Picks Of The Week: May 2-8

Looking for some
activity inspiration for the week ahead? Just check out our “Picks of the
Week” blog, in which our listings editor Sandy Krulwich picks her favorite
family events for each day of the week, whether it’s a workshop, special story
time for kids, or a musical performance. See this week’s picks after the jump. —

Monday, May 2
Book Talks For Kids And
Parents At Mount
Vernon Hotel Museum
421
East 61st Street
6 pm – 7 pm

Beginning
today, the museum will host a discussion series (six in all), each focused on a
young adult book related to themes of American identity. Pre-registration
required – call 212.838.6878 (ext.25)
for more information.

Tuesday, May 3
Lego Store Monthly Mini
Model Build
Rockefeller Center
5 pm (until
supplies last)

The architecturally-minded
will dig the Lego Store’s free mini model demonstration, which happens the
first Tuesday of every month. Bonus points: take the cool creation home with
you! Recommended for ages 6-14 years.

Wednesday, May 4
Preschool Play At Robert
F. Wagner Jr. Park
Just
north of Historic Battery Park, off Battery Place.
10
am – Noon

Toddlers and preschoolers can
enjoy stories and songs on the lawn. Toys, books and equipment provided.

Thursday, May 5
Meet 12 Beloved Children’s
Illustrators At The Scholastic Store
557 Broadway
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Want to celebrate Children’s
Book Week in style? Meet 12 of your kid’s favorite illustrators (okay, ours
too) at this unprecedented event! Favorites include: David Shannon (No, David), Norman Bridwell (Clifford) and Bruce Degen (Magic School Bus).

Friday, May 6
Blooming Babies: I Love
My Mommy!
145
Brooklyn Avenue (Brooklyn
Children’s Museum)
11:30
am

With Mother’s Day is right
around the corner, nothing says “I love you” like a special necklace! For ages
18 months – 2.5 years.

Saturday, May 7
Mother’s Day Tea Party
at Taste Buds Kitchen
109
West 27th Street
9:30 am (5-8
years), 11 am (2-4
years), 12:30 pm (9-13
years)

This Mother’s Day, come to
Taste Buds for a special Mother and Child Tea Party. Nosh on raspberry tea and
homemade scones with homemade jam. Be sure to choose the best session based on
child’s age.

Sunday, May 8
Animal Tales Extravaganza At The Bronx Zoo
Bronx Zoo
10 am – 5 pm

With weekend programs through
June 26, Animal Tales offers families two days of themed fun! This Sunday, don’t
miss Elisabeth Hasselbeck (a New York
Family cover mom from earlier this year) reading “Angelina’s New Partner” as
well a children’s dance workshop with the folks from Vital Theatre.

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!"

The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center

The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center offers year-round, community-based dance and music programming in a fully inclusive and nurturing environment, located in the heart of the Brooklyn Cultural District. The School&rsquo;s diverse and professional faculty provides progressive and non-competitive instruction with all of our classes accompanied by live music. Though we are a non-recital school, there are opportunities for students to perform and for parents to see their dancers in action.

Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp

Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp offers five daily rotating activities such as swimming, ice skating gymnastics, rock climbing, parkour, indoor/outdoor turf, and courts plus more in its ample 175,000 sq. ft. facility and 35-acre outdoor area. Aviator Summer Camp also offers off-site and on-site field trips such as a day at Green Meadows Farm, Launch Trampoline Park, and a Brooklyn Cyclones game. The summer camp runs from 9 am-5 pm with early drop off and late stay available. Bus transportation is also available throughout Brooklyn. Lunch and an afternoon snack are included. Sign up by February 28th to receive up to $300 off camp with early bird discounts.