Weekday Events for January 5th-8th in Brooklyn & NYC!

Hi everyone,

NYC public schools are opening up again tomorrow so sadly winter break is over for the majority of the children in NYC!

Good news is that if you have little ones not in school yet you can still visit the 13th Annual Holiday Train Show at Grand Central Terminal, GingerBread Lane at New York Hall of Science and the Holiday Express at the New-York Historical Society.

Also happening this week is the kick off of the FiDi Families: Community Cube at South Street Seaport with free events Mondays through Wednesdays in January.  This week families can catch a  Frozen movie screening, check out Creative Play for Kids and Downtown Dance Factory!  Don’t miss Stomp, Clap and Sing with Hopalong Andrew at Brooklyn Central Library, Toddler Tuesdays at the Lakeside Ice Skating Rink in Prospect Park, Free Thursday Hours at Brooklyn Children’s Museum and a Transportation Workshop with Selina Alko at the Brooklyn Heights Public Library!

It is a busy time of year adding all the winter sing-a-longs and drop ins so make sure to keep checking the calendar for the indoor activities this winter in Brooklyn &  NYC!  Also remember to like us on Facebook for last minute news and events!

Happy January!

~ Deirdre (mom to O & C)

Monday January 5th

Community Cube: Frozen Movie Screening at South Street Seaport
Mon Jan 5th 10a & 4p.  Free.  The Community Cube, presented by FiDi Families, will kick off Monday, January 5th with a FREE themed party and TWO screenings of Disney’s Frozen at 10am and 4pm. Fans are encouraged to dress up like their favorite characters for sing-alongs and movie inspired crafts. *Space is limited. Fans are encouraged to dress up like their favorite characters for sing-alongs and movie inspired crafts.  Check Ongoing below for all the events this week.

Yo Re Mi Sing Along at Pipsqueak Children’s Shoppe (Bedford Stuyvesant)
Mondays 1030a.  For all ages. 30-45 minuts.  Suggested donatio of $10 per child drop in.  Yo Re Me is a musical yoga program that takes children on a journey to exotic destinations using their bodies, voices and imaginations. Through unique music kids collaboratively explore nature, geography, culture, rhythm, dance, songwriting, and playing instruments.

Music Together in the City Free Demo at City Treehouse (Chelsea)
Mon Jan 5th 11a.  Free.  For mixed ages.  DEMO classes are for NEW students only. DEMO classes must be scheduled here at least 12 hours in advance of the class you would like to attend.  Please cancel your scheduled DEMO in a timely manner if you are unable to attend.  We look forward to meeting you and making Music Together®!  If you have any questions please email us at musictogethernyc@gmail.com.  Schedule a demo here and also see other future demo dates and locations

For more fun Monday events click here!

Tuesday January 6th

Toddler Tuesdays at the Lakeside Ice Skating Rink in Prospect Park
Tuesdays 930a-12n for children 2-5y and their caregivers.  $15 for one child & one accompanying adult.  Book for dates in advance for $12 each!  To register in advance call (718) 462-0010 or email groups@lakesidebrooklyn.com. Walk-ins welcome though space is limited.  Maximum (2) toddlers per caregiver.  Add a little winter cheer to your toddler’s day every Tuesday with an action-packed morning of toddler-only dedicated skate time on the rink, instructor-led games, music, play-based activities, snacks, and beverages.  Accompanying caregivers are required to participate in all activities with their toddlers and must be prepared to assist/monitor the toddler accordingly (Ice skating grippers will be made available on a first-come first-served basis for caregivers not comfortable on the ice).  Session includes: 60 minutes of instructor led activities 10-11a, exclusive toddler open ice skate time, toddler skate rentals, helmet, snacks and juice box.  Adult ice skate rental is available for an additional $6.

Stomp, Clap and Sing with Hopalong Andrew at Brooklyn Central Library (Grand Army Plaza)
Tue Jan 6th 11a-12p.  Dweck Center.  Free.  Join the fun with folk songs, cowboy songs and other fun songs sprinkled in. Tunes to sing, holler and hoedown to! Hopalong Andrew is a member of Music For Aardvarks Band, The Rozz & Val Show and growed-up bands such as The Honey Brothers, and is a former educator with the NYC Urban Park Rangers, formerly known as “The Singing Ranger.” C’mon down, y’hear!

STOMP-ALONG with DARA! at The Stomping Ground (Crown Heights)
Tuesdays 1230p.  For all ages.  $5 members / $8 non-members.
Combining her rural Virginian folk/bluegrass upbringing with her training in acting, music, dance, massage therapy/wellness, nannying, friendliness and her love to travel.  Dara brings music to those who love it.  The sing-alongs bring the young children basic music education while keeping the learning fun.  Dara goes from energetic movement songs to classic ballads, to her own originals, even encouraging kids to make up their own words and verses to songs they know and love.

For more fun Tuesday events click here!

Wednesday January 7th

Playtime with Jess at Dean Street (Prospect Heights)
Wednesdays 1030a. $8/family.  Have fun and lunch starts at 1130a with a variety of food for kids always available.  See website for more details.

Breastfeeding Support Group at Gumbo (Boerum Hill)
Wednesdays 1230-230p.  $20.  Call to let us know you are coming.  718-855-7808
Breastfeeding Support Group with Certified Lactation Counselor, Bethany Nevin.  Successful breastfeeding is often dependent on the support of others.  Join our breastfeeding circle where you’ll gain that support and learn from the knowledge and experience of fellow nursing mothers.  As moms who have breastfed their own children, Mollie and Bethany know firsthand that while breastfeeding is a normal and natural relationship between mother and child, it can sometimes come with unexpected challenges.  Together we’ll explore these challenges as well as the joys of breastfeeding.

La Hora Mágica de los Pequeños at the Brooklyn Public Sunset Park Library
Wednesdays in January 130-230p.  Free.  Cuentos, Juegos, canciones, rimas y actividades divertidas para los pequeños de 1- 5 años. Programa bilingüe en español e inglés . Stories, games, songs, fingerplay, rhymes, and fun activities for Children ages 1-5 years old. Bilingual Spanish/ English.

For more fun Wednesday events click here!

Thursday January 8th

Kids Dance/Movement Class at Lark Cafe (Flatbush/Prospect Park South)
Thursdays 10-1045a.  Cost is $10/child.  *Parents and caregivers are encouraged to watch lovingly from the sidelines Ages: 18months-4yrs.  Join us for a weekly drop-in dance class Thursdays at LARK! taught by local mama, Shirel, of www.dancingmamas.com.  We love to Dance! Dancing Tots introduces movement and music dynamics through imagery, musical direction and literary forms. With lots of pretend play and physical expression, this class encourages self-confidence, body awareness while fostering coordination, rhythm, large & small motor skills, spatial awareness and flexibility. Taught by a dancing mama of one expressive three year old, classes are very much inspired by the imagination and natural learning inclinations of the kids. See you there!

Free Thursday Hours at Brooklyn Children’s Museum (Crown Heights)
Thu Jan 8th 3-5p.  Free.  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!

Transportation Workshop with Selina Alko at the Brooklyn Heights Public Library
Thu Jan 8th 4-5p.  Free.  Make Your Own 3-D Train in a workshop with Selina Alko who will begin by reading her book, My Subway Ride and showing examples of classic subway cars.

For more fun Thursday events click here!

Ongoing

Playgroup at Bija Kids (Clinton Hill)
Mon-Thu now until May 29th 330-5p.  For ages 0-3y.  Sign up here and then 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.

FiDi Families: Community Cube at South Street Seaport
Monday-Wednesday in January 10a-12n.  Free.  The Howard Hughes Corporation, in partnership with FiDiFamilies.com, and sponsor New York Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital invites local families inside the Community Cube at the South Street Seaport Mondays thru Wednesday in January. Children will have a chance to partake in music, arts, crafts, film and even kid’s yoga! The month-long program kicks off with a themed party and two screenings of Disney’s “Frozen,” on January 5, 10am and 4pm. Fans are encouraged to dress up like their favorite characters for sing-alongs and movie inspired crafts.  January 5th – “Frozen” movie screening – Fans are encouraged to dress up like their favorite characters for sing-alongs and movie inspired crafts plus manicures from cityMANI. (10am and 4pm screenings).  January 6th – Creative Play for Kids – Creative Play for Kids music, movement, and play program offers upbeat, fun, and dynamic “mommy and me” classes for babies and toddlers.  January 7th – Downtown Dance Factory – Tribeca’s first comprehensive dance center, will offer a wide range of dance styles – including jazz, classical ballet, hip hop, tap, lyrical and boys’ hip hop and breaking classes – for students from twos to teens.

Holiday Express at the New-York Historical Society (UWS)
Now until February 22nd. Friday 10a-8p, Tue-Thu & Sat 10a-6p & Sun 11a-5p.  Free with paid admission. Holiday Express: Toys and Trains from the Jerni Collection.  The New-York Historical Society will be transformed this holiday season with the installation of a spectacular exhibit of treasures from the renowned Jerni Collection, now owned by the New-York Historical Society, of model trains, scenic elements and toys. The dynamic display will appeal to all age groups, showcasing the beauty and allure of toys from a bygone era.  The exhibition begins at the West 77th Street entrance, where movement and sound from four large-scale multimedia screens will make it seem as though trains are roaring through the space. A 360-degree mountainous landscape will be on view in the Judith and Howard Berkowitz Sculpture Court, featuring artifacts grouped into ten scenes.

Holiday Train Show at The New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Now and until January 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!

To see all the events click here for the calendar!