Martin Luther King Day generally means two things for families:
1. an opportunity to honor a courageous and instrumental man in America’s history and to teach our children about love, equality and humanism.
2. that there is no school
To that end, I found some activities that either help you accomplish 1 or 2..or both! Here they are:
25th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at BAM
BAM, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, and Medgar Evers College of The City University of New York present New York City’s largest public celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year, BAM welcomes keynote speaker Walter Mosley, novelist and social commentator. In his acclaimed fiction, Mosley has explored the black experience in America over the past seven decades, beginning with the migration of African-Americans from the Deep South to his native Los Angeles in the post-World War II era and through post-Obama election-era New York City. His honors include an O’Henry Award, a Grammy, The Sundance Risktaker Award, and the PEN USA Lifetime Achievement Award, and he twice has been awarded the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work. Musical performances by the Persuasions and The Reverend Timothy Wright Memorial Choir of the Grace Tabernacle Christian Center C.O.G.I.C., round out the program. Following the event in the Opera House, BAM Rose Cinemas will present a free screening of Neshoba: The Price of Freedom, an award winning documentary about a Mississippi town still divided about the meaning of justice, 40 years after the murders of three civil rights workers.
Details:
10:30 am.
BAM Howard Gilman Opera House
30 Lafayette Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 636-4100
bam.org/view.aspx?pid=2848
BAM Howard Gilman Opera House
Free! First come, first seated. One ticket per person
Brooklyn Children’s Museum celebrates all weekend and on MLK Day
On Saturday, January 15 the Brooklyn Children’s Museum celebrates the birthday of beloved civil rights hero, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. The programs continue through the weekend and on MLK day itself from 10 am- 5 pm.
Celebrations include:
SATURDAY:
MLK Weekend: Spotlight – Coretta Scott King
12:00-1:00pm
An activist and iconic figure of civil rights in the United States, Coretta Scott King was a Civil Rights Movement leader. Use your mind’s eye to design a creative craft about the King family as we see how she carried on the legacy of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Ages 6+
W.O.R.D. UP! Words of Real Distinction Reading Series featuring Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke
1:00pm
W.O.R.D. UP! presents a unique opportunity for lifelong learners to share and enjoy the power of literacy. Join us for a special reading and meet & greet by Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, reading A Sweet Smell of Roses by Angela Johnson (Illustrated by Eric Velasquez) & A Child’s Goodnight Book by Margaret Wise Brown (pictures by Jean Charlot) in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the opening of our visiting Night Journeys exhibition. Made possible by the Verizon Foundation. All Ages.
Due to popular demand we recommend arriving early to W.O.R.D UP! as seating is on first-come, first-served basis.
SPECIAL DREAM ART WORKSHOP – 2pm
Kristiana Pärn presents Dream Art
Join Brooklyn-based, visual artist, Kristiana Pärn for her special art exhibition debut, meet and greet, and mini-art workshop. Arrive early as seating is on first-come, first-served basis. There are only ten spaces available for this workshop.
Invention Convention
2:30-3:30pm
Learn about some amazing African-American inventors. Then get your thinking caps on – we can all be inventors when we think of problems we encounter every day and new ways to solve them!
Ages 5+
Art Works
2:30-3:30pm
Visit the Totally Tots Art Studio and see what activity is in store for your young Picasso.
Ages 5 and under
SUNDAY
MLK Weekend: Spotlight – Coretta Scott King
12:30-1:30pm
An activist and iconic figure of civil rights in the United States, Coretta Scott King was a Civil Rights Movement leader. Use your mind’s eye to design a creative craft about the King family as we see how she carried on the legacy of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Ages 6+
MetLife Early Learner Performance: The Hat Seller and the Monkey
1:00pm – 1:30pm & 2:00 – 2:30pm
Assist performers from Play Me A Story in the telling of folk tale, The Hat Seller and the Monkey. Enjoy the beautiful handmade props, costumes and sets, as we create a magical world of storytelling, music, and dancing. Made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, celebrating 50 years of building strong, creative communities in New York State’s 62 counties.
All Ages
Kitchen Chemistry: Pumping Iron
1:30pm-2:30pm
How much iron is really in your breakfast cereal? We’ll use all our science Trix and put those O’s to a Total test.
Ages 5+
Cake of Dreams
2:30pm-3:30pm
Let your dreams be showcased during Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Weekend! Come write or draw pictures of your dreams on clouds, then add your dream to Dr. King’s birthday cake. Come back later in the afternoon to see it overflowing with clouds of the dreams of children just like you!
All Ages
Live Animal Encounter
4:15pm-4:45pm
Learn about and touch live animals from the Museum’s living exhibit.
All ages
MONDAY
“Make a Wish” Birthday Balloons (All day)
It’s party time and we are making special “make a wish” birthday balloons to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Decorate your very own balloon then help us add it to our lobby window in honor of Dr. King’s 82nd birthday!
All Ages
MLK Weekend: Spotlight – Coretta Scott King
12:30-1:30pm
An activist and iconic figure of civil rights in the United States, Coretta Scott King was a Civil Rights Movement leader. Use your mind’s eye to design a creative craft about the King family as we see how she carried on the legacy of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Ages 6+
SPECIAL CORETTA SCOTT KING TRIBUTE:
Coretta Scott Has a Dream (Poetry & Dance) 1:30-2:00pm
Join the Pinnacle Praise Dancers (from Aspire’s Pinnacle School of Dance) as they celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his wife, Mrs. Coretta Scott King through poetry and dance. Highlights of Coretta Scott Has a Dream include an inspirational poem in honor of Mrs. King and her legacy and a praise performance by the young Pinnacle Praise Dancers (dancing to CeCe Winan’s Waging War song) in honor of Dr. and Mrs. King as well as others who have lead the way and continue to contribute to advancing the struggle of oppressed minority people throughout the world.
All Ages
Adinkra Stamping Fun
2:30-3:30pm
Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday by making an art piece using African Adinkra symbols
of hope, love and friendship to take home.
Ages 5 yr and under
SPECIAL PERFORMANCE: Big Ideas about FREEDOM! Presented by Shih Enterprises.
2:30-3:00pm
A look at the historic and present-day struggles for freedom, social justice and human rights. From slavery to suffrage to civil rights, this exciting, highly interactive show traces America’s never-ending quest for equality, fairness and liberty. Made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, celebrating 50 years of building strong, creative communities in New York State’s 62 counties.
All ages
Details: Brooklyn Children’s Museum
145 Brooklyn Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11213
(718) 735-4400
brooklynkids.org/index.php/comingup/dontmissthis
Musical Stew with Gina Samardge
Monday, January 17, 10:30 – 11:15 a.m. $18, siblings $2. Call to reserve!
A music and movement fun time! Enjoy traditional, original and multi-cultural songs and rhymes as Gina plays guitar. There’s much movement too with props, stories and instruments. We explore musical concepts such as tempo, dynamics, beat, direction, as well as develop gross and fine motor skills and social skills, all with attention to each child’s individual comfort level. Children (and grown-ups!) are encouraged to create and explore in this Orff-Schulwerk based approach to music and movement education. A lively, joyous event for the whole family to enjoy. Gina’s New CD will be available! .
Details: Gumbo 493 Atlantic Avenue (bet. Nevins & Third) Brooklyn 11217 718-855-7808. Register at Gumbo
Bija Kids MLK Workshop
I’m a fan of Bija Kids- we do our family yoga there every Saturday and I actually get some of my own yoga in! They have a MLK half or full day workshop for kids ages 3 – 8. All participants should be potty trained and able to separate comfortably.
Details: 1/2 day: 9am-12 pm or 12pm-3pm ($50)
full day: 9 am- 3 pm ($95)
extended day: drop off at 8:15 am ($10) late pick up at 6 pm ($25)
412 Waverly Ave btw. Greene and Gates in Clinton Hill
For more info, visit their site.
Super Soccer Stars Mini Camp with an Arts and Music Kick
“Our Martin Luther King Day Mini Camp with an Arts and Music Kick is a great way for kids to expand their creative minds, stay active and develop their soccer skills during this chilly Winter season! Engaging soccer instruction is infused with art, music, and a healthy snack, for fun-filled hours of constructive play and learning.”
Details: Please visit our website at supersoccerstars.com or call us at 212-877-7171 to secure your spot today.
MLK Day Mini Camp
Monday, January 17th
9:30 AM -12:00 PM
Ages 2.5-3 & Ages 4-5
PS321 – 180 7th Ave. btwn 1st & 2nd St.
MLK Jr. Day at The Gym Park
The Gym Park is hosting a Day Camp and 2 Open Play Time sessions. You can choose to attend the Day Camp or the Open Play Sessions that are available. Here is the info:
Open Play – 2 Sessions ($10 per session or $15 for both)
Session 1: 10:30am-12:30pm
Session 2: 3:00pm-5:00pm
Day Camp (Full or Half Day)
9:00am- 3:00pm
9:00am- 12:00pm or 12:00pm -3:00pm
Camp Fees & Discounts
Full Day is $75.00
Half Day is $40.00
Discount 1: Members get $10.00 off
Discount 2: Siblings get 10.00 off
Discount 3: If 14+ campers register The Gym Park will refund $10.00 back to each camper.
Details: For more info check our website or call: 718-349-6627 www.thegympark.com