Youth Activities, Holidays 2014

BY VICTORIA GRANTHAM | Like almost everyone over 30, I feel like I’m experiencing whiplash as a result of how quickly the time suddenly seems to pass. Collecting events for this listing is an opportunity to slow down for a minute and reflect on the many opportunities we have in Lower Manhattan to make fun, meaningful memories with our kids (or at least to get out of our cramped apartments). Activities run from mid-December through New Year’s Eve, so we’re covering some magical ground in that window. Of course there are so many things going on this busy season that we all need to make tough choices about how to spend our special (and limited) holiday time together.

I’ve chosen things that are first and foremost easy to get to. I have two toddlers so I’m personally focused on the high entertainment value/low meltdown equation. I’ve also selected activities with an eye to refreshing old traditions or inspiring new ones. Some events are low/no cost, while a few require more of a commitment. Here are the things I’m hoping to cross off my holiday bucket list:

Caroling – I’ve never actually done this, but I’ve always wanted to (hence the bucket list). It turns out there are options galore. On 12/21 Torly Kids is orchestrating a caroling adventure with hot cocoa and cookies at the end. An alternative that same day is Make Music Winter, a free, outdoor participatory musical parade.

A show – I’m the daughter of a Rockette, so for me Christmas is a season of performances. Gelsey Kirkland Academy’s presentation of “The Nutcracker”at Pace probably won’t involve sequined costumes and high kicks, but I bet my kids will be enchanted by the sugar plum fairy and the toy soldiers. I’d also love to go to the B.M.C.C. Performing Arts Center for “Junie B. In Jingle Bells, Batman Smells” as it sounds like it would be great fun for my four-year-old.

Ice skating – We’re wobbly on ice, but I’m not sure we’ll be able to pass up the FIDI Families Character Skate at the Seaport’s rink. It’s happening every Sunday this month with new characters each time.

In addition to all the special holiday happenings, there are also some amazing free entertainment options available from our incredible neighborhood organizations. For example, even though the cold weather’s kicked in, Battery Park City Parks Conservancy is offering older kids (7+) winter afterschool sports and games — soccer, flag-football, and hockey at the ballfields. They’re also organizing women’s and girls’ soccer every Sunday this month. Finally, the Battery Park Library — my go-to place — has a lot of holiday-themed options, including a story time with Santa on 12/20. We missed the jolly old guy at World Financial this year, so I’m glad we’ll have a chance to reconnect with him in person before he sneaks in and gorges himself with gingerbread on Christmas Eve.

Here’s a more detailed listing of Downtown delights. See what might entertain your family.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BATTERY PARK CITY BRANCH

175 North End Ave, 212-790-3499,

nypl.org/locations/battery-park-city

Baby Laptime for Pre-Walkers: Enjoy simple stories, lively songs and rhymes, and meet other babies in the neighborhood. Limited to 25 babies and their caregivers; first-come first-served.

Ages 0-18 months | Free |11:30 am |

EVERY THURSDAY AT 11:30 am

Winter Crafternoon: Listen to a story then participate in a 3D snowflake project. For children of all ages. All ages | Free | 4:00 pm

WALTER MARTIN HOLIDAY SHOW FEATURING KAT EDMONSON

The Public Theater Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette Street, publictheater.org

“We’re All Young Together,” Martin’s debut solo effort, aims to entertain the little ones while getting a laugh out of their parents. Inspired by early rock ‘n’ roll, it’s filled with innocent yet mischievous music.

All ages | $20 | 7:00 pm

THE NUTCRACKER

Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts- Pace University 3 Spruce Street,

schimmel.pace.edu/events/the-nutcracker Gelsey Kirkland Academy’s presentation of The Nutcracker includes marching toy soldiers, waltzing snowflakes, mischievous mice and Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score. All ages | $39-$59 | 7:30 pm

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19

“THE NUTCRACKER”

Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts- Pace University 3 Spruce Street

See 12/18 for info

WINTER AFTERSCHOOL SPORTS AND GAMES

Battery Park City Ball Fields, West Street between Murray and Warren, twitter.com/BPCParks/status/542046263207026689/photo/1 fbelliard@bpcparks.org

Kids ages 7 and up can come play soccer, flag-football, hockey, and more at the Battery Park City Ball Fields. Find winter activities organized by parks programming leaders or play independently. Equipment will be provided.

Ages 7+ | Free | 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BATTERY PARK CITY BRANCH

175 North End Ave, 212-790-3499, nypl.org/locations/battery-park-city

Toddler Story Time and Photos with Santa: Kids will be invited one at a time to visit with Santa. A librarian will share stories while the children wait. Please bring a camera or phone as the library will not be providing photography.

All ages | Free | 10:30 am

THE NUTCRACKER

Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts- Pace University 3 Spruce Street

See 12/18 for info, but note that shows are at both 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm today

JUNIE B. IN “JINGLE BELLS, BATMAN SMELLS”

BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Casa Manana Theater, 199 Chambers St, tribecapac.org/junie-b-in-jingle-bells-batman-smells/, info@tribecapac.org

Junie B. is a show that provides holiday fun with a lesson about giving.

Ages 4+ | $25 | 1:30 pm

GINGERBREAD HOUSE DECORATING WORKSHOPS

74 Warren Street, New York NY,

churchstreetschool.org/gingerbread-2014/,

info@churchstreetschool.org

Decorate a gingerbread house with family and friends. Church Street School provides the houses, candy and talent to guide the experience.

All ages | $95 per house | Saturdays at 2:15 pm & 4:00 pm, Sundays at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, & 3:00 pm on December 20 and 21

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21

THE NUTCRACKER

Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts- Pace University 3 Spruce Street

See 12/18 for info – at 2:00 pm only today

MAKE MUSIC WINTER

Various times and various locations. The Soho Gamelan Walk starts at Sixth Ave and Spring Street at 2:00 pm

makemusicny.org/winter-2014/

“Make Music Winter,” first launched in 2011, is a free, outdoor musical event each December 21st that turns audiences into music makers. Inspired by Phil Kline’s annual “Unsilent Night” – the boombox parade that has become an international tradition – “Make Music Winter” transforms New York’s cityscape with participatory musical parades on the winter solstice, running the gamut of musical genres.

All ages | Free | 2 pm

FIDI FAMILIES CHARACTER SKATE

The Seaport Ice Rink,

southstreetseaport.com/events

Families are invited for a morning of fun-filled activities and excitement, as part of the Seaport’s Character Skate program. Featuring a different character each week, guests can skate alongside their favorite costumed actor, enjoy story time and receive giveaways.

All ages | Free |10 am-12 pm

EVERY SUNDAY IN DECEMBER

WOMEN’S AND GIRLS’ SOCCER

Battery City Ball Fields, West Street between Murray and Warren Street, fbelliard@bpcparks.org,

bpcparks.org/event/womens-girls-soccer/all

Women’s and Girls’ Soccer at the Battery Park City Ball Fields is good for aspiring athletes or simply those wanting to try a new sport.

Ages 12+ | Free | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

EVERY SUNDAY UNTIL 2.22

HOLIDAY CAROLING

WITH TORLY KID

Torly Kid 51 Hudson St.,

torlykid.com/pages/happenings

Join Torly Kids as they hit the streets of Tribeca for a caroling adventure. Meet at the shop and follow their Tribeca route singing songs of cheer. Then enjoy sparkling cider, hot cocoa and cookies. Please RSVP to receive more info, including walking route, song list and other pertinent information.

All ages | Free | 5:00 pm

MONDAY, DECEMBER 22

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BATTERY PARK CITY BRANCH

175 North End Ave, 212-790-3499,

nypl.org/locations/battery-park-city

Baby Laptime for Pre-Walkers: Enjoy simple stories, lively songs and rhymes, and meet other babies in the neighborhood. Limited to 25 babies and their caregivers; first-come first-served.

Ages 0-18 months | Free | 9:30 am

Toddler Story Time: A librarian shares lively picture books, finger plays, and action songs with toddlers and their caregivers.

Ages 12-36 months | Free | 4:00 pm

WINTER AFTERSCHOOL SPORTS AND GAMES

Battery Park City Ball Fields, West Street between Murray and Warren

See 12/19 for info

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BATTERY PARK CITY BRANCH

175 North End Ave, 212-790-3499,

nypl.org/locations/battery-park-city

Baby Laptime for Pre-Walkers: Enjoy simple stories, lively songs and rhymes, and meet other babies in the neighborhood. Limited to 25 babies and their caregivers; first-come first-served.

Ages 0-18 months | Free |11:30 am | EVERY THURSDAY AT 11:30 am

Holiday Story Time: Listen to old and new holiday picture books, then create a jingle bell bracelet.

All ages | Free | 4:00 pm

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BATTERY PARK CITY BRANCH

175 North End Ave, 212-790-3499, nypl.org/locations/battery-park-city

Toddler Story Time: A librarian will share lively picture books, finger plays, and action songs with toddlers and their caregivers.

Ages 12-36 months | Free | 10:30 a.m.

EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 10:30 am

Bilingual Birdies Mandarin: Bilingual musicians teach theme-related vocabulary through live music, dance, and engaging puppetry. All ages | Free | 4 pm

CURLING WEDNESDAYS

Seaport ice rink,

southstreetseaport.com/events

The Seaport ice rink is hosting a learn-to-curl program each Wednesday night in December. Participants will get their first exposure to the sport and learn the fundamentals. Each evening consists of (2) 60 minute timeslots, where participants can choose their preferred session time either by dropping in or signing up in advance.

Teenagers and adults | Price per person, $50.00 | Session 1: 7 pm -8 pm, Session 2: 8 pm -9 pm

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26

GALLERY WORKSHOP AT CMA

Children’s Museum Of The Arts, 103 Charlton Street,

cmany.org/events

Gallery Workshop: In this workshop young artists will look at the mediums that convey ideas. Young artists will dig through old vinyl records and examine song titles and their meanings, and in the end make their very own working phonograph.

Age 6+ | Ages 1-65: $11, Under 1 and Over 65: free, Members: free | 2:30 pm -6:00 pm

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27

FAMILY TABLE TENNIS & PING PONG

Two Bridges Community Center, 286 South Street,

ymcanyc.org/chinatown

Play Table Tennis with your kids and other families.

EVERY SATURDAY AT 11:00 am

Ages: 6 & up | Free | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28

FIDI FAMILIES CHARACTER SKATE

The Seaport Ice Rink,

southstreetseaport.com/events