NYC has thousands of things for families and children to do, and during the spring and summer, the city has activities that include museum exhibitions, concerts, arts and crafts, sports, nature walks in local parks, and many other outdoor activities. Here are some of today's kid-friendly activities in Queens, from performances to exhibitions!
Baby Yoga - Long Island Children's Museum
Through November 20, 2009 - Garden City
Moms and babies can experience various yoga poses, challening postures and calming restorative time in this 8-week class. Learn how to strengthen groiwng muscles, aid in digestion and promote better sleeping patterns for your baby. Dads and caregivers welcome. Babies should be at least six weeks old. The price will be prorated based on attendance. Through November 20.
Chinese Chopsticks - Long Island Children's Museum
November 20, 2009 - Garden City
Kids design a pair of their own chopsticks using specially printed paper, then learn how to use them by practicing their skills by picking up pretend food. Every Tuesday-Friday, through November 25 (except November 11).
Teen Anime/Manga Club - Queens Library: Far Rockaway branch
November 20, 2009 - Far Rockaway
Tweens and teens meet to watch and talk about favorite manga and anime series. Refreshments provided.
Auburndale Chess Club - Queens Library: Auburndale branch
November 20, 2009 - Auburndale
Play a game chess every Friday with chessmaster Paul Landau.
Mother Goose Time - Queens Library: Glendale branch
November 20, 2009 - Glendale
Babies up to 17 months and their caregivers enjoy a program complete with songs, rhymes, fingerplays and more. Preregistration required.
Magic Box - New York Hall of Science
Through November 22, 2009 - Flushing
Kids create an optical illusion box and magically hide anything they place inside. Through November 22.
Puppet Show: Commander Cauliflower - New York Hall of Science
Through November 22, 2009 - Flushing
In this interactive show, kids ages 6 and under learn the differences between fruits and vegetables with help from Commander Cauliflower.
Puppet Show Craft: Harvest Bag - New York Hall of Science
Through November 22, 2009 - Flushing
Kids decorate a bag to fill with fruits and vegetables.
Puppet Show and Craft - New York Hall of Science
Through November 22, 2009 - Flushing
Help Commander Cauliflower find the missing carrots and learn how fruits and vegetables grow in this interactive puppet show. Kids can also make a harvest bag craft; decorate the bag and fill with fruits and vegetables.
Activity Area: Creativity Lab - New York Hall of Science
Through November 22, 2009 - Flushing
Kids build a sculpture out of recycled materials; weigh and measure wacky objects; and visit with live animals.
Astronomy Lab - New York Hall of Science
Through November 22, 2009 - Flushing
Enjoy this planetarium show and learn about the constellations of the northern hemisphere. Saturdays and Sundays, through November 22.
Members Double Discount Days - The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store
Through November 23, 2009 - New York
Get a jump start on holiday shopping during Double Discount Days and receive a 20% discount on inspired gifts sculpture reproductions, decorative arts, jewelry, scarves, ties, accessories, books, stationery, prints, and more.
Science Playground - New York Hall of Science
Through November 30, 2009 - Flushing
Through dozens of playground elements including slides and seesaws, people of all ages and abilities explore the scientific principles of motion, balance, sound, sight and simple machines, as well as sun, wind and water in this 60,000 square-foot-playground.
Twisters Swim Team Tryouts - Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatic Center
Through November 30, 2009 - Flushing
Twisters Swim Team, a leading USA Swim Team in the Metropolitan Swim Committee, is holding auditions for a new group for 5-10 year old swimmers. Practices will be Mondays -Thursdays from 3:00-4:30 pm. Contact Coach Rosemary Camera: e-mail rosemarycamera@earthlink.net or call 212-777-9520. Bring your bathing suit and goggles. You should be able to swim at least 25 meters without stopping in 12-feet deep water.
Rocket Park Mini Golf - New York Hall of Science
Through December 01, 2009 - Flushing
The nine-hole course provides opportunities for families to encounter and explore fundamental laws of physics as they take careful aim to avoid gravity wells, warm holes, warped space and asteroids in attempt to beat Par. Through December 1.
Community Gallery- Diggin' deKooning - Long Island Children's Museum
Through December 06, 2009 - Garden City
Kids view abstract paintings inspired by the famous artist Willem de Kooning, which were created this summer by local children and teens. Through December 6.
Triangles, Squares and Circles, Oh My! - Island Kids Art Classes
Through December 10, 2009 - Roosevelt Island
This class has been created for young toddler artists who have taken the toddler class in the past. Using a similar format to the regular Triangles, Squares and Circles, Oh My! class, this class will focus on three main activities in one session, but with the addition of recycled sculpture. Through December 10.
Evenings of Wonder - Rogue Productions Theater
Through December 31, 2009 - Elmhurst
This long-running magic and comedy show features dancers, rap artists and more, designed for the entire family. Open run.
Free Active Self-Defense classes - St. Marks Church
Through December 31, 2009 - Jackson Heights
Kids over 10 and adults can enroll in these free self-defense classes every Wednesday. Enrollment is on a rolling basis and always open. Come observe the class. Please contact 646-335-6465 or sensei.orlando@ yahoo.com.
Behind the Screen - The Museum of the Moving Image
Through December 31, 2009 - Astoria
This ongoing, hands-on interactive exhibition lets families make animated stop-motion films, add sound effects and music to famous movie scenes, star in a personalized flipbook, watch a classic short film, play video arcade games from the early 1980s and participate in a workshop to learn how to make films.
Tours - King Manor Museum
Through December 31, 2009 - Jamaica
Tours are offered on the half hour (1:30pm Thurs & Fri and 4:30 pm on Sat & Sun.) This museum is the centerpiece of an 11-acre New York City park. It was the home and farm of Founding Father Rufus King from 1805 to 1827. King was an author of the U.S. Constitution, as well as one of the first senators from New York State, the ambassador to Great Britain under four presidents, and an early and outspoken opponent of slavery. The Manor later became the estate of King's son, John Alsop King, who served as a congressman and governor of the State of New York. The house is a member of the historic house trust.
Guided Tours - Louis Armstrong House Museum
Through December 31, 2009 - Corona
Families can visit the historic house that Louis and his wife, Lucille, called home. Guided tours are offered every hour on the hour (last tour at 4 pm). Visitors can view the original furnishings, hear spoken word recordings made by Satchmo himself, and learn about the life and legacy of Louis Armstrong.
Karate for Children - St. Marks Church
Through December 31, 2009 - Jackson Heights
Karate classes for ages 4 and up are offered on Saturdays by an instructor with a 3rd degree black belt and 23 years of karate experience. Children are guaranteed to have fun, to be fit, to learn core values such as teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. Enrollment is on a rolling basis and always open.
Self-Defense - Children ages 10+ and adults - St. Marks
Through December 31, 2009 - Jackson Heights
Free Self-Defense Classes are held every Wednesday. Meet new people from the Queens area and learn self-defense moves to protect you in the worst of circumstances.
KaleidoZone: Thinking of you: Portraits of family and friends - Long Island Children's Museum
Through January 03, 2010 - Garden City
Artist Jamie Kim presents a showcase of images inspired from memories of her childhood. Explore the large scale paintings, which bring together the past and present and the real and unreal. Through January 3.
New Exhibit! Monkey King: A Story from China - Long Island Children's Museum
Through January 03, 2010 - Garden City
Meet the magical and endearing Monkey King and explore this classic Chinese story, A Journey to the West. Visitors will have the chance to join the mischievous and brave Monkey King on his magical journey to a far-away land; a journey that finds him creating havoc in the Heavenly Palace, meeting Buddha, and overcoming numerous challenges. Through January 3.
Norman Rockwell - Nassau County Museum of Art
Through January 03, 2010 - Roslyn Harbor
This exhibit showcases the great illustrator Norman Rockwell's covers of the Saturday Evening Post from 1916 to 1963 as well as 48 of his paintings. Through January 3.
But Who Will Bell the Cats? - Nassau County Museum of Art -- Ridder MiniArtMuseum for Children
Through January 03, 2010 - Roslyn Harbor
An exhibition of a doll house based on the Cynthia Von Buhler's new book, which features an enchanted upstairs/downstairs world. Through January 3.
John L. Moore, Paintings and Drawings - Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning
Through January 16, 2010 - Jamaica
Abstractionist John L. Moore exhibits select pieces from his body of work, which use limited palette of colors and simple shapes. The exhibit will explore recurring ideas, shapes and themes. Through January 16.
Big Apple Circus - Lincoln Center/Damrosch Park
Through January 18, 2010 -
Bello the clown is back under the Big Apple Big Top performing breathtaking feats of humor in the theatrical focus of one ring with no seat more than 50 feet away! Bello is joined by a world of stellar circus stars: Spain's juggling artiste, Picaso Jr., Russia's Aniskin Troupe who catapult to the top of the tent on trampoline and soar across it on trapeze. For sheer beauty their very own aerialist Regina Dobrovitskaya rises through the air on shimmering ribbons. Equestrians Christine and Sultan get your heart pounding as they straddle galloping horses Roman style, and wait till you see what Big Apple Circus members can do with a pack of whacky dogs rescued from shelters. Of course there's more and for an extra measure of love and laughter, there's our very own Grandma. See schedule online. Through January 18.
Talismans of Protection from Choson Korea: Antique Locks, Latches and Key Charms - Flushing Town Hall
Through January 31, 2010 - Flushing
This exhibition, in partnership with the Korean Society, features a rare collection of locks, latches and key charms from the Choson Dynasty (1392-1910). View beautifully designed metal and wood objects executed in myriad shapes: dragons, turtles, butterflies, fish, bats and swallows. Tuesdays-Sundays, through January 31.
EAF09 - Socrates Sculpture Park
Through March 08, 2010 - Long Island City
Celebrate the opening of the EAFO9: Emerging Artist Fellowship Exhibition, which features new works by the park's resident artists.
