Hi everyone! I hope the weekend was great and you are excited for another fun busy week in NYC.
This week check out a Fall Foliage Scavenger Hunt in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Virtual Family Adventures with Brooklyn Museum, The Magic of Meditation with the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, Misterios de la máscara: Lucha Libre Mask Making, Virtual Jiggy Tots with HPPC, PLAY NYC in the park: Street Lab + Queens Museum, Monster by Tin&Ed at Brookfield Place, Read for the Record: Evelyn del Rey is Moving Away, Music Time Class with the Children’s Museum of the Arts and a Watch Party: In the Field with Bat Researchers with American Museum of Natural History.
Don’t forget to check out the long running events like Boo at the Zoo at Prospect Park Zoo, Jack & the Beanstalk at Puppetworks, Boo at the Zoo at the Bronx Zoo, Great Pumpkin Path at New York Botanical Garden, the Spineless Exhibit at The New York Aquarium, Free Bike Mornings on Governors Island and The Nature of Color Exhibit at American Museum of Natural History.
This is just some of the events this week so check the calendar to see everything going on and read this post for Halloween events. Also follow us on our Facebook page for updates.
Have a wonderful week!
~Deirdre (mom to O & C)
Monday October 26th
Monster by Tin&Ed at Brookfield Place (Battery Park City)
Daily until Saturday October 31st. Free. To celebrate Halloween at Brookfield Place, New York based artists Tin&Ed have created a new inflatable sculpture titled, Monster. Monster is a newly imagined hybrid flower whose gigantic bloom is over 20 feet high and 25 feet wide. For one week only, you are invited to come face to face with this strange new life form which is inspired by carnivorous and parasitic plants and fungi. Monster will be safely suspended amongst the palms in the Winter Garden, keeping all who pass by safely out of its grasp. A specially designed AR filter will allow visitors to become part of the sculpture by bringing out the monster in all of us. Bring Out Your Inner Monster & Redeem a Treat! Snap a selfie with or photo of Monster the Winter Garden and post it to social media tagging @BFPLNY to redeem a goodie bag full of exciting treats from the concierge desk, while supplies last. The BFPL gift bag includes a Halloween coloring book, sweets, offers from BFPL’s shops, a $10 Hudson Eats gift card, and more!
Misterios de la máscara: Lucha Libre Mask Making
Monday October 26th 11a-12n. Free. Have you ever wondered what it was like to be a luchador? Join us for a brand new maskmaking workshop where we jump into the world of Lucha Libre. Come learn about the history of Mexican wrestling through storytelling while creating our own unique máscaras (masks). Vámos! Join us on Facebook Live! The website doesn’t specify which Facebook page to go to so check Brooklyn Public Library & Brooklyn Public Library Family pages.
See all the Monday events here.
Tuesday October 27th
Watch Party: In the Field with Bat Researchers with AMNH
Tuesday October 27th 2-230p. Free. Spooky season continues with bat content! In this pre-recorded video, join Museum Curator Nancy Simmons and Research Associate Angelo Soto-Centeno, who study bat evolution, bat ecology, and more, on “expeditions” to Belize and Cuba. Find out what it takes to study bats in the wild and at the Museum, using scientific collections that include fossil and living species. Check the Facebook event page for the watch party link.
Fall Foliage Scavenger Hunt in Brooklyn Bridge Park
Tuesday & Thursday October 27th & 29th 3-5p. This event is free and advanced registration is required. Register here to reserve a time slot for your group. This month’s Conservancy scavenger hunt will take place at Pier 1 and focus on the seasonal changes in the Park! Pier 1 is the oldest section of the park, which means it is also the area with the largest trees and a great spot to observe fall foliage. This activity is family-friendly, and while all ages are welcome to participate, we think kids ages 4-12 will most enjoy it! The scavenger hunt is self-led, but our educators will be stationed at a check-in table for you to pick up a poster and prize once you complete the hunt. You will also receive an email 2 days before with an electronic copy of the scavenger hunt, if contactless participation is preferred.
See all the Tuesday events here
Wednesday October 28th
The Magic of Meditation with the Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Wednesday October 28th 10-1030a. RSVP here. We will discuss the benefits of, as well as strategies for, mindfulness and meditation. We will go through a meditation together and then create our own magic mindful breathing wand together.
PLAY NYC in the park: Street Lab + Queens Museum
Wednesday October 28th 1-4p. Free. Join us in Flushing Meadows Corona Park near the North entrance to the Queens Museum as we deploy PLAY NYC every Wednesday in October. This new program offers safe, hands-free play, including a no-touch obstacle course, exercise activities, and learning experiences. Masks are required, but we’ll have free ones for you, along with hand-sanitizer.
See all the Wednesday events here.
Thursday October 29th
Read for the Record: Evelyn del Rey is Moving Away
Thursday October 29th 1030-1115a. Free. For ages 4-7. It’s storytime… from the comfort of your own home! Watch fun people read fun stories! Storytime builds vocabulary and a love of books. And kids who love books and stories become better readers! Join us to celebrate Read for the Record. This year we are delighted to read Evelyn del Rey is Moving Away. This program will be presented on Saratoga Library’s Facebook page! There are Read for the Record events going all day. Check the website for all the events.
Virtual Family Adventures with Brooklyn Museum
Thursdays 1p & 4p until December 17th (none 11/26). Free but registration required. Register here. Explore works of art in our collection through interactive games and activities, designed for kids ages 4–8 and their caregivers. Each week, find hope through art as we explore this semester’s theme, “Silver Linings,” through art-making with digital or household materials, as well as songs, stories, scavenger hunts, and other games. Though we might build and make connections between classes, each class will stand on its own as well. Feel free to come to one session or come to a few depending on your availability and interest! Thursday October 29- Have you ever seen a beautiful rainbow after a storm? This week, we’ll look at Brooklyn Museum collection artworks by Alma Thomas, and others, focus on bright colors. We’ll sing songs about rainbows, and make our own collaborative digital artwork.
See all the Thursday events here.
Friday October 30th
Music Time Class with the Children’s Museum of the Arts
Friday October 30th 10-1030a. Free. RSVP here. This program is intended for families with children aged 5 and under. Join Tom, moms, dads, toddlers, and tikes for an online music time experience with familiar songs, interactive gestures, drumming, and even drawing. It’s easy to join in the fun! This class is led by Tom Burnett.
Virtual Jiggy Tots with HPPC
Friday October 30th 3-4p. Free. Join HPPC and McManus Irish Dance for virtual Jiggy Tots! The recommended age group for this program is 2+ years. This program is FREE, but pre-registration is required. Register here. The classes will be hosted through Zoom and the link will be sent out to all registered participants one hour in advance of the program. Please reach out to info@hunterspointparks.org with any questions or concerns.
See all the Friday events here.
Ongoing Events
Brooklyn Public Library Vitural Storytimes
Daily usually at 11a & 2p. Free. Sometimes the storytimes are on the Brooklyn Public Library Family facebook page and other times they are on a specific branch facebook page. See the website for all the details.
Boo at the Zoo at Prospect Park Zoo
Daily until October 31st. Zoo hours are: Monday-Friday 10a-5p, weekends & holidays 10a-530p. Included in Zoo admission. Timed entry tickets can be purchased here. Prospect Park Zoo is going batty every day in October with Halloween-themed educational (and fun) decorations. Download a spooky scavenger hunt and see if you can answer the clues as you wander through the zoo. Visit the tombstones of extinct animals in sea lion court and learn why extinction isn’t inevitable with your help! Our Spooky Trail will show you some of our “spooky” neighbors who come out at night. Get creative with your masks and take a photo at one of our beautiful harvest decoration areas.
Boo at the Zoo at the Bronx Zoo
Thursdays-Sundays until November 1st and Monday October 12th. Zoo hours are 10a-5p. Tickets are required and must be reserved in advance. Reserve tickets here. Included with zoo admission. Our annual Halloween tradition is back at the Bronx Zoo. We have family-friendly activities and have taken all safety precautions for you to have a great experience. Come dressed in your Halloween best and enjoy! See the website for all the event details.
Great Pumpkin Path at New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
On display 10a-6p until November 1st (Tuesday to Sunday, and Monday federal holidays). Free with Garden admission. All visitors, including Members, must purchase or reserve timed-entry tickets in advance. Purchase tickets here. Discover plentiful pumpkins and hordes of gourds along the twists and turns of our Great Pumpkin Path on the Conservatory Lawn, culminating with some of the largest pumpkins in the world with the arrival of giant pumpkins on October 24. Keep an eye out for a display of whimsical scarecrows throughout the Garden as well. Note: Everyone is required to wear face coverings throughout the Garden grounds.
Rollerskating at Lakeside in Prospect Park
Daily 12n-7p until November 1st. Pricing: $6 admission & $7 skate rentals on weekdays and $10 admission, $7 skate rentals on weekends (weekend pricing begins 4p Fridays). Roller Skating is BACK! COVID-19 safety guidelines will be followed, including mask-wearing and social distancing protocols. Skating will operate at reduced capacity. Come get moving with us at Lakeside! Lakeside’s outdoor roller skating rink provides fun for kids, tweens, and adults alike. Skate to a mix of pop hits while taking in views of Prospect Park Lake. Skate rentals are available in children and adult sizes. See website for all the details.
Spineless Exhibit at The New York Aquarium (Coney Island)
Daily 10a-4p (park closes 5p) until October 31st. Admission included with ticket. All visitors must reserve a date-specific ticket in advance. Please check Know Before You Go for details. We have great news: The New York Aquarium is reopening on August 27! Buy tickets to see all of your favorite marine animals today and enjoy summer on Coney Island! Explore Spineless, our latest exhibit, and marvel and the jellies, octopus, and more. Come wave hello to Erie the sea lion and Murphy the Harbor Seal. Relax in Ocean Wonders: Sharks! and watch the rays, sharks, and turtles.
Free Bike Mornings on Governors Island
Mondays-Fridays 10a-12n until October 30th. Free. Blazing Saddles offers bikes, surreys, pedal cars, scooters and more for rental. Free Bike Mornings allow visitors to borrow a bike from Blazing Saddles for free for up to one hour every weekday between 10 AM and noon. Come visit Blazing Saddles at the north end of Colonels Row and bike the Island! This year you need a reservation for the ferry. See the website for all the details.
PJ Library Digital Resources
Monday-Friday storytimes & craft-alongs at 11a, 1p & 4p (eastern) and virtual field trips 12n eastern everyday. See website for details.
Bilingual Birdies Zoom Classes
Tuesdays 5p (Spanish), Wednesdays 11a (Mandarin), Thursdays 11a (Spanish), Fridays 11a (French). Pricing: Weekly: $20 per week of unlimited access to classes, Monthly: $60 per month of unlimited access to classes, Semester: $120 for an entire four months of unlimited access to classes. Experience the bilingual magic from home with virtual classes for kids up to age 6! Learn & practice languages at home through singing, dancing, and puppetry! Interactive 30-minute classes will be held live by our top bilingual teaching musicians who will enchant your child while they increase their vocabulary and celebrate diversity! Sign up and receive a “Mini Birdkit” (fun class materials) in the mail and enjoy unlimited classes in Spanish, French, and Mandarin. See the website here.
The Nature of Color Exhibit at American Museum of Natural History (UWS)
Museum is open Wednesdays-Sundays with timed entry tickets are available 10a-4p (museum closes 530p). Exhibit is open until March 8, 2021. Select a General Admission + One or General Admission + All ticket, choose date and time of entry to the Museum, then select The Nature of Color. Reserve tickets here. Our world is awash in color. Color makes the world feel vibrant and alive. But that’s not all. Color helps us make sense of the world. It contains vast amounts of information—about the natural world, and the human world. Come and explore the world of color in this immersive exhibition.
Children’s Museum of Manhattan at Home
CMOM is now open Wednesday-Sunday 10a-5p. CMOM at Home is still ongoing. Activities are sent in a daily email newsletter. CMOM can still be a part of your day through videos, sing-a-longs, games and so much more for you to do together with your family at home! Sign up for emails here. From slime-making, dance parties and being transported to Japan with a recipe for sushi, to making animal puppets from recycled materials around the house, creating a bedtime routine and storytimes, “CMOM at Home” is sure to delight. Each day of the week will feature a different theme: Magical Monday, Move & Grove Tuesday, Our World Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, Feel Good Friday, Storytime Saturday and Surprise Sunday.