Whatever you decide to try in family-friendly Rochester, you're bound to hear the kids say "cool!"

For the most up-to-date information on things to do in the Rochester area, visit www.goforthecold.com or www.visitrochester.com or call 800-677-7282.

When it comes to winter and how to make the most of it…ask the kids! Children will find more ways to enjoy the ice and snow of coldrush than any adult around. So pack up the kids for a family trip to coldrush country and discover new ways to enliven this uniquely northern season in one of the best places in the U.S.A. for families. Child magazine named Rochester one of America's "Top 10" best cities for families and named Strong Museum one of the "Top 10" children's museums in the country. Best of all, opportunities for family fun in the greater Rochester area are not only highly rated, they are refreshingly diverse as well.

At Strong Museum, also known as the National Museum of Play, touch, explore and discover, in whimsical, interactive learning environments that encourage learning through play as it reflects American culture. The museum is also home to the National Toy Hall of Fame.

The Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) is another great family destination filled with hands-on activities, historical and science-oriented exhibits.

George Eastman House-International Museum of Photography & Film offers the Discovery Room just for kids.

Of course, cool kids will want to spend some time at the Seneca Park Zoo. Stop by and see the ZOT Zone inside the new Animal Health & Education Complex.

A coldrush visit during March will amaze and delight the entire family with a day of maple sugaring fun from tapping trees to pouring fresh maple syrup on hot pancakes. Simply head to Genesee Country Village & Museum or the RMSC's Cumming Nature Center. What else can a family do around Rochester? Spend a day outdoors with sledding, skiing, or ice-skating. See the outdoor sports and recreation section on page 4. Be sure to check www.goforthecold.com for a special museum and hotel deals!

ONGOING

Roar: Lions of the Kalahari- www.rmsc.org. This film takes you deep into Botswana's Kalahari Desert. Strasenburgh Planetarium. 585-271-1880.

I See the Sky -www.rmsc.org. For ages 3-5, a gentle introduction to the fun of sky watching. Strasenburgh Planetarium. 585-271-1880.

Motion Commotion- www.rmsc.org. Hands-on exhibits invite you to investigate the ways we perceive motion. Rochester Museum & Science Center. 585-271-1880.

Can You Tell Me How to get to Sesame Street? www.strongmuseum.org. Step into Sesame Street and go hands-on with activities that until now you could only watch on television. Strong Museum. 585-263-2700.

Super Kids Market-www.strongmuseum.org. This is the place where kids run the store. Cruise the aisles and fill your grocery cart with a selection of colorful produce that looks real. Strong Museum. 585-263-2700.

JANUARY

Make a Bird Feeder-January 8-www.gcv.org. The birds that call the Genesee Country home during the winter have a hard time due to the snow, wind and lack of food. Help them find food and enjoy an easy way to get a start in bird watching. Genesee Country Village & Museum. 585-538-6822.

Sunday FUNdays: Glaciers-Sundays, beginning January 8-www.rmsc.org. Enjoy great family activities each week on the topic of glaciers. Rochester Museum & Science Center. 585-271-1880

Snow Buddies-January 12, 19, 26. www.gcv.org. A special three-session nature class for children ages 4 & 5. Each class will introduce the children to the wonders of nature in winter through stories, crafts, nature walks and more. Genesee Country Village & Museum. 585-538-6822.

A World of Play-January 14-16-www.strongmuseum.org. Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. weekend with games, stories and music from around the world. Strong Museum. 585-263-2700.

Kids Fun Fair (World Pet Expo) January 14-15 -www.domecenter.com. Monroe County Fair and Expo Center. 585-334-4000.

Polar Party-January 21-22-www.strongmuseum.org. Weekend Polar Party. Revel in all things wintry at the Polar Party with performances by Beale Street Puppets. Strong Museum. 585-263-2700.

Junior Naturalists January 21 www.gcv.org Through a guided hike, crafts and discussion, this special class introduces children ages 6-8 to the wonders of nature in winter. Snack provided. Genesee Country Nature Center at Genesee Country Village & Museum. 585-538-6822. Reservations required.

Family Fun Day: Woodpeckers-January 22-www.gcv.org. The entire family will enjoy this program on woodpeckers as you learn to identify them by sight and sound. Genesee Country Village & Museum. 585-538-6822.

Breakfast with the Birds-January 28-www.gcv.org. Join the Genesee Nature Center staff for a continental breakfast and brief indoor discussion about birds. Genesee Country Village & Museum. 585-538-6822.

Stories in the Snow-January 29-www.gcv.org. Discover which animals make their homes near the nature center on this one-mile walk. Genesee Country Village & Museum. 585-538-6822.

FEBRUARY

Musical Feast-February 4- www.hochstein.org. Hochstein's annual mid-winter carnival features musical games, face painting, bake sales and the famous Instrument Petting Zoo! Hochstein Performance Hall. 585-454-4596.

orKIDStra 2- February 5 www.rpo.org. Flutes and Friends. Performance Hall at Hochstein. 585-454-2100.

Animal Homes -February 5. www.gcvm.org. Take a hike to see animal homes that are more visible during winter months. Genesee Country Village & Museum. 585-538-6822.

Pepsi Family Fun Superbowl -February 5-www.bristolmountain.com. Bring the whole clan for a day of skiing and snowboarding-then watch the Superbowl XL on a large screen TV. Bristol Mountain. 585-374-6000.

Sesame Street Live- February 10-12-www.rbtl.org. See Big Bird, Elmo and friends. Auditorium Theatre. 585-222-5000.

Beauty and the Beast-February 10,11,12,18 & 19-www.naz.edu. In this much-loved classic, children of all ages will discover the truth as Belle learns to trust her own heart. Nazareth College Arts Center. 585-389-2170.

Winter Day-February 12- www.gcv.org. Enjoy a day full of family fun in the country with a variety of outdoor and indoor activities sure to brighten a mid-winter Sunday. Genesee Country Village & Museum. 585-538-6822.

Abracadabra! -February 11-12-www.strongmuseum.org. A weekend of magic tricks, crafts and family entertainment. Strong Museum. 585-263-2700.

February School-Break Week February 20 - 24 www.strongmuseum.org. Enjoy February School-Break Week with a country hoedown. Rustle up some fun playing horseshoes, cowboy hat toss and other western games. Strong Museum. 585-263-2700.

Family Fun Day: Dinosaurs-February 26-www.gcv.org. Join special guest Ron Walker as he teaches us all about dinosaurs during this day of fun, crafts and activities. Genesee Country Village & Museum. 585-538-6822.

Wildlife in winter. February 27. www.gcv.org. Enjoy a walk through winter fields and woodlands. Genesee Country Village & Museum. 585-538-6822.

MARCH

Disney's THE LION KING. March 9- April 16-www.rbtl.org. Experience the phenomenon of Disney's THE LION KING. Marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of animals brought to life by award-winning director Julie Taymor and Rochester's own choreographer, Garth Fagan. Rochester's most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Auditorium Theatre stage this season! Auditorium Theatre. 585-222-5000.

Family Night at Bristol Mountain -Through March 11-www.bristolmountain.com. A family of three can ski or ride from 4-10 p.m. for only $60 with their Wegmans Shopper's Card. Bristol Mountain. 585-374-6000.

Critter Challenge-March 18-www.senecaparkzoo.org. Pretend you are a polar bear and find out how well insulated they are, look at life like a bug or make a paper airplane that simulates how an owl flies and more. Seneca Park Zoo. 585-336-7200.

Build It! March 18 & 19-www.strongmuseum.org. Construction-themed activities in conjunction with the museum's expansion project, scheduled for completion summer 2006. Strong Museum. 585-263-2700.

Sap, Syrup and Sugar-March 18-19 & 25-26-www.gcv.org. Celebrate a unique North American tradition with guided walks to the sugar bush, 19th century sugaring demos, modern syrup-making and more. Genesee Country Village & Museum. 585-538-6822.

Pepsi Family Fun Day- March 26- www.bristolmountain.com. Kids 12 and under ski for free, activities for the whole family. Bristol Mountain. 585-374-6000.

Note: Dates subject to change. Please confirm all events. Some admission prices may apply.