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Things To Do

Weekend Planner: Fun Family Events in NYC (January 9-11)

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This weekend, celebrate the wonders of the natural world: Meet Atka the Arctic Gray Wolf at AMNH, learn about creepy crawlies at the Brooklyn Children Museum’s Icky Fest, and enjoy Michael Hearst’s animal inspired concert at Carnegie Hall. If flora and fauna aren’t your thing, catch a Broadway show–when you buy a ticket, your child’s is free–through Kids’ Night on Broadway, starting on Friday.

For more of our favorite events this month, check out our 10 Great Events picks for January. 

For more ideas for winter activities in (and out) of the city, see our Winter Fun Guide. 

  • Disney on Ice: “Princesses & Heroes” at Nassau Coliseum

    Disney on Ice: “Princesses & Heroes” at Nassau Coliseum

    Join your favorite Disney characters for Disney On Ice: "Princesses & Heroes" at Nassau Coliseum, beginning Thursday! Ariel, Jasmine, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Snow White, and their respective princes will battle the forces of evil during this ice skating spectacular. Recommended for ages 3 and up. (Thursday-Sunday)
  • Circus Now: International Contemporary Circus Exposure 2015 at NYU Skirball Performing Arts Center

    Circus Now: International Contemporary Circus Exposure 2015 at NYU Skirball Performing Arts Center

     Get a taste of the best in contemporary circus as nine of the world’s most inventive troupes from six countries take the stage for a showcase and celebration of modern circus. (Thursday-Sunday)
  • Kids’ Night on Broadway

    Kids’ Night on Broadway

     Starting this Friday, ages 6 through 18 can see a Broadway show for free when accompanied by an adult with a full-priced ticket. Participating shows include “Aladdin,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables,” “Wicked,” “The Lion King,” “Jersey Boys,” and others. Also, don’t forget to check out kidsnightonbroadway.com for exclusive deals on restaurants and other offers. (Friday-Thursday, January 15)
  • New York Theatre Ballet at 92Y: Legends and Visionaries 2015

    New York Theatre Ballet at 92Y: Legends and Visionaries 2015

     Catch the New York Theatre Ballet’s first show of the new season at 92Y’s Buttenweiser Hall this weekend. “Legends and Visionairies” features unique pieces by five acclaimed choreographers. (Friday-Sunday)
  • Live Encounter With A Wolf at AMNH

    Live Encounter With A Wolf at AMNH

    Meet Atka, an Arctic Gray Wolf, and learn about his species and the important role they play in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Children ages 5 and under are welcome to attend the 11am showing. The event will be held again for older children at 1pm. (Saturday)
  • Icky Fest 2015 at the Brooklyn Children's Museum

    Icky Fest 2015 at the Brooklyn Children's Museum

    Head over to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum this weekend for Icky Fest 2015. All ages will get a kick out of the ooey gooey, creepy crawly and just plain gross activities that the museum has in store. There will be a bug petting zoo, a carnivorous plants demo, an ocean creatures presentation, a Germ Detectives workshop, and a musical performance from The Trummytones. (Saturday-Sunday)
  • Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia:

    Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia: "Stella, Queen of the Snow" at Symphony Space

    Calling all fans of Marie -Louise Gay's "Stella" books! The Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia will use whimsical puppets, beautiful scenery, and original music to adapt the books to the stage, telling the story of a brother in sister who spend the day playing in the snow and discovering the world of winter. (Saturday)
  • MulchFest 2015

    MulchFest 2015

     Looking for an eco-friendly way to dispose of your Christmas tree? Join the Parks and Recreation Department and GreeNYC in recycling your Christmas tree into wood chips, to be used in parks and gardens across the city. Bring your tree to a ‘Chipping Location’ throughout the five boroughs (and take home some mulch of your own), or leaving their tree for special curbside collection now through January 16. (Saturday-Sunday)
  • Stam-Pede at Symphony Space

    Stam-Pede at Symphony Space

     Stomp your feet to afternoon of percussive dance from five top companies, from Irish dance to body percussion to tap dance, you’ll be wowed by these ensembles’ quick feet and catchy rhythms. Participating companies include: Atlantic Steps; Darrah Carr Dance; Germaine Salsberg's Les Femmes; Ryan Casey; and the Bang Group. (Sunday)
  • Carnegie Kids:

    Carnegie Kids: "Songs for Unusual Creatures"

     Ever heard of an elephant shrew or a giant Chinese salamander? Musician, author, and composer Michael Hearst will introduce young audiences to these and other unusual animals during his show at Carnegie Hall this Sunday. All ages are welcome. This event is free, but reservations are required. Seating is on a first-come first served basis. (Sunday)
  • Broadway Playhouse: Charles Strouse at Merkin Concert Hall

    Broadway Playhouse: Charles Strouse at Merkin Concert Hall

     Celebrate “Annie” composer Charles Strouse with the Kaufman Music Center this weekend. Strouse composed for more than 30 musicals, and you’ll also hear songs from “Annie,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” and more—plus, get the inside scoop on “Annie” from Strouse himself. (Sunday)
  • 10 Great Events for January

    10 Great Events for January

    Our favorite events this month, including an Audubon Winter EcoCruise, Kids’ Night on Broadway, Celebrasia NYC, and much more.
  • New York Family's Winter Fun Guide

    New York Family's Winter Fun Guide

    Explore the winter-ful world of New York City and beyond with 40+ ideas for fun in and out of the cold, from sledding and winter carnivals to crafting and indoor games.
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Treehouse Shakers

<div>Treehouse Shakers’ Branching OUT After-School program is for ages 12-14. This awarded program is for young people who identify as LGBTQIA+, or are seeking to become better allies. Branching OUT centers on discovering and exploring one’s story and identity through an intentionally artist-led format. During our community-based program, young people will explore and reflect on their own story to create a larger, more meaningful experience, while gaining self-empowerment and gathering with like-minded peers. Through the guidance of our awarded teaching artists, young people will create narratives that will be turned into podcasts, dances, songs or poetry. </div> <div> </div> <div>Young people have the opportunity to learn new art forms, work with professional artists, while building a meaningful community.</div>

Adventuring Portal

<p><a name="m_-1473885667065203258__Hlk72147528"></a>Adventuring Portal runs Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) games for kids.   We have created a safe online space for tweens and teens to learn and play D&D.</p> <p>Our D&D Summer Camp session are a one-week experience.  Monday – Friday.  Each day will be 3 hours of gaming (with 2 breaks build in).  15 total gaming hours for $180.  If you have played with us before, you are entitled to 10% off.   </p> <p>Need your kids, nieces or nephews, grand kids or neighbor’s kids to be occupied for a bit so you can get work done & take care of your to-do list? Maybe your tween or teen is still a bit isolated and craves connection with their peers? Whether your teen/tween has played D&D before or is brand-new to the experience, this safe space brings players together to have fun and solve problems as a team in ways few other online opportunities do.</p> <p>All our games focus on experiential learning.   Our players leave knowing all the basic game play as well as experiencing: teamwork, bravery, compassion, generosity, negotiation, improvisation, gamer etiquette, strategy, critical thinking, problem solving, cartography and probability - all through online D&D adventuring!</p> <p>We are an inclusive organization and welcome gamers who are LGBTQIA+ and those on any spectrum. </p> <p>All girls’ groups available. </p> <p>I am a parent, a certified elementary school and middle school math teacher and last summer in the midst of the mess started Adventuring Portal, an online Dungeons & Dragons business for kids. There are so many benefits to playing D&D and I hope you will consider us as a great way for your child to safely socialize, grow as people and have a great time.</p>

Manhattan Mandarin

<p>Manhattan Mandarin runs the Mandarin after-school programs at over 40 schools</p> <p>nationwide, including St. Bernard's, Chapin, Allen-Stevenson, and Buckley. Whether</p> <p>in schools, students' homes, in the office, online, or on our beloved China trips, our</p> <p>teachers and tutors have helped hundreds of students of all ages master the Mandarin</p> <p>language on their own unique paths to fluency. Our philosophy has always been to</p> <p>make private lessons and classes perfectly tailored for each individual student. We</p> <p>look forward to working with you.</p> <p>- Jamie Keyte, Founder</p>