Hi everyone! Goodbye March & hello to April! Get ready to have a fun time with the family in NYC this weekend.
This weekend check out Celebrate Holi at Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Get Up, Stand Up! Jazz Raptastic & Get Up, Stand Up! Family Workshop at BAM, Saturday Family Workshops: S.T.E.A.M. Dream in Rockefeller Park, April Fool’s Virtual Party with Story Pirates, Family Sundays: Bead by Bead at Rubin Museum, First Sunday Bird Walks in Prospect Park, Mozart for Munchkins & Yogibeans Free Family Yoga at The Hugh, Nature Exploration Hike in Marine Park, TheaterWorksUSA: The Pout Pout Fish at Queens Theatre, Sea Chanteys and Maritime Music Broadcast, Grab and Go Craft Kit: April Fools’ Day Mystery Bag at Leonard Brooklyn Public Library and the Opening Day: Picture the Dream: The Story of the Civil Rights Movement Through Children’s Books at New-York Historical Society Museum & Library.
Also check out long running events like Beauty & the Beast at Puppetworks, the 1885 Tall Ship Wavertree Free Tour at South Street Seaport, Wake Up Daisy! at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, Farm Exploration Days in Randall’s Island Park and the last few days of Ice Skating at LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park.
There are more events this weekends so check the calendar to see everything going on. Also like us on Facebook for updates.
Enjoy the weekend & Happy April!
~ Deirdre (mom to O & C)
Friday April 1st
Grab and Go Craft Kit: April Fools’ Day Mystery Bag at Leonard Brooklyn Public Library
Friday April 1st 10a-6p. Free. April Fools’ Day or April Fool’s Day is an annual custom on the 1st day of April consisting of practical jokes and hoaxes. Jokesters often expose their actions by shouting “April Fools!” at the recipient. Fun, fun day! Open the Mystery Bag and be surprised what’s inside!! Available at Leonard Branch lobby while supplies last. There are additional Grab and Go events at other BPL branches. See the website for all the details.
Wake Up, Daisy! at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre (Central Park)
Fridays-Sundays 11-1145 (doors 1030a) & 1-145p (doors 1230p) until 12/31/22. Tickets: $12 adult, $8 child. Purchase tickets here. Location: 79th Street and West Drive Central Park. Wake Up, Daisy! tells the story of Daisy, a lively little girl living in the heart of New York City in an apartment overlooking Central Park. At Daisy’s much-anticipated birthday party, she encounters three special guests, known as her “Squad-parents”, from Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx who grant her the gifts of courage, knowledge, and a second chance. When an unwelcome guest shows up and casts a curse on her, Daisy’s life is forever changed. But through the support of her friends and an adventure throughout the city, Daisy’s strong self-determination and vivid imagination may be all she needs to break the curse.
Opening Day: Picture the Dream: The Story of the Civil Rights Movement Through Children’s Books at New-York Historical Society Museum & Library (UWS)
Opening April 1st and ongoing until July 24th. Museum hours: Wednesdays-Sundays 11a-5p. Included with Museum admission. Location: 2nd floor, Luman Reed Galleries. Picture the Dream: The Story of the Civil Rights Movement through Children’s Books is the first exhibition to delve into the events, people, and themes of the civil rights movement through children’s picture books. This exhibition showcases picture books—one of the most compelling forms of visual expression—as an effective bridge between art and storytelling, championing aspects of the movement that are both celebrated and forgotten. From Brown v. Board of Education and the Montgomery bus boycott to the March on Washington and Black Lives Matter, the artworks on display connect the past and present, emphasizing how historical moments and leaders continue to inspire the struggle for equal rights.
April Fool’s Party with Story Pirates (virtual)
Friday April 1st 3-4p. Tickets: $10. Join us for the interactive livestream on April 1st as Lee, Peter, Eric, and Baby with a Mustache, along with help from the creators at home, work together to help Peter pull off the biggest April Fool’s prank of all time! Will “The April Fool” show up and get fooled? Will anyone be pied in the face?? Tune in to find out! Purchase pass here.
See all the Friday events here.
Saturday April 2nd
Celebrate Holi at Brooklyn Children’s Museum (Crown Heights)
Saturday April 2nd 10a, 1p & 4p. Included with Museum admission. Celebrate the ‘Festival of Colors’ at New York City’s best family Holi event. Mark the beginning of spring at an unforgettable day of Bollywood dancing, delicious food, and live music. Each session culminates in color powder play in the park. Be sure to wear WHITE! See the website for the full schedule of events and to purchase tickets.
Farm Exploration Days in Randall’s Island Park
Saturdays-Sundays 10a-4p starting April 2nd until October 8th. Free. Location: Urban Farm. Explore the Urban Farm’s variety of crops, rice paddies, and fragrant herbs, and meet the chickens too! All ages welcome!
Nature Exploration Hike in Marine Park
Saturday April 2nd 11a-1230p. Free. Location: Salt Marsh Nature Center. On nature exploration hikes, we will discover the plants and animals that inhabit the urban forest. To enhance your experience, please bring your own binoculars and field guides.
Saturday Family Workshops: S.T.E.A.M. Dream in Rockefeller Park (Battery Park City)
Saturday April 2nd 11a-1230p. Free. Kids are invited to pick up S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) at this special open air fair featuring quirky activities, a live performance from Mad Science, and beats by DJ Susan Z. Anthony.
Get Up, Stand Up! Jazz Raptastic at BAM (Fort Greene)
Saturday April 2nd 2p. For ages 8+. General admission tickets: pay-what-you-wish: $8, $10, $12. Location: The Adam Space. Jazz Baby Music. Sing and dance along with Ms. Mariella and her band as they flip famous jazz standards into their hip-hop babies! Jazz Music Babies offers an interactive, joyful, and spontaneous environment for kids to dive into one of the musical roots of rap. Join the group as they glide and groove through familiar tunes, magically transforming them into hip-hop classics. Also check out the Get Up, Stand Up! Family Workshop at 1p.
See all the Saturday events here.
Sunday April 3rd
First Sunday Bird Walks in Prospect Park
Sunday April 3rd 8-10a and the 1st Sunday of the month until June 5th. Free. Location: Audubon Center at the Boathouse. Join the Brooklyn Bird Club and Prospect Park Alliance on the first Sunday of each month from January-June and September-December in 2022 as we explore Prospect Park for resident and migratory birds that visit throughout the different seasons. Please bring your own binoculars. The Sunday walks will start at The Audubon Center at the Boathouse. No registration is necessary.
Mozart for Munchkins at The Hugh (Midtown East)
Sunday April 3rd 11-1145a. Free. Register here. Jazz, Jazz, JAZZ! Grab your shakers, put on your dancin’ shoes and let’s get swingin’! Enjoy the snazzy sounds of the trumpet, drums, and bass! Attendance is very limited. Following CDC guidelines, bring your own blanket and park it 6 feet from your neighbor, wear a mask (under 2 excluded), and get ready to dance, clap, and sing with us. Mozart for Munchkins creates a relaxed, interactive and engaging environment where children and their families can experience and enjoy the wonders of classical music with a hint of jazz and bluegrass. Also check out Yogibeans Free Family Yoga at 1p.
Family Sundays: Bead by Bead at Rubin Museum (Chelsea)
Sundays 1-3p in April. Ages 3 and older with accompanying adults. Pre-registration is required for either the 1p or 2p time slots. The program is free for you and your family, and each ticket comes with free access to the Museum galleries. Family Sundays are back in person! Bring your family to the Rubin Museum for an afternoon of creativity and self-exploration in our new space, the Mandala Lab, that both kids and their grown-ups will enjoy. Each month we explore a new theme, with an art-making activity centered around that theme. A Museum educator will do a brief demonstration of the project, teach the art-making techniques, and let you explore ways to make the project your own. April Family Sundays: Bead by Bead ~ What does healing mean to you? What do you do to stay healthy and safe? One important healing practice for many Tibetans is using mala, or prayer beads, to recite mantras or do prostrations. Using malas is one form of protection and healing. Inspired by our new Healing Practices exhibition, create your own mala bracelet using the colors, textures, and materials that are meaningful to you!
TheaterWorksUSA: The Pout Pout Fish at Queens Theatre
Sunday April 3rd 1p & 3p. Ticket: $15, or 4 for $55 (enter coupon code FAMILY4 at checkout). Purchase tickets here. Turn the poutiest of frowns upside down in this new musical featuring whimsical puppets and live performers in a sweeping oceanic adventure. When Mr. Fish sets out on a quest to find Miss Clam’s missing pearl, he discovers there is more to him than his permanently plastered pout.
Sea Chanteys and Maritime Music Broadcast (virtual & in-person)
Sunday April 3rd 2-4p and the first Sunday of the month. Free. South Street Seaport Museum’s monthly Sea Chantey and Maritime Music, the original NYC chantey sing, continues with options to participate both in-person and online. Join a round-robin of shared songs featuring members of The New York Packet and friends. Listen in, lead a song, and belt out the choruses on the first Sunday of every month. All will be able to see and hear all the singers, remote and virtual. Both remote and in-person participants are able to lead a song. In-Person Location: The Corner, 25 Fulton Street. Please note, in-person participants must show proof of vaccination and booster and also must wear a mask. The event is FREE, and registration is required. Register here, choose the next Chantey Sing date shown on the calendar, and indicate whether you plan to join in-person or online.
See all the Sunday events here.
All Weekend
Beauty & the Beast at Puppetworks (Park Slope)
Saturdays-Sundays 1230p & 230p until April 3rd. Tickets: Children $10 each, Adults $11 each. Suggested for 3 and up. Beauty & the Beast, the French Fantasy with a “live” Beast adapted for Marionettes by Nicolas Coppola. Under 5 year olds are welcome, with Masks required.
1885 Tall Ship Wavertree Free Tour at South Street Seaport
Saturdays-Sundays 11a-5p until April 30th. Free. The permanently-moored 1885 tall ship Wavertree is open to the public for FREE on Saturdays and Sundays, with timed entry, at Pier 16 (Fulton and South Streets). Guided tours depart hourly and last approximately 30 minutes. Advance reservations are recommended. Guided tours include access to the main deck and quarter deck. Learn how people worked and lived aboard a 19th century cargo sailing vessel, from the captain to the ship’s officers, cooks, and crew. Then visit the cargo hold and stand atop the viewing platform where you can take in the massive main cargo area. Proof of vaccine required for all guests over age 5. Masks required.
Sharks at the American Museum of Natural History (UWS)
Museum hours Wednesday-Sunday 10a-530p. Included in General Admission+One. See website for all the details.The new exhibition Sharks features dozens of life-sized models ranging from 33 feet to 5.5 inches long, fossils from the Museum’s collections, touch-free interactive exhibits that challenge visitors to hunt like a hammerhead, and more for visitors of all ages. Older than dinosaurs—and more threatened than threatening—sharks are spectacular, surprising, and often misunderstood. Discover the incredible diversity of this ancient and fascinating group of fishes. Note: The Museum continues to require vaccinations against COVID-19 and facial coverings.
Ice Skating at LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park
Hours for covered rink: Monday-Thursday 9a-430p, Friday 9a-7p, Saturday 1-9p, Sunday 1-430p until April 3rd. Open air rink hours: 9a-7p, Friday-Saturday 9a-9p & Sunday 9a-7p. Admission rates: $8 weekday per person, $12 weekend per person. Reserve your desired 90-minute skate session for access to one of our two available ice rinks online now and guarantee your ice time. Skate rentals are available at an additional cost or feel free to bring your own skates. Purchase online today as capacity is limited. To help our young skaters, helpful Skate Aids are available and can be rented in advance or on the day of your visit, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reserve open air rink tickets here and covered rink tickets here.