dragged around on his skis, while the older one was a bit gutsier and actually let go, sliding around on his own. It was a great time and really an adorable thing to do.

Thunder Ridge Ski Area is located in Patterson, NY (about 8 miles north of Brewster), and offers rentals, a small 'ski lodge' with a cafe, snow-making capabilities, and ski school for all ages, the only downside being that this is not exactly a secret spot and can be crowded on weekends and vacations.

We recently headed into the city for a day of fun-- and it was actually fun with the kids! I think we are just on the verge of having an easier time getting around with little people (ages 7 and 4). We have found that driving in and having an agenda are the way to go. Go straight to a certain spot, don't over-stay your welcome and go home at the first hint of whining.

I have two recommendations:

For the younger crowd, check out the Children's Museum of Manhattan. Generally best for ages 6 and under, they have great touch and feel activities, hands on fun, and interesting play areas. Check out their storytimes, activities, and workshops for various ages.

The American Museum of Natural History was a huge hit. I was worried that the boys would be unimpressed by the displays (which are not exactly up to date) but they still loved looking at the animal displays, thought the whale and the "fish" room were fantastic and had fun just running around checking out the 'scene'.

We also took them to the star show "Cosmic Collisions" at the planetarium. They were spell-bound by the stars-- it really is a gorgeous show. My only caution is that Cosmic Collisions is about just that-- planets and meteors colliding-- it is loud and a bit overwhelming in some places-- if you have sensitive little people, that's the warning, if you have kids unfazed by that sort of thing, the show is fantastic! My guys were a bit overwhelmed by the first collision, but loved the rest of the show. You can actually get a feel for the movie by watching the trailer, www.amnh.org/rose/spaceshow/cosmic/trailer.php