A Bear-y Good Time
January 4, 5, 11 & 12
[Ages 3 & Up]
Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Little Wee Bear go out for a morning walk, hoping by the time they get home their porridge will be cool enough to eat. But they don’t realize a mischievous curly-haired girl is on the way. Things are about to get messy before the Bear family has a chance to eat their porridge! Kids and families will enjoy Puppetworks’ hand-puppet adaptation of Robert Southey’s beloved 1837 fairytale, Goldilocks & the Three Bears. Children $8, adults $9; show times 12:30pm & 2:30pm, Puppetworks, 338 Sixth Ave. at 4th Street, Brooklyn, 718-965-3391, puppetworks.org
Vroom, Vroom
January 8
[Ages 12 & Up]
After selling out shows across the globe, the high-octane Nitro Circus Live is coming to Madison Square Garden on its first North American tour. X Games medalist Travis Pastrana hosts the action sports extravaganza, which features the cast of the namesake MTV series, plus 40 of the world’s zaniest action sports stars in freestyle motocross, BMX, and skating. The fearless antics feature snow skis, kids’ tricycles, boogie boards, and even a Barbie car. From $49; 7:30pm, 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, 800-745-3000, nitrocircus.com
NFL Official In Training
January 8 to February
[All Ages]
With “You Make the Call: Learn to Be An NFL Official,” the Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) lets visitors go “under the hood” and make game calls in a stylized rendition of the sideline instant replay systems used by real NFL officials. There’s a video kiosk and obstacle course designed to help inspire kids to get more active and healthy. There might even be surprise visits by NFL reps, officials, coaches, and current and former players for special programs, clinics, and activities. The exhibit hopes to help children and their parents gain an understanding that good decisions make a critical difference in a game and also in their daily lives. Free with admission; Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm (7pm Saturdays), 212 West 83rd Street, 212-721-1223, cmom.org
Up Close And Personal
January 10 to June
[All Ages]
Glimpse up close the thread of a spider’s web and the splatter of a shattering pitcher of milk with the American Museum of Natural History’s new IMAX film, “Mysteries of the Unseen World,” which takes an incredible look at things that are normally too slow, too fast, too small, or too vast to be seen by the human eye. Whether offering magnified views of shark skin and a fruit fly’s eye, or slow-motion footage of popcorn popping and lightning striking, the film uses high-speed and time-lapse photography—inviting you to see the world in a whole new way. Children $16, adults $27 (includes museum admission); various show times between 10:30am and 4:30pm, Central Park West at 79th Street, 212-769-5100, amnh.org
A Girl-Cow Tale
January 14 to June 29
[Ages 3-9]
Presented at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre with circus-themed puppets, City Parks Foundation’s original production “Bessie’s Big Shot” follows Bessie the cow’s dream of joining the circus. Can she lift more than strong man Ziegfried, fly on a trapeze high above the crowd, or train Munson the monkey? Cheer on Bessie as she attempts the impossible and searches for her special talents. Children under 12 years $7, adults $10; Tuesday-Friday 10:30am and 12pm, Saturday and Sunday 1pm, Central Park (81st Street and Central Park West), 212-988-9093, cityparksfoundation.org
Sweet Lullaby
January 18-20
[Ages 4 & Up]
Getting kids to sleep can be rough, but not for Miss Ivory Tinklefinger, the star of “Still Awake Still!” With nothing but a grand piano and her sweet and soothing singing voice, the “Queen of Sleep” can calm the rowdiest of children…until treble ensues! To her dismay but the audience’s delight, the piano plays more than just musical notes in this amusing show. Commissioned by the Sydney Opera House, it’s a madcap cabaret for kids. From $14; 11am and 3pm, the New Victory Theater, 209 West 42nd Street, 646-223-3010, newvictory.org
A Wintry Twist
January 18 to February 9
[All Ages]
In a far-away land, a long time ago, shivering townsfolk travel to the Ministry of Winter to lodge a formal complaint to save the world from the coldest season! A children’s musical based on the book of the same title, The Gift of Winter, by John Leach and Jean Rankin, features TADA! favorite tunes “The Answer is Snow” and “Down with Winter.” Children from $8, adults from $20; various show times between 10am and 6pm, TADA! Youth Theater, 15 West 28th Street, 212-252-1619, tadatheater.com
Showing Spirit
January 24
[All Ages]
Returning to Jazz at Lincoln Center for a second season, legendary vocalist and composer Bobby McFerrin re-imagines an American tradition with a performance from his new recording “spirityouall.” With iconic songs like “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands” and “Every Time I Feel The Spirit,” along with original tunes, McFerrin explores his roots in rock, folk, funk, and bluegrass. From $30; 8pm, Broadway and 60th, 212-721-6500, jalc.org
The Prince Of NYC
January 24 to April 27
[All Ages]
Readers throughout the world have been charmed by The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s tale of a cosmic traveler who comes to Earth in search of friendship and understanding. Did you know that French-born Saint-Exupéry wrote and illustrated the famous story right here in New York City? The 1943 novella was first published in the U.S., before France, both in English and French. In “The Little Prince: A New York Story,” view the original manuscript and watercolor drawings. Explore the American origins of a poignant story that timelessly reminds us: what matters most can only be seen with the heart. Children ages 12 and under free, adults $18; Tuesday-Thursday 10:30am-5pm, Friday 10:30am-9pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 11am-6pm, the Morgan Library & Museum, 225 Madison Avenue, 212-685-0008, themorgan.org
Party Time
January 25
[All Ages]
Get ready to celebrate! The second annual DiMenna Children’s History Museum Family Benefit takes place this month. Parents and children are welcome to dress up in historical costumes, make ice cream, meet living history re-enactors, and explore special exhibitions. Children from $75, adults from $150; 11am, DiMenna Children’s History Museum, 170 Central Park West at Richard Gilder Way, 212-873-3400, nyhistory.org
