The best local ways to keep your children happy
Outside
Adventures in Adaptations
Through Feb. 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The New York Botanical Garden
2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx
$8-$20, 718 817-8700
www.nybg.org
Let your kids run wild while learning about plants from different places with Adventures in Adaptations, which takes kids throughout the gardens.
Exhibits
Assignment: Subway
Saturday and Sunday, 1:30 p.m.
Transit Museum
95-99 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn
$5-$7, 718-694-1792
www.mta.info/museum
This interactive tour explains each job at the MTA — from what each worker does and how their role is important in keeping the subway safe.
Junior Engineer: Dig it
Feb. 18-19, 1:30 p.m.
Transit Museum
95-99 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn
$5-7,718-694-1792
www.mta.info/museum
Did you know that various archeological treasures were discovered during the construction of the subway tunnel system? At this exhibit, your family can dig up various replicas of these artifacts from the museum’s pretend excavation site.
Start with Art
Thursdays to Sundays, various times
The Met, 1000 Fifth Ave.
212-923-3700
www.metmuseum.org
Families can explore and learn about art at the Met through the family-friendly Start with Art program, where children can try their hand at sketching their own art work, listen to stories about the Met’s collection and discover the true meaning of art. This program is geared to children age three to seven and their parents or caregivers.
Creative
Chinese Lantern Installation
Feb. 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Children’s Museum of the Arts
103 Charlton St., New York
$10, 212-274-0986
www.cmany.org
Families can create a collage or create their own Chinese lanterns. Once completed,their finished work will be put on display, creating an installation of lanterns.
Comics for Kids: Workshop with George O’Connor
Feb. 2, 1:30 p.m.
WORD
126 Franklin St., Brooklyn
Free, 718- 383-0096
www.wordbrooklyn.com
Author/illustrator George O’Connor (his most recent work is “Hera: The Goddess and her Glory”) will give a presentation and lead a hands-on workshop for kids on creating comics at this special event.
Parade
Chinatown’s Lunar New Year Parade
Sunday, 1 p.m.
Mott and Hester Streets, free
www.explorechinatown.com
The spectacular annual parade in Chinatown starts at Little Italy and goes through the main streets of Chinatown with a colorful display of marching bands, floats and lion and dragon dancers. Before the parade starts, enjoy cultural demonstrations at the Sara Roosevelt Park.
theater
“Puss In Boots”
Now through April 7, Saturday and Sunday
Puppetworks INC.
338 Sixth Ave., Brooklyn
$7-$8, 718-965-3391
www.puppetworks.org
The 1697 French version of “Puss In Boots” has been adapted by Puppetworks for audiences of all ages to enjoy — with puppets! This version uses the original score and even features a “live” ogre.
“Cinderella: A New Version of the Oldest Story Ever Told”
Monday through Feb. 10,
10:30 a.m.
Circle in the Square Theatre School, 1633 Broadway
$5, 212- 307-0388
www.circlesquare.org
Audiences will be treated to versions of the fairytale “Cinderella” from China, India, and Africa. How different can they be? Well, one features a flying cow and, in another, Cinderella is a boy.
Events
The African American Musical Mosaic
Feb. 18, noon to 6 p.m.
American Museum of Natural History,
Central Park West,
Free with admission
212-769-5315
www.amnh.org
Celebrate African-American History Month with a day of family-friendly activities and live musical performances with such notable acts such as the Harlem Quartet, Sandra Reaves-Phillips, and IMPACT Repertory Theatre (the choir who performed “Raise it Up” from the film “August Rush” at the Oscars). The day ends with a special concert by Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, co-founder of the hip-hop group Run-DMC.
