Hi everyone! March has arrived and the evenings are getting longer and there are lots of fun events to check out this weekend!
This weekend check out Winter Meditation Hike in Prospect Park, the New York International Children’s Film Festival, Events for Youth and Families: Year of the Ox, Intrepid Museum: Virtual Girls in Science & Engineering Day, Rubin Museum Family Sundays: Wakeful Wanderings, Signs of Spring Hike in Shore Park, All About Owls: Owl Pellet Dissection, Kids’ Virtual Scavenger Hunt with New York Public Library, I Want to Be a Vet at Alley Pond Environmental Center, Virtual Sea Chanteys and Maritime Music Broadcast, Great Trees of Blue Heron Park, Reading into History @ Home: “The Beloved World of Sonia Sotomayor” and Book Adventures: Astro Girl by Ken Wilson-Max (virtual).
Don’t forget about long running events like Aladdin & the Wonderful Lamp at Puppetworks, the Spineless Exhibit at The New York Aquarium, Holiday Express: Toys and Trains from the Jerni Collection at New-York Historical Society Museum and the The Nature of Color Exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History.
These are just some of this weekend events so check the calendar to everything going on. Also like us on Facebook for last minute events and updates.
Have a fabulous time this weekend!
~ Deirdre (mom to O & C)
Friday March 5th
New York International Children’s Film Festival (virtual)
Starting Friday March 5th and daily until March 14th. Single View voucher — $18 Good for a single viewing of any program, on demand, whenever you want. Also available are All Access Pass & All PLUS. See website for details. Join NYICFF March 5th-14th—100% online—for premieres, special guests, and more. The 2021 selection spotlights stories of kids discovering their cultural histories, defining their own identities, and shaping their futures by connecting with the past. This year’s Festival has so much to offer—all online and available nationwide for the first time! See the website for all the details on the films.
Book Adventures: Astro Girl by Ken Wilson-Max (virtual)
Friday March 5th 330-4p. Free. Join Ms. Ann from the Mill Basin Branch for another book adventure. Today, we will read Astro Girl by Ken Wilson-Max A limited number of Grab and Go kits with supplies will be available at the Mill Basin Branch located at 2385 Ralph Avenue starting Monday, March 1st (or see the website for the materials needed). The video will premiere on the Mill Basin Library Facebook Page and remain on the page for 48 hours.
Kids’ Virtual Scavenger Hunt with New York Public Library
Fridays 330-430p in March. Free. This program is best suited for children in 1st-3rd grade. Hey Kids! Would you like to join in on a virtual scavenger hunt? Let’s exercise your brain by finding things around your own home! This program is great for shape and color recognition as well as critical thinking! We’ll even throw in some awesome book title suggestions available to place on hold.
See all the Friday events here.
Saturday March 6th
I Want to Be a Vet at Alley Pond Environmental Center
Saturday March 6th 1030-1130a. Tickets: $18. For ages 6-8 (drop-off). Register here. Aspiring veterinarians will enjoy learning about the many aspects of veterinary care. Veterinarians provide different medical care for different types of animals depending on their patients-zoo animals, farm animals or pets! Children will learn about the special needs of a variety of APEC’s Animal Ambassadors and observe them up-close. Children will be permitted to wear latex gloves to touch the animals. All participants must wear masks for the entire program. Limited to 8 children.
Great Trees of Blue Heron Park (Staten Island)
Saturday March 6th 11a-12n. Free. Registration is required. To register, please visit the Urban Park Rangers registration here. Location: Blue Heron Nature Center. Trees have a special place in our environment. Join us for a hike of Blue Heron Park in search of different species and learn some ways to identify these trees during the changing season. Please see the website for Covid-19 protocols.
Winter Meditation Hike in Prospect Park
Saturday, March 6th 11a-12n. Free. Location: Audubon Center at the Boathouse. Hiking is the ultimate way to enjoy the outdoors and a fun way to reduce stress. Our Urban Park Ranger hiking guides will introduce you to the hidden gems of New York City and places often off-limits to the general public. On our hikes, you can learn new things, or just take time to unplug from the world. Take a stroll through Prospect Park and immerse yourself in tranquility. This hike will take you through some quiet areas inside the park and allow the participant to disconnect from stress and clear their mind. Note: Participants may be designated an alternate estimated program start time due to capacity. Please see the website for Covid-19 protocols.
Intrepid Museum: Virtual Girls in Science & Engineering Day (virtual)
Saturday March 6th 11a-3p. The Intrepid Museum will be joined by several science-based organizations for Girls in Science and Engineering Day, an annual event that will expand your mind and spark curiosity about the physical world around you. Discover what cool projects your peers are working on and conduct your own science experiments using materials from around your home or living space. The event will kick off with a live conversation with molecular biologist and science communicator Raven Baxter, followed by various special sessions. See the website for all the event details.
Events for Youth and Families: Year of the Ox (virtual)
Saturday March 6th 1-2p. Free. On the Chinese lunar calendar, each year is symbolized by a different animal, and each cycle is represented by one of the five fundamental elements that the ancient Chinese believed made up the universe: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company has produced a fantastic program showcase the diversity of the traditional and contemporary Chinese performing artists in America coming together to send away the Year of the Rat and welcome the New Year of the Ox in an unprecedented collaboration. The historic program includes dance and music that originated during the Tang Dynasty more than 3,000 years ago to contemporary work for festival and celebrations based on the ancient themes that highlights the need for the harmony between nature and humankind each New Year as the Spring season arrives. These joyous works aim to renew, transform and heal the human spirit from the struggles of the dark Winter for a brighter new Spring season. This program will air on the BPL Facebook page and remain there for 48 hours, then will be taken down.
See all the Saturday events here.
Sunday March 7th
Signs of Spring Hike in Shore Park
Sunday March 7th 10-11a. Free. Location: 71st St and Shore Road. Stretch out the winter wearies with a hike through Shore Road Park in search of buds, blooms, birds, and other signs of spring. Note: Participants may be designated an alternate estimated program start time due to capacity. Please see the website for the Covid-19 protocols.
All About Owls: Owl Pellet Dissection (virtual)
Sunday March 7th 10-11a. Free. Best for ages 7+. Register online. Join the Environmental Educators on a virtual stroll through the winter landscape to learn about the owls that might be spotted throughout the Greenbelt. You’ll learn about what an owl pellet is, and observe as the Educators dissect an owl pellet that they found right here in High Rock Park. They’ll even show you how to identify some of the bones that are found inside! Arrangements will be made for you to come and pick up your very own owl pellet so that you can reveal the mysteries inside and learn a bit more about some of Staten Island’s most mysterious birds of prey, from the comfort of your own home!
Rubin Museum Family Sundays: Wakeful Wanderings (virtual)
Sunday March 7th 1-2p. Free. Ages 3 and older with accompanying adults. Sundays are for families! Join the Rubin Museum live on Zoom every first Sunday of the month from the comfort of your own home for an afternoon of activities both kids and grownups will enjoy. March Family Sundays: Wakeful Wandering: The mandala is one of Himalayan art’s most common symbols and is used for meditation. During the journey through the maze of the mandala, people consider common difficulties and struggles—like ego, greed, and fear—and take some time to self-reflect and be mindful. Inspired by the mandala, learn how to make your own maze out of paper and take a pause from everyday life to wander through! See the website to register and for the material list.
Reading into History @ Home: “The Beloved World of Sonia Sotomayor” (virtual)
Sunday March 7th 2-3p. Free. For ages 9-12. Register here. Explore the life and career of the U.S. Supreme Court justice who swore in Vice President Kamala Harris with her memoir for middle readers, The Beloved World of Sonia Sotomayor. Before all of Sotomayor’s accomplishments and firsts, she was a girl growing up in the Bronx. Learn more about her family, her community, and the struggles and successes she experienced. “[Her] exceptional trajectory, told with a storyteller’s talent, is filled with a candor and honesty that make her story eminently accessible to young readers…. A must read.” (Kirkus Reviews). Discuss the book with other families, ask historian Anna Danzinger Halperin questions, and discover related primary sources from our collection.
Virtual Sea Chanteys and Maritime Music Broadcast
Sunday March 7th 2-4p. Free. Sign up here to receive the Zoom link 24 hours prior. South Street Seaport Museum’s monthly Sea Chanteys and Maritime Music continues – virtually. From our living rooms and kitchens, and even from the deck of Wavertree, join us for our round-robin of shared sea songs, featuring members of The New York Packet and friends. Listen in, lead or request a song, and belt out the choruses for your neighbors to hear. Hosted by singers from the New York Packet.
See all the Sunday events here.
All Weekend
Aladdin & the Wonderful Lamp at Puppetworks (Park Slope)
Saturdays-Sundays 1230p & 230p until March 28th and also Wednesday-Friday at 4p. Tickets: Children $10 each, Adults $11 each (suggested for ages 3 and up). Aladdin & the Wonderful Lamp from “1,001 Arabian Nights”. Adapted for Marionettes by Nicolas Coppola. Call for Reservations: 718-965-3391 or e-mail to: puppetworksinfo@gmail.com NO same day e-mail reservations please. Performances are @ 25% Capacity, Masks Required.
Ice Skating at Winter Village in Bryant Park
Skating hours daily 8a-10p until March 28th. Admission is free. Skating rental vary by day. Reservations must be made in advance. See website for all the information on skating & the shops. Bryant Park is Manhattan’s winter wonderland. Enjoy New York City’s only free admission ice skating rink, the Holiday Shops, and rinkside eats and drinks at The Lodge Deck.
Holiday Express: Toys and Trains from the Jerni Collection at the New-York Historical Society (UWS)
Ongoing until April 11, 2021. Free with Museum admission. Purchase timed entry tickets here. Hours are Fridays 11a-8p, Saturdays-Sundays 11a-5p. Friday 10-11a is for Members and age 65+ and immunocompromised. A magical wonderland awaits visitors with the return of this holiday tradition. Featuring toy trains, figurines, and miniature models from the renowned Jerni Collection, Holiday Express transports young and old alike to a bygone era. The installation includes a variety of toy train stations dating from the turn of the 19th century to the WWII era, showcasing the evolving designs of American and European toymakers. New to the display this year are Marklin’s Onion Dome Station and Grand Station (1904–08). Visitors are greeted by animations and fun facts about the toys on nearby screens, and kids will be delighted by a specially created bench inspired by a sleigh in New-York Historical’s collection.
Indoor Exhibits Open at Brooklyn Children’s Museum (Crown Heights)
Museum hours Saturdays-Sundays are 10a-1p & 2-5p. Museum admission: $13 per person (children under 1 free). Purchase your advanced timed entry tickets online. Play Sessions are Saturdays & Sundays at are 10a-1p and 2-5p. The Museum is closed between 1pm-2pm for cleaning. ColorLab Workshops are one hour long and take place on weekends within Play Sessions. During the AM Play Session (10a-1p), your ColorLab Workshop takes place between 1145-1245p. During the PM Play Session (2-5p), your workshop takes place between 215p-315p. Before and after your workshop you are free to play in the exhibits during Play Session hours. See our ColorLab page for more information on art workshops. Masks required. See website for all the details.
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.
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.
Spineless Exhibit at The New York Aquarium (Coney Island)
Daily 10a-330p (park closes 430p) until March 2021. 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.
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.