Weekend Planner: Happy Chinese New Year + Kids Food Fest + Meet The New American Girl

New York Family Events

Now is the time to start thinking about summer camp. Come research the possibilities at New York Family's Camp Fairs--produced in collaboration with the American Camp Association NY & NJ--this Saturday Sunday on the Upper East and West Sides, as well as New Jersey. For more information on day and sleepaway camps and to register, click here.

Love the idea of exploring foreign cities with your child? The New York Public Library has made it easy with its Passport to Adventure Benefit this Sunday. Bring the whole family to travel the world at the historic Astor Hall while supporting NYPL's programming. For more information, click here.

Weekend Plans & More

Happy Chinese New Year! The dragon-themed celebrations start now and continue for weeks, highlighting the best of both traditional and modern Asian culture. Here's a list of our weekend favorites. (Friday-Monday)

The world can never have enough cartoons--so create your own at CMA's ART Slam. Pen/ink techniques and pizza, with a screening of Iron Man on the side. (Friday)

Watch How to Train Your Dragon--in the Year of the Dragon--at Charlotte's Place in the Financial District. Free pizza! (Friday)

Celebrate the newest American Girl on the block, McKenna, at the American Girl Place with scavenger hunts and crafts. (Friday)

It's the opening weekend of The History Mystery at the TADA! Youth Theater--meet luminaries like Eleanor Roosevelt and the Wright brothers. But hurry, tickets are going fast. (Friday-Sunday)

Take a bite out of the free Kids Food Festival at Bryant Park, packed with a healthy eating scavenger hunt, cooking demos and musical performances. (Saturday-Sunday)

"Attention ladies and gentlemen": Head to the New York Transit Museum to learn the history of these infamous subway announcements and then make your own. (Saturday-Sunday)

For thinkers 7-16, the Inventgenuinty Festival combines art, science and mathematics. Kids can reconfigure everyday objects as sculpture at The Invisible Dog Art Center in Brooklyn. (Saturday-Sunday)

Warm up this weekend with some indoor winter fun at Wave Hill. Be sure to wear your PJs! (Saturday-Sunday)

In honor of No Name-Calling Week, the Park Slope Barnes & Nobles will host a free storytime of Jungle Bullies. Children, parents and educators are encouraged and welcome to attend. (Saturday)

Armed with tin can cymbals plus a fiddle or two, the gleeful string troupe Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem are ready to fill Symphony Space with song. (Saturday)

Craft a trumpet from trash and prepare to jam with Dueling Duo Trumpets at the 92nd Street Y. (Sunday)

Consider The Goddard School's Grand Opening on the Upper West Side to learn more about their award-winning concepts in early education. (Sunday)

Inspired by the stories of Ezra Jack Keats, kiddos 2-7 will dig the folk and bluesy music of Randy Kaplan at The Jewish Museum. (Sunday)

For even more events this weekend and beyond, check out our Family Calendar.

Contests & Giveaways

Pop quiz! Help your child take this pop quiz and enter to win a Little Pim gift set. Share these language learning questions with your 4-8 year-old or a younger learner if they're up to the task. Email your answers to us and enter to win a gift set in one of ten languages! Please include your contact information and put "Little Pim" in the subject line. Deadline is Friday, January 27.

On Saturday, February 11 drummer Matt Wilson and his Arts and Crafts Ensemble have invited special guest Ted Nash for an hour of interactive music making at Jazz at Lincoln Center's "What Is Improvisation?" event. We have one family four-pack of tickets to give away to the 1pm program. To enter, email us with the subject line "Improvisation." Then, write on our Facebook page telling us why you want to win. Deadline is Wednesday, January 25.

Bonus Tip

Nothing warms up the body and soul during an NYC winter like time in the kitchen preparing a meal. We've compiled a list of family-friendly recipes for all hours of the day and night--from lasagna soup to apple raspberry spiced cider--guaranteed to satisfy your family's winter appetites.

January 19-25, 2012

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