February Fun at New York City's Children's Museums: Playmobil, Black History Month and Raising Citizens

There are some cool new and seasonal exhibits going on this February at both the Manhattan and Brooklyn Children’s Museums.  From special programs for Black History Month and Presidents Day to a Playmobil toy display, there is likely to be something different from the usual fun for your family to check out if you visit one of these museums this month.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF MANHATTAN

We visited the Children’s Museum of Manhattan on a busy Target Free First Friday Night and got to see the new Playmobil exhibit.  I wouldn’t make a special trip for this exhibit alone, but it’s worth a look if you’re at the museum during its run now through June 5th.  Toy-maker Playmobil teamed up with CMOM to plant three elaborate glass-encased scenes made of Playmobil figure sets on each floor of the museum’s main stairwell.   Visitors are given a scavenger hunt assignment to spot specific things in each toy scene,  which include a visit to a zoo, a school and the medieval times (Sets are available for purchase from the company’s 2011 collection, of course.)  There is information posted about the specific engineering behind Playmobil toys and how they aid creative play and development.  Sure, the toy scenes are neat to watch for a while - but as expected, the exhibit is rather commercial.

Also at CMOM this month is the African American Arts Festival.  The schedule includes a performance about the life of Harriet Tubman and a lesson on the Blues from the folks at Jazz at Lincoln Center.  The museum’s Meet The Artist series for February will focus on African American Artists and a program on Story Quilts.  

Want a patriotic activity for the little ones during the Presidents Day February school break?  CMOM will be hosting its “Raising Citizens” events during school recess the week of February 21 - 27.   Visit on these days and meet costumed presidents and first ladies, make a U.S. coin collage, and create your own campaign button about a political cause important to your family or young one.

*Some events are for specific ages and require same-day registration.  Check the CMOM website and calendar for more information.  

BROOKLYN CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

The Brooklyn Children’s Museum is kicking off its Black History Month event line-up on its monthly Free Thursday Night, February 17th from 5 - 7:30pm.  That night visitors can learn about the Tuskegee Airmen with a special guest and the museum’s Take Flight program.  Open to all ages.  

From February 19 - 27th the museum is marking the mid-winter school recess with extended hours and  a series of programs celebrating Black History Month. The museum will host  “Heroes Throughout History” programs spotlighting contributions that helped shape our culture today.  Your young ones can learn about music man Clyde Wilder and inventors Elijah McCoy and Garret Morgan.

For specific dates and times visit the Brooklyn Children’s Museum online calendar.

BROOKLYN CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
145 Brooklyn Avenue (at St. Marks Avenue)
Brooklyn, NY 11213
(718) 735-4400
Admission $7.50 per person

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF MANHATTAN
212 West 83rd Street (between Amsterdam and Broadway)
New York, NY 10024
(212) 721-1223
Admission $10 per person