FREE Fun Fridays
WHEN: Jan. 3-24, Fridays, 4:00-5:00pm (no session 1/17)
WHERE: Queens Library - Broadway Branch, 40-20 Broadway, Long Island City
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Children ages 5 to 12 years old are invited to join us for fun activities including Bingo and crafts.
WANT TO GO? 718-721-2462. queenslibrary.org/branch/Broadway.
FREE Baby/Toddler Sign Language
WHEN: Friday, Jan. 24, 10:30-11:30am
WHERE: North Hills Library, 57-04 Marathon Pkwy, Little Neck
AGES: 0-2
WHAT: Join certified Baby Sign Language instructor Christina Napoletano as she leads children and their caregivers through ASL vocabulary, music, and play. Through her thoughtfully crafted themes and practical memory aid techniques, you can be communicating with your pre-verbal baby or toddler!
WANT TO GO? 718-225-3550. queenslibrary.org.
FREE Family Movie
WHEN: Friday, Jan. 24, 3:30-5:30pm
WHERE: Pomonok Library, 158-21 Jewel Ave., Flushing
AGES: All
WHAT: Children and their families are invited for a family-friendly movie!
WANT TO GO? 718-591-4343. queenslibrary.org.
FREE Open Mic Jokes For Belly Laugh Day!
WHEN: Friday, Jan. 24, 3:30-4:30pm
WHERE: Queens Library - Rochdale Village Branch, 169-09 137 Ave., Jamaica
AGES: All
WHAT: Performers will sign up with the library staff with their joke or riddle and will be called up in a random order. Spectators are welcome.
WANT TO GO? 718-723-4440. queenslibrary.org/branch/Rochdale-Village.
FREE Belly Laugh Day at Friday Kids' Club
WHEN: Friday, Jan. 24, 3:30-5:30pm
WHERE: Glen Oaks Library, 256-04 Union Turnpike, Glen Oaks
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate the gift of laughter on Global Belly Laugh Day. There will be an open mic for participants to read a joke from a book, write an original joke and share it, or tell a funny story. Share some laughs with friends and family.
WANT TO GO? 718-831-8636. queenslibrary.org.
FREE Lunar New Year Celebration
WHEN: Friday, Jan. 24, 3:00-5:00pm
WHERE: Queens Library - Poppenhusen Branch, 121-23 14 Ave., College Point
AGES: All
WHAT: In astrology, the Rat represents wisdom, intelligence, and strong life force. Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a story and a simple craft.
WANT TO GO? 718-359-1102. queenslibrary.org/branch/Poppenhusen.
FREE Cinema Saturdays
WHEN: Jan. 4-25, Saturdays, 2:30-4:30pm
WHERE: Forest Hills Library, 108-19 71 Ave., Forest Hills
AGES: All
WHAT: Be entertained by the magic of the movies including “Abominable,” "The Angry Birds Movie 2," "Pokémon Detective Pikachu,” and "Peter Pan."
WANT TO GO? 718-268-7934. queenslibrary.org.
FREE Dream to Read
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 25, 2:00-4:00pm
WHERE: Queens Library - Rosedale Branch, 144-20 243 St., Rosedale
AGES: All
WHAT: In commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday. All are invited to a reading of various books. The program is sponsored by the Rosedale Friends Group. Refreshment will be provided through generous funds from Council Member Donovan Richards.
WANT TO GO? 718-528-8490. queenslibrary.org/branch/Rosedale.
Pirate Pete's Parrot
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 25, 2:30pm
WHERE: The Secret Theatre, 44-02 23rd Street (between 44 Ave and 44th Rd), New York City
AGES: All
WHAT: Climb on board and get ready for adventure at The Secret Theatre’s longest-running children’s musical in Queens. A melodic medley of misfits promises music, mischief, and a boatload of laughs for everyone.
WANT TO GO? $20 adults; $15 children younger than 17 (Family 4-pack for $40). 718-392-0722. secrettheatre.com.
Grupo Rebolu: Season Welcome Party!
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 25, 3pm
WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd, Flushing
AGES: All
WHAT: Move to the incredibly danceable music of Grupo Rebolu! Learn the traditional steps of cumbia, puya, mapale, and bullerengue in this pre-show workshop. Then enjoy some Afro-Colombian music and dance.
WANT TO GO? $14/$10 Members; $8 Children/$6 Member Children; free for Teens. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.
FREE Lunar New Year Tinker Festival
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 25, 2:30-5:30pm
WHERE: Lewis Latimer House Museum, 34-41 137th Street, Flushing
AGES: 3-17
WHAT:
WANT TO GO? FREE. 718-961-8585. https://eventbrite.com/e/lunar-new-year-tinker-festival-tickets-75195679301.
FREE Lunar New Year Celebration
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 25, 12:00-4:00pm
WHERE: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate the Year of the Rat at QBG with crafts, performances, and activities for the whole family! Welcome the New Year with a plant from our Lucky Plant sale!
WANT TO GO? 718-886-3800. queensbotanical.org.
FREE S.T.E.A.M. Saturday: Newspaper Shoes
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 25, 11:00am-12:00pm
WHERE: Queens Library - Rochdale Village Branch, 169-09 137 Ave., Jamaica
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Pixie boots, clown shoes, moccasins, flip flops, and moon boots. What will you design using just newspapers, scissors, and tape? The one rule is that you must build a pair of newspaper shoes for one of your team members that they can put on and take off without ripping the newspaper. For grades 2 and up.
WANT TO GO? 718-723-4440. queenslibrary.org/branch/Rochdale-Village.
Mets Fan Fest
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 25, 12:00-2:00pm; 2:00-4:00pm; 4:00-6:00pm
WHERE: Citi Field, 120-01 Roosevelt Ave, Corona
AGES: All
WHAT: FANFEST will feature appearances by new manager Carlos Beltrán, current Mets players, Mets' legends, and include games, ballpark tours, and other activities for the whole family.
WHY WE LOVE IT: Find the time that works best for your family and choose from three different 2-hour sessions.
WANT TO GO? $20 adults; $5 children younger than 13.
Spooktacular: Out of this World's Fair!
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 25, 2:00-4:00pm
WHERE: Queens Museum, 111-01 Corona Ave., Flushing
AGES: All
WHAT: For the 10th year in a row, the Museum’s second-floor galleries will transform into a spooky space for the most distinct costume party of the year. Expect an afternoon of performances, live music, face-painting, art-making, scavenger hunts, raffle prizes, and tasty treats for all ages!
WHY WE LOVE IT: It's an affordable fundraiser that the whole family can attend.
WANT TO GO? $25. 718-592-9700. queensmuseum.org.
FREE Lunar New Year Craft
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 25, 3:00-3:30pm
WHERE: Queens Library - Douglaston-Little Neck Branch, 249-01 Northern Blvd., Little Neck
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Make a Chinese Zodiac Mask for the Year of the Rat!
WANT TO GO? 718-225-8414. queenslibrary.org/branch/Douglaston/Little-Neck.
Little Cooks: Pickle Party
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 25, 11:30am-12:30pm
WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 22475 76th Ave., Oakland Gardens
AGES: 5-8
WHAT: Make yummy quick pickles and learn a little about fermented foods and why they are good for you. Then feed a cucumber to a special animal friend.
WANT TO GO? $22. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.
Lunar New Year Celebration for Families
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 26, 1:00-3:00pm
WHERE: Queens Museum, 111-01 Corona Ave., Flushing
AGES: All
WHAT: Join us for our annual Lunar New Year Celebration for Families! This year is celebrating the year of the Rat with folk dances, Lion Dance, and traditional arts & crafts. For the sixth year in a row, the New York Chinese Cultural Center (NYCCC) brings its signature program to the Queens Museum. This event will showcase an hour long performance program featuring professional artists and students of NYCCC’s School of the Arts, as well as a hands on Chinese Calligraphy workshop for kids and adults.
WANT TO GO? FREE with museum admission ($8 adults; free for anyone younger than 19). 718-592-9700. queensmuseum.org.
I Want to Be a Vet
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 26, 10:00am-12:00pm
WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 22475 76th Ave., Oakland Gardens
AGES: 5-8
WHAT: Enjoy pretend play examining animals, look at animal x-rays, groom the rabbits, and help take care of the turtles. Students will love meeting the live animal guests.
WANT TO GO? $24. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.
Animal Care Trainee
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 26, 10:00am-12:00pm
WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 22475 76th Ave., Oakland Gardens
AGES: 9-12
WHAT: Help care for APEC’s animals. Registration required.
WANT TO GO? $24. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.
Classical Guitar from Argentina with Carlos Pavan
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 26, 2:00pm
WHERE: The Voelker Orth Museum, 149-19 38th Ave., Flushing
AGES: All
WHAT: Carlos Pavan, an Argentine classical guitarist/composer warms up the parlor with an afternoon of original compositions drawing on Argentine tango/folks dances, jazz, and classical forms.
WANT TO GO? $12; $10 students. 718-359-6227. vomuseum.org.
Dog Man: The Musical
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 26, 1:00pm and 3:00pm
WHERE: Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Avenue South, Corona
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Dog Man loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture. But can he save the city from Flippy, the cyborg fish and his army of Beasty Buildings? Will he catch Petey, the world's most evil cat? And will the boys finish the show before lunch time?
WANT TO GO? $15. 718-860-0064. queenstheatre.org.
Zhou Family Band
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 26, 2:00pm
WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd, Flushing
AGES: All
WHAT: Co-presented with World Music Institute, Zhou Family Band plays traditional wind and percussion music that accompanies birth and death celebrations of the people of Central-Eastern China for more than 600 years.
WANT TO GO? $18; $12 students; free for teens. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.
FREE Picture Book Time
WHEN: Jan. 3-31, Fridays, 11:30am-12:00pm
WHERE: Queens Library - Elmhurst Branch, 86-07 Broadway, Elmhurst
AGES: 3-5
WHAT: This program offers stories, songs, and finger plays for young children from 3-4 years. First-timers: Please speak with an Elmhurst children's librarian before your first storytime.
WANT TO GO? 718-271-1020.
Sea Lion Feeding
WHEN: Through January 31: daily, 11:15am, 2pm, and 4pm
WHERE: Queens Zoo, 53-51 111th St., Corona
AGES: All
WHAT: See the sea lions get their meals and maybe do a trick or two!
WANT TO GO? $9.95; $7.95 seniors ages 65 and older; $6.95 children ages 3-12; FREE for children 2 and younger. 718-271-1500. Queenszoo.com.
FREE Friday At The Movies
WHEN: Through January 31: every other Friday, 3:30-5pm
WHERE: Queens Library–Ozone Park Branch, 92-24 Rockaway Blvd., Ozone Park
AGES: All ages
WHAT: Come join us on Friday at the movies. Movies are rated G or PG.
WANT TO GO? 718-845-3127.
FREE Movie Screenings
WHEN: Jan. 4-Feb. 15, Saturdays, times vary (no showing 1/25)
WHERE: Bayside Library, 214-20 Northern Blvd., Bayside
AGES: All
WHAT: Watch movies like "Aladdin" and "The Lion King" together with families, friends, and other library patrons.
WANT TO GO? 718-229-1834. queenslibrary.org.
Lunar New Year Exhibition
WHEN: Jan. 17-Feb. 16, Weekends, 12:00-5:00pm; Weekdays by appointment
WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd, Flushing
AGES: All
WHAT: Flushing Town Hall presents “A Good Beginning, Here” a cross-cultural exhibition that illuminates 8 diaspora artists who can trace their roots back in China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.
WANT TO GO? $5 suggestion donation; free for students and teens. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.
FREE Lego Hour
WHEN: Jan. 4-Feb. 29, Saturdays, 3:00-4:00pm
WHERE: Queens Library - Woodhaven Branch, 85-41 Forest Parkway, Woodhaven
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Ages 6 and older, get your Lego on!
WANT TO GO? 718-849-1010.
FREE The Hour Of Misfit Crafts
WHEN: Jan. 25-Feb. 29, 1/25, 2/8 and 2/29, 2:00-3:00pm
WHERE: Queens Library - Woodhaven Branch, 85-41 Forest Parkway, Woodhaven
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Make bizarre crafts and spread joy through the world!
WANT TO GO? 718-849-1010. https://queenslibrary.org/about-us/locations/woodhaven.
'Guess What' - The Family-Friendly Stand Up Comedy Show
WHEN: Through March 21: third Saturdays, 12:30pm
WHERE: The Creek & The Cave, 10-93 Jackson Ave., Long Island City
AGES: All
WHAT: The show is hosted by an 11-year-old and her dad.
WANT TO GO? $10. 718-706-8783. creeklic.com.
FREE Art in the Garden: Recollections
WHEN: Jan. 17- March 22, See website for days and times
WHERE: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing
AGES: All
WHAT: See select works from the first ten years of exhibitions in QBG’s art gallery.
WANT TO GO? 718-886-3800. queensbotanical.org.
FREE Nature Play Club
WHEN: Through April 23: third Sunday of each month, 2pm
WHERE: Queens Zoo, 53-51 111th St., Corona
AGES: Newborn to 5
WHAT: Enjoy free monthly sessions at the Zoo and in nearby parks, connecting families back to nature through unstructured, free-play exploration. Registration required.
WANT TO GO? 718-271-1500. queenszoo.com.
FREE Chess with Mr. Fariad
WHEN: Through June 27: Saturdays, 1:30-3:30pm
WHERE: Queens Library - Rosedale Branch, 144-20 243 St., Rosedale
AGES: All
WHAT: All chess lovers are welcome to this program: advanced players, intermediate, and beginners.
WANT TO GO? 718-528-8490. queenslibrary.org/branch/Rosedale.
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