Wondering what to do with the kids over the upcoming spring break? We have you covered. Long Island has plenty to offer families and children during this vacation week. Many local museums and libraries have events planned to make your spring break as fun and educational as possible.
Science Museum of Long Island
1526 N. Plandome Rd., Manhasset
516-627-9400, ext. 10
www.smli.org
Manhasset’s Science Museum of Long Island (SMLI) has many workshops planned for spring recess. Children ages 3 and up are invited to participate in experiments, create crafts, watch demonstrations and have fun throughout the week. Call 516-627-9400, ext. 10, for prices and to register for the following programs or visit the website at www.smli.org.
Spring into Action
Monday, April 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Celebrate the return of green grass, chirping birds and sunny skies. Kids can dye eggs and participate in the egg-drop challenge.
Biological Bonanza
Tuesday, April 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Explore how living things interact with each other in the environment to create a happy and balanced ecosystem.
A Gneiss Day for Science
Wednesday, April 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Investigate the wonders of what our planet is made of. Kids will create their own volcano, attempt the tsunami challenge and learn that even rocks can change.
The Art of Science
Thursday, April 9, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Combine a love of science and art in this crafty workshop. Kids will make their own geological jewelry, hand-dip a candle and tie-dye a bandanna.
Walk the Plank
Friday, April 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Hop about the pirate ship to learn navigation skills using compasses, GPS, and maps to find some buried treasure. Kids will build a seaworthy vessel and sail it through treacherous waters.
Vanderbilt Museum
180 Little Neck Rd., Centerport
631-854-5579
www.vanderbiltmuseum.org
Centerport’s Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium has fun, creative spring recess events planned for children in pre-K and grades 1 through 4. Children will visit the marine, natural history and cultural artifact galleries and wild animal habitats, which will inspire the hands-on artistic projects that follow. Preregistration is required. Fee is $30; $27 for members.
Sundials
Monday, April 6, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Visit the estate gardens, learn how ancient Egyptians measured time and make a working sundial. For grades
1 to 4.
Mixed Media Collage
Tuesday, April 7, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Visit the marine museum and learn about anatomy of whales, fish, sea turtles and sharks. Examine preserved specimens and create a unique piece of art. For grades 1 to 4.
Mummy Mask
Thursday, April 9, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Learn about life in ancient Egypt and the art and science of making mummies, then create a mummy mask fit for any Pharaoh. For grades 1 to 4.
Butterfly Lifecycle Mobile
Wednesday, April 8, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Children ages 3 to 5 accompanied by an adult explore the insect collection and have fun dressing up to learn about the anatomy of a butterfly and moth. Fee is $20; $18 for members.
Cradle of Aviation Museum
Charles Lindbergh Blvd.,Garden City
516-572-4111
www.cradleofaviation.org
13th Annual Astronomy and
Space Week
Monday to Friday, April 6 to 10
Noon to 4 p.m.
Visit the museum for this weeklong special event celebrating the Hubble telescope. Photos of the solar system, nebulae, star clusters and more will be on display. There will be a variety of hands-on family activities.
Astronomy and Space Day
Wednesday, April 8, Noon to 4 p.m.
To celebrate, the museum will bring together a number of astronomy clubs and space societies for special programming and activities including workshops and lectures. Visitors will be able to observe the sun through special solar telescopes, look at the current night sky in the StarLab and more. Young visitors up to 6 years of age are always invited to the interactive play area The Junior Jet Club to build, explore, climb and enjoy a book in the book corner.
Long Island Children’s Museum
11 Davis Ave., Garden City
516-224-5800
www.licm.org
The museum has a variety of programming for all ages throughout the week.
How Do You Figure?
Monday to Friday, April 6 to 10
11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Be inspired by artist Willem de Kooning and experiment with drawing the human figure. Turn your drawings into a masterpiece through layering paint and collage. Ages 5 and up. Costs $3 with museum admission.
Finding Fossils
Saturday, April 11, 2 p.m.
Learn about fossils and the job of a paleontologist, then excavate your own dinosaur “fossil” to take home. Ages 5 and up. Costs $3 with museum admission.
The Adventures of Perseus
Thursday, April 2, 10:15 a.m. and Noon
EXPERIENtial Theater Company presents The Adventures of Perseus for kids ages 3 and up. Join Perseus, son of Zeus, on a fantastic journey through Greek mythology using puppetry, live acting and audience interaction. Costs $9 with museum admission. Buy tickets online, or call 516-224-5801.
The Joshua Show
Monday, April 6 and Tuesday, April 7, 2 p.m.
Kids ages 5 and up are invited to The Joshua Show with puppeteer Joshua Holden as he performs a heartwarming story about friendship, confidence and the value of being yourself. This whimsical production features puppetry, live music, physical comedy and tap dancing. Costs $5 with museum admission. Buy tickets online or call 516-224-5801.
Nassau County Museum of Art
One Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
516-484-9337
www.nassaumuseum.org
Family Sundays are an ongoing event from 1 to 4 p.m. Visit the museum for an afternoon of collaboration and creativity. Be inspired by the gallery exhibits and explore new art materials, vocabulary and ideas with a museum educator. Take this opportunity to reconnect with your family while talking about and making art together. Free with museum admission.
Spring Break Drop-In Program
Tuesday, April 7 through Thursday, April 9, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This drop-in program celebrates the museum’s current exhibition and features family-friendly gallery
tours and hands-on art making. A different art project will be offered each day. Museum admission
plus $8 materials fee per family.
International Slow Art Day
Saturday, April 11,
11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Join in this annual, international event as people commit to slowing their pace and take the time to really look at art. Ask at the front desk for the free Family Guide and activity sheet. Free with museum admission. Also free to members of The Whaling Museum and The Heckscher Museum of Art.
Garvies Point Museum & Preserve
50 Barry Drive, Glen Cove
516-571-8010/11
www.garviespointmuseum.com
The Garvies Point Museum & Preserve have a bunch of spring break activities planned. All programs and crafts are included with museum general admission ($3/adult, $2 child) except where otherwise noted.
Spring Nature Walk
Tuesday, April 7, 2 p.m.
Join the museum on a naturalist-led spring walk through the woods to discover the rebirth of nature that occurs every year.
Dragonfly Craft
Tuesday, April 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Make a dragonfly craft and also watch the film All About Food Chains.
Bird Walk
Wednesday, April 8, 11 a.m. and
1 p.m.
Learn how to find and identify your favorite birds of field and woods during their spring return. Plus learn how to use binoculars.
Bird House Craft
Wednesday, April 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Make a “green” bird house using recycled materials that your backyard birds will love. Also, watch the film Birding for Kids.
Live Animals
Thursday, April 9, Noon to 3 p.m.
In cooperation with the Tackapausha Museum & Preserve, enjoy a live animal presentation to observe and learn about animals such as the Great Horned Owl, Eastern Box Turtle, Eastern Screech Owl and more.
Animal Sand Art
Thursday, April 9, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Make animal-themed sand art and also watch the film All About Animal Adaptations.
Explore the Beach
Friday, April 10, 11 a.m.
Take a short walk down the beach and observe and identify the varied life forms found on the seashore in this exciting hands-on program for all ages.
Sand Casting
Friday, April 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Make a unique work of art using sand and seashells and also watch the film Eyewitness: Seashore.
Dinosaur Day
Saturday, April 11
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Explore the world of dinosaurs with the museum’s geologists. See and touch real fossils, dress up like a dinosaur, dig for fossils and make a project to take home. Also, watch the film Eyewitness: Dinosaurs. $5 materials fee per person.
Hofstra University Museum:
Emily Lowe Gallery
Hempstead Turnpike
Hempstead
516-463-5672
www.hofstra.edu/community/museum
Explorer Family Backpacks
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday,
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday, 7 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday, Noon to 4 p.m.
Every day, excluding Mondays, through April 26, families with children ages 5 to 10 are invited to pick up a backpack and discover the beauty of the world’s cultures through specific works displayed in the gallery. They will create their own keepsake artworks to bring home.
The Heckscher Museum of Art
2 Prime Ave., Huntington
631-351-3250
www.heckscher.org
International Slow Art Day
Saturday, April 11, 2 to 4 p.m.
Slow down and celebrate this global day of connecting to art in an unrushed, meaningful way. Docents will be in the galleries to facilitate slow-looking at five select works of art. Families are invited to use the museum’s activity guide and visit the Create Your Own Art Activity Station in the Central Gallery. Visit www.slowartday.com.
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park
1395 Planting Fields Rd.,Oyster Bay
516-922-9200
www.plantingfields.org
The Adventures of Peter Rabbit
Saturday, April 4, 11 a.m. to Noon
Coe Hall will become a theater for Theatre Three’s fun and spirited production of their original play The Adventures of Peter Rabbit. Arrive early for the best seating. Free with $5 admission, plus $8 parking fee.
Author/Illustrator Program
Sunday, April 12, 2 p.m.
Husband and wife duo Greg Attonito and Shanti Wintergate of Play Date will present their book I Went For a Walk at the Manor House. Families will be taken on a fantastic voyage through amazing landscapes of Earth and space. Following the reading, the duo will perform songs from their award-winning family music album Imagination. Free with $8 parking fee.
The Whaling Museum & Education Center
279 Main St.
Cold Spring Harbor
631-367-3418
www.cshwhalingmuseum.org
Create! Stations
Monday to Friday, April 6 to 10, 2:30 to
5 p.m.
Enjoy the museum’s self-serve craft stations among the exhibits. For all ages. Free with admission.
International Slow Art Day
Saturday, April 11, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Museum admission is half-off in honor of this global event supporting art appreciation at a slow pace. Members of The Whaling Museum, The Heckscher Museum of Art and The Nassau County Museum of Art receive free admission. Whaling Museum store items are 20 percent off.
Tackapausha Museum and Preserve
Washington Ave., Seaford
516-571-7443
www.nassaucountyny.gov
Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 11, 1 to 4 p.m.
Join the Tackapausha Museum and Preserve for an Earth Day celebration. There will be a live animal show, crafts, games and light refreshments for an afternoon of fun for nature-lovers.
Museum of the Moving Image
36-01 35th Ave., Astoria
718-777-6888
www.movingimage.us
Screening: The Wizard of Oz in 3-D
Friday, April 3 through Sunday, April 12, 12:30 p.m.
This timeless classic and family favorite has never looked better. The 3-D version of The Wizard of Oz was lovingly mastered by Warner Bros for the film’s 75th anniversary last year. The eye-popping color approximates the original Technicolor prints, and the vivid 3-D only enhances the experience. Tickets are $12.
Workshop: Wizard of Oz Character Design Remix
Friday, April 3 through Sunday, April 12, 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.
Inspired by the beloved characters of The Wizard of Oz, children ages 5 to 10 will explore the creative process of crafting characters for the screen by remixing and redesigning a classic character using a variety of supplies ($5 materials fee).
Museum of Modern Art
11 West 53rd St., New York
212-708-9400
www.moma.org
Imagining the Future: Design for Growing Cities
Saturdays, April 4 and 11 and Sundays, April 5 and 12 ,10:30 a.m. to 12: 30 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m.
In this special two-hour workshop for families, kids ages 11 to 14 and accompanying adults explore works in the collections and special exhibits, then use their experience in the galleries as inspiration in art-making workshops. View the exhibition Uneven Growth: Tactical Urbanisms for Expanding Megacities, think about what living in big cities will be like in 2030 then create a model showing your design for a livable futuristic city.
American Museum of Natural History
Central Park West at 79th Street, NY
212-769-5200
www.amnh.org
Spring Break Camps:
Adventures in Science
Monday, April 6 through Friday, April 10, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Relentless Earth: Forces of the Natural World
Kids in grades 2 and 3 will explore the new exhibition about earthquakes, volcanoes and more and learn about how people around the world cope with their destructive power.
AstroAdventures: A Trip to Space
Saturday, April 4 through Thursday, April 9, Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:15 to 5:10 p.m.
Kids in grades 4 and 5 will discover how scientists gather information about distant planets and moons, while flying through a digital simulation of the universe, building and using telescopes and investigating nearby moons, planets and stars.
