Want fun and low-cost things to do with your kids in Nassau County, Long Island this month! We’ve got you covered! Get all the details on family-friendly shows coming to town, including Disney on Ice, Martin Luther King Jr. Day events, a large-scale LEGO exhibit, and more — all happening in January.
Find even more upcoming family activities on Long Island and in the NYC area in our full (searchable!) calendar of events.
Do You Believe in Magic?
Children will be mesmerized by Disney on Ice Presents Mickey and Minnie’s Magical Journey. The lovable pair take to the ice and transport audiences to enchanted places where they meet old friends from The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, and other Disney classics. Children will surely “ooh and aah” at the fantastic set and the brightly colored costumes of the characters. January 5-8. $28.50 and up.
Nassau Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale. 800-745-3000. www.nassaucoliseum.com.
Oz, Updated
Louise Reichlin and Dancers present The Patchwork Girl of Oz, a modern-day fable that brings to life the adventures of Ojo as he goes on a quest to bring his uncle, who has been turned into marble, back to life. Along the way, Ojo makes new friends, including the contemporary Patchwork Girl, and learns the importance of working together as part of a community. January 7 at 2pm. $3 plus $11 museum admission.
Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City. 516-224-5800. www.licm.org.
Poor Pooh!
Everyone’s favorite bear finds himself in crazy misadventures in Winnie the Pooh’s Winter Tail. Lucky for him, his friends Eeyore, Piglet, and Rabbit help him out (or help him in!). And when everything else fails, he always has his “hunny.” Kids will have a meet-and-greet opportunity with the cast after the show. January 7. 11am. $10.
The Showplace at the Bellmore Movies, 222 Pettit Avenue, Bellmore. 516-599-6870. www.plazatheatrical.com.
Game’s On
The Long Island Royals and the Suffolk Juniors ice hockey teams will compete for the championship and the Ronald McDonald House-Long Island Cup. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island. January 10. 2:30pm. $25, includes admission to New York Islander vs. Detroit Red Wings game afterwards. Nassau Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale. For details, call Jeanne Ellis, 516-775-5683 ext. 140. www.rmhlongisland.org.
Oh, Ramona!
Writer Beverly Cleary’s wacky character Ramona comes to life in Ramona Quimby. In this stage adaptation, poor Ramona is confused. She has so many family issues to work out, each of them with hilarious results. Not to worry, the audience and Ramona’s family and friends help her get through them — laughing all the way. January 15 at 2pm. $18.
Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main Street – Jeanne Rimsky Theater, Port Washington. 516-767-6444. www.landmarkonmainstreet.org.
All Creatures Great and Small
Jack Hanna, animal lover and adventurer extraordinaire, takes a ride on the wild side around the world and invites everyone to come along. Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild Live gives families a close-up look at animals in their natural environment and points up the need for protection of endangered species and conservation of earth’s natural resources. Kids will appreciate this fun way to learn about science. January 15. 1pm. $29 and up.
NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury. 516-247-5200. www.thetheatrewestbury.com.
A King-Sized Day
Celebrate the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday with activities fit for a king. Reflect on the contributions of this Civil Rights leader and plan to make a difference in your own community.
Treat the children in your family to a Martin Luther King Day Celebration where they can make friendship bracelets, prepare tasty desserts such as chocolate “peace” lollipops, and bake and decorate multi-ethnic cookie people that symbolize the meaning of the day. January 16. 12-2pm. $49. What’s Cooking?, 30 East Main Street, Oyster Bay. 516-922-2665. www.whatscookingny.com.
Kids can appreciate with the magic of the day with the Martin Luther King Jr. Day-Harry Potter Activity. They’ll discover the wizardry of mixing potions, creating their own wand, participating in a scavenger hunt, and then watching a Harry Potter movie. January 16. 11:30am and 2:30pm. Call for price. Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum, 301 Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor. 631-367-3418. www.cshwhaling museum.org.
Explore Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life through art in Dreaming with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Find inspiration through his life, speeches, and vision to produce a painting of peace. January 16. 12pm and 2pm. $3 with $11 museum admission. Also that day, check out Aspiring Young Artists Presents MLK in Music and Words. This original production preserves the memories of Dr. King using music and his words as inspiration. January 16. 1pm and 3pm. $4 with $11 museum admission. Both events at Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City. 516-224-5800. www.licm.org.
Toy Story
New York sculptor Nathan Sawaya uses creativity and ingenuity to pique the imagination of his audience. Sawaya, who often fuses pop art with surrealism, has been limiting his palette to only Lego building blocks. The exhibition Nathan Sawaya: Recent Works portrays large-scale sculptures that explore themes of identity and depict the complex condition of human beings. The show runs through March 18. Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-4:45pm. $10; $4 children; $8 seniors.
Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor. 516-484-9337. www.nassaumuseum.org.
