Five Things To Do Right Now At…The Children’s Museum of Manhattan

CMOM is the place where families of all backgrounds come to learn, play and grow together. Their groundbreaking exhibits, innovative programs and first class performances bring the excitement of creativity and discovery to your child the minute he or she walks through the door.

1. New Special Hours: Let the fun begin from 10am to 5pm Tuesday through Friday and Sundays, with special extended hours every Saturday from 10am-7pm.

2. The Grinch’s Holiday Workshop: Get ready! Get set! Sock skate! The Grinch’s Holiday Workshop returns with an all new sock-skating rink made of synthetic ice. Also featured are hands-on Dr. Seuss-inspired art projects, appearances by the Grinch costume character and daily readings of all Dr. Seuss’s classics. Open now through the end of the year.

3. You Make the Call: CMOM and the National Football League (NFL) want you to learn to be an NFL Official, with a new interactive experience that offers an exclusive look into the world of NFL referees. The multimedia exhibit and program opens on January 8^th. It’s your chance to meet current and former NFL players and officials! Stay tuned for more information on who will participate in the exhibit programs, clinics and activities.

4. The Changing Beat of 125^th Street: Along with The National Jazz Museum in Harlem, a new visitor experience will exhibit original artifacts with a complementary series of live daily performances and hands-on workshops to explore the vibrant jazz culture of Harlem in the 1920s-1940s. Children will be provided the opportunity to learn about jazz –a truly American music genre– and its emphasis on imagination, self-expression, collaboration, and improvisation.

Kids enjoy CMOM’s new GeatPlayGrow health initiative curriculum!

5. New early childhood health curriculum for families developed with the National Institutes of Health–EatPlayGrow: The latest science and research from the NIH with CMOM’s creative educational approach teaches kids and their parents how to make healthy choices in areas of nutrition, physical activity, and sleep; all through interactive and engaging lessons that incorporate art-making, storytelling, music and movement activities into fun, hands-on educational lessons. Download EatPlayGrow here!

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!"

Play On! Studios

Play On! Studios offers theater day camps and after-school classes on the UWS that are guaranteed to give kids a summer full of acting, music, and fun they won't soon forget! Young actors will rehearse and perform in a full production, work with professional NYC actors/teaching artists, build up their skills in a nurturing, non-competitive environment and play lots of drama games! Creative Drama Camps are perfect for kids entering grades K-4. Campers will work each week to put on a brand-new show! Each session, they will receive a script, rehearse a production, make a set and costumes, and perform their play. Kids will also play drama games, play outside (weather permitting), and have tons of fun! Musical Theater Camps are aimed at kids entering grades 4-9. In Musical Theater Performance Camp, campers put on a complete musical production in a professional NYC theater! Campers will stretch their skills with drama exercises and games, vocal coaching, field trips, and building a professional set. Our incredible teaching artists and campers come together to put on a truly remarkable show! During the school year, classes are great for beginners or more experienced actors - sing, dance, and put on a play! Whether your child is just starting out, or ready for Broadway, we&rsquo;ve got the class for them. Classes are available for grades PreK-8, after school or on Saturdays! Come play with us. &nbsp;

The Ailey School – First Steps and Bounding Boys

<blockquote style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <div dir="ltr"> <div class="m_-3740164643787738207m_4977048992707393770WordSection1"> At The Ailey School, FIRST STEPS offers a structured creative movement curriculum that allows girls (ages 3-6) and boys (age 3), to develop body awareness and control and learn the basics of dance technique. BOUNDING BOYS (ages 4-6) provides a more athletic experience, and an energetic approach to teaching dance skills. </div> </div> </blockquote>