The following events are held at the Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston. To register for any of these events or for more information, please call 718-229-4000:
Saturday, December 3rd & Sunday, December 4th, 1 PM to 3 PM
Mad Scientists – Candy Chromatography – Calling all scientists!!! Put on your thinking caps and join us as we answer important scientific questions with fun and easy experiments. Learn about your environment through studies and tests that can be done with simple household supplies. For children ages 8 to 12 years old. Snack is included. The fee is $16 for members and $20 for non-members. The program is limited to 10 participants. Please pre-register.
Saturday, December 10th, 1 PM – 3 PM
Little Chefs/Snowman Thumbprint Cookies – Every great chef started somewhere, why not at APEC? Children will learn how to measure, mix, roll, and bake their very own butter cookies. For children ages 8 to 10 years old. The fee is $14 for members and $18 for non-members. The program is limited to 10 participants. Please pre-register.
Saturday, December 17th, 10 AM – 11:30 PM
Polar Bear & Penguin Art – Children will learn all about these cold weather animals. they will also discover how to represent them on paper using shadow and line to add a three dimensional quality to their artwork. For children ages 7 to 9 years old. The fee is $14 for members and $18 for non-members. The class is limited to 10 participants. Please pre-register.
Saturday, December 17th,
7 PM – 9 PM
An Evening With The Stars Astronomy Programs with Mark Freilich – Understand and appreciate the mystery and beauty of the universe with astronomer Mark Freilich. See the moon up close, learn about and view the Orion Nebular, the Andrometer Galaxy, the Big Dipper, Saturn, and Sirius. This program consists of an indoor lecture on basic astronomy and an outdoor viewing with a professional telescope. The program is designed for children 7 years and older and adults. participants are welcome to bring their own telescopes. Experience different and exciting viewings at each event. Please pre-register and call ahead to confirm date. The program is subject to cancellation depending on weather. the fee is $7 for children 7 to 12 years old, $10 per adult member and $12 for adult non-member.
Sunday, December 18th, 10 AM to 11:30 AM
Crazy Crayons – How many ways can you use a crayon? Come and learn how to create beautiful art projects, using crayons in a handful of new and interesting ways. A snack is included for all participants. For ages 8 to 12. The fee is $14 for members and $18 non-members.
Saturday, December 10th, 1 PM to 3 PM for Age 3, Sunday, December 11th, 10 AM to 12 AM, for Age 3, & Sunday, December 18th, 10 AM to 12 PM for Ages 5-6
Nature Frames – Have a picture taken with your favorite animal and create a beautiful frame using natural materials collected on a forest walk. Makes a terrific holiday gift! A snack is provided. All materials included. The fee is $15 for members and $19 for non-members.
Tuesday, December 20th, 3:30 PM to 4:45 PM
ECO Explorer's Club – Join in for the final ECO Explorers Nature Club that focuses on helping to improve our environment. Students will learn to use field guides, binoculars and hand lenses to help identify critters in the park. Each child will receive materials to take home. Please dress appropriately for the weather because many of the meetings will include a nature walk through APEC's less used trails. Boots or old sneakers are recommended. Pre-registration is required. A snack is included for all participants. There is no fee for members. The fee for non-members is $3. The club is for children in grades 4 through 6. Pre-registration is required.
Tuesday, December 27th, 1 PM
APEC Cries Wolf – APEC is proud to welcome the Wolf Conservation Center and their 3 year old Arctic gray wolf, Atka. Experience an awe-inspiring, up close encounter with this marvelous predator. Learn the real truth about wolves, their misunderstood lives and perilous history. Please note Atka the wolf is not a pet and cannot be touched. No videotaping is permitted and flash photography is at the discretion of the wolf handler. Children must be 7 years old and over. All children must be accompanied by a paying adult. The fee is $12 for children ages 7 to 13, $18 for adults. Families of 4 or more can take $5 off the total price. Space is limited so please pre-register. The program may be cancelled due to inclement weather.
Wednesday, December 28th,
10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Winter Wildlife/A Winter Recess Program – This year you can share your winter vacation with birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians while learning how these animals cope with the season's worst weather. Learn about the amazing winter survival techniques of wildlife through stories, games, crafts and live animals up close. A snack is provided. The fee is $12 for members and $16 for non-members. Please pre-register.
Flushing Twin Hall/The Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts, 137-35 Northern Boulevard in Flushing, is hosting the following events for children and their families. For tickets or information on any of these events, please call 718-463-7700 X222 or visit www.flushingtownhall.org:
Sunday, December 11th and Sunday, December 18th at 2 PM
The Nutcracker – The Ballet For Young Audiences introduces your child to the story of Clara's beloved Christmas present, who turns into a prince and takes her on an enchanted visit to the Land of Sweets - accompanied by the glorious music of Tchaikovsky. Don't miss this beloved Christmas classic. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children. Tickets for members are $8 and for children are $5.
The Hudson Vagabond Puppets – Experience the magic of classic children's tales. Brought to life by giant-sized puppets in a series of unforgettable performances! All concerts are $8 for adults and $6 for children. Members pay $6 for adults and $4 for children:
Tuesday, December 27th at 2 PM Ferdinand The Bull – The beloved story of the bull that wouldn't fight, told by Ferdinand himself, with the help of masked dancers, mechanical figurines and a narrator.
Wednesday, December 28th at 2 PM
Peter and the Wolf – A pageant of theatrical puppetry brings Prokofiev's classic to the Town Hall stage, followed by the Soul Mall, which uses puppets to introduce children to the science of sound.
Thursday, December 29th at 2 PM Jemina Puddleduck and the Fierce Bad Rabbit – Enjoy two of Beatrix Potter's all-time favorites, in an afternoon filled with characters wearing colorful costumes and dancing to he music of Sir William Walton.
The King Manor Museum, inside Jamaica Park, Jamaica Avenue & 150th and 153rd Street, presents Stories with Santa, on Saturday, December 17th from 1 PM to 3 PM. Santa Claus makes his annual appearance at King Manor. This year, he will read his favorite holiday stories. Visit with Santa after the reading. Stories with Santa is a free event. Bring your camera. Please call 718-206-0545 for more information.
Queensborough Community College presents “A Klezmer Nutcracker,” as part of the children's professional series, featuring the Amy Marshall Dance Company. The performance will be held at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Avenue in Bayside. Please call 718-631-6044 for tickets or information.
The Beacon Program at Middle School 158, located at 46-35 Oceania Street, between Northern Boulevard and 49th Avenue, is offering a Saturday youth basketball program for girls and boys between the ages of 9 and 14 years old. This program is sponsored by the Samuel Field YMCA and funded by the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development. Youth basketball is held from 9 AM to 12 PM. For further information, please contact 718-423-2266.
The Queens Borough Public Library and Kids, Inc. present “Too young to get hired? Hire yourself!” with Byron Perry. A fun and informative interactive workshop designed especially for children. learn how to “create” work with jobs such as dog-walking, babysitting, and shoveling snow. Organization, time management, and related topics will be covered. Admission is free for children 8 and older. the workshop will be held Thursday, December 9th at 4 PM at the Rosedale Branch, 144-20 243 Street. Please call 718-528-8490 for more information or visit www.queenslibrary.org. The program will also be held on Friday, December 17th at 3:30 PM at the Far Rockaway Branch, 1637 Central Avenue. Please call 718-327-2549 for information.
