Spring Break!

Spring Break is just around the corner (April 12-22).  From plant and sea life to science and outer space–if you’re looking for things to do while school is out, NYC has exhibits, camps, and activities to keep kids happy, busy, and learning new things.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Spring Break Discovery Week   

April 12-18

“Discover Signs of Spring” is the theme for a week of fun and learning.  Explore trees and plants through hands-on discovery stations.  Learn about composting and read garden stories.  Kids can pot their own plants to take home.  Free with garden admission.  Various times between 10:30am-3pm.  150 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn.  (718) 623-7200.  bbg.org

Prospect Park: History In Your Hands “Spring Sprouts”

April 14-22

Kids can help prepare the potato plots for planting at the Lefferts Historic House and learn how to rotate, sift and spread the compost to enrich the soil.  Make pots out of newspaper, fill with soil, and plant a seed to take home.  $3 suggested donation.  Daily 12-4pm.  Lefferts Historic House is located within Prospect Park, at the Children’s Corner, inside the Willink entrance (Ocean and Flatbush Avenues, at Empire Boulevard).  (718) 789-2822.  prospectpark.org

Children’s Museum of Manhattan: Meet the Makers     

April 12-22

CMOM’s spring break Meet the Makers Festival will feature visiting scientists, engineers, and artists leading hands-on workshops.  Painting, sculpture, instrument making, digital design, and more.  Free with paid admission.  All ages.  Various times.  212 West 83rd Street.  (212) 721-1223.  cmom.org

New York Aquarium: Tales of the Seven Seas

April 17-18

A “spring-tastic” two-day mini-camp where kids can discover how the ocean and its creatures (penguins, seals, sea lions, sea otters, walruses, and invertebrates like sea urchins) have inspired favorite historic tales.  Animal visits, insider tours, and hands-on activities let kids explore the sea animals made popular by characters in children’s storybooks.  $150 per child ($125 members).  Ages 6-8.  9am-3pm.  602 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn.  (718) 265-3457.  nyaquarium.com

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum: Camp Intrepid

April 14-18

The “Dark Side of the Moon” mini-camp will investigate how the moon, sun and earth’s rotation affect our everyday lives.  Kids learn how to make solar ovens, create shadow art, and conduct experiments.  Camp is held on the Intrepid Museum.  $125/day, $500/week.  Ages 5-13.  9am-5pm.  Pier 86, 12th Avenue and West 46th Street.  (212) 245-0072.  intrepidmuseum.org

YMCA Splash Week

April 14-18

A fun and informative aquatic program designed to teach kids and families basic swimming skills and water safety.  Program will be held at 19 YMCA locations in all five boroughs.  Free.  All ages.   ymcanyc.org

Bronx Zoo: Dinosaur Safari

Starts April 12

Come face-to-face with more than 20 life-like “animatronic” dinosaurs that move and roar just like the real ones that roamed the earth 200 million years ago.  The narrated ride runs through a two-acre area of the zoo, as guides help identify the different dinos and explain how other zoo animals have adapted to survive.  2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx.  (718) 367-1010.  bronxzoo.com