If this week's thaw got you thinking about getting active, the Stony Brook University athletics department is presenting a Youth Sports Clinic on Saturday starting at 10:30 a.m.. Boys and girls aged six to eleven are invited to come and participate in workshops with current Stony Brook athletes from a variety of sports. Tickets are $5.00, and admission to that afternoon's basketball game vs Binghamton is included in the price.

At the nearby Long Island Museum, a new exhibit is debuting this weekend. "Growing Up on Long Island" looks at 200 years of childhood on Long Island with exhibits that feature memorabilia and artifacts from schools and the museum's own collection. The exhibit will be on display through October.

Further east, the Red House Nature Center in Greenport is presenting a program about Oysters. Starting Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m., kids can learn all about the oyster and it's importance to Long Island's environment and history.

On Saturday afternoon in Levittown, the Levittown Community Council is sponsoring its Winter Festival at the Levittown Memorial Education Center. Admission is free, and there will be family entertainment, games, arts and crafts. For information contact Lowell Wolf at 516-579-0644 or Mauro Cassano at 516-796-3392.

Kids who are into the Valentine's Day spirit (or those who just like candy) will enjoy the Create & Decorate Valentine Edible Treats program at the Children's Museum of the East End in Bridgehampton. Baker Jennifer DiSane wil guide children of all ages in creating special confections. Parents are invited to enjoy complimentary coffee from Estia's Little Kitchen in the lobby. The program starts at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday morning and costs $10.00 for members and $12.00 for non-members.

Saturday also brings a pair of movie showings just for kids. At the Island 16: Cinema de Luxe in Holtsville, there is a noon showing of "Bob the Builder On Site Skyscrapers." Tickets cost $3.50, and the movie is followed by storytime and free pizza. The Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor hosts weekly Kidstreet Family Films on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. Tickets are $7.00 and this week's film is "Chicken Run."

Sunday presents a number of activities with an environmental and outdoor theme. At the Nissequogue River State Park in Kings Park, children aged five and up can take part in "Take a Bird to Lunch." From 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., kids can bring an empty half gallon container and make their own bird feeder. The cost is $2.00 and reservations are required, (631) 581-1072.

At the Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve in Commack, they're getting ready for maple sugaring season. Visitors can learn sugaring techniques used by Native Americans as well as colonial settlers, and even produce some real syrup to taste. Admission is $8.00 per family, and the program continues on Sundays through March 8th.

The Sport Fishing Education Center in Babylon is hosting a Cornell Cooperative Extension marine educator for a preschooler program on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. The cost is $25 for one child and an adult companion. A second program for older kids, aged six to eight, is being held on Tuesday and focuses on the biology and ecology of sharks.

Also on Sunday, the Nassau County Museum of Art is hosting a party to open the new Ridder MiniArtMuseum for Children. The main exhibit as the museum opens is Laurent De Brunhoff's illustrations of children's book favorite Babar the elephant. The party starts at 3:00 p.m. and is free with museum admission. If you miss the opening, the Babar exhibit will be there through May 26th.

On Monday, the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum is hosting a Film n' Fun event. Starting at 2:00 p.m., kids can create their own penguin flippers and enjoy a screening of the movie "Happy Feet." Admission is $5.00 for adults and $4.00 for children, or $15.00 for family admission and includes popcorn and lemonade.

A number of week-long activities start on Monday. At The Show Place in Bellmore, there will be a daily show of "Blue's Clues Live!" at 11:00 a.m. The $10.00 admission includes popcorn and soda. At the Suffolk County Farm and Education Center in Yaphank, there are twice-daily programs for preschoolers to get a tour, make crafts, and enjoy snacks, story time and a wagon ride. The price is $10 per child and starts daily at 10:30 a.m. and again at 1:00 p.m.

The Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society is hosting daily tours all week at 11:00 a.m. For the winter break, they are offering reduced tour rates and special activities for children. Across the bay in Sayville, Rinx is sponsoring free ice skating everyday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Brown's parking lot, North Main Street. Skates and cubbies will be provided at no charge.

On Tuesday, the Theodore Roosevelt Nature Center at Jones Beach State Park presents their "Let's Discover Nature" program. With hands-on activities for children aged three to five, there is plenty to explore. There are two times available, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The cost is $3.00 per person and registration is required, (516) 679-7254.

Tuesday is also the time for Native American Games and Legends at the Garvies Point Museum in Glen Cove. Games of the Northeast, Northwest and Eskimos will be featured in the morning (10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) followed by games of the Plains and Southwest in the afternoon (1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.). Regular museum admission of $3.00 includes all of the games.

Tuesday and Wednesday at the Long Island Children's Museum, there is a show called One World Music at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. It's an interactive music show that features ethnic instruments and music from cultures around the world. The cost is $3.00 per person in addition to the museum admission. On Thursday, the 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. show becomes The Science of the Circus. Representatives from Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus will present visitors with an inside look at some of the science behind the circus.