Some Upcoming Events at Long Island Children's Museum...

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM PROVIDES FAMILY TIME DURING THANKSGIVING BREAK

Garden City (November 16, 2010) – As families gather together to celebrate Thanksgiving the Long Island Children’s Museum has come up with several solutions to that ever-nagging question – What are we going to do with the kids for the long holiday weekend? The Museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day but has a jam-packed weekend planned.

Families can spend time together exploring Toys: The Inside Story, the traveling exhibit on display at the Children’s Museum until January 2. Peek inside some common toys while exploring the basics of pulleys, cams, gears, linkages, and circuits. Twelve different hands-on stations are featured illustrating the simple mechanisms commonly found in toys, and lets visitors create their own toy-like combinations.  Exhibits are free form and open-ended; offering visitors the opportunity to figure out how to spin a ballerina, free “Jack” from his box and make Elmo^© dance.  Toys: The Inside Story was created by Montshire Museum of Science and funded by the National Science Foundation. Local exhibit support provided by Astoria Federal Savings.

Workshops and theater programs are planned to satisfy any age group.

Carousel Spinners

Friday, November 26 at 3 p.m.

The button spinner is an example of one of the earliest whirligigs, objects that spin or whirl. String is threaded through a button and then twisted on each end to make the button spin; Native Americans used clay, bone, and strips of animal hide to create their versions. Welcome our newest exhibit, Toys: The Inside Story, as you craft your own spinner with a playful carousel theme!

Ages: 7 and up. Fee: $3 with museum admission ($2 LICM members)

Gizmo Guys – Comedy Jugglers

Friday, November 26 and Saturday, November 27 at 1 and 3 p.m.

Grab your family and join us in the LICM Theater for some belly laugh with the world famous Gizmo Guys.  The Gizmo Guys are a comedy-juggling act and so much more. Their act includes original routines, quick-witted verbal repartee and world class juggling skills.

Ages: 3 and up. Fee: $4 with museum admission ($3 for LICM Members), $8 theater only

Messy Afternoons

Friday, November 26 from 1-3 p.m.

Saturday, November 27 and Sunday, November 28 from 3:30-5 p.m.

We’ll be up to our elbows in goop, guts, shaving cream and play-doh today … and we hope you’ll join us for the type of artistic activities that everyone loves, but not one likes to clean-up after. Except us!

Ages: 18 months to 4 years. Free with museum admission.

Russian Duo Sunday, November 28

Workshop  - 1 p.m.

Come dance with us!  Learn a famous Russian folk dance called “Troika” and perform it with live music. The Russian word troika means three-horse drawn carriage. In this dance, you’ll imitate the prancing of horses pulling a sled.

Ages: 4 and up. Fee: $4 with museum admission ($3 for LICM Members), $8 theater only

Performance - 3 p.m.

Join us in the LICM Theater and learn all about the Russian stringed musical instrument called a “balalaika.” The audience becomes an essential part of this concert as they join Oleg and Terry on stage to sing and play traditional Russian percussion instruments.

Ages: 3 and up. Fee: $4 with museum admission ($3 for LICM Members), $8 theater only

Visitors can also get a jump on their holiday shopping at the Museum Store without having to worry about mall traffic or crowds. The Museum Store has the perfect gift ideas for the curious kid in your life. From board games to science sets to puzzles and craft sets, they have something for every age group and ability. For the little ones choose from a variety of fun options, including dolls, building blocks, pretend and play toys and musical instruments. They also have a large selection of budget friendly stocking stuffer items like astronaut food (freeze-dried ice cream), card games, magic tricks and of course … bubbles! For the grownups who are trying to avoid lines and gift wrapping the Museum Store has that taken care of as well with complementary wrapping and specialized shopping consultants.

All activities will be held at the Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City, NY. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Museum admission: $10 for adults and children over 1 year old. Under 1 year old FREE. $9 seniors. Additional fees for theater and special programs may apply. For additional information, contact 516-224-5800 or visit www.licm.org