Weekend Planner: Fun Family Activities In NYC (January 29-31)

"The Astronaut's Tale" at BAM

Join the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) for Encompass New Opera Theatre’s New York premiere of “The Astronaut’s Tale.” This multimedia production combines spectacular visual projections with orchestral chamber music and soaring vocals to tell the story of a young man’s quest to become an astronaut. This 75-minute performance will enthrall families with children ages 8 and up. (Through Sunday)

"The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show" at the 47th Street Theatre

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the renowned children’s book written and illustrated by Eric Carle, is coming to the stage! Jonathan Rockefeller’s critically acclaimed production of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show” makes its first US stop in New York this winter. The 60-minute show features 75 enchanting puppets and adapts four of Eric Carle’s beloved books: "The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse," "Mister Seahorse," "The Very Lonely Firefly," and, of course, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." Carle hopes the production will inspire children and their imaginations. (Opens Friday)

New York Family Camp Fairs in Brooklyn

Discover dozens of day and sleepaway camps at the New York Family Camp Fairs coming up on Saturday, January 30 in Williamsburg and Sunday, January 31 in Cobble Hill. The fairs are informative, free, and fun for the whole family. The Camp Fairs (the largest in NYC) offer families the unprecedented opportunity to speak with a big host of camp directors and get essential questions answered: What kinds of camps are right for my child? Should my child go to day camp in the city or out of the city? Is my child ready for sleepaway camp? Should we look at general camps or specialty camps? The camp fairs are sponsored with the American Camp Association-NY/NJ. (Saturday-Sunday)

Aaron Nigel Smith at Symphony Space

Aaron Nigel Smith of the hit PBS Kids show “Between the Lions” is coming to Symphony Space this Saturday! A long-time supporter of the cultural arts, Smith has founded the FUNdamentals of Music and Movement program which is dedicated to bringing the arts here in the US to early education centers for the underprivileged, as well as the One World Chorus, which provides choral singing programs to children around the world. During his energetic concerts, the award-winning singer combines reggae, rock, and world music to produce a unique sound that will please all ages. (Saturday)

Family Day: Korean New Year 2016 at the Korea Society

This Saturday, celebrate the Korean New Year at The Korea Society! Families with children of all ages are welcome to join in Korean calligraphy and brush painting workshops, arts & crafts sessions, traditional folktale storytelling, games, Korean hand-drumming, and more. (Saturday)

Opening Weekend of "Beaver Run" Exhibit at The Museum of Mathematics

"Beaver Run," the latest permanent exhibition to open at the Museum of Mathematics, presents visitors with a variety of interactive challenges. As two beavers travel along a path of tracks and turntables, visitors can rotate the turntables–which each encompass a quarter circle of track–in order to create different pathways and millions of possible patterns. However, no matter how the beavers’ paths are configured, they’ll never meet–but how can you be sure? Through this conundrum, “Beaver Run” will demonstrate to visitors the concept and power of mathematical proofs. (Opens Saturday)

Boo! Spooktacular Enchanted Forest at the Queens Museum

Head to the Queens Museum and frolic in the Spooktacular Enchanted Forest! Wear a costume and jam along to the Circus Amok Band. Children can watch stilt walkers and get their faces painted. Adults can enjoy refreshments in the Enchanted Beer Garden. (Saturday)

"The Lightning Thief" at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College

Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school–again–and the gods and monsters from his Greek mythology textbook seem to be jumping off the pages and into his life. And to make matters worse, Zeus’s lighting bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect! Adapted from Rick Riordian’s book The Lightning Thief, this imaginative musical will delight the whole family. (Sunday)

CMOM's Sunday Funday at Pier 60

Join the Children’s Museum of Manhattan at this family friendly FUNdraiser! Enjoy a solo performance by kindie musician Laurie Berkner, kick a field goal with a New York Giants Superstar, meet costume characters, participate in art and design workshops, join a Kidz Pop dance party, and so much more! All funds raised at the event will support top-notch cultural programming for 50,000 people a year, plus free access to the Museum for over 50,000 low-income individuals and outreach programs in over 50 sites in high-need neighborhoods across New York City. (Sunday)

Carnegie Kids: Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem at Carnegie Hall

Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem are bringing their American roots music to Carnegie Hall for a special Carnegie Kids Concert. Their music—which features beautiful vocal harmonies as well as fun instruments like a homemade percussion kit made of cardboard boxes, tin cans, and other recycled materials—is a combination of traditional, contemporary, and original songs. They will play folk, funk, blues, bluegrass, and gospel music sure to get families dancing! (Sunday)

"The New World Symphony: Dvořák in America" at Bohemian National Hall

The New World Symphony: “Dvořák in America,” will explore the influence of African-American and Native American music upon the work of the famed Czech composer and on music development worldwide. Written and directed by Vít Hořejš, music by Antonín Dvořák and African-American saxophonist James Brandon Lewis, and performed by Czechoslovak American Marionette Theatre members, this event will be enjoyed by the entire family. (Saturday-Sunday)

Mister G at the Jewish Museum

Spend an hour this Sunday with 2015 Latin Grammy Award winner Mister G. The kid-friendly bilingual artist will perform songs from the recently released “Los Animales” and “The Mitzvah Bus.” (Sunday)

15 Great Events for Winter

“The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show,” Kids Week at the Intrepid Museum, the New York International Children’s Film Festival, and more!