MLK Day Fun With Kids

This holiday weekend, why not squeeze in an activity or two with your children that honors Dr. King himself? The city boasts tons of great opportunities for families, from workshops at CMOM and the Brooklyn Kids Museum to volunteering at the JCC Manhattan and walking tours of upper Manhattan. See all of our picks below!

Children’s Museum of Manhattan

Children
will learn about Dr. King and his legacy, discuss the role they can
play in making a difference in the world, and make a medal that shows
their promise to make a positive change in their communities at CMOM’s “Raising Citizens: Martin Luther King Jr, Festival.” For
children ages 5 and up; workshops take place at CMOM at 12 p.m., 2
p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. from January 15-17. For more info. call
212-721-1223 or go to
cmom.org.


Symphony Space

6:30 p.m.

Symphony Space and the
JCC invite families to their annual presentation of works honoring Dr. King’s message of peace and
equality.
Performers
include notable jazz musician Craig Harris, the Green Pastures Baptist Church
Choir, a dance performed by
Juel Lane and more. This event is free and
intended for all ages. This is a free event. 2537
Broadway at
95th Street, 646-505-5708, symphonyspace.org

Brooklyn Children’s Museum
12:30 p.m.

At this very special family program, kids can meet Civil Rights activist
Coretta Scott King and learn how she is carrying on her late husband’s legacy
of freedom. This program will be followed by a craft activity inspired by the
King family. This event is appropriate for kids ages 6 and up and is free with
museum admission. 145
Brooklyn Avenue 718-735-4400, brooklynkids.org

GenerationOn Day of Service
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Join
GenerationOn and PS 57 for the ninth annual free MLK Jr. Day of Service. This
project bridges social, economic and cultural differences and brings kids and
adults together in community projects. An adult must accompany all children
under the age of 13, and teens (age 13-18) may participate with signed parental
permission.
176 East 115th
Street
, 212-850-4170 generationon.org

25th
Annual
Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr.

10:30 a.m.

Families
can head to the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s 25th annual tribute to
Martin Luther King Jr., where they can enjoy readings from novelist Walter
Mosley and performances from Persuasions and the Reverend Timothy Wright
Memorial Choir of the Grace Tabernacle Christian Center C.O.G.I.C. This event
is free, open to the public and appropriate for ages five and up.
30 Lafayette Avenue Brooklyn 718.636.4100, bam.org

JCC Day of Service
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

JCC
members, staff and neighbors join together in community service
projects at the
JCC and in the community. Families can choose their projects
the morning of the event, and all ages are welcome to participate.
334 Amsterdam Avenue, 646- 505-4444, jccmanhattan.org

The Queens Public Library
1:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The Queens Public Library invites families to a day of programming about Martin
Luther King, Jr. and his legacy.

11:30 a.m. Stories & Songs of Freedom: First-person stories about the civil right movement.
12:30 p.m.
Dear Dr. King Reception: Borough President Helen Marshall
will honor young people who wrote letters to Dr. King for the Library’s “Dear
Dr. King” Writing Project. Refreshments will be served.

1:30 p.m.
Excerpts from MLK’s “The Drum Major Instinct”: Teacher Donna Libert-Young will lead a discussion about lessons from
this famous speech.

2:30 p.m.
“A Man and His Dream” documentary film about Dr. King’s life:
This is a
free event that’s suitable for kids ages 6 to 11.
queenslibrary.org. 89-11
Merrick Blvd.
718-990-0767; queenslibrary.org.

We Have Another Dream:
Civil Rights in the 21st Century

10 a.m.

Bundle up the kids, pack a thermos and head to Central Park for a free, peace-themed
tour of Upper Manhattan led by
8th grade students from Manhattan Country School. This tour includes
Frederick
Douglass Circle
, Mount Morris/Marcus Garvey Park and the Islamic Center of
New York. All ages are welcome. Meet at Strawberry Fields at
Central Park West and 72nd Street. manhattancountryschool.org.

Seneca Village Tour
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

This tour
will teach families about
Seneca Village, Manhattan’s first-known community of
African-American property owners, located in what is now northeastern
Central Park. This event is free and intended
for ages 8 and up. Central Park, meet inside park at the southeast corner of
85th St at Central Park West 212-.772-0210,
centralparknyc.org

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New York Society of Play Summer Camp and Classes

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Summer Game Camp</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">There are many who do not feel safe sending their children back out into the world with summer camp, this year. To serve those parents and keep the children connected and stimulated during this challenging time, we are offering NYSP Digital Summer Camp. The name of the game with NYSP Summer Camp is community. We have made a large effort to make our camp feel like a living space, with features including –</p> <p dir="ltr">- Role-Playing games familiar and new, led by our master storytellers!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Enriching electives such as Chess, World Building, Character Acting, Crafts, Drawing, and more!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Discussion and media screening rooms during lunch!</p> <p dir="ltr">- A digital campus!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Moderated chat hours!</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Join us for a summer of games, friends, and more!</p> <p dir="ltr">Mon - Fri 10am - 2:30pm</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Roleplay Expeditions: Dungeons & Dragons</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">No experience is required to join one of our Dungeons & Dragons games. Our game masters have pre-made character sheets, so you'll be able to start playing the game right away! We adapt the rules of traditional Dungeons & Dragons to make them more approachable to children of various ages. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons & Dragons workshop! </p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Public games meet once per week, with different groups every time. Private games meet 1 to 2 times per week with the same group of kids. Since the players and the storyteller in the group are consistent, this enables us to tell epic tales of adventure together!</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Dungeons & Dragons Junior</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">No experience is required to join one of our drop-in Dungeons & Dragons games. Our Dungeons & Dragons Jr. game provides a D&D storytelling experience without character sheets. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons & Dragons workshop! A great way to introduce young children to D&D so they can eventually move onto the main game.</p>

Play On! Studios

<p>Play On! Studios offers theater day camps and after-school classes on the UWS that are guaranteed to give kids a summer full of acting, music, and fun they won't soon forget! Young actors will rehearse and perform in a full production, work with professional NYC actors/teaching artists, build up their skills in a nurturing, non-competitive environment and play lots of drama games!</p> <p>Creative Drama Camps are perfect for kids entering grades K-4. Campers will work each week to put on a brand-new show! Each session, they will receive a script, rehearse a production, make a set and costumes, and perform their play. Kids will also play drama games, play outside (weather permitting), and have tons of fun!</p> <p>Musical Theater Camps are aimed at kids entering grades 4-9. In Musical Theater Performance Camp, campers put on a complete musical production in a professional NYC theater! Campers will stretch their skills with drama exercises and games, vocal coaching, field trips, and building a professional set. Our incredible teaching artists and campers come together to put on a truly remarkable show!</p> <p>During the school year, classes are great for beginners or more experienced actors - sing, dance, and put on a play! Whether your child is just starting out, or ready for Broadway, we’ve got the class for them. Classes are available for grades PreK-8, after school or on Saturdays! Come play with us.</p> <p> </p>

Joe's Music & Dance Academy

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Private and group music lessons & dance classes for Guitar, Bass, Voice, Violin, Viola, Cello, Upright Bass, Drums, Piano, all woodwind & brass instruments, Choir, Preschool Dance, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Step, African and Modern Dance and more. Helping thousands of students begin and continue on their musical journey since 1998!</span></p>