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All Weekend

Beam Center's Inventgenuity Festival – Cobble Hill
One of our January Go List picks! My son wasn't old enough for this annual fest when I first wrote about it in 2011. But ever since he turned seven, he has attended this super-creative festival featuring inventive and offbeat hands-on projects. For this year's collaborative activity, kids will make a large-scale machine wired for sound inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s Cam Hammer. Workshops include drawing visual music and creating sonic scrolls, all overseen by professional educators and artists. Preregistration is a must as the fest always sells out. Free admission but there is an $8.25 materials fee for each workshop.

Hibernators’ Pajama Pop-In – Riverdale
Celebrate the freezin' season at Bronx oasis Wave Hill. Families are encouraged to come in their PJs (and coats, of course) to make animal masks, listen to a performance of Bear Wants More by singer/storyteller/puppeteer Flor Bromley and other winter-themed activities. FREE

The Little Prince: A New York Story Opening Weekend – Murray Hill
Another January Go List pick: See the original manuscript and illustrations for Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's classic kids' novella, and learn about its unique NYC connection at the Morgan Museum & Library. While this isn't a hands-on exhibit, there is a colorful, carpeted reading area stocked with copies of The Little Prince in both English and French. Free with admission: $18 for adults, $12 for children ages 13-16, free under age 13

The Alice-in-Wonderland Follies – Upper East Side
And another January Go List pick: Catch New York Theatre Ballet's whimsical one-hour adaptation of Lewis Carroll's classic story featuring diverse music and dance styles. The action has been transported to New York’s Palace Theater in 1915 where Alice runs into the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter and all of the other iconic characters. $39

Illuminated – Crown Heights
Bundle up and enjoy offbeat fun at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. On Saturday, kids can craft masks for a junior ball, play with classic toys and games in the Lite-Brite lounge, and enjoy seasonal storytelling. On Sunday, celebrate old New York with retro activities like bottle cap skelly and other street games, and short films featuring the Big Apple in 1930s. Free with admission: $10 for adults, free for children under 13

Lunar New Year Celebrations – Crown Heights
Ring in the Lunar New Year a little early at the Brooklyn Children's Museum, where kids can make crafts and learn about holiday traditions. The main event is on Saturday when Puppetry In Practice performs the traditional Chinese folk tale The Empty Pot followed by a giant Chinese dragon puppet parade throughout the building. Free with admission: $9
 

Saturday, January 25

Winter Jam – Upper East Side
One of our favorite family festivals of the whole year! Enjoy a major snow day at the Central Park Bandshell—and not just because of Winter Storm Janus. In fact, the Parks Department is blowing its own snow for this winter sports festival where families can try cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowboarding, or just frolic in the fluffy white stuff. There's even a separate snow zone for off-leash dogs. All equipment is provided. Signed waivers are required for certain activities. This one gets seriously crowded so arrive as early as possible. FREE

Helping Drew – Upper West Side
Catch TheatreworksUSA's anti-bullying puppet show at the Calhoun School. Principal Tector asks the kids in the audience to help her figure out who's bothering Drew, so there's lots of interactivity plus a short post-show Q&A. Milk and brownies will also be served. $10 for adults, $5 for children

Are You My Mother? – Prospect Heights
Head to the main branch of the Brooklyn Public Library to see P. D. Eastman's beloved picture book come to life onstage. FREE

Family Day at the Museum of Arts and Design – Midtown West
Take a kid-friendly tour of the museum's Out of Hand: Materializing the Postdigital exhibit about digitally-enhanced artwork, and then participate in thematically related activities including art workshops and film screenings. $35 per family

Boo! The Winter Spooktacular Ball for Families – Corona
Another January Go List pick: We raved about the overhauled Queens Museum when it reopened in November after a massive renovation. Check it out in high style at this fundraiser, a fun-packed Halloween-themed (why not?) costume party featuring a wiggle dance contest, a shadow puppet show and workshop, spooky storytelling, a scary scavenger hunt, ghoulish goodies and more. Individual tickets are $20 but if you're bringing the kids, you're better off making a $75 contribution, which gets you entry for six people, six raffle tickets and an annual family membership.

See all Saturday events.

Sunday, January 26

The Big Family Quiz Thing – East Village
And another January Go List pick: Do your kids love sharing random facts? Then put their knowledge to the test at this annual quiz for families. The six fast and funny rounds of multimedia trivia run the gamut from sports to pop culture to history. Prizes include a family membership to the Children's Museum of Manhattan, tickets to Stomp and iLuminate, and goodies from Milk & Cookies Bakery. But really it's not about winning, it's about how much fun you have playing the game. In advance: $15 per person, family four-pack $50; day of: $20 for adults, $15 for children, family four-pack $60

Japan’s New Year’s Day Celebration: Oshogatsu – Midtown East
Celebrate the New Year at the Japan Society with calligraphy, rice pounding and a funny face game. There will also be a lion dance, and live Taiko drumming performances and workshops. $15, free for children under 2

Kidrockers Presents Spires and TEEN – Williamsburg
Catch two cool kindie rock bands, including local quartet TEEN, at this family matinee at Brooklyn Bowl. In advance: $11; $35 for a family four-pack; at the door: $13 per person

Family Day: Pattern Palooza – Upper East Side
Head to the Jewish Museum to create wearable art inspired by the avant-garde fashion exhibit threeASFOUR: MER KA BA, work on collaborative art projects and enjoy a concert by clarinetist Oran Etkin. Free with admission: $15 for adults, free for children under age 19

See all Sunday events.

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