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Whether you come from an Irish heritage or just love to celebrate traditions from the land of saints and scholars, here are our suggestions of places to get your green on!
Listen to Irish Stories and Concerts Pinch Pot ‘o Gold: Hear some of the famous myths and legends of Ireland, including those of leprechauns, who are mischievous fairies believed to hide pots of treasure and gold and grant wishes. Kids craft their own pinch pots to fill with treasures. March 13. 3pm. $3 plus $10 admission. Celtic Fun with Darlene Graham: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day early at an exploration of traditional Irish music and culture with Darlene Graham, a children’s musical artist. March 13 and 14. 1:30pm. $4 with $10 admission; $8 theater only. Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City. 516-224-5800. www.licm.org.
Irish Festivals and Parades 12th Annual Irish Experience Festival: Families celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with pop-folk Irish band Celtic Cross; the female traditional Irish band Girsa; Michael O’Rourke and the Black Velvet Band; The Hirten Family Irish Dancers and more. March 14.11am-5pm. $5 adults, children under 12 FREE; Hofstra students FREE. Hofstra University, Physical Fitness Center, North Campus, Hempstead. 516-463-6582. www.hofstra.edu/festivals. St. Patrick’s Day Special: Preschoolers enjoy a playdate and bounce session, 10am-12pm, while families are invited to Family Bounce Night, 5-7pm. Wear green at either session and receive $2 off. Call for reservations. March 17. $12.95 per child. BounceU, 101 Carolyn Boulevard, Farmingdale. 631-777-5867. www.bounceu.com. The 14th Annual St. Patrick’s Pay Parade: Celebrate in Rockville Centre with pipe bands, step dancers and other Irish organizations. Participants line up on Sunrise Highway and proceed along Maple Avenue, pass Village Hall, and end the parade at St. Agnes Cathedral in parking field H2. March 20. 12pm. FREE. Village of Rockville Centre, Long Beach Road and Maple Avenue, Rockville Centre. 516-678-9260. www.rvcstpatrick.com. 2010 Glen Cove St. Patrick’s Parade: The largest annual parade in Glen Cove will bring together the North Shore and the entire Irish community of Long Island. Enjoy bagpipers, step dancers, Irish organizations and more. The parade forms behind the Finley Middle School on Forest Avenue, follows Brewster Street to School Street to Glen Street, and ends at St. Patrick’s Church, at the corner of Pearsall Avenue. March 21. 1pm. FREE. Glen Cove City Hall, Finley Middle School, Forest Avenue, Glen Cove. 516-676-2000. www.glencove-li.com.
Make Irish Goodies St. Patrick’s Day Celebration: Kids can wear green and prepare and eat a “magically delicious” meal including Reuben sandwiches, Irish scones, Irish “smashed” potatoes, “Luck of the Irish” ice cream, and Leprechaun lemonade. March 16. 5-7pm. $49. What’s Cooking?, 30 East Main Street, Oyster Bay. 516-922-COOK(2665). www.whatscookingny.com. St. Patrick’s Dinner: Kids learn to make shepherd’s pie, Irish soda bread, and a dessert. March 17. 4pm. Call for pricing. Kitchen Time’s Party Place, 691 Broadway, Massapequa. 516-795-4980. www.kitchentime.net. St. Patrick’s Day Feast: Kids celebrate the luck of the Irish and cook up a meal to remember. They’ll make Reuben paninis, Irish soda bread, shimmery shamrock cookies, and shamrock shakes. Ages 2-12. 12:30-2:30pm and 5-7pm. $55 per child. March 16 at Little Chefs, 9 Soundview Market Place, Port Washington. 516-767-7633. March 17 at Little Chefs, 33 Jackson Avenue, Syosset. 516-496-0754. www.littlechefs.com. |
The Benefits of Bats
Kids learn about the benefits of bats in a presentation and Building for Bats workshop in which they’ll create their own bat box to banish bugs from the backyard. $3 plus $15 materials fee per bat box. All ages. March 7 at 1pm. Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center, 134 Cove Road, Oyster Bay. 516-922-3200. Email trsac@audubon.org for more information.
Celebrate Easter and Passover
Easter/Passover Feast: Kids will be cooking up the best foods from both Easter and Passover. They’ll participate in egg decorating, and make and enjoy matzoh brie, macaroons, and Egg-cellent Easter cookies. $55 per child. March 22, 12:30-2:30pm and 5-7pm, at Little Chefs, 33 Jackson Avenue, Syosset. 516-496-0754. March 23, 12:30-2:30pm and 5-7pm, at Little Chefs, 9 Soundview Market Place, Port Washington. 516-767-7633. www.littlechefs.com.
Spring Sweets Decorating Party: Attend this fun “no-bake, just decorate” party for the whole family. Choose a gingerbread house and sugar cookies shaped like flowers, eggs, and bunnies. Icing, all-you-can-eat candy buffet, and gift bag included. Reservations required. March 22 at 4pm, March 27 and 31 at 1pm, April 1 at 2:30pm. $10-$35. Gingerbread & Giggles (call for location – TBA), Rockville Centre. 516-320-4752. www.gingerbreadandgiggles.com.
Easter/Passover Party: Celebrate the season’s holidays. Kids will make and enjoy Bunny Salad, matzoh pizza, Easter egg decorating, chocolate chip macaroons, and a chocolate Easter egg nest. March 23, 5-7pm. $49. What’s Cooking?, 30 East Main Street, Oyster Bay. 516-922-COOK(2665). www.whatscookingny.com.
Arts and Crafts: Bunny and Carrot Door Hanger: Kids in grades 3-6 can make arts and crafts for Easter. They’ll create a foam bunny with carrots and turn it into a hanger to hang on the front door at home. Register in person. March 25 at 4pm. $1 materials fee. Franklin Square Public Library, 19 Lincoln Road, Franklin Square. 516-488-3444. www.franklinsquarepl.org.
What’s Showing in Nassau
“Science of the Circus” with Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey: The talented performers of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus perform on stage, as children learn about the many laws and principles of physics, such as balance, gravity, momentum, and more, which come into play throughout the show. March 7. 1pm and 3pm. $10. Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City. 516-224-5800. www.licm.org.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favorites: The magical stories of award-winning illustrator and author Eric Carle – The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Little Cloud, and The Mixed-up Chameleon – come to life on the stage with beautiful puppetry. Two theater performances are available. March 13 at 11am and 2pm. $15-$18. Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main Street, Port Washington. 516-767-6444. www.landmarkonmainstreet.org.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves: Families can enjoy the beloved Disney tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves live on stage. March 20 and 21 at 2pm. $10. BroadHollow Theatre at Elmont Children’s Theatre, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont. 516-775-4420. www.broadhollow.org.
One Ring Circus with National Circus Project: In celebration of the closing of Circus Month, families can laugh, juggle, or clown around with members of the National Circus Project, which includes some of the world’s finest circus performers. They will astound families with their skills in balancing, juggling, plate spinning, and more. March 30 and 31, 1pm and 3pm. $4 with $10 admission; $8 theater only. Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City. 516-224-5800. www.licm.org.
Robo-Fun
Don’t miss the Long Island Regional First Robotics Competition on March 26, at Hofstra University’s North Campus. Families can view this year’s Robotics competition in a game called “Breakaway” in which two alliances of three teams compete on a 27-by-54-foot playing field with bumps, attempting to earn points by collecting soccer balls in goals. Additional bonus points are earned for each robot that is suspended in the air and not touching the field at the end of the match. 9am-5pm. Ages: TE, AD. FREE. Physical Fitness Center, North Campus, Hempstead. 516-463-6582. www.hofstra.edu/festivals.
Art and History at the Museums
Martin Luther King, Jr., Exhibit: Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. with an exhibit of photographs, letters, and other documents relating to the civil rights leader’s life. The exhibit includes photos of Dr. King taken by Moneta Sleet, Jr., who was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1969 for his photograph of Coretta Scott King at her husband’s funeral. Through March 31. Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm. Call for pricing. The African American Museum of Nassau County, 110 North Franklin Street, Hempstead. 516-572-0730. www.nassaucountyny.gov/parks.
Children’s Pleasures: American Celebrations of Childhood: This exhibition focuses on the pleasures and pastimes of American children from the early 19th century to 2008. The paintings, drawings, works on paper, and sculptures by renowned American artists portray children enjoying family and friends, make-believe, holiday celebrations, games, toys, outdoor play, music, dance, and childhood mischief. Through April 18. Call for times and pricing. Hofstra University – Emily Lowe Gallery, 112 Hofstra University, South Campus, Hempstead. 516-463-6580. www.hofstra.edu/culture.
The Amazing Invisible Dog: Kids can meet in the inner lobby of the museum to build their own Invisible Dog. Laugh with your family and friends as you take your imaginary friend for a walk. March 2-26. 2:30-4pm. $10. Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City. 516-224-5800. www.licm.org.
Kaleidozone – Light, Wind and Meryl Taradash: Families can explore this exhibit, which features the work of sculptor Meryl Taradash. Learn how she created “Wind Dancing,” the sculpture located at the museum, and see other works she has produced. Through May 2. 10am. $10. Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City. 516-224-5800. www.licm.org.
The Art of Puppetry
Kids produce their own puppet show, design tabletop puppets, and learn about the history of puppet-making at “The Wonderful World of Puppets” at the Long Island Children’s Museum, March 28 at 3pm; March 31 at 1pm. Ages: YE, TW. $3 with $10 museum admission. 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City. 516-224-5800. www.licm.org.
