Weekend Fun for NYC Kids: Thomas the Tank Engine at NYBG, Three Kings Day Celebrations, Asian American Festival January 4-5

1/1/14 - By Stephanie Ogozalek

Happy New Year and welcome to the first weekend of 2014! The first days of January are always a little bittersweet as we watch all of the holiday sights come down, recycle our Christmas trees, and return to our busy school and work routines. But on Friday, the blizzard (a.k.a. winter storm Hercules) left us with a day off from school (and hopefully work), and an official Parks Department snow day on Saturday, January 4 when you can hit one of five designated NYC locations for FREE hot chocolate, snow games and sledding.

If you're not into the white fluffy stuff, there are lots of other fun things to do as the city digs itself out. Monday marks Three Kings Day (a.k.a. the 12th day of Christmas) and this weekend brings early celebrations like Brooklyn's Three Kings Day Parade and a holiday family workshop at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. Other weekend fun includes the Chinese New Year-inspired Asian American Festival at the Children's Museum of the Arts, a live owl demo at Bronx oasis Wave Hill, and Thomas the Tank Engine and his pals at the New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show.

These are just a few of the great things going on this weekend. All of our top picks are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar. Before heading out on your adventures, be sure to download our FREE Mommy Poppins Kids on the Go app so you can find the best family destinations wherever you happen to be in NYC.

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All Weekend

All Aboard with Thomas & Friends – Bronx
Catch the beloved blue engine as he chugs into the New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show. Thomas the Tank Engine and Driver Sam will be doing live mini-shows and greeting their young fans after every performance. Free with All-Garden Pass: $25 for adults, $15 for children ages 2-12

Asian American Festival – Hudson Square
Celebrate Chinese New Year a little early at the Children's Museum of the Arts with holiday-themed art projects, a traditional Lion Dance, a hula dancing workshop, a multicultural jazz concert by Project Hansori and an interactive session with Feed Me A Story. Free with admission: $11

Meet the Holiday: Three Kings Day Celebration – Crown Heights
Tots can craft jeweled boxes and learn about the holiday's traditions at the Brooklyn Children's Museum. Free with admission: $9

Mother Africa – Midtown West
It's the last weekend to catch this exuberant circus spectacle at the New Victory Theater. Marvel at the talented acrobats, stilt walkers, jugglers and other performers of Tanzania's Circus Der Sinne while grooving to the funky live band. $17-$55
 

Saturday, January 4

Parks Department Snow Day – Citywide
Saturday is an official Parks Department snow day. Check out fun winter activities at five designated locations including snowman-building and snow angel contests, friendly snowball fights, music and free hot chocolate. You can even borrow sleds while supplies last. FREE

First Saturdays for Families: Architecture and Chris Burden – Lower East Side
Head to the New Museum for a kid-friendly tour of the awesome Chris Burden: Extreme Measures retrospective, and then learn about the building's architectural idiosyncrasies and how they relate to the exhibit. Arrive early: Tickets are given out first come, first serve. FREE

La Piccola Opera: Little Red Riding Hood – Upper West Side
Catch this kid-friendly operatic adaptation of the classic fairy tale at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center. The familiar story, English lyrics and short running time make this production the perfect intro to opera for young kids. FREE

Lunch Money and Belle et Bête Present: Planet Hopping – Upper West Side
Head to Symphony Space to catch this unique collaboration between kiddie rockers Lunch Money and puppetry duo Belle et Bête. This one-of-a-kind show uses authentic NASA footage, hand puppets and marionettes, and rock and roll to recount the space adventures of a young female pilot and her robot pal. $20 for adults, $15 for children

Family Country Dance – Upper East Side
Go country at the 92nd Street Y by trying square dancing, circle dances and more. The Hell’s Kitchen Cookers play traditional American tunes and all attendees are encouraged to bring vegetarian pot-luck dishes to share. $15 for adults, free for children under age 18

Camels and Kings: A Gift Giving Workshop – Morningside Heights
Celebrate Three Kings Day at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. Kids will listen to the story of the Three Wise Men, and then craft gift boxes, costumes and glittering crowns. Advance reservations recommended. $8 per adult-child pair

Sing Back, Brooklyn! With Lloyd H. Miller – Brooklyn Heights
Head to the recently renovated Brooklyn Historical Society's for a fact-packed performance by Deedle Deedle Dees' front man Lloyd Miller. Learn about the history of the borough through songs, stories and skits. Preregistration required. FREE

Birding: Owls – the Bronx
Scour the skies in search of elusive owls with help from the Urban Park Rangers at the Orchard Beach Nature Center. Winter is the best time to spot these birds of prey. Bring your own binoculars or ask to borrow a pair. FREE

See all Saturday events.


Sunday, January 5

Brooklyn Three Kings Day Parade – Williamsburg
Watch local school kids, floats, and live performers and animals march through the streets of Williamsburg in honor of Three Kings Day. FREE

Owl Presentation: Raptors of the Night – the Bronx
Get up close and personal with a live owl and learn all about these nocturnal birds of prey from a Hudson Highlands Nature Museum environmental educator at Wave Hill. Preregistration recommended. Come early and you can also enjoy owl-related crafts and stories. $8 for adults, $2 for children

The Gold Rush – Greenwich Village
Catch one of Charlie Chaplin's greatest silent comedies about searching for gold in turn-of-the-last-century Alaska. These special Sunday morning family screenings at the Film Forum are usually preceded by fun contests and trivia. Want more Little Tramp? The theater is currently hosting a festival of his work. $7.50

See all Sunday events.

Don't forget: There's more fun to be found in our Event Calendar.