| Page 1638 | Mommy Poppins - Things to Do with Kids

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs: A Hilarious Musical for Families

Submitted by Raven Snook on Mon, 10/10/2011 - 8:00am

We really love the shows put on by Atlantic for Kids. That's because they tend to be as much fun for parents as they are for children. I saw lots of adults cracking up at the theater troupe's latest family musical, a stage adaptation of author Jon Scieszka and illustrator Lane Smith's twisted take on The Three Little Pigs. In their version of the old tale, the Big Bad Wolf just has a big bad cold that leads to the swines' untimely demise. To say more would give too much away.

Even though the The Three Little Pigs is usually thought of as a story for very young children, this show isn't for preschoolers. Officially aimed at kids ages 5 to 12, I actually think it's best for tweens and up. It's very campy, and you need a wide frame of reference to get most of the jokes. Even though my six-year-old really enjoyed the show—she insisted we buy the book afterward—I definitely laughed a lot more than she did.

“Math Midway” at Liberty Science Center

Submitted by Shari Simpson on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 6:04pm

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.

Weekly Wrap Up: Bronx Zoo Boo at the Zoo Giveaway, Other Halloween Happenings, Chinatown

Submitted by Raven Snook on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 4:00pm

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.

Dialog in the Dark: See NYC in a Whole New Way at This Interactive Installation

Submitted by Anna Fader on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:00am

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.

Fun & Free Things to Do This Weekend with LA Kids: Kites, Cool Science, and World Records, Oct 8 - 9

Submitted by Toby B on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 1:30am

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.

The Little Prince at the New Victory Theater: The Classic Tale is Reinvented for NYC Kids

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Wed, 10/05/2011 - 10:00am

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.

“God of Carnage” at Mile Square Theater: Review and TICKET GIVEAWAY

Submitted by Shari Simpson on Wed, 10/05/2011 - 9:49am

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.

Children's Library Discovery Center: A New Interactive Tot Spot Opens at Queens Library's Central Branch

Submitted by Katy on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 10:00am

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.