Art of the EphemeralParticipants will create invisible paintings, disappearing handprints and other works of art that appear and fade. Sat., Aug. 4 from 2-3:30pm. RUBIN MUSEUM OF ART, 150 W. 17th St. 212-620-5000 x331. Call to make reservations. $5 donation welcome.
Battery Park City Parks Conservancy212-267-9700, www.bpcparks.org: ART PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT CLASS, Middle and high school students wanting to attend specialized art high schools and colleges work with artist/educator Miki Iwamura to develop a strong portfolio of work to present with their application. 8 Saturdays, Sept. 8 – Nov. 3 from 10am-1pm. The Verdesian, 211 North End Avenue. $270. Financial aid is available. AMATEUR NATURALISTS CLUB, Why does the air smell different right before a rainstorm? What are those spiky balls falling from that tree? What’s that bird with the shiny black feathers? These and many other questions will be answered for first, second & third graders as they explore their “urban backyard,” taking a closer look at plants, insects, birds and other creatures and learning about the environment. 7 Mondays; Sept. 10, 17, 24 & Oct. 1, 15, 22, 29 from 3:30 – 5pm. Nelson A. Rockefeller Park, Park House. 212-267-9700 x348. $70. Registration & pre-payment required.
Children’s TheaterThe New Acting Company, a program of The Children’s Aid Society, sponsored an intensive two-week summer camp where the campers created a new theatrical production from conception to performance. Come see their work. Fri., Aug. 3 at 4:30pm: Mythical Creatures and Mixed up Fairy Tales. THE PHILLIP COLTOFF CENTER THEATER, The Children’s Aid Society, 219 Sullivan St., bet Bleecker & W. 3rd St. 212-354-3074 x 124. $5.
ComicsAfter exploring some comic strips in the galleries, participants will write and draw their own works of comic art. Sat., July 28 from 2-3:30pm. RUBIN MUSEUM OF ART, 150 W. 17th St. 212-620-5000 x331. Call to make reservations. $5 donation welcome.
The Downtown Parenting Center197 East Broadway, 212-780-2300: PLAYTIME DROP-IN, Continues throughout the summer. Mon. & Tues. from 10-11:30am & Thurs. from 2:30-4pm. SUMMER DAY CAMP, Preschoolers enjoy activities in the classroom, in the gymnasium and on the rooftop, including arts & crafts, music & dance, sand & water play, games and storytelling.
East Indian Family DanceEnergetic and joyful community dancing for the whole family. No partners or experience necessary. Sat., Aug. 11 from 6:30-8pm. ESPLANADE PLAZA, Battery Park City. 212-267-9700. www.bpcparks.org.
Museums of Lower ManhattanWeekends and vacations are a great time to treat your family to the Museums of Lower Manhattan. Visit the Museum of Jewish Heritage, The Skyscraper Museum, Statue of Liberty National Monument, Ellis Island Immigration Museum, Castle Clinton National Monument, National Museum of the American Indian, Museum of American Finance, Fraunces Tavern Museum, The New York City Police Museum, Federal Hall National Memorial, South Street Seaport Museum, Museum of Chinese in the Americas, Eldridge Street Project, Lower East Side Tenement Museum and The New York City Fire Museum. Enjoy hands-on exhibits, films, guided tours, arts & crafts and more. For a schedule of events and locations, visit the “Just for Kids” link at www.MuseumsOfLowerManhattan.org.
RiverFlicksFamily-oriented movies for all ages. Friday evenings at dusk, about 8:30pm. July 27: Back to the Future. Aug. 3: Babe. Aug. 10, Wizard of Oz. Aug. 17: Happy Feet. Aug. 24: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, 1971 version. Rated G & PG. Hudson River Park’s PIER 46, Charles St. & the Hudson River. Free Popcorn. Beverages & snacks for sale.
Rubin Museum of Art150 W. 17th St., 212-620-5000 x331: WORD PLAY, A literacy-focused program for children ages 3-5. Program incorporates Himalayan themes, interactive storytelling, song, dance, puppet plays and more. Mondays from 3-5pm. THE YAK PACKERS, Children ages 2-5 will make art while listening to music from the Himalayas. Thursdays from 10am – 12pm. MOVING THROUGH ART, Children ages 2-5 learn to understand art through movement. Fridays from 11am – 12pm. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Programs continue thru Aug.
Single Moms Support GroupNew support group for single mothers who want to come together to share ideas, challenges and get support from their peers. Free babysitting provided. Meets every other Tuesday from 6:30-8pm. MCBURNEY YMCA, 125 W. 14th St., bet 6th & 7th Aves. For more information, contact LaKeisha Harris at 212-912-2312. Free.
The Skyscraper Museum39 Battery Place, www.skyscraper.org, Registration is required by Friday at 5pm to participate, call 212-945-6324 or email education@skyscraper.org: FORM AND FUNCTION: STAINED GLASS WINDOWS, Learn how architects turn everyday objects into extraordinary treasures. Make a stained glass window out of tissue paper and decorate the sidewalks with skyscraper designs. Sat., July 28 from 10:30am – Noon. Ages 6+. Registration required. STACK ‘EM HIGH, Using stacking blocks, kids can simulate building shapes like the Empire State Building and the Woolworth Building using oversized images for reference. Then get your picture taken with your creation. Ages 4-8. Sat., Aug. 4 from 10:30–11:30am. Registration required.
Soho Playhouse15 Vandam St., bet Varick St. & 6th Ave., 212-691-1555, www.sohoplayhouse.com: PINKALICIOUS, THE MUSICAL, Pinkalicious can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. This eventually lands her in the doctor’s office with a case of Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe. In the end, only Pinkalicious can get herself out of this predicament. Sat. & Sun. at noon. $25. Ages 3-12. Open run.
South Street Seaport Museumwww.southstseaport.org: PIRATES, Climb aboard the tall ship Peking to hear tales of pirate adventures on the high-seas. Sun., July 29 from 1-4pm. Pier 16. BUILD A BOAT, Join South Street Seaport Museum for the annual Ship and Boat Model Festival. Explore the Museum’s fleet of historic ships, enjoy the view from Pier 16 and learn about the art of model boat making. Families with children ages 4-12 are invited to build a simple model boat. Sat., Aug. 4 from 1-4pm. Tall ship Peking, Pier 16. BUILD A BIGGER BOAT, Learn the principles of modeling and handling small tools from master modeler, Jack Putnam. Work at cutting, trimming, piecing and painting a small-scale version of a real boat. Ages 12+. Sun., Aug. 5 from 1-4pm. Reservations required, call 212-748-8757. Melville Gallery, 213 Water St. PIRATE SAIL ABOARD PIONEER, Dreaded pirate captain, Aaron Singh, will lead his spirited volunteer crew and passengers in a search for long lost treasure on two hour cruises in the New York Harbor. Passengers will help hoist sails, take a turn at the helm, chart a course, tie knots, and recoil as the captain fires the cannon to fend off adversaries. Sun., Aug., 19 from 1-3pm. End of Pier 16, near intersection of South St. & Fulton St. $20 kids, $30 adults. Reservations required, call 212-748-8786.
Would You Like to See Your Event in the Downtown Express Kids Listings?Listings requests may be e-mailed to casey@downtownexpress.com. Please use “Listings” as the subject line of the e-mail and provide the date, time, location, price and a description of the event. Information may also be mailed to Casey Easterling at 145 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013-1548. Requests must be received two weeks before the event is to be published. Questions, call 646-452-2505.
