Are you looking for some unique and fun events for the next two weeks? There are plenty! They include walking under a swimming pool, docking on the Intrepid for some surprising visitors, watching a sword dance and going to a kids film festival. There are informational talks to go to: about going back to work, a pediatrician’s advice and finding out about public schools in District 13. And, yes, there are Valentine’s parties: one for disco dancers and one for special needs.

Don’t forget to check the Google calendar daily for weekly events like storytime, Bell House Rocks Parties, Drumalongs, Family Dinners, Movie Nights and Drop Off Care and Baby Drop-in! (Thanks to Ruth and Asmeret for helping me add oodles of these events for you all!)

Check out all the events…….

LONG ISLAND CITY: SWIMMING POOL

From now until May 2009

A swimming pool…in winter? Well, yes. Artist Leandro Erlich is showing this cool installation at PS 1 Contemporary Arts Center. I can’t fully explain it here without sounding confused- but suffice it to say- he created the illusion of people walking under water. Kids will think it is so cool. I always find that getting to the museum is super easy- and a great fun day. Not easy to find food around there though, so plan on eating in their cafe or brown bagging it. There are 2 other exhibitions there too: one on reduction art and the other by a video artist.

FORT GREENE: BAMKIDS FILM FESTIVAL

Saturday, February 28-Sunday, March 1

Okay, don’t say I didn’t warn you about this way in advance. Get your tickets now! They always sell out! This film festival has varied shorts and feature films age- appropriate, starting at age 2 year. You need to go to the website to see which ones are the best for your kiddos- and you of course! Prices for child are $5 and adult is $11.  There is also a concert by Uncle Rock and face-painting, kid friendly food and more.

Brooklyn Academy of Music: how to get there 30 Lafayette Avenue  Brooklyn, NY 11217  (718) 636-4100

MANHATTAN: INTREPID KIDS WEEK

Saturday, February 14-22: various times

This entire week is full of activities with Ringling Brothers, Madame Tussauds, the Knicks, and more….check out all the details at www.gocitykids. They have the whole scoop! The activities are for children ages 2-18. Times are from 10am-4 pm. 

CARROLL GARDENS: TALK TO A PEDIATRICIAN

Saturday, February 14: 10-11 am

Our pediatrician expert for this blog, Dr. Hugh Gilgoff, will answer questions at this Q and A.  Ask him about sleep, starting solids (he did a post about that here) or any other common issues. It might also be a good opportunity to interview him to see if he is the right pediatrician for you.  For more info on Dr. Gilgoff, you can check his Expert Advice page on this blog and also his resource listing here.
Families First Brooklyn
http://www.exitfive.com/famfirst/
250 Baltic Street (bet. Clinton & Court)
Brooklyn, NY 11201

MANHATTAN: SWORD DANCE FESTIVAL* (also on our Google calendar)

Saturday, February 14: 10-11 am

This event is pretty unique: this sword dance of combined fast and slow movements is based on an ancient winter celebration.  This is for children ages 3-18 and the shows occur at 1:30 pm and 3 pm.  Free with museum admission. (Thanks to www.gocitykids.com for this listing!) The Museum of the City of New York: 1220 Fifth Ave.

PROSPECT LEFFERTS: SPECIAL NEEDS VALENTINES PARTY

Saturday, February 14: 11 am

Bring your child and listen to music, create and decorate heart shapes and make flowers. Please do register in advance at 718-735-4400. Children ages 3-18 years are invited. Free with your museum entry admission. 
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
145 Brooklyn Avenue (corner of St. Marks)
Brooklyn, NY 11203

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS: VALENTINES DISCO PARTY

Saturday, February 14: 5:45-8:30 pm

In case you didn’t know, Baby Loves Disco is sold out for both their Valentine’s Ball. No matter, the Moxie Spot is having one on a smaller scale.  Yes, there will be disco music, plus Valentine’s Day card making and dinner.
The Moxie Spot
81 Atlantic Avenue (at Hicks Street)
Brooklyn, NY 11201

RED HOOK: VALENTINE’S FAMILY PARTY

Saturday, February 14: 3-7 pm

Botanica is having a VDay party that satisfies everyone in the family. Cocktails and beer for us, and fresh squeezed juice, hot chocolate an snacks for children.  They will be projecting A Lady and the Tramp and then My Neighbor Totoro for the children and non-tv fans can play puzzles, board games and stack some foam blocks. Botanica: 220 Conover St at Coffey.

CLINTON HILL: VALENTINES BAG PARTY * (also in our Google Calendar)

Sunday, February 15: 12-3 pm

We are ready to purge our winter and overstocked spring and summer inventory. The store’s play area will be set up with bins and tables filled with clothing in every size, as well as toys and gear. You can browse the items and then purchase bags for $15 each to fill with whatever you want from the bag sale area. We are also offering the option of purchasing a reusable Chico bag for $3 more ($18). We are opening our doors at noon so get there early for all the good pickings. <

PARK SLOPE: PARENTING SEMINARS

One of our Experts- Alice Kaltman has three events this month.  You may know Alice from her writing here or you might have heard of Family Matters from word of mouth. I highly recommend this upcoming seminar, “Playdate Politics”. I did go to this recently and gained a lot out of it.  Her talk helped me to understand my child’s temperament and how he works in a play environment. It also helped me understand other parents’ expectations too. Her talk for Brooklyn Baby Bites on “Going Back to Work” is supposed to be wonderful. My friend, G, went to this last month and said it was so important to her that she scheduled a time for herself to sit down and write down all her thoughts about it. Honestly, I can’t think of a better way to gear up for parenting without Alice’s seminars. For all of Family Matters upcoming seminars check out their events pages.

Thursday, February 12: 1-2:30 pm
Playdate Politics and Peer Smarts: How to help your child develop compassionate social skills and become a good friend.

Saturday, February 28: 10-11:30 am
Setting Limits Without Getting Your Buttons Pushed.
Are time-outs without losing your temper possible? Are bribes always a bad thing? How to be clear, firm and direct when setting boundaries with spirited children.

Both talks are at: At the Old Stone House: 336 3rd St, Brooklyn, NY 11215   (718) 768-3195

Monday, February 23: 12-2 pm
Going Back to Work:  Alice will lead an interactive discussion focused on the identity issues, financial concerns, and social pressures inherent in the work/motherhood dilemma, and offer possible frameworks for resolution. This includes a lunch, time to hang with other moms, raffle for a special prize and a Brooklyn mom of two will be there to answer questions about going back to work and childcare.
At: Barrio, corner of 7th Ave and 3rd Street, Park Slope
Cost: $35 in advance, $40 at the door (checks or cash only at the door)
RSVP: Chana@babybitesbrooklyn.com

PARK SLOPE: PUPPET SHOW

Wednesday, February 18: 10 am

This is a great Winter Break event and we are puppet fans in our house, so I think we will stop by.  This puppet show (for kids 4 years-3rd grade) is about a princess who escapes from pirates.  The pirates are silly and she does manage her own escape- yeah, woman power! Tickets are $10, but children under 2 years are free.  It is all at the Brooklyn Lyceum. Purchase Tickets in advance or at the door the day of the show.
Brooklyn Lyceum, 227 4th Ave, between Union and President St.

GOWANUS: ROBERT BOBBERT AND THE BUBBLE MACHINE

Sunday, February 22: 2 pm

It’s too bad that both Bobbert and Gustafer (see below) are playing on the same day AND time- but there it is! Choices, must be made.  Bobbert’s catchy songs remind you of the Beatles in a zinged out way with a mix of the Oompa Loompas catchy rhyming. The illustrations of Bobbert are fantastic. Check them out too. At The Bell House.

PARK SLOPE: GUSTAFER YELLOWGOLD

Sunday, February 22: 2 pm

I am sure you have heard about Gustafer by now: a sweet, squishy yellow coneheaded cartoon character who loves to jump on cake. (Wow, that was a mouthful!) The performance is really unique and worth giving up nap-time to see.  As the New York Times said, “the show is a cross between ‘Yellow Submarine’ and Dr. Seuss.’”.  Tickets are $12 each and the show is at Southpaw, 125 Fifth Ave.

FORT GREENE: PUBLIC SCHOOLS TALK

Monday, February 23: 7:30 pm

Another one of this blog’s experts will be speaking in the coming weeks. Joyce Szuflita, who is always keeping us up to speed with school deadlines, will be talking about public schools and what it means to be a parent in District 13. If you go early (7 pm) you can even get a refreshment before her talk and another one about insuring your property. You can read some of Joyce’s posts for us on her Expert Advice page and see her resource listing here. It is free and held at the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church at 85 South Oxford (corner of Lafayette Ave)

Related Posts:

1. A Child Grows Event Picks Additions (December 3rd, 2008)
2. A Child Grows Event Picks (November 12th, 2008)
3. A Blah Week At A Child Grows (May 14th, 2008)
4. Gallery Day at A Child Grows (December 6th, 2007)
5. Gallery Day at A Child Grows (November 1st, 2007)