Yes you could stay home in your pajamas while catching up on your favorite shows with your lil' monsters over the weekend, but why on earth would you do that when you could just grab the kiddies and head to Sunday Funday at Chelsea Piers in support of CMOM? With that snowstorm behind us, I think it's time for some family fun for a good cause!
The Children's Museum of Manhattan has been a fun and educational resource to NYC families and visitors. All funds raised during this adorable indoor picnic event will go towards the cultural programming offered to 350,000 people a year, with free access given to 50,000 low-income individuals. And for the second year in a row CMOM is hosting Sunday Funday for hundreds of families with children ages 0-12, who'll enjoy food, live entertainment, obstacle course, sports celebrities, costume characters, arts and crafts and so much more!
I'll never forget how much fun my oldest Cj and I had visiting their Eat, Sleep, Play exhibit as part of one of my Graduate Studies papers at CUNY Queens College while working on my Masters in Elementary Education. It was a phenomenal, interactive experience where we both learned a lot and CJ begged for me not to make him leave. Essentially last year CJ felt the same way about he and his little brother ending the day after a fun-filled afternoon of activities - thanks to Adam at DadaRocks.com for hosting a ticket giveaway we were able to attend the inaugural year and the boys begged me to let them stay just a few minutes longer.
Take a look at our pics of all the fun we had last year: From watching Dan Zane perform to showing off their dance moves wit the Super Sprowtz (who we met on our first visit to the museum nearly 5 years ago) to shooting hoops with WNBA stars and getting their face painted - to say the boys had an awesome time is an understatement.
What's cooler than a life size game of Connect Four?
11 year old CJ has been a fan of Dan Zanes since preschool so it was fun introducing his little brother to some fun live tunes and to tell Dan how much they loved the show
There was fun to be had at every twist and turn, even on the way to the restroom!
Mini basketball and football fans had the chance to hoop it up with alumni from our home teams and toss around the ball.
If you can't tell by his face it's definitely a great experience for the kids and a way for the grown ups to support a community establishment that brings smiles just like his to the faces of littles that visit the museum regularly.
So what are you waiting for? With a little less than 150 tickets left grab yours to support this wonderful Museum and it's programming, it's such a great way for the entire family to spend their weekend, especially as the weather gets a little colder and you need an escape from cabin! What would be a highlight for your family to see of do during Sunday Funday?
If I told you that there were a place to take your kids in hopes of convincing them that fruits & veggies, rest, an occasional gassy noise and exercise were necessary for a healthy life; that is located at an interactive, engaging, fun- filled exhibit at CMOM (Children's Museum of Manhattan) would you believe me?
I have never been to anything like the Eat, Sleep, Play exhibit that is a part of a national health initiative and praised by first lady Michelle Obama. CJ and I went this past weekend and he honestly didn't want to leave because he had so much fun. Isn't it every parents dream to hear their child utter the words "Mommy/daddy I really like this place, it's really interesting. It's making me kinda like learning about science stuff", as CJ had excitedly told me. The exhibit has over 70 interactive stations which encourage healthy alternatives,by making kids think while not making them feel bad about an occasional sweet treat, or game of Super Mario bros. Neither you or your child (geared at ages 2-10) will leave disappointed so make plans to visit ASAP! I decided to kill two birds with one stone and use this excursion for my Teaching Elementary Science graduate studies assignment. CJ and I hope you enjoy the pics! He now considers our outings "top secret missions" because he knows I'm going to share these posts with everyone, he even got in on the picture taking.
"EAT"
Crawl through the mouth to get inside the Decision Center * THE BRAIN.
Help it to make good healthy lifestyle choices.
While inside the brain join the social table game, where kids can play against each other to add years to their total life by picking good lifestyle choices like wearing sunblock {+88 years} and staying away from bad choices like smoking {-35 years}.
Make your way to the Stomach and feed it to keep the body energized. Make sure the brain listens to the stomach before it gets too full!
Crawl through the intestines to learn how our food gets digested. There will be a few giggles
and pitchy squeals of "Eeww!" when the kids hear all the normal, but funny sounding gassy noises.
These two little girls thought flushing the toilet was the best part , even though most grown-ups cringed at the idea of looking at simulated poo.
At the "Royal Flush" kids will get to watch video images played through the toilet bowl seat showing them what normal and abnormal bowel movements look like.
CJ insisted I sit on the royal thrown instead of him for a photo. Don't I look cute?
"Thump, Thump! Thump, Thump!"
At the heart kids can learn the difference between healthy and unhealthy blood ,
what Type 2 Diabetes is and how obesity can shorten your life.
Don't let the advertising fool you! In the Brain's Processing center children learn what's misleading about
the labels on some of the products they see everyday. CJ and I promised to cut down on our muffin and orange juice consumption for more whole fruits.
The NYC Green Cart is the perfect spot for your toddler kiddies. Here we are introduced to the Super Sprowtz a heroic group of vegetables who's powers encompass why they are good for our bodies. Oliver onion and Gita Garlic's
superpower is "SUPER SWEET" because they are good for our hearts.
"SLEEP"
In the Sleep Center kids will learn how important it is to skip that 10pm episode of "ICarly" or "Spongebob" to get an essential good nights rest. While touring this center kids will understand that while they are sleeping their bones grow, the body defends us against germs and that lack of sleep can make us cranky, frazzled and exhausted.
Our Brain is storing memories while we sleep.
"PLAY"
How long can you stay balanced on the beam without falling Off?
While playing around in this portion of the exhibit you can dodge musical laser beams, pedal a bike with your hands, and play a version of Whac-A-Mole where you measure your heart rate while trying to quickly tap moving lights.
This ZIKE bike didn't have a working timer when we were there {any popular interactive exhibit is going to be shown lots of love by many kids and a resulting broken part or 2 or 3} but he worked up a sweat anyway
CJ enjoyed the Super Sprowtz puppet show hosted by the creator Radha and
grooving to the music while learning the Super Sprowtz "SUPER POWER" dance moves.
While we were browsing the gift shop we bumped into Radha, which was a great ending to the day. Don't take your kids to the gift shop unless you are prepared to walk away with a Colby Carrot Puppet $26. It has now been added to CJ's Christmas wish list.
The only advise I have for you while visiting is probably to avoid the first free Friday evening of the month because it's going to be packed and you won't get to enjoy the experience for all it's worth. I say go any other weekend and pay the $11, it's well worth the money. You could even do what I did thanks to my mother-in law and clip the coupon out of the discount Entertainment bookRipleys believe it or not}, it pays for itself after two or three destinations.
*CMOM is located in The Tisch Building at 212 West 83rd Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenues. Directions
What are you planning on getting into this weekend? This is just another jam packed weekend of activity here in NYC. There are some new museum exhibits: one that promotes being healthy and another that makes learning about history way more interactively fun.. If you have a low key weekend in mind the city is showing off it's true fall colors, maybe just a stroll through your fave neighborhood park is all you need. I watched kids dive through piles of leaves in CJ's school yard and found a few beautiful "rainbow" colored trees. The leaves cascaded from red to orange, to yellow then green so beautifully. CJ, Tristan and I stopped in awe of the nature around us. Isn't it wonderful to take a second to take in something so simple yet so breathtakingly amazing in this sometimes crazy hectic city? Where are your favorite places to enjoy this season?
Key to Events:
{E} for everyone {D} for a date {C} for the Chicas {K} for the kiddies
{F} for the Fellas {P} for the pets
Friday Nov. 11th - Nov. 21st ~ The 19th Annual Canstruction Competition ~
( 10am-6pm, Fri the 11th closes at 1pm, Mon. the 21st closes at 5pm) {E} FREE/Taking canned food donations Who says you can't make art out of food cans and labels strategically placed to look like the Super Mario Brothers, Trains, Mr. Potato head and so much more and then donate those canned goods to those in need. Canstruction is an annual design competition between teams comprised of top architecture and engineering pros and food charity that builds unique structures entirely out of food cans. After structures are judged in categories like "Best use of labels" the cans are donated to City Harvest for distribution right in time for turkey day. I'm a little biased and in favor of the design Roots for Hunger because one of my besties is on the design team!
Roots of Hunger at this years 2011 competition has got my vote.
Last year's Mario and Luigi canstruction was definitely CJ's top pick
Friday Nov. 11th - Sunday Nov. 13th ~ The New York Chocolate Show ~
( Fri. & Sat. 10-7, Sun 10-6) {E} For tickets click here Children under 13 FREE (limit 2 children per adult).
Satisfy your chocolate cravings this weekend and check out this annual expo of over 60 vendors. My boys and I went a few years back and had a great time and brought home a few delish brownies. There are several Chocolate vendors with yummy samples to taste and merchandise for purchase. You may run into a food network personality and will love the demos shown by local pastry chefs. Don't miss the Broadway themed chocolate fashions and if you have kids in tow, keep them entertained in the Kids zone. Kids who find specially wrapped sweets can score tickets to The Radio City Christmas Spectacular or Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan.
CJ and his cousin made friends with one of the vendors who right before the end of the night
let them decorate Chocolate ornaments.
The hubby (on the right) and Mike D. with Pastry chef and Food Network Challenge host/Judge Keegan Gerhard
Location: Metropolitan Pavilion @ 125 w.18th street between 6th and 7th Avenue.
Friday Nov. 11th ~ Grand Re-Opening of the New York Historical Society ~
(10am-10pm) {E} $15, AGES 7-13 $5 Children under 7 FREE
The Future looks brights for this historical museum who's $65 million renovation brings the past to life before our very eyes. With interactive technology stations and new engaging exhibits this museum gives a better look into the city's history. There will be historical characters brought to life including George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. Be there for the ribbon cutting of the anticipated new Dimenna Children's museum which occupies 4,000 sq. feet of the lower level and showcases historical figures when they were kids themselves. Watson Adventures will host a New York History Mysteries scavenger hunt, so pay attention and enjoy all the new exhibits ($17.50) Location: 170 Central Park West between 76th and 77th Sts For more event information: www.nyhistory.org
Praised by first lady Michelle Obama this anticipated interactive exhibit at the Children's Museum of Manhattan is sure to be a hit with not just the kiddies but their parents as well. As part of my graduate studies program in Elementary Education {teaching Elem science class}, I will be taking CJ to check out this national health initiative exhibit on Sunday. As we all know; one of the best ways to engage children in learning of any sort is through hands on experiences. In this fun, educational exhibit kids will experience the bodies organs up close through giant models (pumping blood through the heart), games (sleep deprived memorization challenge) and energy burning stations (balance beams, and exercise machines) all in the hopes of understanding how important it is to take care of their bodies. This weekends festival (Fri 10am-4:30pm, Sat. 10am- 4pm and Sun. 10am - 4:30pm) will have food, bed-time and fitness themed crafts like creating a vegetable puppet or a stamped pillow case.
Meet the Super Sprowtz and learn why fruits and veggies are so important to being Super healthy kids!
How does advertising have an affect on our healthy food choices?
* Images via cmom.org
Location: The Tisch Building at 212 West 83rd Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenues.
Saturday Nov.12th & Sunday Nov. 13th ~ 2011 Quidditch World Cup ~
(Sat. 9am-10pm, Sun. 9am-9pm) {E}$5-$100 click here for package deals.
If you are a muggle who's a fan of all things Harry Potter then this 5th annual Quidditch competition between High Schools and Colleges throughout the world is the event for you. I'm not sure how they manage their brooms since they aren't really flying but the games seems to have a following and several players. You can also enjoy live music performances, meet various owls and watch a few demonstrations.
Location: Randalls Island Park, Robert F. Kennedy bridge at Randalls Island
Saturday nov. 12th - Sun. Nov. 20th ~ Puppets on Film @ BAM ~
(Check site for various times){E}General Admission $12, Kids 13 and under $9
I have become a bit obsessed with Jim Henson's Muppets and their soon to be released movie on the 23rd of Nov. Have you read my tribute post to them? I also tried convincing my hubby to get me the Muppets Monopoly version knowing darn well I can't stand monopoly and haven't played in almost 10 years. If you are anything like me then I think this film series is the temporary solution until the movies release. See puppets like you’ve never seen them before! Long before computer graphics, fantastic creatures came to life as puppets made of foam, fabric, metal, and wood. This festival features seven brand new documentaries about puppetry as well as a roster of fantasy films, Muppet movies, shorts from the US and around the world, New York premieres, gremlins, teenage mutant ninja turtles, and the story of an angry tire. Puppets on Film includes programs for both kids and adults alike.
Saturday Nov. 12th ~ Super Mario 3D Land comes to Times Square ~ (10am-4pm) {E} FREE
If you ever day dreamed about being a part of the game with Nintendo Classic good guy Mario, then this is the event for you, and maybe even a kid or two. This interactive event will allow you to feel what it's like to hang in the Mushroom Kingdom. There will be life size warp pipes, coin jumps and a flagpole finish.
The special buzz is that ToysRus will have the game on sale from noon to 2pm, before it's official release date, this is definitely one of the items on CJ's Christmas list. Keep in mind the combination, of Times Square + toys +photos with Mario + giveaways will probably equal a hefty crowd.
Image via Timessquare.com
Location:Military Island at Times Square (Broadway and 7th Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets). For more event information:timessquare.com
Saturday Nov. 12th ~ Family Day @ Citi Pond ~
(12pm-4pm){E} FREE
Families are invited for a day of fun-filled activities and excitement complete with face painting, live entertainment, book readings, and tasty treats. There will be a winter themed fashion show and a doggie snack bar presented by Natural Balance. Special performances by legendary singer Bob Dorough of Schoolhouse rock and Conjunction Junction fame, FreckleFace Strawberry The Musical, Songs for Seeds and an appearance by Carlos the French Bulldog will be great fun. Make sure to arrive early because the 1st 100 kids can get free skate rentals.
Location:40th and 42nd Streets & Fifth and Sixth Avenues.
Sunday Nov. 13th ~ Baby Got Bach ~ (11am) {K} $20 per adult or child $60 for a family of four. Curated by the pianist Orli Shaham, the event begins with BackStage Up Front, where kids have a chance to play with real musical instruments. Then it is on to the stage to enjoy a listening tour of great live chamber music, featuring Orli and her friends. Location: 158 Bleecker st. at Thompson street
Sunday Nov. 13th ~ Ezra Jack Keats Family Day at the Jewish Museum ~
(12pm-4pm) {K/ 4 +} Free with Museum admission which is $12 for adults and Free for kids under 12
Join in this fun-filled afternoon of activity in celebration of the author/illustrator of The Snowy Day, Whistle for Willie and other storybook favorites. Delight in a live music, hear storybook readings, create a work of art inspired by Keats' illustrations and explore the exhibition with special gallery hunts.
Sunday Nov. 13th ~ Le Carrousel Magique at Bryant Park ~
(2pm-3pm) {E} FREE Abracadabra! Once again the Bryant Park magicians appear, with tricks that astound, amaze, and take you away. Location: Le Carrousel at Bryant park mid park near 41st street For more event information: bryantpark.org
Looking for other great things to do this weekend? Check out Time out New york and Time Out New York Kids online and in news stands. It's one of my absolute favorite go to sources for things to do around NYC!!
If you are just visiting for the weekend or you are an everyday New Yorker, whatever you decide to do just enjoy the moment and Revel in all that is *NYC*
xoxo, Dellah
*Dellah's Jubilation always intends to give proper attribution if a credit was foreseen, it was purely accidental and credit will be given where it's due. Any image without attribution unless noted otherwise is the property of Dellah’s Jubilation. If you’d like to use this image please contact me for consent. Dellah's Jubilation is only suggesting events that are thought to be fun and interesting based on opinion. Dellah's Jubilation is not responsible for cancelled events or any other event changes (time, location etc.) due to mother nature or those running the event. Please double check all links to event for updates and changes. Dellahs Jubilation is not affiliated with any of the magazines mentioned within posts, I just like to share my love for zines. Most importantly hit the streets, live in the moment and have fun!
