Events: Top Kid-Friendly Activities For The Week

We have quite a diverse selection of event picks for you and yours this week. We found an exhibit showcasing Japan, a festival featuring a popular card game, an awesome puppet show, an invention festival, and classic hits from the Gershwin brothers. Talk about an eclectic! You will be hard pressed to choose just one of these delights, so try to take in more than one. Enjoy!

Beginning Friday, January 20

“Hello from Japan!” Exhibit
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
10am-5pm
Visit Japan without leaving NYC! The Children’s Museum of Manhattan will bring back its exhibit, “Hello from Japan!,” this Friday. The exhibit will focus on the country’s modern cities as well as its peaceful parks and gardens. All ages can sing karaoke, pose for pictures in the photo booth, make cute mascots in Kawaii Central, and then construct bridges, explore a jungle, and make a wish at the wishing tree in Shinto Shrine Park. During the exhibit’s opening weekend (Saturday, January 21 & Sunday, January 22), families can enjoy special activities such as manga workshops, Japanese storytelling, Japanese cuisine from chef Misako Sassa, and more. Runs through Sunday, May 14. Free with museum admission.

Friday, January 20-Sunday, January 22

SET Weekend
National Museum of Mathematics
6:30pm
Join the National Museum of Mathematics for SET Weekend! Ages 6 and up can learn this famous card game for the first time or master expert tricks during three different events. On Friday evening, the authors of “The Joy of SET” will share strategies and discuss how math plays an integral role in the game. Saturday’s SET Tournament will challenge players of all abilities as they compete to become the SET champion. The weekend will end with a special event for middle school students which will feature music by DJ Emilie, cookies and hot chocolate, and a live-action human SET game. Pre-registration is required. Fees vary.

Saturday, January 21

Sandglass Theater: “Punschi”
Symphony Space
11am & 2pm
Vermont’s Sandglass Theater will present “Punschi” at Symphony Space this Saturday. Jana Zeller and Shoshanna Bass will perform two puppet tales during each performance. “Kasper and the Surprise” tells the story of Kasper, a beloved German hand puppet whose suitcase is stolen by a cow. Together he and his giant friend Augustin embark on a journey to reclaim his possessions. Plus stick around for “Fritzi’s Flea Circus,” which takes audiences on a high-flying, flea circus adventure. Tickets are $17.

Saturday, January 21-Sunday, January 22

Inventgenuity Festival 2017
PS 32/MS 442
9am-5pm
This weekend PS 32/MS 442 will host the Beam Center’s 8th Annual Inventgenuity Festival in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. Kids 2nd grade and up can let their imaginations and tech know-how soar to new heights during this invention convention! This year’s theme, “Organic Mechanics,” will allow young makers to collaborate on the creation of “textile-based plants brought to life by a hand-cranked (and hand-built) impeller fan,” attend live demos, and participate in hands-on, 45-minute rotating workshops. Pre-registration is required. Workshops require a small materials fee.

Sunday, January 22

Broadway Playhouse: George & Ira Gershwin
Merkin Concert Hall
11am
Ages 4 through 11 are invited to Merkin Concert Hall this Sunday to hear the music of George and Ira Gershwin. Part of the Broadway Playhouse series, this interactive concert will explore many of the brothers’ classic songs which have become American Songbook standards. Featured songs include Broadway hits such as “I Got Rhythm” and “Our Love is Here to Stay.” Tickets are $20.

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