Picks of the Week: June 24-30

Red Grooms' at the Children's Museum of Manhattan.

During this pre-Independence Day week, carve some time out of your frenzied schedule to take the kids to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan or the American Museum of Natural History, both of which have new programs and exhibits opening this week. If you’re in the mood for pure entertainment, then go to Summerstage Kids’ Bronx Family Day. No matter which event(s) you choose, you and your kids will end up having a rip roaring time!

Tuesday, June 25

Summer Skies Telescope Party
American Museum of Natural History
8:30pm
Scope out the stars at the American Museum of Natural History’s Summer Skies Telescope Party! Astronomers will provide tips on how to scan the sky for stars and constellations with the Hayden Planetarium’s projector. Afterward, partygoers will head outside (weather permitting) to the museum’s terrace to stargaze on their own and attend a star party. Participants are welcome to bring their own binoculars and telescopes. Tickets are $15.

Friday, June 28

Red Grooms’ New York City
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
10am-5pm
A new exhibit of Red Grooms’ paintings for kids is coming to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan this Friday. The installation’s title, “New York City,” encapsulates the artwork’s theme perfectly; visitors are treated to colorful depictions of NYC landmarks like Wollman Rink and Rockefeller Center. Don’t forget to check out CMOM’s daily workshops and art activities based on the exhibit. Free with museum admission.

Saturday, June 29

Summerstage Kids’ Bronx Family Day
St. Mary’s Park
4pm-7pm
Summerstage Kids and Disney invite families with children of all ages to Bronx Family Day in St. Mary’s Park. Activities include face painting, free dance and sports classes, juggling, and an interactive double dutch jump rope show. DJ Idlemind will be spinning records and pumping up the dance music throughout the afternoon. Bronx Family Day is free.

Adventuring Portal

<a name="m_-1473885667065203258__Hlk72147528"></a>Adventuring Portal runs Dungeons and Dragons (D&amp;D) games for kids.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We have created a safe online space for tweens and teens to learn and play D&amp;D. Our D&amp;D Summer Camp session are a one-week experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;Monday &ndash; Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;Each day will be 3 hours of gaming (with 2 breaks build in).&nbsp;&nbsp;15 total gaming hours for $180.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you have played with us before, you are entitled to 10% off.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Need your kids, nieces or nephews, grand kids or neighbor&rsquo;s kids to be occupied for a bit so you can get work done &amp; take care of your to-do list? Maybe your tween or teen is still a bit isolated and craves connection with their peers? Whether your teen/tween has played D&amp;D before or is brand-new to the experience, this safe space brings players together to have fun and solve problems as a team in ways few other online opportunities do. All our games focus on experiential learning.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Our players leave knowing all the basic game play as well as experiencing: teamwork, bravery, compassion, generosity, negotiation, improvisation, gamer etiquette, strategy, critical thinking, problem solving, cartography and probability - all through online D&amp;D adventuring! We are an inclusive organization and welcome gamers who are LGBTQIA+ and those on any spectrum.&nbsp; All girls&rsquo; groups available.&nbsp; I am a parent, a certified elementary school and middle school math teacher and last summer in the midst of the mess started&nbsp;Adventuring Portal, an&nbsp;online Dungeons &amp; Dragons&nbsp;business&nbsp;for kids. There are so many benefits to playing D&amp;D and I hope you will consider us as a great way for your child to safely socialize, grow as people and have a great time.

Gaga Madness

Gaga is the hottest new sport in NYC. We've taken the fun of GAGA and pushed it into overdrive. Energetic coaches, pumped up music, sideline commentary, gear giveaways and more. Stay active and keep fit with this new craze that's sweeping the city.

Speakitaly NYC

SPEAKITALY NYC offers stimulating and entertaining lessons for children 0 to 16 years through a wide combination of activities based on the communicative approach anchored in the Common European Framework of Reference: active learning (group work, role plays, etc.) and practice exercises aimed to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Kids will start speaking and using Italian in a very natural way.&nbsp; Small classes capped at 6 students to make sure each one gets the needed attention and facilitate learners' progress.&nbsp; Our method is driven by a didactic method that is the result of constant updates, professional certifications and more than 10 years of experience in working with non-native speakers from different native languages and levels of knowledge. Our aim is to develop a range of Italian language skills while improving accuracy that will enable the students and participants to interact without stress or feeling rushed. We want to help those in the community really embrace not only the true culture in Italy but the Italian culture within New York City&hellip; Who doesn&rsquo;t love what Italy represents in the kitchen, in history &amp; in the arts? Speakitaly wants to support multilingual families who want to learn a new language or pass along their ancestor&rsquo;s heritage and culture. Raffaella, the founder said: "We see language awareness and intercultural sensitivity as the milestones for an inclusive society. Italian, like all other languages, is an enrichment and a growth in every way. Vi aspettiamo!"