Things for Kids and Families To Do in New York City - December 4 & 5: Claus, Cows, Carnivals, Concerts & Holiday Fun

12/2/10 - By Stephanie Ogozalek

This is the time of the year when we adults have to/want to create magic for the children in our lives. It is hard to decide where to put the most effort when there really is so much to do and lots going on.  In addition to all the shopping, baking and decorating it takes to create this “magic” there are also lots of fun seasonal events in New York City that make you want to just chuck all that magic making and go have some fun.  This weekend there are bright Hanukah events, Winter Fest at the Central Park Zoo and Winter Family Day at the Morgan Library & Museum to choose from or pick from one of the other many activities listed in The Mommy Poppins Holiday Activity Guide. Our guide covers everything from where to get the best photos for your holiday cards to what to do with your Christmas Tree when the holidays are over.  

This is the first weekend of December and many of the city’s museums offer free admission during designated times over the weekend. (The Children’s’ Museum of Manhattan, The Queens Museum and The Brooklyn Museum are just some of the many that will let you in for free). Our picks for the weekend are below and don’t forget to check out the Mommy Poppins Event Calendar for more ideas on how to spend your weekend.

Have a happy Hanukkah and a great weekend.

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Saturday, December 4, 2010

St. Luke’s Annual Christmas Fair – Greenwich Village
This is a pretty big to do and a lot of fun from what I hear. Kids will love the karaoke, getting lost in a maze, a traditional kiddie carnival and the Twas The Night Before Christmas puppet show performed by The Goat On A Boat Puppet Theater.  There will also be photos with Santa, dress up, arts & crafts and parents can get some shopping done. All to benefit the kids at The St. Luke’s School. $5 admission.

Starfish Concert – Midtown East
Starfish the 5 piece rock and roll band of Dads will be blowing the roof off the Stephen Schwarzman building of NYPL with their own brand of tunes that mix rock, reggae and a little bit of punk.  FREE.

St. Nicholas Day –Brooklyn
Celebrate Christmas they way they did in old New York with a visit from Sinterklaas who arrives on horseback with his servant Black Piet. Arts and crafts, colonial music, period snacks and carrots to feed Santa’s steed.  $5 for adults and $3 for children.

Sandra Boynton’s "Amazing Cows" Book Signing and Musical Review – Chelsea
To cap off a month long showing of her artwork in the Books of Wonder gallery, Boynton will be on hand to sign her new work, Amazing Cows, after a 15 minute review of some of the clever songs performed by the original singers in her book/CD sets: Philadelphia Chickens and Blue Moo.  FREE.

Jackie’s Gift Reading and Signing – Brooklyn
A Celebration of Hanukah, Christmas and Brooklyn history in one, Jackie’s Gift, the new children’s book for the holidays will be read by the author Sharon Robinson, daughter of baseball legend Jackie Robinson.  Stick around to get your copy signed. FREE.


Sunday, December 5, 2010

DUMBO Kids Holiday Party –Brooklyn

This 4th Annual holiday party for kids celebrates Brooklyn’s best illustrators and authors in the children’s literature genre and features story time, drawing demonstrations and a rare opportunity to meet Santa Claus.  Don’t miss the great exhibition Book Maker's Dozen that is gracing the walls. FREE.

Eat Pie and Shop Holiday Gift Fair – Brooklyn
A winning combination: Pies from Brooklyn’s best bakers (both home and pro) will be judged by a hot shot jury of people who know their pies.  Enter your own pie or just give them all a taste. And holiday shopping from over 20 local artisans and crafts people. Kids can watch Rooftop Films shorts that run throughout the day, make crafts or cozy up to a Brooklyn classic: the egg cream.  FREE admission, pie tastings are $5 and films are $2.

Fire on Ice: Hanukah Festival--Tribeca
Watch as a 500 pound hunk of ice is chiseled into a dazzling menorah and the candles are lit to celebrate the Festival of Lights, donut decorating, live music and more family fun.  FREE.

14th Annual Victorian Holiday Lighting Ceremony – Central Park
Usher in the holiday season by watching as the Charles A Dana Discovery Center up by the Harlem Meer is lit with thousands of LED lights while enjoying cocoa, crafts, caroling and of course Santa. FREE.
 


Outside of NYC:


New Jersey is a great destination this weekend, too, intrepid families can flock to Christmas Tree farms to cut down their tree or check out a family friendly baking class for some festive holiday eats.  There is also Family Day at the Montclair Art Museum on Sunday where kids can show off their own mini masters or create some sculpture with the museums teachers. FREE.

You can head east to Long Island to cut down your own Christmas Tree, or see some lively holiday theater, like Barnaby Saves Christmas in Port Jefferson.  There is also the impressive 24th Annual Holiday Train Display with 9 trains criss crossing the tracks in St. James.  $2 for adults, $.50 for children.

 

Check out the Mommy Poppins Calendar of Events.

If you are planning an event, don’t forget to let us know.  Enter it into our calendar.

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