FAMILY FUN FOR MARCH
ARTS, CRAFTS & PLAY
If Buildings Could Talk Kids will tour the exhibit “A Floating Population,” which features photos of Chinatown apartments, then go on a scavenger hunt in the museum. There will also be an arts and crafts project in which kids create 3D models of living spaces in Chinatown. Sat, 3/1, 11 am. Free. Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre St., mocanyc.org.
Body Buildings Kids learn about high-rise apartment buildings, then work together to make a skyline out of their silhouettes. Sat, 3/8, 10:30 am. $5. Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Pl., skyscraper.org.
American Girl Fun Activities, puzzles, crafts and games inspired by the newest American Girl Doll of the Year. Ages 8–12. Sat, 3/15, 11 am. Free. Barnes & Noble, 97 Warren St., bn.com.
So You Want to Be an Engineer Kids find out what it takes to be an engineer of skyscrapers, then do a related craft project. Ages 6–14. Sat, 3/22, 10:30 am. $5. Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Pl., skyscraper.org.
MUSIC
Purim at The Museum of Jewish Heritage The Macaroons, a Jewish “kindie” band, will perform followed by a family-friendly tour of the museum and arts and crafts projects. Costumes are encouraged. Sun, 3/9, 1–4 pm. $10; $7 under 10. Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Pl., mjhnyc.org.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Parent & Baby Yoga Mary Barnes, creator of Yoga for Two, teaches how to gain strength and flexibility, relax and introduce babies to their peers. All levels welcome. Mats provided. For parents with a baby, newborn through crawling. Registration required: 212-267-9700 ext. 366. Mondays, 3/24–5/19 (except 4/21), 1 or 2:30 pm. $180/8 sessions. Battery Park City Parks Conservancy, 6 River Terrace, bpcparks.org.
Early Spring Gardening Celebrate the coming of spring by working in the soil, digging, planting and more. Kids learn about green practices and composting through hands-on work. Ages 6–10. Registration required: 212-267-9700 ext. 348. Tuesdays, 3/25–4/29, 3:45 pm. $120/6 sessions. Battery Park City Parks Conservancy at Rockefeller Park, bpcparks.org.
Family Yoga Class Kids learn the foundations of yoga, breath and age-appropriate yoga poses, plus games, art projects, songs and more. A healthy, vegetable-based snack will be served. Yoga mats available. Fri, 3/28, 6 pm. Free. Charlotte’s Place, 109 Greenwich St., trinitywallstreet.org.
STORIES & POETRY
Poets House Workshop Kids learn fun facts about animals by writing riddles and poems, making puzzle pictures and singing songs. The activities are led by Howard Eisenberg, author of “Guess Who Zoo.” Saturday, March 22, at 11 a.m., at Poets House, 10 River Terrace. Tickets for children are $5; free under 4. For more information, go to poetshouse.org.
Baby Storytime Babies with an accompanying caregiver hear simple stories, lively songs, rhymes and more. To 18 months. Mondays (except 3/31), 9:30 am. Free. Battery Park City Library, 175 N. End Ave., nypl.org.
Toddler Storytime Colorful picture books, finger plays and action songs for toddlers with a caregiver. Ages 12–36 months. Mondays (except 3/31), 4 pm. Free. Battery Park City Library, 175 N. End Ave., nypl.org.
Tiny Poets Time Poetry readings and related activities for toddlers. Thursdays, 10 am. Free. Poets House, 10 River Terrace, poetshouse.org.
Read Across America Storytime Reading of Dr. Seuss’s “Green Eggs and Ham” followed by a related activity. Mon, 3/3, 11 am. Free. Barnes & Noble, 97 Warren St., bn.com.
Whale Snow Kids hear a story about Inupiaq whaling in the Arctic, then create a pair of snow goggles to take home. Sat, 3/8, 1 pm. Free. National Museum of the American Indian, 1 Bowling Green, nmai.si.edu.
SPORTS
Tennis Lessons Practice the game with tennis player Kim Champion. For beginner to intermediate players. Bring a racquet. Balls are provided. Registration required. Saturdays, 3/15–4/19. Call 646-210-4292 for times and prices. Community Center at Stuyvesant High School, 345 Chambers St., bpcparks.org.
FILM
Children’s Film Festival This month, the New York International Children’s Film Festival, one of the largest film festivals for kids and teens, opens in theaters around the city, including the Scholastic Theater in Soho. The lineup includes “Anina,” above, a charming animated film from Uruguay (with subtitles), for ages 7 and up; “Annie: It’s the Hard Knock Life,” for ages 6 and up, with its behind-the-scenes-look at the making of the show; and numerous shorts from around the world. For a schedule and description of all the films, go to gkids.com.
THEATER
Yellow Sneaker Musical puppet theater show for babies and toddlers combines fun and play with Jewish traditions. Topics that include family and friendships and caring for the environment are emphasized in interactive songs. To age 3. Sun, 3/2, 10:30 am. Free. Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Pl., mjhnyc.org.
Leo Lionni Stories Mermaid Theater of Nova Scotia turns Lionni’s tales into musical puppet theater. Swimmy the tiny fish uses ingenuity to fend off danger; Frederick, a mouse, turns everyday life into an artful experience; and an inchworm helps the world through his ability to measure. Ages 3 and up. Sat, 3/15, 1:30 pm. $25. Tribeca Performing Arts Center, 199 Chambers St., tribecapac.org.