Love animals, but tired of seeing the same old lions and tigers and bears? Fear not – the Bronx Zoo has added a brand-new element of animal fun to its calendar. “Animal Tales Extravaganza,” which will run every weekend to the end of June, features animal-themed interactive activities, from author readings to crafts and character parades. Whoever said kids should keep their distance from zoo animals will be in for a surprise this weekend as Barney the Dinosaur leads an energy-filled, 20-minute sing and dance-along on the New York Life Mainstage. Before that, Nina and Star from The Good Night Show will be on hand to take photos, do crafts, and get in some pre-Barney stretching. If you miss Barney, don’t worry – he will leave his performance in the able hands (or…paws) of the Animal Tales Players the next two weekends. —
If your family likes to participate in more relaxed activities, you can take advantage of the Animal Yoga Sessions that will run at Astor Court each weekend. Little Flower Yoga teaches kids and their parents how to roar like a lion, stretch like a cobra and channel their inner animal spirit. Or, head over to the Asia Plaza to enjoy the interactive physical comedy show “If You Really Love Polar Bears.”
Too energetic to sit and watch a show? Stop by Dancing Crane, where crafts will be available all day long for children to make their own Animal Tale puppets.
For character-struck members of your family, check the Zoo calendar for other icons appearing in the Animal Tales Extravagazna, including Bob The Builder and the Berenstain Bears in in June! And in the next two weekends? The most citified, sassy pig OLIVIA will be on hand next weekend, and Buddy the Dinosaur will make an appearance the last weekend in May.
Character parades, featuring the Animals Tales Players and the Bronx Zoo’s most beloved costumed characters, will snake their way from Dancing Crane to Grizzly Corner at 1:15 and 3:15 p.m. And for the bookworms, author Alex Beard will read from his popular Monkey See, Monkey Draw at Asia Plaza next weekend, and Teresa Power will read from her ABCs of Yoga for Kids the following weekend.
Wondering how much all of this will set you back? Nothing – “Animal Tales Extravaganza” events are FREE with the price of zoo admission. For more info about the Extravaganza, visit the Zoo website.
