Events: Top Kid-Friendly Activities For The Week

Sandglass Theater will present “Punschi” this Saturday at Symphony Space! Photo via symphonyspace.org.

We have quite a diverse selection of event picks for you and yours this week. We found an exhibit showcasing Japan, a festival featuring a popular card game, an awesome puppet show, an invention festival, and classic hits from the Gershwin brothers. Talk about an eclectic! You will be hard pressed to choose just one of these delights, so try to take in more than one. Enjoy!

Beginning Friday, January 20

“Hello from Japan!” Exhibit
Children’s Museum of Manhattan
10am-5pm
Visit Japan without leaving NYC! The Children’s Museum of Manhattan will bring back its exhibit, “Hello from Japan!,” this Friday. The exhibit will focus on the country’s modern cities as well as its peaceful parks and gardens. All ages can sing karaoke, pose for pictures in the photo booth, make cute mascots in Kawaii Central, and then construct bridges, explore a jungle, and make a wish at the wishing tree in Shinto Shrine Park. During the exhibit’s opening weekend (Saturday, January 21 & Sunday, January 22), families can enjoy special activities such as manga workshops, Japanese storytelling, Japanese cuisine from chef Misako Sassa, and more. Runs through Sunday, May 14. Free with museum admission.

Friday, January 20-Sunday, January 22

SET Weekend
National Museum of Mathematics
6:30pm
Join the National Museum of Mathematics for SET Weekend! Ages 6 and up can learn this famous card game for the first time or master expert tricks during three different events. On Friday evening, the authors of “The Joy of SET” will share strategies and discuss how math plays an integral role in the game. Saturday’s SET Tournament will challenge players of all abilities as they compete to become the SET champion. The weekend will end with a special event for middle school students which will feature music by DJ Emilie, cookies and hot chocolate, and a live-action human SET game. Pre-registration is required. Fees vary.

Saturday, January 21

Sandglass Theater: “Punschi”
Symphony Space
11am & 2pm
Vermont’s Sandglass Theater will present “Punschi” at Symphony Space this Saturday. Jana Zeller and Shoshanna Bass will perform two puppet tales during each performance. “Kasper and the Surprise” tells the story of Kasper, a beloved German hand puppet whose suitcase is stolen by a cow. Together he and his giant friend Augustin embark on a journey to reclaim his possessions. Plus stick around for “Fritzi’s Flea Circus,” which takes audiences on a high-flying, flea circus adventure. Tickets are $17.

Saturday, January 21-Sunday, January 22

Inventgenuity Festival 2017
PS 32/MS 442
9am-5pm
This weekend PS 32/MS 442 will host the Beam Center’s 8th Annual Inventgenuity Festival in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. Kids 2nd grade and up can let their imaginations and tech know-how soar to new heights during this invention convention! This year’s theme, “Organic Mechanics,” will allow young makers to collaborate on the creation of “textile-based plants brought to life by a hand-cranked (and hand-built) impeller fan,” attend live demos, and participate in hands-on, 45-minute rotating workshops. Pre-registration is required. Workshops require a small materials fee.

Sunday, January 22

Broadway Playhouse: George & Ira Gershwin
Merkin Concert Hall
11am
Ages 4 through 11 are invited to Merkin Concert Hall this Sunday to hear the music of George and Ira Gershwin. Part of the Broadway Playhouse series, this interactive concert will explore many of the brothers’ classic songs which have become American Songbook standards. Featured songs include Broadway hits such as “I Got Rhythm” and “Our Love is Here to Stay.” Tickets are $20.

Save

Speakitaly NYC

SPEAKITALY NYC offers stimulating and entertaining lessons for children 0 to 16 years through a wide combination of activities based on the communicative approach anchored in the Common European Framework of Reference: active learning (group work, role plays, etc.) and practice exercises aimed to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Kids will start speaking and using Italian in a very natural way.&nbsp; Small classes capped at 6 students to make sure each one gets the needed attention and facilitate learners' progress.&nbsp; Our method is driven by a didactic method that is the result of constant updates, professional certifications and more than 10 years of experience in working with non-native speakers from different native languages and levels of knowledge. Our aim is to develop a range of Italian language skills while improving accuracy that will enable the students and participants to interact without stress or feeling rushed. We want to help those in the community really embrace not only the true culture in Italy but the Italian culture within New York City&hellip; Who doesn&rsquo;t love what Italy represents in the kitchen, in history &amp; in the arts? Speakitaly wants to support multilingual families who want to learn a new language or pass along their ancestor&rsquo;s heritage and culture. Raffaella, the founder said: "We see language awareness and intercultural sensitivity as the milestones for an inclusive society. Italian, like all other languages, is an enrichment and a growth in every way. Vi aspettiamo!"

Broadway Dance Center Children and Teens

With more than 35 years of experience, Broadway Dance Center Children &amp; Teens provides young movers ages 3-18 with exceptional training. BDC delivers the finest all-around dance experience for students by offering a wide variety of styles and levels, performance opportunities, and the highest caliber dance instruction that only New York City and BDC Children &amp; Teens can provide. This studio is so much more than a training course for young dancers; it is a diverse, family-friendly community for budding creatives. It has an exemplary faculty who follow the vision to not only develop a dancer&rsquo;s love and ability in dance, but to do so in a nurturing and supportive way.

Laurissa Jane Music

Laurissa Jane Music Studio is a dedicated institution that offers a solid foundation for students to explore the captivating world of music and arts. With experienced instructors, we offer private and group lessons in piano, voice, and guitar, for all ages and skill levels. We provide year-round training for renowned programs such as NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) and ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music). LJMS runs an annual Summer Musical Theatre Arts Program from July-August which offers a creative environment for young individuals with a passion for acting, singing, and dancing. We are proud to serve the vibrant communities of Jamaica Queens and can also provide classes virtually. At LJMS, we firmly believe in the transformative power of the arts. Call us today!