Weekend Fun for NYC Kids: Icky Fest, Special Mommy Poppins Event at Symphony Space, Recycle Your Tree at MulchFest January 10-11

1/7/15 - By Stephanie Ogozalek

Don't let the frigid temperatures get you down—there are lots of fun indoor activities for families this weekend. Get messy at the Brooklyn Children's Museum's Icky Fest, celebrate Gaelic culture at the Children's Museum of the Arts' Irish Fest or meet a live wolf at the American Museum of Natural History.

We are especially excited about the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia's eye-popping show Stella, Queen of the Snow at Symphony Space since we're hosting Saturday's 2pm performance! Mommy Poppins readers enjoy an exclusive preshow activity and save 35% on tickets. Also this weekend: You can recycle your Christmas tree at MulchFest and enter the Parks Department's online lottery for FREE indoor swimming lessons for kids.

These are just a few of the great things going on this weekend. All of our best bets are below. You can find more options in our Event Calendar and Winter Fun Guide.

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All Weekend

MulchFest – Citywide
Is your Christmas tree's still standing? Bring it to one of the designated sites throughout the five boroughs so it can get chopped up into mulch that will help nourish NYC parks. FREE

Icky Fest – Crown Heights
Head to the Brooklyn Children's Museum for a weekend full of icky activities. Enjoy face time with live bugs and reptiles, find out how well you wash your hands and try other yucky fun. Free with admission: $9

Family Art Project: Hibernators Den – Riverdale
Throw a coat over your PJs for Wave Hill's winter fete. Hear stories about hibernating creatures, and then fashion animal masks or craft a woodland scene. Free with admission: $8 for adults, $2 for children, free to all on Saturday until noon
 

Saturday, January 10

Stella, Queen of the Snow – Upper West Side
One of our January GoList picks: Catch the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia's stage adaptation of Marie-Louise Gay's picture book about a sister and brother who go on a wintry adventure. Mommy Poppins is sponsoring the afternoon performance so our readers enjoy an exclusive preshow craft and save big on tickets. $26 for adults, $16 for children but save 35% on the 2pm performance with the discount code MPJK

Live Wolf Encounter – Upper West Side
Hit the American Museum of Natural History for face time with Atka, an Arctic gray wolf from the Wolf Conservation Center, and learn all about the endangered species. Afterward, check out the museum's interactive Nature's Fury installation. $12 for the wolf presentation; exhibit is free with General Admission Plus One: $27 for adults, $16 for children ages 2-12

Winter Family Festival at ACT – Morningside Heights
Come experience everything this after-school and summer camp program has to offer at its annual open house. Activities include a bouncy house, live reptiles, face painting, games and a chance to make new friends. FREE

Family Art Labs: Sanskranti, Indian Kite Festival – Chelsea
Head to the Rubin Museum to celebrate the Hindu fest of Sankranti, when kites are flown in India and Nepal. Explore the galleries then hit the studio to craft flyers inspired by the works on display. $18 per adult-child pair

Birding: Eagles – Inwood
Search the skies for bald eagles with help from the Urban Park Rangers in Inwood Hill Park. The experts will also share interesting info on this majestic bird. FREE

See all Saturday events.
 

Sunday, January 11

Broadway Playhouse: Charles Strouse – Upper West Side
Your kids may not know his name but they definitely know Strouse's music—he wrote the songs for Annie. Sing along to "Tomorrow", "It's the Hard Knock Life" and more of his beloved show tunes in this interactive family concert. $20

Irish Festival – Hudson Square
Celebrate all things Irish at the Children's Museum of the Arts' annual fest. Presented in conjunction with the Irish Arts Center, the four-day event kicks off today and features music, dance, theater and storytelling performances, and craft workshops. Free with admission: $11

Brooklyn Three Kings Day Parade – Williamsburg
Kings County's modest celebration kicks off with a festival followed by a procession that starts under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. FREE

Carnegie Kids: Songs for Unusual Creatures – Midtown West
Watch as images of blobfish, elephant shrews and other bizarre beasts frolic to kooky tunes by author/composer Michael Hearst at Carnegie Hall. FREE but space is extremely limited. Call 212-247-7800 to try to reserve your seats.

GingerbreadLane Giveaway – Corona
Marvel at Chef Jon Lovitch's 300-square-foot gingerbread village at the New York Hall of Science and then take a piece of it home on Sunday, when the display is dismantled and given away to visitors. Arrive early: The line starts forming at noon. Free with admission: $15 for adults, $12 for children ages 2-17, free to from 10-11am

See all Sunday events.

Don't forget: We have additional activity options in our Event Calendar.