FAMILY FUN FOR APRIL

Children read from an anthology of their poems at a Poetry Read-In at Poets House. Another read-in is scheduled for April 30 from 3 to 6 p.m. Photo: Jayne Parker

ARTS AND PLAY

DABBLE IN DRAWING Children explore the artwork of Tyrus Wong in the current exhibit and learn various drawing techniques from his portraits—sketching and shading, composing with charcoal, and playing with pastels. All ages and ranges of drawing experience are welcome. 4/4 and 4/18, 1–4 pm. Free with museum admission. Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre St., mocanyc.org.

FUTURISTIC FASHIONS Children use bubble wrap, plastics, metallics and foil to create clothes that a robot might wear, or the wardrobe for an outerspace traveler. Mon, 4/6, 2:30–4:45 pm. Ages 5 and up. Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., cmany.org.

MAKING A COLLABORATIVE MURAL Inspired by Bradley Hart’s “Washington Square,” young artists will work on a large-scale, collaborative mural, learning how to maintain one’s own voice while working in a group. Using a variety of materials, they will learn about the art of collage in large-scale form. Tues, 4/7, 2:30–4:45 pm. Ages 5 and up. Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., cmany.org.

FUTURE SCAPES: A DIORAMA WORKSHOP History and arts educator Angela Krame will ask children to imagine looking out a window 50 years in the future. Kids will then use collage to create models of the worlds they’ve envisioned. Ages 6–12. Sat, 4/25, Ongoing 12–3 pm. $5. Reserve online. Apex Art, 291 Church St., apexart.org.

ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTION After learning about the history and mechanics of elevators, kids build their own version out of cardboard. Sat, 4/4, 10:30–11:45 am. Ages 7 and up. $5 per child; free to members and BPC residents. Reserve by 5 pm on 4/3. The Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Place, skyscraper.org.

BUILDING BLOCKS Children learn about materials architects use to construct buildings. Then, using stacking blocks, they make models of famous New York City skyscrapers. Sat, 4/18, 10:30–11:45 am. Ages 4–8. $5 per child; free to members and BPC residents. Register by 5 pm on 4/3. The Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Place, skyscraper.org.

THE ART OF MIME Short mime performances followed by discussion and mime pieces created with the audience. For all ages. Mon, 4/13, 3:30 pm. New Amsterdam Library, 9 Murray St., nypl.org.

CHESS AND CHECKERS Teens of all playing  levels learn the rules of chess and checkers, or they improve their game by challenging one another and the library staff. Ages 13–18. Fri, 4/17, 2–4 pm. Free. New Amsterdam Library, 9 Murray St., nypl.org.

FILM

ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS Screenings of short films and animations. Daily, 10:30–11:30 am throughout the month. Free. National Museum of the American Indian, 1 Bowling Green, 2nd Fl., nmai.si.edu.

NEIGHBORHOOD MOVIE NIGHTS “Adventures in Babysitting” (1987) Friday, 4/24. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Starts at 7 pm. Popcorn and drinks are served. Free. St. Paul’s Chapel, Broadway and Fulton, trinitywallstreet.org.

MUSIC

SINGING STORIES A musical program for children and toddlers with singer and songwriter Lou Gallo. Tuesdays through 4/28, 11:15 am. Free. Battery Park City Library, 2nd fl., 175 North End Ave., nypl.

POETRY READINGS

POEM IN YOUR POCKET Every day is better if you start it with a poem. That’s the belief of Poets House volunteers who hand out pocket-sized poems to residents and workers in Lower Manhattan. On Thursday, April 30, from 3 to 6 p.m., as part of Poem in Your Pocket Day, children gather at Poets House at 10 River Terrace for a Neighborhood Poetry Read-In. Children of all ages are invited to bring a poem of their own to read or find one among the innumerable volumes at Poets House. The event is free. For more information, go to poetshouse.org.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

QUING MING FAMILY FESTIVAL An afternoon of activities celebrating family, the spring and Qing Ming traditions. Children learn about the  holiday, which means “Pure Brightness,” and make nature-inspired crafts, listen to classic tales, and create a community kite. 4/11, 12–4 pm. $10 plus museum admission. Tickets at mocanyc.org. Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre St.

HOT PEAS ‘N BUTTER The children’s musical group incorporates elements of traditional Latin music, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, jazz, folk and rock. Their goal is to inspire caring and creativity in both kids and adults. Sat, 4/11, 1:30 pm. $15. For all ages. Tickets at tribecapac.org. Tribeca Performing Arts Center, 199 Chambers St.

WRITING WORKSHOP FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS Sixth- to eighth-graders play with magic word tickets, zany prompts, dares and double-dares, and ripped-paged writing experiments. Led by Karen Benke, the author of Leap Write In! and Rip the Page! and a creative writing coach for kids. Pre-registration is required. 4/18, 11 am. $10. Poets House, 10 River Terrace, poetshouse.org.

OPEN SHIPS ON PIER 16 Explore the four-masted 1911 barque Peking and 1907 lightship Ambrose. Visit the ships’ decks, captain’s quarters and sailors’ bunks. Learn about the history of the ships and the seaport district. Fridays–Sundays, 11 am–5 pm. $12; $8 students and seniors; $5 children, 2–11. Tickets online.  The boats are accessible weather permitting. South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton St., southstreetseaportmuseum.org.

STORYTIME

INDIAN STORIES Listen to stories about spring and then make a corn husk dragonfly ornament to take home. 4/11, 1-2 pm. Free. National Museum of the American Indian, 1 Bowling Green, nmai.si.edu

SATURDAY STORIES Weekly storytelling, Saturdays, 11 am. Free. Barnes & Noble, 97 Warren St., 212-587-5389.

TURTLE AND ME Robie H. Harris reads her book about a boy’s adventures with his plush toy turtle and their friendship. Free. Thur, 4/9, 11 am. Barnes & Noble, 97 Warren St., 212-587-5389.

STORYTIME Whimsical tales about traditions, holidays and families. Ages: up to 4. Wed, 4/15, 3:30–4:15 pm. Free. Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Pl., mjhnyc.org.