This holiday weekend, why not squeeze in an activity or two with your children that honors Dr. King himself? The city boasts tons of great opportunities for families, from workshops at CMOM and the Brooklyn Kids Museum to volunteering at the JCC Manhattan and walking tours of upper Manhattan. See all of our picks below!
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Children
will learn about Dr. King and his legacy, discuss the role they can
play in making a difference in the world, and make a medal that shows
their promise to make a positive change in their communities at CMOM’s “Raising Citizens: Martin Luther King Jr, Festival.” For
children ages 5 and up; workshops take place at CMOM at 12 p.m., 2
p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. from January 15-17. For more info. call
212-721-1223 or go to cmom.org.
Symphony Space
6:30 p.m.
Symphony Space and the JCC invite families to their annual presentation of works honoring Dr. King’s message of peace and
equality. Performers
include notable jazz musician Craig Harris, the Green Pastures Baptist Church
Choir, a dance performed by Juel Lane and more. This event is free and
intended for all ages. This is a free event. 2537
Broadway at 95th Street, 646-505-5708, symphonyspace.org
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
12:30 p.m.
At this very special family program, kids can meet Civil Rights activist
Coretta Scott King and learn how she is carrying on her late husband’s legacy
of freedom. This program will be followed by a craft activity inspired by the
King family. This event is appropriate for kids ages 6 and up and is free with
museum admission. 145 Brooklyn Avenue 718-735-4400, brooklynkids.org
GenerationOn Day of Service
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Join
GenerationOn and PS 57 for the ninth annual free MLK Jr. Day of Service. This
project bridges social, economic and cultural differences and brings kids and
adults together in community projects. An adult must accompany all children
under the age of 13, and teens (age 13-18) may participate with signed parental
permission. 176 East 115th
Street, 212-850-4170 generationon.org
25th
Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr.
10:30 a.m.
Families
can head to the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s 25th annual tribute to
Martin Luther King Jr., where they can enjoy readings from novelist Walter
Mosley and performances from Persuasions and the Reverend Timothy Wright
Memorial Choir of the Grace Tabernacle Christian Center C.O.G.I.C. This event
is free, open to the public and appropriate for ages five and up. 30 Lafayette Avenue Brooklyn 718.636.4100, bam.org
JCC Day of Service
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
JCC members, staff and neighbors join together in community service
projects at the JCC and in the community. Families can choose their projects
the morning of the event, and all ages are welcome to participate. 334 Amsterdam Avenue, 646- 505-4444, jccmanhattan.org
The Queens Public Library
1:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The Queens Public Library invites families to a day of programming about Martin
Luther King, Jr. and his legacy.
11:30 a.m. Stories & Songs of Freedom: First-person stories about the civil right movement.
12:30 p.m. Dear Dr. King Reception: Borough President Helen Marshall
will honor young people who wrote letters to Dr. King for the Library’s “Dear
Dr. King” Writing Project. Refreshments will be served.
1:30 p.m. Excerpts from MLK’s “The Drum Major Instinct”: Teacher Donna Libert-Young will lead a discussion about lessons from
this famous speech.
2:30 p.m. “A Man and His Dream” documentary film about Dr. King’s life:
This is a
free event that’s suitable for kids ages 6 to 11. queenslibrary.org. 89-11
Merrick Blvd. 718-990-0767; queenslibrary.org.
We Have Another Dream:
Civil Rights in the 21st Century
10 a.m.
Bundle up the kids, pack a thermos and head to Central Park for a free, peace-themed
tour of Upper Manhattan led by 8th grade students from Manhattan Country School. This tour includes
Frederick
Douglass Circle, Mount Morris/Marcus Garvey Park and the Islamic Center of
New York. All ages are welcome. Meet at Strawberry Fields at Central Park West and 72nd Street. manhattancountryschool.org.
Seneca Village Tour
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
This tour
will teach families about Seneca Village, Manhattan’s first-known community of
African-American property owners, located in what is now northeastern Central Park. This event is free and intended
for ages 8 and up. Central Park, meet inside park at the southeast corner of 85th St at Central Park West 212-.772-0210,
centralparknyc.org
