Picks Of The Week April 17-20

Easter Bonnet Parade. Photo by Harold Neal

This holiday weekend, families can enjoy both Easter and Passover celebrations with the Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival and a Free Art Jam at The Jewish Museum. A few great performances are also lined up, including a special Disney live show and an environment-themed puppet show at Forest Park. For some techy fun, visit the New York International Auto Show, a multi-day event with featured activities just for children.

Starting Thursday, April 17

Disney Junior Live: Pirate & Princess Adventure
Theater at Madison Square Garden
Various times
For a special night on the town, take the family to Disney’s never-before-seen live show! Based on the hit series Sofia the First and Jake and the Never Land Pirates, the performances will be a happy mix of music, laughs, action, effects, and of course, tons of kid-friendly fun. Don’t miss a special pre-show from Doc McStuffins that takes place ten minutes before curtain! From $30

Starting Friday, April 18

New York International Auto Show
Jacob Javits Center
Various times
Car lovers will get a kick out of the annual New York International Auto Show! The schedule of events features a myriad of activities for guests of all ages, but some great highlights for the youngsters include a Spongebob Squarepants appearance, a group tour for families, and an exhibit from the LeMay Museum. Children $5, Adults $15.

Saturday, April 19

The Squirrel and the Caterpillar: A Puppet Show
Forest Park Visitor Center
1pm
It finally feels like spring, so a journey to one of the city’s parks is in order. Luckily, Forest Park is holding a fantastic puppet show, “The Squirrel and the Caterpillar,” which features two unlikely friends growing up in the woods. With a wise old owl for a narrator and an educational emphasis on protecting the environment, this performance is a great way to enjoy nature and have fun with the kids at the same time! This is a free event.

Sunday, April 20

Freedom Art Jam
The Jewish Museum
12pm-4pm
Celebrate Passover at The Jewish Museum with this extra awesome all-day family festival! Featuring tons of music- and art-based activities, the day’s highlights include a Baby Loves Disco 60s dance party, a Dave Grover & Grover’s Gang concert, a giant word poem, and a self-guided scavenger hunt in the gallery. Free with museum admission.

Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival
Fifth Avenue
10am-4pm
It’s Easter Sunday, so naturally, New York’s annual Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival is a must-see event. A tradition since the 1870s, people from all over flock to see the city’s best bonnets flaunted down Fifth Avenue (and the best spot to take a look is at St. Patrick’s Cathedral). This is a free event.

Brooklyn Robot Foundry - Virtual Classes

Brooklyn Robot Foundry offers super fun online robot-building classes for children 2-13 years old!&nbsp;&nbsp;Each week, students are introduced to new engineering concepts and components while building that day&rsquo;s robot in their own &ldquo;workshop&rdquo;.&nbsp;&nbsp;All classes maintain a very low student-to-teacher ratio, allowing for plenty of individualized instruction and socializing. The supplies are shipped in advance and classes are led by amazing instructors, taking all the pressure off parents.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Foundry&rsquo;s main focus however, is that kids have fun, get creative, and enjoy being part of this STEAM-loving community!&nbsp;

The Wild Center

The Wild Center, nestled within the breathtaking landscape of New York's Adirondack Park, offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of nature. As visitors approach the Center, they are greeted by the Adirondack Mountains towering in the distance, setting the stage for an immersive adventure. Upon entering the 34,000-square-foot exhibit hall, guests are enveloped in a world of wonder and discovery. Interactive exhibits like Planet Adirondack and Climate Solutions invite exploration, allowing visitors to delve into the rich biodiversity of the Adirondack region. The indoor experience also includes an opportunity to soar on Birdly--a one-of-a-kind VR experience. Also, get up close with an animal ambassador during one of many live animal encounters throughout the day. In addition to its indoor exhibits and programs, the Wild Center also boasts 115-acres of extensive outdoor amenities. One of the highlights in the award-winning Wild Walk. Visitors walk up a trail of bridges to the treetops of the Adirondack forest, 40 feet off the ground. Along the way, interactive exhibits provide insights into the flora and fauna that call the Adirondacks home, from songbirds to black bears. The rest of the campus features more ways to explore. Check out Patrick Dougherty&rsquo;s Stickwork sculpture, an all natural installation of woven sticks that will spark your imagination and nostalgia. Immerse yourself in Forest Music, take a naturalist-lead canoe trip, or get your roll on with Raquette River Roll, a brand-new, oversized, all-natural ball run experience opening in June 2024.

Super Soccer Stars

Soccer Stars is New York&rsquo;s most popular youth educational soccer program! With 24 years of experience under our cleats, we have positively impacted over one million kids in our local community by putting the FUN in FUNdamentals in our weekly classes and camps. At Soccer Stars, we use the soccer ball as a vehicle to help children not only improve their soccer skills, but develop self-confidence and physical literacy, improve gross motor skills, build teamwork, and hone socialization skills. Our highly trained coaches and early childhood experts lead an age-specific curriculum with a low kid-to-coach ratio so every child gets individual attention and can grow at their own pace. Kids ages 1-12+ can join our seasonal programs, including Parent &amp; Me, FUNdamentals, Development Training, and Travel Soccer. Join us at one of over 80 locations in neighborhoods across across Westchester County, Connecticut and New York, available 7 days-a-week: Connecticut: <ul> <li>Cos Cob</li> <li>Greenwich</li> <li>Port Chester</li> </ul> &nbsp; Westchester: <ul> <li>Briarcliff</li> <li>Eastchester</li> <li>Mt. Kisco</li> <li>New Rochelle</li> <li>Ridgefield</li> <li>Scarsdale</li> <li>White Plains</li> </ul> &nbsp; New York City: <ul> <li>Bronx</li> <li>Inwood</li> <li>Upper West Side</li> <li>Upper East Side</li> </ul> &nbsp; Can&rsquo;t find a class or location that fits your schedule? Soccer Stars also offers private classes for small groups or individual training. Let our coaches come to you with a completely customizable program, anytime, anywhere. Birthday parties are also available!&nbsp;