Fun Weekday Events for December 2nd-5th in Brooklyn & NYC!

BAMKidstuff: Film Series at BAM Rose Cinemas (Fort Greene)
Mond Dec 2nd various times General Admission: $13
For adventurous cinephile families and movie lovers stuck in the city for the holiday, this series presents some of the greatest, most empathetic evocations of childhood by cinema’s favorite auteurs.  Movie on 12/2 is Kes.

^{Thursday December 5th}

Free Trial Classes Music for Aardvarks at if i were a toy (Carroll Gardens)
Thursday Dec 5th 930-1015a, 1030-1115a, 1130a-1215p
December free trials with Jo & Mary Jo.  Come and see what it’s all about at our new location!  We are excited to announce new Music for Aardvarks classes are coming to the heart of Carroll Gardens!
These fun and dynamic classes explore music through song & gesture, dance & movement, rhythm training, and instrument play, using original music that celebrates the lives of children growing up in an urban environment.
Register for a class here.

The Rozz & Val Show @ Freebrook Spaces (Bedford Stuyvesant)
Thursdays 1-2p.  $10 per child, $5 per additional child.
The Rozz & Val Show incorporates tight harmony singing and high-energy pop, funk, rock, ska, hiphop, punk and folk to make for a sing-longable, danceable, fun filled show.

Pythagorize the Flatiron at the Flatiron Building
Thursday December 5th, 2013 645-730PM.  Free.
Manhattan will see an awesome, one-of-a-kind spectacle when the National Museum of Mathematics, New York’s newest museum landmark, presents a math event that lights up one of the city’s oldest landmarks: the Flatiron Building. In what might be one of the most unusual events of this holiday season, MoMath will create a stunning illuminated demonstration of the Pythagorean Theorem.

^{For more fun Thursday events click here!}

 

 

 

^Ongoing

A Live Radio Play: A Christmas Carol at Rovert Acito Park House (Carroll Park)
Wednesday December 4th-Sunday December 15th.  W-F at 8p, Saturdays 5p & 8p & Sundays 5p. Tickets: $10/child & $15/adult.
Smith Street Stage retells the famous Dickens inside the Park House at Carroll Park. Seven actors bring thirty four characters to life through the magic of radio.  Many of the sound effects will be created live by the actors themselves.  Tickets available here.

A Christmas Carol at The Players Theatre (Greenwich Village)
Sunday Dec 1st – Monday Dec 30th.  Times:  Thursdays & Fridays at 7p, Saturdays at 11a (family workshop at 10a) and 2p (no workshop prior to the 2p matinee), Sundays at 11a (family workshop at 10a)  See website for additional holiday hours.
Tickets:  $45 for first 4 rows, $35 for second 5th – 10th rows, $25 for all other seats
A lively musical adaptation of the classic Dickens tale. Follow along with Ebenezer Scrooge as he is visited by four ghosts; his old business partner Marley, the ghost of Christmas past, present and future. See what happens when he gets a glimpse of his own future if he doesn’t change his life. Will Scrooge catch the holiday spirit and save himself in the process? Find out by joining us for this special holiday show with a story so warm it will melt the cold heart of even the grumpiest Scrooge!

The Paper Bag Players:  HICCUP HELP at LIU Brooklyn’s Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts (Downtown Brooklyn)
Tuesday Dec 3rd & Wednesday Dec 4th at 10a & 12n.  For children ages 3 to 7y.  Tickets are $8.  Special Offer for the 12n show: $2 discount.  Use discount code: PBPKumble.  To purchase tickets: pbagp@verizon.net or call (212) 353-2332
For their new show, “HICCUP HELP!” The Paper Bag Players have dug deep into their bag of favorites and pulled out, Lost In the Mall, That’s Good, and A Perfect Picture. They then combined these classic numbers with a heaping helping of the brand-new. You’ll meet a grandfather and his young granddaughter, Kaitlin, as they discover that you are never, never, too old to play! Go on a tropical safari with TED, then, in the title piece, help Kathy cure Kevin of a truly extraordinary case of the hiccups.

CHANUKAH DE-LIGHT at The Jewish Children’s Museum (Crown Heights)
Now until Wednesday 12/4.  Thursday, Monday: 10am-5pm, Tuesday, Wednesday: 10am-4pm.  $13 General Museum Admission (ages 2+) includes all activities.  It’s a Chanukah experience for all ages at the Jewish Children’s Museum!
“From Soil to Oil” – join in an interactive OLIVE PRESSING workshop to learn the ancient technique of producing pure olive oil for the menorah. Customize a DONUT, meet JUDAH MACCABE, and get into the festive spirit with a BALLOON TWISTING show.  Also featuring 3 floors of hands-on INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS, and live GAME SHOWS throughout the day!  Leave your mark on our SUPER-sized chalk menorah, and then take part in a GRAND MENORAH LIGHTING!  Program varies by day, see www.JCM.museum for complete schedule.

Macy’s Santaland at Macy’s Herald Square
Santaland is open M-Sun now until December 24th at at various times – see website for times.
Nothing will put you more in the Christmas spirit than a trip to Santaland!  In this enchanted holiday wonderland, you can tell Santa what you’d like for Chirstmas, get your picture taken with him and enjoy all sorts of other wonderful holiday magic.
Santaland is open until December 24th.  See here for hours.  Also happening at Macy’s:  Yes Virginia the Musical.  A holiday tradition since 1976, Macy’s Puppet Theater recreates beloved tales through the art of puppetry.  This year, come see “Yes, Virginia: the Musical.” Featuring the vocal talents of Matthew Broderick, Whoopi Goldber and an all-star Broadway cast, it’s a must-see show for kids of all ages 11/29-12/24.  General admission tickets are $5 per person (children under 2 free)

The Centennial Holiday Fair at Grand Central Terminal(Midtown East)
Mon-Sat 10AM-8PM • Sun 11AM-7PM Christmas Eve 10AM-6PM (Closed Thanksgivng) in the Vanderbilt Hall now until December 24th
Grand Central Terminal’s 14th annual Holiday Fair, sponsored by Shaw Floors, is the only holiday market in the city to operate indoors. This season, the Fair will fill Vanderbilt Hall with 76 vendors for six weeks each offering a wonderful array of holiday gifts for all your loved ones including art, clothing for adults and children, handbags, jewelry and accessories for men and women, bath and body items, home goods, collectible toys, holiday items and gifts for pets.

The Centennial Holiday Light Show at Grand Central Terminal (Midtown East)
Thursday Nov 21st – Thursday Dec 26th 5-11p.  Free.
The Holiday Light Show makes its return to Grand Central Terminal for its Centennial year. The show will light up the famous windows on the west side of the Main Concourse above Michael Jordan’s The Steak House N.Y.C. and Cipriani Dolci this holiday season.

South Street Seaport Ice Rink Public Skating Hours
Tuesday Nov 26th, 2013 until Sunday March 2nd 2014.  Monday – Thursday: 11a- 9p, Friday – Saturday: 10a- 10p, Sunday: 10a – 9p
Admission – $10, children 5 and under receive FREE admission.  Skate rental: $6, helmet rental:  $6, bag check: $8
*Residents living in 10038 and 10005 zip codes, with valid ID, receive 50% off Admission, Skate Rentals and Helmet Rentals.  Passes also available for purchase.  See website for details.

Origami Holiday Tree 2013-2014 at the American Museum of Natural History (UWS)
November 25th-January 12th.  Grand Gallery, near the 77th Street exit on the Museum’s first floor.
An annual tradition, the delightfully decorated Origami Holiday Tree has marked the start of the holiday season at the Museum for 40 years. The theme of this year’s tree is Wicked, Wild, and Wonderful, honoring the Museum’s new exhibition The Power of Poison. Volunteers begin folding in July to complete hundreds of creations that will be displayed on the tree. During the holiday season, volunteers will be on hand to teach visitors of all ages the art of paper folding.

Lighting of the Brooklyn’s Largest Hanukkah Menorah at Grand Army Plaza (Prospect Heights)
Wednesday November 27th-Wednesday December 4th (times vary).  Free.  All ages.
Brooklyn’s Largest Menorah stands at a whopping 32 feet tall (the maximum allowed by Jewish law), and has been towering over Grand Army Plaza since 1985.  The annual Menorah lighting ceremony is a must for Jews and non-Jews alike.  Every night The celebration is accompanied with live music and hot latkes for all. Special gifts are distributed to every child. Making this a family celebration and a must on everyone’s calendar.

Gingerbread Lane at New York Hall of Science (Flushing Meadows)
Now until January 12, 2014.  Tuesday – Friday 9:30 am – 5 pm  &Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 6 pm
Marvel at homemade gingerbread houses that are drafted, designed, baked, planned, built and decorated by chef Jon Lovitch over the course of an entire year. GingerBread Lane, a 1.5 ton, 300-square-foot village made entirely of edible gingerbread, royal icing and candy, is a contender for the Guinness World Record for the largest gingerbread exhibit.
The village includes an estimated 1,900 lbs. of icing, 400 lbs. of candy, and 500 lbs. of gingerbread dough. It is comprised of 152 gingerbread houses, 65 trees, four gingerbread cable cars, five gingerbread train cars, an underground candy subway station, candy trees and sugar signage. A behind-the-scenes window gives a peek into the makings of GingerBread Lane with ovens, models and ingredients made entirely from royal icing. Five two-foot-high nutcrackers, also made of royal icing, stand guard over the exhibit. Free with NYSCI admission.

Holiday Train Show at The New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Now until Janury 12, 2014.  Weekdays: Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.  Weekends: 10 a.m.–7 p.m., including Friday, November 29 (day after Thanksgiving) (see website for all details on times during the holiday week)
All-Garden Pass tickets start at $20 for Adults and $10 for Kids 2-12. See prices by date.
Advance reservations are strongly recommended as tickets do sell out. Tickets are timed and sold in 15 minute increments.
Marvel at model trains zipping around New York landmark replicas made of plant parts such as nuts, bark, and leaves, and get an insider’s look at how the building replicas are constructed in The Artist’s Studio. Explore the exhibition in the warmth of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, enjoy hands-on holiday fun for the entire family, and get your holiday shopping done too—it’s a whole day of fun! View the full list of programs and activities

12th Annual Holiday Train Show at Grand Central Terminal (Midtown East)
Now until February 23rd.  M–F: 8a–8p, Saturday and Sunday: 10a–6p.  (Closed for Christmas and New Year’s Day) Extended holiday hours from November 18 to December 24: M–F: 8a–8p, Saturdays: 10a–8p, Sundays: 10a–7p.
Trains are trips. Trips are adventures. This year memorable characters from Maira Kalman’s Next Stop Grand Central will be watching our Lionel trains as they zip, zap and whizz through their journey from Grand Central to the North Pole!

Three Bears Holiday Bash at Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre (Central Park/UWS)

Now until December 30 Monday through Friday at 10:30AM and 12:00PM.  Additional show on Wednesdays at 2:30PM. Saturday and Sundays at 1:00PM.  Tickets: $7/children & $10/adults.
The Three Bears Holiday Bash, is a variety show that celebrates the holiday season in song, dance, and puppetry. This production quickly becomes a comedy of errors when Baby Bear invites Santa to star in Mama and Papa
Bear’s annual holiday show. The audience also gets to join in on the fun with a “12 days of Christmas” sing-a-long during the performance!

Blooming Naturalists at Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Thursdays & Fridays now until December 27th 1-3p. Free.
Are you a Blooming Naturalist? Find out at the Audubon Center by making your own nature journal and learning how to use binoculars and field guides.

Nature on the Go at Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Thursdays & Fridays now until December 27th 2-3p. Free.
A guided tour will lead children and families to areas near the Audubon Center, where you can be active and learn about the nature that is all around us!

Animal Encounter at Audubon Center in Prospect Park
Thursdays & Fridays now until December 27th 3p. Free.
Learn what it takes to care for these amazing creatures and even assist in an actual feeding. There will also be opportunities to get up close and personal with our box turtle.

FREE THURSDAY HOURS at Brooklyn Children’s Museum (Crown Heights)
Thursdays 3p-5p for all ages.
Come join us for our FREE afternoon hours at the Museum, EVERY Thursday of the month! Free hours start at 3:00pm, and the Museum stays open until 5:00pm for all your fun exploring!

Sing Along & Open Play at Creative Arts Studio (Boerum Hill)
M-F 1p-230p.  ArtsCetera temporary home for their drop in creative open play for ages 0-4y with a sing along about 30 minutes into the session. $10 per family

Free Admission Winter Weekdays at Brooklyn Botanic Garden (Crown Heights/Prospect Heights)
November–February Tuesday–Friday: 8a to 430p.  Closed Mondays (but open Veterans Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and
Washington’s Birthday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)  Free admission to the Botanic Garden during the week November – February

Free Storytime at the Scholastic Store (SOHO)

Tuesdays, Wednesday & Thursdays at 11a for all ages.  Join The Scholastic Storyteller for readings of all-time favorite children’s books or new releases from Scholastic!  Perfect for babies and toddlers, these stories will spark imagination and fun in your budding bookworm.  Stroller Entrance: 130 Mercer Street.

Toddler Storytime in Nolen Library @ The Metropolitan Museum of Art (UWS)

Mon-Fri 1030-11a.  Look, listen, and have fun with picture books in Nolen Library. For families with children ages 18 months–3 years. Free with Museum admission but storytime is limited to 40 people on a first-come, first-served basis. Recommended admission: Adults $25, Seniors (65+) $17, children under 12 free (with adult).

Open Play at The Learning Garden (Prospect Heights)

M-F 11-6p. Daily Pass $12. (a variety of play passes also available see website fore more information).  Our popular Open Play program is a time that offers a social learning environment for your children (ages 0-4y) to grow and learn through creative play. With our space changing and growing every week, your little explorer will have lots to discover. Materials and activities are provided to engage you and your child while sparking their imagination.

^{To see all the events click here for the calendar!}