10 Great Events For October 2014

Music With The Monkeys
October 4
[All Ages]
Kicking off the “Just Kidding” season at Symphony Space’s Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theater, Upper West Side native Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys promise a fun and musical show for the whole family! Listen up and sing along to Trien’s original family folk songs as she shares her love for music with young ones. Children, $14, Adults, $21; 11am. 2537 Broadway, 212-864-5400, symphonyspace.org

Rock & Roll
Beginning October 4
[All Ages]
Bring your little rock star to Liberty Science Center’s new exhibit, “Guitar: The Instrument that Rocked the World!” Here, visitors learn about the evolution of the guitar, experiment with sound, rock out on the playables, and see the world’s largest guitar! There will also be guitars autographed by famous musicians and the world’s oldest electric guitar on display. Free with admission; Saturday & Sunday, 9am to 5:30pm; Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. 222 Jersey City Boulevard, NJ, 201-200-1000, lsc.org

Headless Horseman
October 4 – November 9
[Ages 9+]
Get into the Halloween mood with the Players Theatre’s award-winning musical adaptation of Washington Irving’s classic tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Reminiscent of campfire ghost stories, its original music, dialogue, and projections will take you on a dark journey through the Hollow—and the shadows of the human heart. $30-60; Saturdays, 5pm; Sundays, 2pm. 115 MacDougal St, 212-475-1449, hollowthemusical.com

The Submerge! NYC Marine Science Festival; photo by Philip Greenberg

A Splash of Science
October 5
[All Ages]
Head over to Hudson River Park for a splash of science in the city at New York’s Marine Science Festival, Submerge! Families can enjoy a whole day of educational fun, with hands-on activities, interactive demonstrations, live music, fishing, food, and more! Noted experts will also be giving a variety of talks on relevant topics. Free; 11am to 3pm. Pier 26 at Hudson River Park, 212-627-2020, hudsonriverpark.org

Lighthouse Fest
October 11
[All Ages]
Come by the 22nd Little Red Lighthouse Festival to celebrate Manhattan’s only remaining lighthouse, made famous by Hildegarde Swift’s beloved children’s book The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge. There will be tours led by the Urban Park Rangers, two musical performances, readings of Swift’s book, fishing clinics, a kids’ workout class, food, and activities for the whole family. Free; 12-4pm. West 181 Street & Plaza Lafayette, 311, nycgovparks.org

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at the Players Theatre; photo by Kelly Marsh — *The Legend of Sleepy Hollow* at the Players Theatre; photo by Kelly Marsh

Circus in the City
October 17 – January 11, 2015
[All Ages]
A trip to the circus is a timeless childhood tradition that even adults will still find thrilling. Be amazed by Big Apple Circus’s all-new show, METAMORPHOSIS, featuring wonders from the Flying Trapeze to Quick-Change conjurors to contortionists! Even better, no one sits more than 50 feet from ringside at this two-hour-long show. $25-150; Times vary. West 62 St & Amsterdam Avenue, 212-268-2500, bigapplecircus.org

I Spy in the Sky
October 18
[Ages 4-11]
Grab your binoculars, young astronomers! The Hayden Planetarium Space Theater at AMNH will show you a night sky full of fall and winter constellations like you’ve never seen before, using the Zeiss Star Projector! Why not try your hand at finding “deep-sky” objects hiding in plain sight, like star clusters and galaxies, while you learn? $12; 6:30pm. 81 Central Park West, 212-769-5100, amnh.org

The Snail and the Whale
October 18-19
[Ages 4-7]
See the world from the perspective of one adventurous little snail—on the tail of a humpback whale! Adapted by London’s Tall Stories from the children’s book The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, this play follows the journey of an unlikely friendship. Musical, heartfelt, and fun, the whole family is sure to enjoy it. $25; 11am & 3pm. 229 West 42nd Street, 646-223-3000, newvictory.org

The Snail and the Whale at The New Victory Theater; photo courtesy of Tall Stories — *The Snail and the Whale* at The New Victory Theater; photo courtesy of Tall Stories

Hubble History
Beginning October 23
[All Ages]
Join the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in celebrating the 25th anniversary of the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope with their new exhibit, Hubble@25! Learn about the history and science of the Hubble, the men and women who contributed to its discoveries, and space exploration through photographs, Hubble images, artifacts, and immersive environments. Free with admission. Pier 86 West 46th St & 12th Avenue, 212-245-0072, intrepidmuseum.org

Kiddie Concert
October 25-26
[All Ages]
Appreciate classical music with the young ones in a fun way with the Lolli-Pops Circus Parade at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College. You can become the ringmaster and choose which melodies suit the circus folk—tightrope walkers, clowns, bears, and more—creating your own circus soundscape! The show features music by composers Fucik, Mendelssohn, and Tchaikovsky. $17-55; Saturday, 10am & 11:30am; Sunday, 11:30am & 1pm. 695 Park Avenue, 212-971-9500, littleorchestra.org

Chickenshed NYC

Chickenshed is an inclusive theatre company that began in the UK in 1974. Chickenshed NYC is a young organization bringing that same ethos and unique methodology to the USA. Chickenshed&rsquo;s mission is to create entertaining and outstanding theatre that celebrates diversity and inspires positive change. Chickenshed's model of Inclusive Theatre is based in the belief that everyone can flourish when everyone is included. At Chickenshed everyone is welcome, everyone is valued, and together we produce remarkable theatre. We want to break down barriers between people to create a world without labels and where differences no longer divide. At Chickenshed, support is given to those who need it, and given by those who can . We believe that creative activities, self-expression and performance should be available to anyone who has the desire, no matter their background or circumstances. We know that when everyone has the opportunity to shine, amazing things happen. Chickenshed NYC provides programming for little ones, children and youth through semester-long activities and performances.

The Wild Center

The Wild Center, nestled within the breathtaking landscape of New York's Adirondack Park, offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of nature. As visitors approach the Center, they are greeted by the Adirondack Mountains towering in the distance, setting the stage for an immersive adventure. Upon entering the 34,000-square-foot exhibit hall, guests are enveloped in a world of wonder and discovery. Interactive exhibits like Planet Adirondack and Climate Solutions invite exploration, allowing visitors to delve into the rich biodiversity of the Adirondack region. The indoor experience also includes an opportunity to soar on Birdly--a one-of-a-kind VR experience. Also, get up close with an animal ambassador during one of many live animal encounters throughout the day. In addition to its indoor exhibits and programs, the Wild Center also boasts 115-acres of extensive outdoor amenities. One of the highlights in the award-winning Wild Walk. Visitors walk up a trail of bridges to the treetops of the Adirondack forest, 40 feet off the ground. Along the way, interactive exhibits provide insights into the flora and fauna that call the Adirondacks home, from songbirds to black bears. The rest of the campus features more ways to explore. Check out Patrick Dougherty&rsquo;s Stickwork sculpture, an all natural installation of woven sticks that will spark your imagination and nostalgia. Immerse yourself in Forest Music, take a naturalist-lead canoe trip, or get your roll on with Raquette River Roll, a brand-new, oversized, all-natural ball run experience opening in June 2024.

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

Looking for something to do with the kids in New York City that is fun, exciting, and educational? The Intrepid Museum offers family-friendly activities and programs all year long that keep children engaged, entertained, and curious about history and science. Fun rain or shine, the Museum offers both indoor and outdoor interactive exhibits and activities. With so many things to do and see, you&rsquo;ll never hear &ldquo;I&rsquo;m bored,&rdquo; when you climb aboard Intrepid. A non-profit, educational institution featuring the legendary aircraft carrier Intrepid, the space shuttle Enterprise, the world&rsquo;s fastest jets and a guided missile submarine.