FAMILY FUN: May 16-31
ARTS & CRAFTS
Native American Games
Learn about Plains Indian games, then find out how to make one of them—a ring and pin game. Fri, 5/17, 2 pm. Free. National Museum of the American Indian, 1 Bowling Green, nmai.si.edu.
Body Buildings
Starting with the 100-year-old Woolworth Building, subject of the museum’s current exhibit, kids work together to make a New York City skyline with their own silhouettes. They also learn about skyscraper shapes and designs and use poster paper to turn their frames into a building. For ages 3–9. Sat, 5/25, 10:30 am. $5. Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Pl., skyscraper.org.
FILM
The Lorax
A computer-animated 3D musical comedy based on Dr. Seuss’s classic. It follows a boy who lives in a town made entirely of artificial things. In his quest to find a real tree, he discovers that the outside world is a contaminated, empty wasteland. He then works to renew and replenish the world with natural plants and animals. Fri, 5/17, 6 pm. Free. Charlotte’s Place, 109 Greenwich St., trinitywallstreet.org.
MUSIC
Bluegrass Family Dance
James Reams and the Barnstormers play live foot-stomping bluegrass music while dance caller Eric Hollman teaches families square dance moves. He will then lead and call out the steps in a hoedown. Sat, 5/18, 6:30 pm. Free. Esplanade Plaza, near Liberty St., bpcparks.org.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Go Fish! Festival
Kids can spend an afternoon catching and releasing fish from the Hudson and learning about the fish and other wildlife in the Hudson River ecosystem. There will also be related art projects and a live musical performance by Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could. Bait and fishing rods provided. Sat, 5/11, 10 am–2 pm. Free. Wagner Park, near Battery Pl., bpcparks.org.
Taste of Tribeca
There’s no food served at Taste of Tribeca’s Kid Zone, but there’s still plenty to make a child happy. This year ’s free activities include a demonstration for 3- to 8-year-olds by SuperSoccer Stars (11:30 a.m.), the Story Pirates (12 p.m.), a demonstration by Exer blast (12:45 p.m.), performances (see above) by clown Looney Lenny (1 and 2 p.m.), a demonstration by Modern Martial Arts (1:45 p.m.), and all-day arts and crafts and face-painting. The event is May 18; information at tasteoftribeca.org.
STORIES & POETRY
Children's Storytime
Children of all ages will read and hear stories, from classic tales to more recent publications. Saturdays, 11 am. Free. Barnes & Noble, 97 Warren St., bn.com.
TGIF Storytime
Stories about various traditions, holidays and families, geared to children from Jewish and interfaith families. Snacks will be served. For ages 3–7. Fri, 5/3, 5/17 & 5/31, 3:45 pm. Free. Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Pl., mjhnyc.org.
Stories for All Ages: Fairy Day!
Storyteller Rita Auerbach recounts stories about fairies, the mysterious beings that protect nature and inhabit the woods, sky, streams and parks. Kids then make fairy houses and wings. Sat, 5/18, 11 am. Free. Teardrop Park, near Warren St., bpcparks.org.
THEATER
Junie B. Jones
A musical based on Barbara Park’s classic Junie B. Jones book series about an outspoken and lovable girl. Junie’s adventures include getting new glasses, playing in a kickball tournament and navigating first-grade angst-ridden situations. For ages 4–8. Sun, 5/19, 3 pm. $25. Tribeca Performing Arts Center, 199 Chambers St., tribecapac.org.