Weekday Events for November 17th-20th in Brooklyn & NYC!

Hi everyone,

Hope everyone pulled out their hats and gloves and had a warm fun weekend!  Lots of fun events happening this week so start planning!

Quite a few annual holiday events started this weekend so take the little ones during the week to see the Holiday Train Show at The New York Botanical Garden, 22nd Annual Canstruction at the Winter Garden, Three Bears Holiday Bash at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, Gingerbread Lane at New York Hall of Science and the 13th Annual Holiday Train Show at Grand Central Terminal.

Also happening this week is S.T.E.A.M. Week 2014 at the Children’s Museum of the Arts with different workshops all week.  Check out Stomp, Clap & Sing with Miss Nina at the Central Brooklyn Public Library, a Stroller Tour at the Guggenheim Museum, Love Monster and the Perfect Present Storytime at the Park Slope Barnes & Noble, and science fun with Little Bits at Brooklyn Heights Brooklyn Public Library.  For the grown ups you can attend  An Introduction to NYC Public Elementary Schools at Brooklyn Free Space and a free workshop called Create Effective To-Do Lists at the Dodge YMCA.

Check the calendar to see all the events happening in Brooklyn & NYC this week!  Don’t forget to like us on Facebook for last minute events and news!

Have fun!

~ Deirdre (mom to O & C)

Monday November 17th

Opening Day at Grand Central Terminal’s 15th Annual Holiday Fair (Midtown East)
Starting Monday Nov 17th 10a-5p and everyday (except Thanksgiving) at various times until Wed Dec 24th.  See website for full schedule.  In the Vanderbilt Hall.  Grand Central Terminal’s 15th annual Holiday Fair 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. Check website for full list of vendors!

Preschool of Rock at Abundant Learning (DUMBO)
Monday Nov 17th 11-1145a.  Drop in $30.  Drop Ins must be scheduled in advance and are non-refundable.  All ages.
Real Rock n’ Roll musicians perform with unforgettable, undeniable, musical awesomeness for your little one. Preschool of Rock shows entertain by using original tunes, hip-shakin’ dance moves, and exciting instruments and props. We turn up the music without turning up the volume and every show is an educational, roof-raising celebration.

S.T.E.A.M. Week 2014 at the Children’s Museum of the Arts (SOHO)
Mon Nov 17th 12n-5p.  Free with paid admission.
Young artists will learn about the science and art between making paper, on which will they will be able to create their very own work of art!  S.T.E.A.M. Week brought to you by the NYC Early Learning Network is a collaboration between the city’s nonprofits to inspire and nurture young learners. Workshops throughout the week at CMA will focus on: Science. Technology. Engineering. Art. Mathematics.  See website for additional workshop information and times.

For more fun Monday events click here!

Tuesday November 18th

Love Monster and the Perfect Present Storytime at Barnes & Noble (Park Slope)
Tue Nov 18th 11a.  Free.  Join us for Love Monster and the Perfect Present Storytime. This adorable follow up to Love Monster is sure to be a new holiday favorite! Join us for Storytime and activities.
Stomp, Clap & Sing with Miss Nina at the Central Brooklyn Public Library (Grand Army Plaza)
Tue Nov 18th 11a-12p.  Free.  At the Dweck Center.
Join Miss Nina for sing-along, move-along and read-along fun! Ms. Nina’s passions are providing children and their families the space and opportunity to enjoy music and movement together, and fostering a love of books and reading in children through music.

Stroller Tour at the Guggenheim Museum (UES)
Tue Nov 18th 3-4p.  $20 per family (includes museum admission), free for Family and Kids Club Members.  For families with children ages 0-2. Single strollers and front baby carriers only.  Registration required.  Register here.  Stroll around the ramps with your baby in tow as museum educators lead an engaging one-hour tour for caregivers and their babies. Expect touchable objects and great adult conversations.

For more fun Tuesday events click here!

Wednesday November 19th

Create Effective To-Do Lists at Dodge YMCA (Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill)
Wed Nov 19th 10a.  Free.  Members & non non-members welcome.  Pre-crawlers welcome. Coffee and cookies served.  Location: Dodge YMCA, Conference Room.  Create Effective To-Do Lists (Or lists that actually get done!).  Find work/life balance on terms that work for you, and discover the solutions to parenting dilemmas that already exist within you.  Taught by Life Coach and local mom, Alexandra Phillips.  RSVP: alaber@ymcanyc.org or 212.912.2406

Rock with Adam from Kings Bay Y! at the Brooklyn Public Library (Park Slope)
Wednesdays 1030a-1130a until December 17th.  Free.  For ages 0-5y.
Come rock with Adam Wednesday mornings at Park Slope.  Tickets required.  Pick up ticket at desk on day of event.  Arrive early!!

Xtend Barre – Babies on Board (Brooklyn Heights)
Wednesdays 11a-12n.  $32/class (discounts available for multiple classes).  Register here.
Xtend Barre Babies on Board is a modified post-natal Xtend Barre workout for new moms and their babies. Baby will be in the bjorn/carrier while mom tones and strengthens the whole body in a safe and fun way. This workout is a great way to reconnect with the body while allowing for bonding time between mom and baby. Mom can expect to be challenged … safely, of course. Not suitable for babies over 18 pounds or younger than 6 weeks.

For more fun Wednesday events click here!

Thursday November 20th

Thanksgiving Party at Juguemos a Cantar North Slope
Thu Nov 20th 9a-12p.  $10 per child/$2 sibling.  For ages 6m-4y.
Face Painting, Sing Along, Arts & Crafts, Snacks & Hot Chocolate at no extra cost!

Science Club: Little Bits at Brooklyn Heights Brooklyn Public Library
Thu Nov 20th 4-5p.  Free.
Come to the library and learn how a circuit and electricity really work, and make a circuit yourself!

An Introduction to NYC Public Elementary Schools at Brooklyn Free Space
Thursday, November 20th 630p.  $5 suggested donation at door.
The Brooklyn Free Space Community Series presents:  An Introduction to Public Elementary Schools. Pamela Wheaton from Inside Schools will discuss what you need to know about entering NYC’s public schools, including Pre-K admissions and Kindergarten Connect, the online application system.

For more fun Thursday events click here!

Ongoing

Canstruction:  22nd Annual NYC Competition at Brookfield Place (Battery Park)
Now until Thu Nov 20th 10a-6p (closes 5p on 11/20).  Free.  At the Winter Garden & 250 Vesey (North / South) Lobby Canstruction® is an extraordinary annual design competition and the most unique food charity in the world. Teams of architects, engineers, contractors, and the students they mentor compete to build large-scale structures made entirely out of unopened cans of food. The imaginative sculptures are then on view to the public until they are dismantled and donated to City Harvest for distribution to those in need. Admission is free, but visitors are asked to bring a can of high quality food to the exhibition’s collection station.  In anticipation of the Canstruction® 22nd Annual NYC Competition exhibition at Brookfield Place, past audience favorites will also be rebuilt and on display in the lobbies of 245 Park Avenue, Grace Building, and One Liberty Plaza. Once dismantled, the cans of food used to build these imaginative sculptures are donated to City Harvest for distribution to those in need. Admission is free, but visitors are asked to bring a can of high quality food to the exhibition’s collection station.

Holiday Train Show at The New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Now and until Janury 19th 2015.  Various times and prices.  See website for information.
Advance reservations are strongly recommended as tickets do sell out. Tickets are timed and sold in 15 minute increments.  New York City’s Favorite Train Show: A 23-Year Tradition!  A must-see New York tradition where enchanting model trains zip past popular landmarks under the twinkling glow of the magical Haupt Conservatory! Step into a city in miniature featuring more than 150 iconic buildings, all re-created with bark, leaves, and other natural materials. Marvel at G-scale trains humming along among familiar sights such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, and Rockefeller Center—surprising at every turn—on a quarter-mile of track as they enliven this cherished holiday experience. The Artist’s Studio showcases how visionary artist Paul Busse and his team craft these amazing small wonders. Real trains, real landmarks, real fun—only at NYBG!

Gingerbread Lane at New York Hall of Science (Flushing Meadows)
Now until January 11th at 1p.  See website for museum days/hours.  Free with NYSCI admission
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 is made from only “real” edible ingredients: gingerbread, royal icing and candy. Last year’s GingerBread Lane at NYSCI was recognized as the largest gingerbread village in the world by the 2014 Guinness World Records.

13th Annual Holiday Train Show at Grand Central Terminal (Midtown East)
Now until February 22nd.  M–F: 8a–8p, Saturday and Sunday: 10a–6p.  (extended hours November 22n-December 24th – see website for details.  Location:  Shuttle Passage adjacent to the Station Master’s Office.  Free.  Lionel trains once again will capture hearts and imaginations at the Transit Museum where Metro-North, New York Central and subway trains depart from a miniature GCT. The Museum’s store and booth at the Holiday Gift Fair offer great gifts for your holiday shopping!

Three Bears Holiday Bash at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre (Central Park)
M-F 1030a & 12p, Wed 1030a, 12p & 1230p, Sat & Sun 1p until Dec 30th.  Reservations are required. Purchase tickets here.   Cost: $7/children under 12, $10/all others.  Appropriate for: All Ages.  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!  Drawing from the stories of Hanukkah, the Night Before Christmas, and Kwanzaa, The Three Bears Holiday Bash is a great way to get into the holiday spirit!

Tots Drop in Center at Congregation Beth Elohim (Park Slope)
Tuesdays-Fridays 915a-12p November 4th, 2014-April 10th, 2015.  Fees: Temple Member $9/child, $15 with additional sibling.  Non-member $10/child, $17 with additional sibling.  Visit Passes available for purchase.  See website for more information.  For ages birth through 24 months.  All children are accompanied by their adult.
Parents, caregivers, and children come toghether to discover, learn and have fun!  The Drop-In Center is held in our Social Hall, which becomes a large indoor play space with age-appropriate toys and activities.  The program is coordinated by two early childhood facilitators.

Ice Skating at Lakeside in Prospect Park
Starting Oct 25th Tue-Thu 11a-6p, Fri 11a-8p, Sat 10a-9p and Sun 10a-6p.  Prices are as follows: skating admission (Wednesday–Friday) $6, (Weekends and Holidays) $8, skate rentals $6.  Ice Skating has returned to Lakeside in Prospect Park. With two spectacular 16,000 sq. ft. rinks (one covered and one open-air) seamlessly connected by an ice bridge, beautiful views of Prospect Park Lake, and indoor/outdoor dining at Bluestone Cafe; Lakeside is the perfect way to spend a day or night. Enter Prospect Park at the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Lincoln Road.

WEE Arts Drop-in Session at the Children’s Museum of the Arts (South Village)
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 1045a-12p, $25 per family ($20 for members).  Want to stay longer? General admission is just $6 per person after drop-in.  Music time! Story time! Art time! Join CMA’s WEE teaching artists for an art-filled drop-in session before we open our doors to the public. Parent and/or caregivers are required to join and we encourage family collaboration throughout the class. No sign up required.

More Than Meets the “I” at Brooklyn Children’s Museum (Crown Heights)
Now until Jan 19th Tu-Sun and holiday Mondays.  For all ages.  Free with museum admission
Exploring the new frontiers of biology, health, robotics & technology!  Brooklyn Children’s Museum is excited to introduce young scientists to a number of interactive exhibits that inspire learning through a variety of topics including photomicrography, molecular biology, nanotechnology, robotics, and 3D printing. Join us and discover the amazing micro-world that exists beyond what we can see with our naked eyes. Find out how our new knowledge of science helps make the world a better place.
See website for more information.

Playgroup at Bija Kids (Clinton Hill)
Mon-Thu now until May 29th 330-5p.  For ages 0-3y.  Drop-in – $15 first child/$7 additional child or 10 pack/10 visits $120 (expires 3m from purchase).  Take Refuge at Bija Playgroup When the Weather Turns!  After a nap and lunch, but before bath and dinner, come to hang out and play with other 0-3 year olds at Bija​. With parents or caregivers present, little ones explore puzzles, instruments, books, and plush toys in a warm, safe, and enriching environment. One our our dynamic teachers leads an enrichment activity each afternoon. Expect bubbles, parachute, paint, and more!  Parents and caregivers must remain onsite.

Daily Storytime at The Scholastic Store (SOHO)
Tue-Thu at 11a.  Free.
The Scholastic Storyteller brings stories to life every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 11a!

To see all the events click here for the calendar!