Through May 12
Puppet Tales
[Ages 4 And Up]
“Fragile,” one of the newest productions to hit the New Victory Theater stage, is a magical display of masterful puppetry, wordlessly chronicling the travels and travails of the vaudevillian compagnon as he navigates tricky terrain with only the use of his optimism and a suitcase. Don’t miss this heartwarming testament to the power of resilience and character for all ages. $20 (members $14); 10:30am, 12:30pm & 2:30pm, Thursdays-Sundays. 646-223-3010, 5 West 28th Street, newvictory.org
Through May 19
A 2-In-1 Show
[Ages 5 And Up]
Presented as two one-act musicals at TADA! Youth Theater, “Adventures from Ezra Jack Keats” is based on the original works of the award-winning children’s author. “Apt.3” tells the story of two brothers driven to search their tenement for a mysterious harmonica player. “Maggie and the Pirate” chronicles the encounter between a buccaneer and a young girl with her pet cricket in tow. $20 ($8 for children); various dates and times. 212-252-1619, 209 West42nd Street, tadatheater.com
May 5
The Play’s The Thing
[Ages 5 And Up]
The Children’s Museum of Manhattan, one of the premier spots in NYC for toddler-friendly programming, is teaming up with the New Victory Teaching Artists to help little ones see what it’s like to be a part of a unified dance crew. At the Play’s The Thing workshop, led by urban dance guru Rennie Harris, families will learn to pop and lock, bugaloo, and perform other moves to give the MC something to talk about. Free with admission (children and adults $11, seniors $7); 1:30pm, 2:30pm & 3:30pm. 212-721-1223, 212 West 83rd Street, cmom.org
May 12
In Honor Of Moms
[Ages 5 And Up]
Looking for an exciting and meaningful way to show your appreciation for Mom? Join Milagros Day Worldwide and spend Mother’s Day walking across the Brooklyn Bridge and enjoying a multi-cultural concert at Cadman Plaza Park. Established to benefit the survivors of domestic violence, the walk departs from Park Row and Centre Street and concludes with a three-hour celebration of live music and festivities. $10; 10am-3pm. 249 Broadway, City Hall Park, milagrosday.org
May 12-20
Get Wild!
[All Ages]
Fun fact: Our city has a whopping 53,000 acres of open space that boasts over 778 plants native to the five boroughs! That’s why NYC Wildflower Week is celebrating with tons of nature-y fun for all ages all over the city. Special children’s events include a lesson in wildlife scavenger hunting and “bug box” making, flora walks in Prospect Park and throughout Queens, and a Deedle Deedle Dees show about NYC’s birds, bugs, and flowers—just to name a few. Mostly free; various locations and times. [email protected], nycwildflowerweek.org
May 18
Best Of Ballet
[Ages 5 And Up]
Featuring excerpted performances from the New York City Ballet’s 2013 American Music Festival, Family Saturday is a special kid-adapted program that offers a glimpse into NYCB’s vibrant and diverse repertoire, all set to modern or classic American standards. Hosted by NYCB soloist and choreographer Justin Peck, this one-hour program is a perfectly succinct introduction to the world of dance for performing arts lovers as young as 5. $20 per participant, 11am, David H. Koch Theater, 212-870-5636, 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, nycballet.com
May 18
Madison Square Park Fest
[All Ages]
Madison Square Park Conservancy’s Spring Kids Fest 2013 is back! On this day of free outdoor fun, children can enjoy live performances, yoga lessons, face painting, and arts and crafts from fave groups like Karma Kids Yoga, apple seeds, MoMath, and more. Plus, tasty and healthy snacks like Pop Chips and Treats Truck will keep you fueled. Free, 10:30am-1:30pm, 23rd Street & Broadway, 212-325-2101 madisonsquarepark.org
May 18 To January 5, 2014
Ribbit, Ribbit
[All Ages]
Amphibian lovers, get excited—the American Museum of Natural History’s newest exhibit, Frogs: A Chorus of Colors, features more than 150 live creatures, from the spectral poison-dart frog to the corpulent African bullfrog. The exhibit will showcase over 25 species from around the globe in recreated habitats, complete with live regional fauna, rock ledges, and waterfalls. Come explore the evolution and biology of these fascinating amphibians and learn about the threats they face in a changing world. Free with admission (children $10.50, adults $19); 10am to 5:45pm. 212-769-5100, 200 Central Park West, amnh.org
May 24 To January 2015
For All Lego Lovers
[All Ages]
With more than 1,600 oversized blocks, cubes, cogs, cylinders, and arches, Block Party is one exhibit in which children can let their imaginations run wild. At the Liberty Science Center, kids can create whimsical architecture, ocean-going vessels, space-bound rockets, futuristic cities, and fabulous forts in this engineering free-for-all. Builders under 5 will have their own designated playspace with hundreds of blocks. Free with admission (children $12.50, adults $16.75); 201-200-1000, 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, lsc.org
May 29 To June 3
Week Of The Geek
[All Ages]
Returning to New York City for its fifth anniversary season, the World Science Festival features a fantastic selection of more than 50 events all over the city, many of them geared toward families. From a staged production of the Icarus myth to astronomer-guided stargazing astride the Brooklyn Bridge to a park-wide botanical safari along the historic East River, there’s an outlet for every scientific interest. Mostly free; various locations and times. 212-352-3101, worldsciencefestival.com
