By Karen Bloom
There’s much going on throughout the area to keeping the kids happily entertained during the upcoming spring recess.
The Herald’s picks for spring fun include:
Spring Fling at
Long Island Children’s Museum
LICM continues to be an excellent resource of activities that promote learning in an enjoyable, creative environment for the toddler through elementary school set, especially during the school vacation periods. The museum welcomes visitors to experience “Rhythm and Motion” with themed programs that explore music and dance in our everyday life.
Families discover rhythm and tempo in musical performances, participate in workshops where they can explore the age-old art of Chinese calligraphy, create futuristic contraptions, design umbrellas for April showers, become junior entomologists, and more. There’s much to do throughout the week, even a Parent's Night Out for Mom and Dad!
* The Rhythm And Motion Of Jazz – Thursday and Friday, Apr. 9-10, 1:30 p.m. Join performer Robbi K in the LICM Theater and explore the unique world of jazz music. Robbi brings some musical friends with her to make these performances a special live event for the whole family, so be sure to bring your dancing shoes!
* Chinese Music with Chinese Theater Works – Saturday, Apr . 11, 1 and 3 p.m. Experience Chinese culture with a performance by Chinese classical and folk musicians from the Chinese Theatre Works. Learn about Chinese folk and classical music, as well as the history of the traditional instruments.
* Chinese Calligraphy – Saturday, Apr. 11, 2 p.m. Explore the art of Chinese calligraphy by learning six basic brush strokes used to create all Chinese characters. Use rice paper, calligraphy brushes, sumi ink and authentic seals to create a Chinese Scroll expressing love to a dear one. For ages 7 and up.
* Spirit of Invention –Tuesday, Apr. 14, 2:30 p.m. Find out how inventions are created through a combination of technology, problem-solving skills and creativity. Use recycled materials to create a futuristic contraption. For ages 5 and up.
* Melodies of the World – Wednesday, Apr. 15, 1:30 p.m. Enjoy music from all over
the globe presented by Chamber Players International’s award-winning musical duo. It’s sure to please the whole family. For ages 5 and up.
* Ultimate Umbrellas – Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2:30 p.m. – After you visit the Undulating Umbrellas in the Contraptions A to Z exhibit, come learn why they have long been used as protection from the rain and sunlight. See how they can be found throughout the world in ancient art and artifacts. Design and paint an umbrella to take home. For ages 5 and up.
* Bug Bites –Thursday, Apr. 16, 2:30 p.m. Discover the amazing lives and natural history of bugs, insects and spiders. Use what you learn about bug anatomy and habits to create an imaginary bug. For ages 5 and up.
* Parent’s Night Out –Thursday, Apr.16, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Chef Mark Spiegel from Mark of Excellence Distinctive Catering offers his expertise on planning, preparing and executing dinner parties at a demonstration on “How to Entertain Like a Pro.” After 25 years of catering for numerous presidents, politicians, celebrities, and families across Long Island and throughout the tri-state area, Chef Spiegel shares his cooking, entertaining and planning tips in an evening filled with laughter and tasty food. The evening includes a two-hour cooking demonstration and one-hour tasting reception, goodie bag, and more. Tickets are required.
* Mother Earth Day Parade – Friday, Apr. 17, 1 and 3 p.m. Jenny Ulsheimer, a creative naturalist, reconnects everyone with nature, as visitors explore female species of plants, insects and animals. Participate in LICM's second annual Mother Earth parade in a costume you design using natural materials. Wear your unique creation in an Earth Day parade that snakes in and out of the
museum.
It all happens at Museum row, Garden City. Fees vary. For further information, contact (516) 224-5844 or www.licm.org.
Seeing Stars at The Cradle
Of Aviation Museum
Long Island Children’s Museum’s neighbor, the Cradle of Aviation, looks toward the stars at its 7th annual Astronomy And Space Day, Apr. 15. The afternoon of programs, from noon-4 p.m. examines the night sky and space exploration, along with workshops and demonstrations that explore the science of rockets, astronomy, sun spotting, and more. Special activities include a Rockets Away Workshop, where visitors learn about the history and physics of rockets by launching an “alka seltzer rocket;” a Starlab mini program in which families can see the night sky in the portable planetarium; and sun spotter viewing, courtesy of the Amateur Observers Society, where guests can observe our closest star through a special solar telescope.
The museum is located at Museum Row, Garden City. For further information, contact (516) 572-4111 or www.cradleofaviation.org.
Stepping Back in Time at
Old Bethpage Village Restoration
Spring has come to Old Bethpage Village where young visitors can experience 19th century life, as part of the “History Alive! Hands-On History,” program, Sundays through May, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Kids – and their parents – can try their hand at the everyday chores of the time, including churning fresh cream into butter at the Powell Farmhouse and carding wool at the Benjamin House. Children may find that they are asked to sweep the porch at the General Store with a handmade corn broom, or assist the local hatter in the production of a hat. Also stop by the School House and play with a popular game of the day, involving rolling wooden hoops beside the Noon Inn.
“This is one of our most popular programs for families, as it allows children and parents to gain a greater appreciation for what the daily lives of an earlier generation of Long Islanders were like,” said OBVR Site Director and Curator Jim McKenna.
It’s also the time of year to meet the Villages newborn lambs, who are sure to delight everyone. Old Bethpage Village is located on Round Swamp Rd., Old Bethpage. Call (516) 572-8400 for more information.
Mastering the game
Spring break video game design workshop at Hofstra
Do you have a budding video game designer in the family?
For those kids who just can’t get enough video games and think they might want to pursue a career in gaming, Hofstra University is the place to be over spring break.
Hofstra Summer Camps is hosting a special video game design workshop for students in grades 2-12, Apr.13-17. The day-long program, from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., offers a fun, week-long sampler of video game development – including 3D computer modeling and animation, and music and sound design – taking place in Hofstra’s state-of-the-art computer lab
facilities.
Students learn how to build their very own video games from scratch, or enhance games previously created in Game Maker. Students use Game Maker software to learn fundamental game design techniques and add features such as movement, collision detection, basic Artificial Intelligence, scoring, health meters, pickups and powerups, multiple levels, and much more. They will also work on 3D modeling and animation, using programs similar to industry professionals to create 3-dimensional characters, backgrounds and objects. The 3D artwork is then incorporated into their video games. In the music and sound design portion of the course, students create their own music compositions and sound effects to add to their video games. Using intuitive audio software, students learn how to compose music with digital instruments, as well as digitally alter their own voices to create countless character expressions.
The end result is a real PC game on a CD that students can share with family and friends.
The program fee is $499 and includes lunch and a recreation period. To register or for more information, visit www.hofstra.edu/camp or call (516) 463-CAMP.
