Hi everyone!
Well what a beautiful weekend to kick off Spring Break for the NYC public schools! Trees now are covered in green, white & pink buds and it is such a joy to see after that endless winter!
There is SO much going on this week that I listed the Spring Break activities that are going on over break first below and there is something going on all over the city like Kids Week at NYC Parks, Prospect Park activities, Earth Week at Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Bello Mania at The New Victory Theater, Spring School Break! Sharin’ a Ride at NY Transit Museum, Splash Week at the YMCAs and the Culinary Kids Food Festival at the New York Botanical Garden to just name a few. Scroll down to see more!
Also there are some one time special events happening this week like a Bedtime Math Morning Pajama Party at the Brooklyn Williamsburgh Public Library, Charles H. Tally Holiday Monday Family Programs at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Tribeca Drive-In: Mary Poppins at Brookfield Place. So check out the calendar so check it out for everything going on this week in Brooklyn & NYC! Since this is a special week please remember to check with the venue to see if there are any cancellations or schedule changes since some drop in places run camps this week! If you know of an event you can submit it to our calendar via this link. Also A Child Grows is on Facebook so like us for last minute events and news!
Enjoy the break!
Deirdre (mom to O & C)
Spring Break Events
Meet the Makers Festival at Children’s Museum of Manhattan (UWS)
Mon April 14th – Tue April 22nd various times – see website. Free with museum admission.
CMOM’s first ever Meet the Makers Festival over Spring Break (April 12–22). Visiting scientists, engineers and artists will lead a series of hand-on workshops during the 11-day fest. Plus, join us on Saturday, April 12 at 11am for a special program with eight-year-olds Gabrielle Nafie and Miles Pilchik. The two elementary school students from Manhattan were recently honored by President Obama at the White House for the film Full STEAM Ahead: How Technology Rocks the Classroom in partnership with Sci-Tech Kids. The lineup for Meet the Makers Festival is on the website.
Spring Break Crafts & Games at Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden (UES)
April 15 – 20, 11 am to 4pm. Free with Museum admission.
Drop in during regular Museum hours to combine your imagination with common 19th-century materials to make your own creation to take home. Afterward take a tour, explore the Children’s Corner, or play with historic toys and games outside in the garden. Appropriate for all ages.
Bessies’s Big Shot at Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre (Central Park)
Tue- Fri 1030a & 12n and Sat & Sun 1p. (also ongoing until June 29th) Tickets: $7 children under 12y & $10 all others. For all ages. Based on the famed PuppetMobile show of the same name, this popular production makes its Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre debut! Directed by Bruce Cannon and co-written by Douglas Strich, Alexander Bartenieff and Bruce Cannon, this version of the beloved show will feature several new puppets in addition to new and extended scenes. It’s a bird … it’s a plane … no … it’s Bessie the cow! CPF’s original production, Bessie’s Big Shot, follows Bessie the cow’s dream of joining the circus. Can she lift more than Ziegfried, the strongest man in the world? Fly on a trapeze high above the crowd? Train Munson the Monkey? This variety show cheers Bessie on as she attempts the impossible and searches for her special talents.
Bello Mania at The New Victory Theater (Times Square)
Wed-Fri April 16th-18th 2p & Sat-Sun April 19th-20th 12n & 5p. For ages 4+. 90 minutes including one intermission. Seats in the Balcony start at $14 ($9 with Member discount) Nock Nock. Who’s there? Back by popular demand, it’s Demetrius Alexandro Claudio Amadeus Bello Nock, the gravity-defying dude with the foot-high hair. Returning to the New Vic stage (and his 44-foot sway pole) in BELLO MANIA, “America’s Best Clown” (TIME Magazine) delivers brand new wacky antics and favorite daredevil tricks. Whether you’re coming back for more or seeing it for the first time, 2013 Drama Desk nominee BELLO MANIA is bound to be the HIGHlight of your spring break.
Uncover Civil War History Over Spring Break at DiMenna Children’s History Museum (UWS)
Thu-Tue April 15th-April 22nd (excluding Monday the 21s). All day. Free with Museum Admission.
Families explore, learn, and compete together in Civil War-themed family programs in conjunction with the New-York Historical Society’s new exhibition Homefront & Battlefield: Quilts & Context in the Civil War. Search for Civil War clues on a scavenger hunt throughout the museum
Mon April 14th-Sat April 19th 7p & Mon April 21st-Tue April 22nd 7p. Tickets $30. In PEACE, LOVE, AND CUPCAKES THE MUSICAL, Kylie Carson has a problem. She loves monster movies, zombie thrillers, and vampire sagas but her classmates at her new school avoid her like the Creature from the Black Lagoon! To sweeten up her image, Kylie starts a Cupcake Club. With the help of her new friends they begin spinning out tasty treats. But when Meredith, the most popular girl in school, tries to sabotage the big cupcake party, it may spell the end of the Cupcake Club.
YMCA Splash Week (various locations)
Mon April 14th – Friday April 18th at various times. Free.
YMCA SPLASH WEEK is a FREE program created to help people of all ages, especially children, to learn basic swimming skills and water safety practices. Learning water safety and swimming skills helps participants to be safe in and around water. This builds self-confidence and self-esteem which carries over into other parts of life. During SPLASH WEEK swimmers learn about the Y’s holistic approach combining spirit, mind and body. Contact a Y near you for details.
Kids’ Week at NYC Park locations in all 5 boroughs
Mon April 14th-Sun April 20th various times
Even when school’s out, our parks are still the city’s natural classroom! Bring your kids to parks throughout the city for Kids’ Week. With programs led by our Urban Park Rangers, kids will get to experience nature in a hands-on and fun way. They may never want to go back to class again! See website for locations and details.
Culinary Kids Food Festival at The New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Mon April 14– Mon April 21st, 10a–5 p.m. in the the semi-circle area by the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden. Included in any All-Garden Pass.
As part of the Garden’s Edible Academy initiative, join us for a family-friendly, weeklong food festival celebrating the relationships among plants, farms, and your favorite foods. Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden staff and the culinary team, Growing Chefs, will be on hand offering cooking demonstrations, recipes, and hands-on activities, with plenty of music and tastings to add to the fun. Bring your Festival passport along as you tinker with the science of kitchen chemistry and get to the root of foods from honey to sprouts at a variety of activity stations. The daily 1 p.m. cooking demonstration will feature kid-friendly recipes and tasty samples, while local chefs will share tips and recipes.
BubbleMania: Science, Art And Comedy With Casey Carle at the New York Hall of Science (Flushing Meadows)
Tuesday April 15th – Thurs April 17th 1p and 2p. $6 per person, plus NYSCI admission. ($5 per person for NYSCI members.)
Enjoy a fun, 30-minute show by comic bubble-ologist Casey Carle, who has been featured on The Science Channel. Experience a high-energy mix of comedy, swing music and amazing soap bubble manipulations … from intricate bubble art (bubble spaceship, fog-filled bubbles) to humongous bubbles. Learn how these shapes form, how to make a cube bubble, and the science of bubble bursting, with each topic related to physical laws of the natural world.
Spring Break Roller Rink Hours at LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park
Monday-Thursday 10a-6p, Fri-Sat 10a-10p, Sun 10a-8p (April 12th-April 22nd) Admission $6 Monday-Thursday $8 on weekends, $6 for skate rental.
Time to swap those ice skates for quads. Lakeside offers public skating seven days a week and features a spectacular 16,000 square foot covered rink overlooking Prospect Park Lake with ample open spaces for those not quite ready to lace up their skates. With skate rentals ranging from a children’s size 9 to an adult size 13, Lakeside makes it easy for people of all ages to enjoy getting some fun healthy outdoor action. If you have never set foot on a rink or are looking to take your skills to the next level Lakeside’s offers beginner skating and roller hockey classes.
Spring Break Discovery Week: Signs of Spring at Brooklyn Botanic Garden (Crown Heights)
Tue-Fri April 15th-18th 1030a-1230p. Free with Garden admission.
Drop by the Fragrance Garden to learn about amazing plants, meet our composting worms, and read garden stories. Kids can pot up a plant to take home. This week’s theme: Discover Signs of Spring
Prospect Park Alliance Spring Break Programming
Mon April 14th-Tue April 22nd 12n-4p. Free.
Spend Spring Break in Prospect Park! Blooming Naturalists at the Audubon Center! History in Your Hands: Spring Sprouts at the Lefferts Historic House and the Carousel is also open during Spring Break too! (12n-5p/$2 a ride). See website for all the details.
Tue-Fri Apr 15th-18th and Tue Apr 22nd 11a, 130p and 3p, & Sat Apr 19th 130p and 3p. For 4y+. Free with paid admission. Join us during spring break for SHARIN’ A RIDE, an original musical! Carbon Footprint Man and The Professor star in this hysterical, historical tale of public transportation in the Big (Green) Apple. Get ready to sing along—audience participation makes the show! Program is free with Museum admission. Performance is approximately 30 minutes.
Celebrate Earth Week! at Brooklyn Children’s Museum (Crown Heights)
Monday, April 14th – Tuesday, April 22nd 10a-5p. Free with museum admission.
Spring is finally here! Spend your spring break week at BCM for our festival celebrating all things green and sustainable. Make an Eco Art project, meet and touch sea creatures threatened by warming seas, or plant seeds in an old boot to add to our shoe garden! We’re jam packed with programs and community partners, so check out our full schedule for details.
More events happening this week:
Monday April 14th
Brooklyn Clinton Hill Public Library Reopening!
Mon April 14th 10a. Free.
Highlights include: New air conditioning system, New heating system with energy saving heat zones, Self-check out and self-check in machines, New LED lighting, A newly reconfigured, brighter interior space
Charles H. Tally Holiday Monday Family Programs at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (UES)
Mon April 14th at 11a, 12n, 115p, 230p. Free with Museum admission.
For families with children ages 5–12y. Take a day to play at the Museum on select holiday Mondays throughout the year.
For more Monday events please click here!
Tuesday April 15th
Mr. Chickee’s Funny Money at the Linda Gross Theater (Chelsea)
Tue April 15th 1030a. Adults $20, Kids $10. Approximate runtime is 75 minutes, no intermission. Recommended for ages 6 and up, but kids and adults of all ages are welcome. The New York premiere musical is adapted from the best selling young adult novel Mr. Chickee’s Funny Money by Newbery Award-winning author Christopher Paul Curtis, who also penned Bud, Not Buddy. The story follows 10-year-old Steven, a self-proclaimed spy and president of the “Flint Future Detectives Club.” At the heart of this whimsical journey is an intelligent, entrepreneurial boy who is asked to unlock the secret behind a mysterious bill. With his pals (and their giant flying dog, Zoopy) Steven discovers that family, friends, imagination and determination are the true keys to success; and sharing the spotlight with others can make one even richer.
Stomp Clap and Sing with Louie Miranda at Brooklyn Central Library (Prospect Heights)
Tue April 15th 11a-12n. Free.
Spark your imagination as you sing, dance, act and “shout” into the microphone with Louie, one of the most popular young-audience shows.
For more fun Tuesday events click here!
Wednesday April 16th
Bedtime Math Morning Pajama Party at Brooklyn Williamsburgh Public Library
Wed April 16th 1030a-1130a. Free. Ages 3 to 7 years.
A bedtime program in the morning? Math instead of stories? Absolutely! Sharing math activities at bedtime (or anytime) is just as much fun as reading a story. If you want to, come in your pj’s! Free doughnuts! The first 20 children ages 3 to 7 will receive a gift bag, courtesy of the Bedtime Math Foundation. The first 20 children ages 3 to 7 will receive a gift bag, courtesy of the Bedtime Math Foundation.
“What You Need to Know When You Bring Your Newborn Home” Free Workshop (Brooklyn Heights)
Wed April 16th 615p-745p. Free. At Mount Sinai Brooklyn Heights Medical Group.
Drs. Messinger and Aronov from Mt Sinai Brooklyn Heights Pediatrics would like to invite those interested to attend another one of our FREE seminars “WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN YOU BRING YOUR NEWBORN HOME” which will take place on Wednesday, April 16, at our medical facility. The discussion will focus on breastfeeding, sleep, and common medical concerns specifically relevant to the first days and weeks of the baby’s life. This is a practical discussion addressing a variety of situations that arise often in the first few days of having a new baby at home, and many prior participants have found it to be quite helpful. There will be light healthy refreshments, as well as ample time for questions. A quick tour of our state-of-the-art facility will be available to those interested. Register here.
For more fun Wednesday events click here!
Thursday April 17th
Crafternoon at Boulevard Books & Cafe (Dyker Heights)
Thu April 17th 1p. Ages 5+. Free.
CRAFTERNOON & lunch with author Amanda Kingloff, PROJECT KID. Drop the kids off and let them hang here for the afternoon…a CRAFTERNOON that is!! Snacks will be served and all craft materials will be supplied. The book will be available for purchase and personalization by the author.
Tribeca Drive-In: Mary Poppins at Brookfield Place (Waterfront Plaza)
Thu April 17th. Free. Doors open and programs begin at6p, with screenings starting at dusk (approximately 815p.).
The free evening of cinema under the stars is open to the public, and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Mary Poppins: The Banks children just can’t get along with the nannies hired by their overbearing banker father. Then the wind picks up in the east, someone knocks at the door, and all of their lives are changed forever. Fifty years ago, audiences eagerly swallowed the spoonful of sugar that is Mary Poppins, and the film became one of the most beloved movie musicals of all-time. Julie Andrews delivers a star-making title performance, alongside Dick Van Dyke as the lovable jack-of-all-trades, Bert. Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures.
For more fun Thursday events click here!
Ongoing
Brooklyn Block Laboratory at Brooklyn Children’s Museum (Crown Heights)
Ongoing until August 31st 10a-5p. Free with museum admission.
Brooklyn Block Laboratory is a new 1,000 sq. ft. pop-up activity area that provides engaging hands-on learning experiences through block play. Children and families design and experiment with different building blocks, creating imaginative structures, stacking, sorting, and talking. Utilizing a curated selection of wood, foam, and magnetic blocks, families and teachers examine how children interact and speak during the building process.
Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs at the American Museum of Natural History (UWS)
Now until January 4, 2015 10a-545p. Free with General Admission Plus One
In the new exhibition Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs, rare fossils, life-size models, and hands-on interactives bring these ancient animals to life. Step back in time to see pterosaurs, including giants such as Tropeognathus mesembrinus,with a wingspan of more than 25 feet, and find out how they moved on land and in the air. Get a first-hand look at the rare pterosaur fossils that have helped paleontologists learn all that we know about these animals. In a virtual flight lab, use your body to pilot a pterosaur over a prehistoric landscape. Encounter the exceptional creatures that flew in the age of dinosaurs.
Dinosaur Safari: Mysteries Revealed at the Bronx Zoo
On going until November 4th 10a-5p. Admission included in total experience ticket price.
Dinosaur Safari: Mysteries Revealed! Nine new dinosaur species have been added this year including the deinonychus, prodohadros, stegosaurus, and edmontonia. Returning for the Dinosaur Safari: Mysteries Revealed, the ever-popular 40-foot long tyrannosaurus rex will send chills up the spines of Bronx Zoo adventurers. At the end of the experience, there is a field site that includes a fossil dig for children; a Tyrannosaurus rex photo-op; a paleontologist’s tent that includes a fossil museum; and an interactive robotic dinosaur that illustrates how the animatronics work.
Book Swap Month! at Torly Kid (Tribeca)
Now until April 30th! Book Swap Month! Exchange your old picture and chapter books for a “new” book from our selection of community donated books. All excess books will be donated to a local school or charity.
UniverSoul Circus at Aviator Sports & Event Center
Thu-Mon April 17th-21st various times. $20-$28 for grandstand, $35 for box.
The UniverSoul Circus is a world-class, live entertainment attraction that has captured the hearts and imaginations of a new generation of families. Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, UniverSoul Circus has come full circle in its influence in the international entertainment marketplace – garnering the distinction of being known as a one-of-a-kind, must see attraction.
The Little Prince: A New York Story at The Morgan Library And Museum (Midtown East)
Now through April 27, 2014. Tu-Th 1030a-5p, Fri 1030a-9p, Sat 10a-6p, Sun 11a-6p. Free with paid admission. Readers throughout the world have embraced The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint–Exupéry’s tale of an interstellar traveler who comes to Earth in search of friendship and understanding. Saint–Exupéry wrote and illustrated the story in New York during World War II and it was first published here, in English and French. This exhibition of the original manuscript and watercolor drawings—the most comprehensive ever mounted—explores the American origins of a story that reminds us that what matters most can only be seen with the heart.
The Orchid Show: Key West Contemporary at NY Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Tu-Sat now until April 20th 10a-5p and also open Mon April 14th & 21st. Free with garden pass. Prices vary by date. See website for details.
A mosaic of classic and exotic orchids greets visitors in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory—a living design inspiration taking its cues from a modernist Key West estate garden. Throughout the exhibition, varied events and activities capture the artistic and cultural appeal of the Keys through weekend musical performances, a curated poetry walk, our much-loved Orchid Evenings, and more.
Play Space Spring Schedule at Juguemos a Cantar South Slope
Tue-Thu 9a-12n April 1st-June 12th. $10 per visit / Sibling $2 per visit. Playpasses also available.
Drop in play space.
Play Space Spring Schedule at Juguemos a Cantar North Slope
Tue-Thu 9a-12n. April 1st-June 12th. $10 per visit / Sibling $2 per visit. Playpasses also available.
Drop in play space with activities: Tue 1030a Story time with Alejandra, Wed 9a-12p Arts & Crafts, Thu 1030a sing with Ale.
Play Space Spring Schedule at Juguemos a Cantar South Slope
Tue-Thu 330-5p April 1st-June 12th. $10 per visit / Sibling $2 per visit. Playpasses also available.
Drop in play space With singalongs: Tue 4p Story time with Alejandra, Wed 4p sing with Ale, Thu 4p Sing with Damian
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.
Open Play at The Learning Garden (Prospect Heights)
Mondays-Fridays 11a-6p. For 0-4y. Daily pass $12. Pass packages also available.
Our popular Open Play program is a time that offers a social learning environment for your children (ages 0-4) 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.
Sing Along & Open Play at Creative Arts Studio (Cobble Hill/Boerum Hill)
Monday-Thursday 1-230p. Drop-In Parent/caregiver supervised with an ArtsCetera staffer on hand. $10 per session. Experts say our children are not getting enough unstructured play time, which they report is essential for healthy development. Here’s a great way to add more free play time to your child’s lif in a safe, welcoming environment. Some sessions include a short Sing Along segment to add to the fun. Creative play for all ages from infants up to 5 years. Toys, coloring, lego table, puzzles, reading corner.
To see all the events click here for the calendar!