In the aftermath of Sandy and now Athena, we’d like to encourage families to continue to donate their time and resources as much as they can this weekend. Here’s a quick list of organizations and relief efforts that need your help now.
While some of our beloved institutions are still cleaning up, others have fully reopened with lots of family offerings in the next few days. From a delicious chocolate show to a fabulous glow-in-the-dark show at Symphony Space to a magical Harry Potter exhibit, here’s all the fun you can enjoy with the kids:
STARTING FRIDAY
“Harry Potter: The Exhibition” is back in Times Square, bringing movie artifacts like Harry’s wand and the Marauder’s Map to Muggles in NY. Magical! (Friday-Monday)
Get merry with “ELF the Broadway Musical,” which translates the movie’s best moments into lovable tunes and energetic dances for the Al Hirschfeld Theatre stages. Cheers! (Friday-Monday)
Another cant-miss holiday production: “A Christmas Story,” the heartwarming tale of a boy who’d to anything if Santa would just bring him a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas. Awww. (Friday-Monday)
For a cultural weekend, celebrate the Day of the Dead at St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery (Friday-Sunday) or Diwali at the Asia Society (Sunday).
STARTING SATURDAY
Its blacklights galore at Symphony Space,
where Eric Carle’s most famous stories like The Very Hungry Caterpillar are coming to life in glow-in-the-dark musical glory. Groovy! (Saturday)
Bat expert Rob Mies is bringing live nocturnal creatures to the American Museum of Natural History this weekend. Fly on over. (Saturday)
East meets West at Carnegie Hall, where the Family Concert Series is blending instruments and styles from China to Brazil to Italy. Tune in! (Saturday)
Calling all noisemakers: Little Orchestra Society presents a hands-on musical experience in which kitchenware and other everyday items transform any tot into a percussionist. Rock on! (Saturday-Sunday)
Satisfy your sweet tooth at the Chocolate Show, where chocolate art and chocolate pasta making await the smallest of cocoa fans. Yummm. (Saturday-Sunday)
It’s warming up this weekend, especially on Sunday–perfect for enjoying the last of fall at New York Botanical Garden’s Fall Forest Weekend or Queens County Farm Museum’s Wildlife Weekend. (Saturday-Sunday)
SUNDAY & MONDAY ONLY
Celebrate our heroes at the Veterans Day Parade and see a spectacular mass band in action. Get the details for the route, which starts at Madison Square Park, right here. (Sunday)
Say thank you to current military members by creating a homemade card at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, which remains open this Monday just for the holiday. Get creative! (Monday)
BONUS TIPS
Our sister publication, AVENUE magazine, is hosting a fabulous jewelry show this weekend at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée on the Upper East Side. This is a special chance to shop Chanel, Bulgari, Donna Vock Designs, and more. From 11am-7pm, women will enjoy an extraordinary selection of luxury jewelry and one-on-one stylist consultations. Plus, New York Family readers who arrive on Saturday 11am-1230pm will enjoy a free mimosa at the show!
Tumble for a cause at Jodi’s Gym, which is holding a somersaults and gymnastics FUNdraiser this Saturday to help families affected by Sandy. All proceeds will go to the American Red Cross. More info here.
Who says art museums are just for adults? This Saturday, the whole family can head over to the MoMA for a special mythical creature-themed hunt, led by our cultural blogger Natasha Schlesinger of ArtXplorers. Join the creaturely fun!
