Top Kid-Friendly Activities For The Week

Canstruction 2016 will begin this week at Brookfield Place! Photo by Andrew Ross via Flickr.

Move over October! November arrives this week along with numerous family-friendly events. Haven’t made Halloween plans? Here are some of our favorite things happening all over the city this month!

Monday, October 31

Halloween Celebration
American Museum of Natural History
4-7pm
More than 30 of the American Museum of Natural History’s halls will be open for trick-or-treating plus arts and crafts for families with children of all ages. Characters including Clifford the Big Red Dog, Curious George, and Peter Rabbit will be in attendance, as well as magicians, stilt walkers, and even performers from the Big Apple Circus! Costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $14 per person.

Beginning Thursday, November 3

My First Film Fest
Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center
Various times
Join the Film Society of Lincoln Center for My First Film Fest, a new film festival for children that is designed to introduce younger audiences to the joy and wonder of movies. The program will feature 13 movie screenings, giveaways, and goodie bags. Kids will be treated to free screenings of “The Dark Crystal,” “Modern Times,” “Where the Wild Things Are,” “Steamboat Bill, Jr.,” and several international selections. Opening night will feature a sneak preview of Dreamworks’ “Trolls.” This event is free.

Canstruction
Brookfield Place
10am-6pm
Check out some awesome art and contribute to a great cause at Canstruction! Engineers, architects, students, and civilians compete to see who can build the biggest and coolest structures out of unopened cans of food. After the winners are crowned, all the food is donated to City Harvest to help feed NYC’s hungry. Previous years’ winners include a Bat-Signal—with an illuminated sky—and a bull charging out of a wall. Last year’s winner used 9,000 cans! Runs through Wednesday, November 16. This event is free; visitors are encouraged to donate at least one can of quality food in lieu of an admission fee.

Beginning Friday, November 4

“Chotto Desh”
New Victory Theater
Various times
One of Britain’s leading choreographers, Akram Kahn, is coming to the New Victory Theater this fall to perform “Chotto Desh,” his lauded autobiographical solo dance piece. Using a compelling mix of evocative dance, visuals, and sound, Khan’s piece follows his life story from the streets of Bangladesh to the stages of London. Telling this cross-cultural story and portraying the experiences of being different, “Chotto Desh” celebrates the resilience of the human spirit in the modern world. Recommended for ages 7 and up. Runs weekends through Sunday, November 13. Tickets start at $16.

Saturday, November 5

World Culture Festival: Epic Stories
Metropolitan Museum of Art
12-5pm
Learn about different world cultures at the Metropolitan Museum of Art this Saturday! During the museum’s World Culture Festival, all ages can listen to stories, watch live performances, and participate in artist-led workshops inspired by global stories. Festivities include a Diwali dance performance by East-West School of Dance, Cherokee and Choctaw songs performed by Martha Redbone, a comic book workshop with Women in Comics Collective, and more. Free with museum admission.

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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.

Play On! Studios

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! 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! 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! 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&rsquo;ve got the class for them. Classes are available for grades PreK-8, after school or on Saturdays! Come play with us. &nbsp;

Young Actors at Strasberg

Young Actors at Strasberg&nbsp;offers a comprehensive array of acting programs for students in grades 2 &ndash;&nbsp;12. Classes provide kids and teens with a foundation in Lee Strasberg's Method Acting and the tools to succeed in the professional industry &ndash;&nbsp;all while maintaining a fun and playful environment. Programs are tailored to encompass students at all levels, from those just beginning their acting journey to Broadway veterans and professional child actors. Young Actors at Strasberg alumni include Lady Gaga, Sophia Lillis, Angelina Jolie, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Rosario Dawson! Young Actors&nbsp;Programs are available online and in-person at our New York Campus, located in Union Square. Saturday, After-School and Online classes are offered during the traditional school year (Fall, Winter, and Spring) and Monday through Friday day camps and intensives are held in&nbsp;July and August. About The Lee Strasberg Theatre &amp; Film Institute: Founded in 1969 by Lee and Anna Strasberg, The Lee Strasberg Theatre &amp; Film Institute is the only school that teaches Lee Strasberg's work in its complete and authentic form. The Institute's goal is to provide students with a craft that will help them create a reality and respond truthfully in imaginary circumstances, regardless of the style or form of material being used. LSTFI is proud to have award-winning alumni from around the world working as writers, directors, and actors in all mediums.