Submitted by Shari Simpson on
I know that for some people, mathematics is the supreme beauty of the universe; let me just say that I am not one of these people. However, the new carnival-themed “Math Midway” exhibit at Liberty Science Center came very close to making me a believer. Colorful, marvelously interactive and just plain fun, Math Midway will appeal to all ages, with different levels of appreciation and comprehension.
Submitted by Raven Snook on
We've crossed a few more Halloween updates off our to-do list. If you look at our Halloween Fun Guide, you'll see we now have info on this year's haunted happenings in Westchester, parties and events in Fairfield, Connecticut and a wonderful post about the Bronx Zoo's Boo at the Zoo, which includes a giveaway: four sets of family four-packs to the animal spot. You've got to hurry: We're picking the winners this Monday so enter right away.
Of course Halloween isn't the only game in town. We also updated our post about Columbus Day weekend getaways and staycations just in time for the three-day break, and we took a family walking tour of Chinatown. It's the first in series of posts we are doing on the neighborhood this month.
And that's just a bit of what's going on. Here's what we covered this week on Mommy Poppins in NYC, New Jersey, Long Island and Connecticut, as well as selected stories from our brand-new sites in Boston and Los Angeles.
Submitted by Anna Fader on
Have you ever wondered how the blind are able to make their way around this crazy city we live in? Some days, navigating NYC with perfect vision is tough! Dialog in the Dark, a new exhibit at the South Street Seaport, invites visitors to experience New York City from the point of view (so to speak) of the blind and visually impaired.
When you enter the interactive installation Dialog in the Dark, you're given a white cane to help you find your way and then the lights are turned out—from this point on you're in complete darkness as you're led through several replicas of NYC environments. Each area has its own smells, sounds and things to feel. Part of the fun is figuring out where you are, so I won't give too much away, but I will give you a sense of what it's like.
Submitted by Toby B on
It’s one for the record books… make that two! This week Southern Californians have the chance to participate in two different world record attempts. First up: Read for the Record. The Santa Monica Public Library joins with book lovers around the world in an attempt to create the largest shared reading experience. This year’s book is Llama Llama Red Pajama, and it’s a real page turner, filled with lots of llama drama.
Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on
Last weekend, the New Victory Theater kicked off its new season with a show we've really been looking forward to: Bristol Riverside Theatre's beautiful stage adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's beloved children’s novella The Little Prince. This popular tale about a mysterious, planet-hopping boy who comes to Earth and meets a stranded pilot has been adapted many times (including a really trippy 1974 live-action movie musical). But this evocative interpretation really stands out due to its combination of modern technology and Bunraku (Japanese-style) puppetry.
The hour-long show is true to the book, but streamlined a bit. The Aviator (Leonard C. Haas) comes across the Little Prince (a puppet skillfully manipulated by Eileen Cella) and answers his barrage of questions. The royal boy reminisces about his life back home, shares stories of his animal encounters, helps the pilot find water and finally sacrifices himself so his soul can return to his planet. It's abstract and complicated stuff, just like the original story.
The Little Prince has haunted me since I was a child. I shared the book with my son (who's only six) and while he enjoyed it, he took it at face value, but there's a deeper meaning. Yes, at times it seems like the mad rantings of a man hallucinating in the desert, but it also contains amazing insights about love, friendship and human nature. So there's a lot here for both kids and parents to enjoy.
Submitted by Shari Simpson on
If you’re wondering why the word “carnage” is popping up on your happy family go-to site, it’s because this carnage is a very profound and very funny play about parenting. (Or lack thereof.) Tagged as “A Comedy of Bad Manners”, the Mile Square Theater and director Chris O’Connor do an excellent job of bringing to life two sets of parents who attempt to have a civil discussion about their children’s recent altercation. The result is disastrous, hilarious, and nearly as bloody as the title suggests.
Submitted by Katy on
As the weather gets cooler, we turn our attention from outdoor play spots to indoor ones. And NYC's libraries are some of the coolest no-cost places for kids to spend a day reading, thinking and learning.
Of course not all libraries are created equal. My family lives in Queens, which has more than 60 local branches, most with a nook, a room or maybe even a floor dedicated to kid lit. But late last month, the Children’s Library Discovery Center (CLDC) opened at the central branch in Jamaica, Queens, and it's a destination well worth traveling to.
The brand-new 14,000-square-foot, two-story building—which is actually located next to the central branch—is the second largest children’s library in the country. Featuring hands-on science, technology and math installations, learning labs and (of course) loads of books. the CLDC is aimed at children 12 and under. My preschool-age daughter and I went to check it out and were totally blown away.
Submitted by Anonymous on
One of the great things about fall is the opportunity to move your fun indoors. If bringing your, how shall we put it, "enthusiastic" kids inside a museum sounds like a nightmare, fear not--even the ones that usually bounce off the walls will find stuff to capture their attention and imagination in the Fall 2011 museum exhibits in NJ. Motorcycles, the science of cooking, math as a circus event, whirligigs and whimsy top the list, so don't miss the best New Jersey museums have to offer!
