It’s officially ski season. Here’s a look at the slickest slopes in the northeast! And for the scoop on the best winter fun to be had inside and outside the city, check out our complete guide to the best skating rinks, tea and cocoa spots, cultural oases, and more. Plus, enjoy the weekend’s many happenings below. And don’t miss a special giveaway at the New York Hall of Science: the world’s largest gingerbread village is being gifted in bits and pieces to the public. For the delicious details, click here.
STARTING FRIDAY
Catch the American Museum of Natural History’s IMAX film “Mysteries of the Unseen World,” which uses time-lapse photography, nanotechnology, and electron microscopy to allow audiences to get up close and personal with creatures like aphids and cat fleas. Prepare to be awed! (Friday through June)
Venture to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to explore texture and line using metal and wire, as inspired by sculptors Calder, David Smith, and John Chamberlain. Learn from the greats! (Friday)
Pick up a copy of Deborah Wiles’ Each Little Bird That Sings at the New York Public Library’s Children’s Center and enjoy a colorful discussion of the tale with fellow little ones. Get ready to read! (Friday)
I’m Bilingual!, a Spanish language program for New York City children, is hosting an open house complete with trial classes and a piñata celebration for the New Year. Fiesta time! (Friday)
STARTING SATURDAY
HelpUsAdopt.org, a financial grant program founded to help couples and individuals overcome the financial hurdles of the adoption process, is hosting their 2nd MeetUp for all people touched by adoption. Share the love! (Saturday)
IckyFest 2014 kicks off this weekend at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. Among the fun activities: a bug petting zoo and a carnivorous plants demo. Get ready to be grossed out! (Saturday-Sunday)
Dinosaurs will once again roam the earth during DiNO-Light, a Corbain Visual Arts & Dance and Lightwire Theater production at Symphony Space featuring 3D, glow-in-the-dark puppets and props. Watch out! (Saturday)
Little ones can learn the basics of using a digital camera in order to create their own photo to take home at a Sony Wonder Technology Lab event. Say cheese! (Saturday)
A special screening of “Tickety Toc” at the Scholastic Store in SoHo ends with a meet-and-greet of the main characters, Tommy and Tallulah. Reserve your seat! (Saturday)
Host Sarah Lohman leads kids on a scavenger hunt through the New York Historical Society to find kitchen items from long ago. Then everyone cooks together like they did 200 years ago. Churn that butter! (Saturday)
Take part in a culturally infused afternoon as the popular non-profit, the National Dance Institute, continues its tradition of introducing public school kids to the arts. At this open house, little ones can enjoy live music, free classes, and multiple performances by the talented kids of NDI. Dance to the beat! (Saturday)
After reading The Inside-Outside Book of New York City, kids can create their own picture books inspired by subway travel at the New York Transit Museum. Get creative! (Saturday and Sunday)
STARTING SUNDAY
Celebrate the Jewish New Year of Trees with a Tu B’Shvat seder and sanctuary tour of the Eldridge Street Synagogue. Party down! (Sunday)
Watch a lovely tribute at Merkin Concert Hall to the talented duo Betty Comden and Adolph Green. The pair wrote the screenplay to the famed musical comedy “Singin’ in the Rain,” among other talented accomplishments. Enjoy the show! (Sunday)
Anyone who has experienced a bad day can relate to “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” showing at the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts. From a dessert-less lunch to a lima-bean-filled dinner, Alexander suffers through a miserable 24 hours. Sulking allowed! (Sunday)