Free Play December 12-13, 2008: Free Indoor Play, Sinterklass and Festival of Lights

12/12/08 - By Anna Fader

200812120009.jpgSome of my favorite holiday events are this weekend: All those wacky events in our Off-Beat and Multicultural Holiday Events post are all this weekend. So if you missed that check it out here. And if you haven't taken a look at our round-up of the best Nutcracker performances for kids, find that post here.

Below we've picked out just the cream of the crop of other cool events for this weekend, where we think you'll find something new and interesting for the whole family.

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Festival of Lights Program
Another cool multicultural holiday event is the Center for Architecture Foundations Festival of Lights Family Day Program where kids can explore the holiday traditions from France, Sweden, Thailand, Philippines, India, Egypt, Holland, Mexico, and other countries and do crafts and activities just like kids do in those countries. Advance registration required; you can request an invitation by sending an email or calling 212 358-6133. There will be two sessions on Saturday, December 13, from 10-12 or from 1-3pm. Ages 5-12. $10 suggested donation per group. Center for Architecture Foundation is at 536 LaGuardia Place (between W. 3rd and Bleecker)

Sinterklass Concert
Celebrate Christmas the Dutch way with SinterKlass at the Bartow Pell Mansion in the Bronx. The Bronx Arts Ensemble with provide a free festive holiday concert with costumed singers who tell the story of Sinterklass in song and narrative. Saturday, December 13 and Sunday December 14. Two concerts daily, 12 and 2pm. Free, but call 718 601-7399 to reserve your tickets. The mansion will also be decked out Nutcracker style and available for a candlelight house tour Saturday evening at 5. Find out about this and many other beautiful Holiday-themed historic house tours at the Historic House Trust website.

Karma Kids and City Treehouse Open House
On Sunday December 14 from 3-5pm, head to City Treehouse, Chelsea's newest indoor playground for a free Karma Kids Yoga Open House. Take a yoga session with your kids and check out this cool new playspace that's home to a huge water table (pictured above) built by the same company that created the water exhibit for the Brooklyn Children's Museum. Make sure to bring a change of clothes and water shoes, if you like. The good news is this is one free event where reservations are required so hopefully it won't be crazy crowded. I say this is the place to be for little kids on Sunday afternoon , so call and grab a spot: 212 255-2050.

Of course, there's lots more activities in our Holiday Guide.