BY VICTORIA GRANTHAM | As we come off the celebratory chaos that is the holiday season and welcome in the new year, there are a number of January activities that will help us entertain our families while we readjust to the routine. Here are a few that stood out to me:
On New Year’s Day there’s an option for families interested in traveling back in time. The Merchant’s House Museum in Noho is hosting an event called “Come Calling’ on New Year’s Day.” I’m intrigued since I’ve lived in the city for nearly 20 years, but I didn’t even know this place existed.
Apparently it’s the only 19th century family home in New York City preserved intact. The museum is providing, tours, readings and sweet treats while they “continue the 19th century tradition of renewing, reviving, and reaffirming friendships.” It sounds like it will be especially good for families with school-age children studying history.
I typically try to keep the listing to events below Canal to make it easy, but in addition to the Merchant’s House, a few activities a short subway ride away caught my eye.
On 27th St. and Park Ave. the Jazz Standard is hosting a Jazz for Kids program. At the free weekly session held on Sundays the Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra will perform and Blue Smoke ribs will be available for purchase.
The Film Forum on Houston St. is running a Film Forum Jr. Sunday matinee series. The first movie – on January 4 – is “The Sound of Music” with Julie Andrews. Most of the movies shown this winter will be appropriate for even the youngest family members.
Another unique opportunity: The Center for Architecture at LaGuardia Place is holding a family day event focused on building bridges. On January 10 kids will get hands on and design a model bridge to take home.
If you’re anti-subway, fear not as FiDi Families is kicking off a really cool-sounding program this month called The C3 (community, children, cube) at the community cube next to the ice rink at the Seaport. Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in January there will be an organized event (music, arts, film, yoga, etc.) followed by hour of free play. The program begins on Jan. 4th with a themed party and two screenings of “Frozen.” Fans can come in costume and participate in sing-alongs and movie-inspired crafts. Follow the hashtag #theseaportcube for updates.
For families with older kids, the Seaport ice rink is continuing its learn-to-curl program each Wednesday night in January. Participants will learn the fundamentals of the sport, including how to throw a stone, sweep, and skip with the proper techniques.
In addition to its usual programming, The Battery Park City library will be holding a Budding Bookmakers event in conjunction with the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. The experience begins with an interactive book reading followed by an art activity exploring the techniques used by the illustrator.
Finally, if you haven’t dumped your tree yet, consider participating in the 19th annual Mulchfest on January 10th. The event gives New Yorkers an opportunity to recycle their trees into woodchips that will nourish the city’s gardens. Mulchfest is happening throughout the city, but by us it will take place at Bogardus Garden at Reade and Chambers Sts. and at in Battery Park City between the Hudson River & South End Ave., south of Liberty St.
Cheers to 2015! For more info on fun activities, check out the listing below.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 1
MERCHANT’S HOUSE MUSEUM: “COME CALLING” ON NEW YEAR’S DAY
29 East Fourth Street,
merchantshouse.org/calendar/, nyc1832@merchantshouse.org
Paying calls on friends and family on New Year’s Day was one of Old New York’s most cherished customs. Join the museum for tours of the house, 19th century readings about New Year’s Day celebrations, and punch and confectionery, as they continue the 19th century tradition of renewing, reviving, and reaffirming friendships.
All ages | $20 | 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
SATURDAY, JANUARY 3
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 picture books, finger plays, and action songs with toddlers and their caregivers.
Ages 1-3 years | Free | 10:30 am
SUNDAY, JANUARY 4
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
JAZZ FOR KIDS
Jazz Standard, 116 East 27th Street (between Park & Lexington)
jazzstandard.com/
The weekly session (which runs all throughout the school year) is packed with family and friends grooving to music by the Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra (JSYO) and eating ribs from Blue Smoke.
All ages | Free, suggested $5 donation | 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (doors open at 1:00 pm)
FILM FORUM JR. SUNDAY MATINEE SERIES
Film Forum, 209 West Houston St., filmforum.org/series/film-forum-jr.-series-page
A weekly Sunday matinee series for kids and families through 3/29. January 4: “THE SOUND OF MUSIC”
Age 5+ | $7.50 | 11:00 am
MONDAY, JANUARY 5
FIDI FAMILIES: THE C3
South Street Seaport Community Cube (next to the ice rink)
fidifamilies.com
One hour of organized activity followed by one hour of free play hosted by FiDi Families and presented by NY Presbyterian Hospital. Musical Mondays: music with performers, Toddler Tuesdays: yoga, arts, crafts, Winter Wednesdays: storytime, movies.
All Ages | Free | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
FIDI FAMILIES: SCREENING
OF ‘FROZEN’
South Street Seaport Community Cube (next to the ice rink)
fidifamilies.com
Free screening of “Frozen.” Fans are encouraged to dress up like their favorite characters for sing-alongs and movie inspired crafts. Snacks will be provided.
All Ages | Free | 10:00 am and 4:00 pm
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 50 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,
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
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6
FIDI FAMILIES: THE C3
South Street Seaport Community Cube (next to the ice rink)
fidifamilies.com
See 1/5 for info.
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
Picture Book Time
A librarian will share classic picture books and new stories.
All ages | Free | 4:00 pm
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7
FIDI FAMILIES: THE C3
South Street Seaport Community Cube (next to the ice rink)
fidifamilies.com
See 1/5 for info.
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
Budding Bookmakers (Eric Carle, Denise Fleming, Ed Emberly, Ezra Jack Keats)
Budding Bookmakers is designed to introduce students to a wide variety of books and excite them about reading. Each session begins with an interactive book reading followed by an art activity exploring the techniques used by the illustrator. Presented by Children’s Museum of Manhattan.
Ages 5+ | Free | 4:00 pm
WINTER AFTERSCHOOL SPORTS AND GAMES
Battery Park City Ball Fields, West Street between Murray and Warren
See 1/5 for info
CURLING WEDNESDAYS
Seaport ice rink,
southstreetseaport.com/events/
The Seaport ice rink is hosting a learn-to-curl program each Wednesday night in January. 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 | 7 pm -8 pm, & 8 pm -9 pm
THURSDAY, JANUARY 8
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
Crafternoon
Head to the library for a story followed by an art project. 1/8: Gak Attack!
All ages | Free| 4:00 pm
FILM SCREENING: ‘ENCHANTED’
southstreetseaport.com/events
Sugarcube: Fulton and Front Streets Enchanted Movie Screening
Starring Amy Adams, James Marsden, Susan Sarandon, and Patrick Dempsey. Banished by an evil queen, Princess Giselle (Amy Adams) from a fairy-tale world lands in modern Manhattan, where music, magic and “happily ever after” are sorely lacking.
Rated PG | Free | 7-9 pm
FRIDAY, JANUARY 9
WINTER AFTERSCHOOL SPORTS AND GAMES
Battery Park City Ball Fields, West Street between Murray and Warren Sts.
See 1/5 for info
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10
FAMILY TABLE TENNIS & PING PONG
Two Bridges Community Center, 286 South Street,
ymcanyc.org/chinatown
Play Table Tennis with your kids and other families.
Ages: 6 & up | Free | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
EVERY SATURDAY AT 11:00 am
FAMILYDAY@THECENTER: BUILDING BRIDGES
Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place, (212) 358-6133
info@cfafoundation.org,
cfafoundation.org/index.php?section=events&evtid=1009
Families will learn about different types of bridges and how they work, then design and construct their own model bridge to take home. Pre-registration required.
Age 5+ | $20/family of 4; additional guests accompanying a Family Admission are $5 each | 11 am – 1pm; or 2- 4 pm
ULTIMATE FRISBEE
Battery Park City Ball Fields, West Street between Murray and Warren,
fbelliard@bpcparks.org,
bpcparks.org/event/ultimate-frisbee-2015-01-10/2014-12-13/
Come to the BPC Ball Fields for a game of Ultimate Frisbee. The game is great fun for novices and experts alike. Newcomers are welcome. Co-ed/Pick-up.
All ages | Free | 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
SUNDAY, JANUARY 11
WOMEN’S AND GIRLS’ SOCCER
Battery City Ball Fields, West Street between Murray and Warren Street
See 1/4 for info
FILM FORUM JR. SUNDAY MATINEE SERIES
Film Forum, 209 West Houston St.,
filmforum.org/series/film-forum-jr.-series-page
See 1/4 for info. January 11 is a screening of: ‘THE MUPPET MOVIE’
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/
See 1/4 for info
JAZZ FOR KIDS
Jazz Standard, 116 East 27th Street (between Park & Lexington)
jazzstandard.com/
See 1/4 for info
MONDAY, JANUARY 12
FIDI FAMILIES: THE C3
South Street Seaport Community Cube (next to the ice rink)
fidifamilies.com
See 1/5 for info.
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 and Toddler Story Time: See 1/5 for info
WINTER AFTERSCHOOL SPORTS AND GAMES
Battery Park City Ball Fields, West Street between Murray and Warren
See 1/5 for info
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13
FIDI FAMILIES: THE C3
South Street Seaport Community Cube See 1/5 for info.
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 and Picture book time: See 1/6 for info
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14
FIDI FAMILIES: THE C3
South Street Seaport Community Cube (next to the ice rink)
See 1/5 for info.
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 Budding Bookmakers: See 1/7 for info
WINTER AFTERSCHOOL SPORTS AND GAMES
Battery Park City Ball Fields, West Street between Murray and Warren
See 1/5 for info
CURLING WEDNESDAYS
Seaport ice rink,
southstreetseaport.com/events/
See 1/7 for info
