Public Programs – Children's Museum of Manhattan

JANUARY

Harmony in Art: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day through various art mediums to express the importance of inclusivity and togetherness in building a beloved community inspired by Dr. King’s vision.
Saturday – Monday, January 18 – 20

Love Beyond Borders Mural
Imagine a community where love knows no boundaries. Join us in creating a community mural that grows with everyone’s ideas, drawings, and colorful collages, reflecting our collective dreams for a better world.
Saturday – Monday, January 18 – 20 | 10:30 am – 4:15 pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Makerspace

Hands of Hope Community Wreath
Trace your hand, write your wishes, and contribute to a community wreath full of dreams and hopes that embodies Dr. King’s vision for a world filled with love and justice.
Saturday – Monday, January 18 – 20 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | Ages 5 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Frosty Festivities Around the World!
Join us on a frosty journey of cultural creativity and fun all winter long at CMOM! Explore winter festivals celebrated in different cultures and create artwork inspired by these frosty festivities around the world. Paint the Saharan sunset, sculpt faux glass artworks from Sydney, make an NYC inspired twinkling ice-skating diorama, and more!

Frosty Festivities in the USA

Storytime with Adina Oberman
Author Adina Oberman joins us with two of her city-themed books, N is for New York City and Let’s Count New York City. Join us for an interactive read-aloud celebrating New York City and join us for a collaborative coloring activity afterwards!
Saturday, January 25 | 11:00 am | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art

Florida’s Row, Row, Row Your Boat Sensory Bins!
Inspired by the Winterfest Boat Parade in Florida, have a splash at one of our boat tables as you sail tiny boats and watch out for the toy alligators in this fun, Florida-themed sensory adventure.
Tuesday – Friday, January 21 – 24 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Saturday & Sunday, January 25 – 26 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | All ages | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Lunar New Year Celebrations
It’s the Year of the Snake! Lunar New Year Celebrations are celebrated throughout China, as well as parts of South Korea, Vietnam, and other parts of Asia. Come join us for an exciting weeklong celebration!
Tuesday – Sunday, January 28 – February 2

Aya Rodriguez-Izumi’s Wish Activation
For many years, Lunar New Year celebrations were celebrated throughout Okinawa and continue to be celebrated across some of the smaller islands across the Okinawa chain. Contribute to Aya Rodgriguez-Izumi’s Wish piece by writing your wish on a wooden plaque and hanging it up for all to see.
Wednesday, January 29; Saturday & Sunday, February 1 – 2 | 10:30 am – 12:30 pm | Drop-in | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace

FEBRUARY

Color Our World: Women Who Made Waves!
Explore a new aspect of art and innovation each week with Black pioneering women who transformed their fields! Together, we’ll create art, make music, write poetry, and design, as we learn about inspiring women who made waves in the world!
February 4 – 28, 2025

Moves and Melodies!
From jazz to rock and acrobatics, discover the ways music and movement have shaped history with icons like Ella Fitzgerald and Simone Biles. Express yourself as you make music and move to the beat!
Tuesday – Sunday, February 4 – 9

Fantastic Gymnastic Sculptures Inspired by Simone Biles
Create dynamic sculptures and celebrate the art of movement inspired by Olympic gymnast Simone Biles!
Tuesday – Friday, February 4 – 7 | 10:30 am – 4:15 pm | Drop-in | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace

Strike a Pose: Inspired by the Williams Sisters
Strike a powerful pose, inspired by the tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams! We’ll trace your pose to create a large-scale self-portrait.
Tuesday – Friday, February 4 – 7 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Groovin’ on Vinyl: Jazz Art with Mary Lou Williams
Create and decorate your own vinyl record design, inspired by the legendary jazz musician Mary Lou Williams and her timeless tunes!
Saturday & Sunday, February 8 – 9 | 10:30 am – 4:15 pm | Drop-in | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace

Jazz it Up: Ella Fitzgerald Inspired Art
Listen to jazz music by Ella Fitzgerald and create your own colorful artwork with oil pastels. Explore all the different kinds of lines you can make, inspired by the music and how it makes your body move!
Saturday & Sunday, February 8 – 9 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | All ages | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Poetry & Literature!
Create poetry books and crafts that emphasize how language and art can heal and connect inspired by trailblazing Black women authors and poets!
Tuesday – Thursday, February 11 – 13; Saturday & Sunday, February 15 – 16; Saturday & Sunday, February 22 – 23

Maya Angelou Life Doesn’t Frighten Me! Affirmation Mirrors
Design a mirror and write a positive affirmation poem inspired by author and activist Maya Angelou!
Tuesday – Thursday, February 11 – 13 | 10:30 am – 4:15 pm | Drop-in | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace

Nikki Giovanni Jam Band
Create your own jam band instruments that celebrate rhythm and add them to the wonderful sounds of the songs and poems of Nikki Giovanni.
Tuesday – Thursday, February 11 – 13 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Mixed-Media Poetry Zines
Gwendolyn Brooks was the first Black woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and is largely known for her work on community and everyday life. Taking inspiration from Brooks, make your own mini poetry zine that focuses on your community!
Saturday & Sunday, February 15–16; Saturday & Sunday, February 22 – 23 | 10:30 am – 1:30 pm | Drop-in | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace

Tar Beach Inspired Collaborative Quilt
Add your own woven burlap square to our growing quilt inspired by the New York illustrations in the classic story Tar Beach by prolific artist Faith Ringold.
Saturday & Sunday, February 15 – 16; Saturday & Sunday, February 22 – 23 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Valentine’s Day
Color our world with love and join our Valentine’s Day artmaking programs! Learn stained glass painting techniques and create a pop-up bouquet for the people you love!
Friday, February 14

Love Truffles!
Join us for an interactive read aloud of Love Monster and the Last Chocolate by Rachel Bright and meet a little monster who LOVES chocolate but struggles to share with its friends! Then, make yummy, no-bake chocolate truffles with us to taste and take home!
Friday, January 17 | 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm | Sign-up* | All ages | 3rd Floor | Discovery Classroom
*Due to limited space, this program requires you to sign-up for entry. Sign-up in the lobby one hour before the event.

Presidents’ Day
Monday, February 17

Right to Voice: Presidential Campaign Posters
In honor of Presidents’ Day, CMOM invites you to create a poster highlighting your goals for a better nation!
Monday, February 17 | 10:30 am – 4:15 pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art & Makerspace

Alphie’s Storytime: George Washington’s Birthday: A Mainly True Tale
Celebrate George Washington’s birthday through an interactive story and party for our first President of the United States!
Monday, February 17 |4:00 pm | Drop-in | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Fashion Forward!
Discover the innovative designs of costume designers Ruth E. Carter and Chez Zelda as you create your own colorful and wearable masterpieces.
Tuesday – Friday, February 18 – 21

Fashion on the Go: Inspired by Ruth E. Carter and Chez Zelda
Make your own stylish tote bag, decorating it with your favorite designs, patterns, and colors, inspired by the works of costume designers Ruth E. Carter and Chez Zelda!
Tuesday – Friday, February 18 – 21 | 10:30 am – 1:30 pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Makerspace

Winter Recess: Color Our World with Creativity
Join GRAMMY® Winners Divi Roxx and Ants on a Log for joyful music that celebrates self-love, create your own colorful artworks with Ebony Bolt and Monica Palma, dance along with Ballet Hispánico and Dancify That, and more!

Performance: DIVI ROXX KIDS: A Celebration of Self-Love, Positivity & Hip-Hop
A Divi Roxx Kids live show is an engaging and interactive celebration of self-love and positivity for kids and families. Divinity’s first family music album, Ready, Set, Go!, was GRAMMY® nominated, and she is currently nominated again for her second album for kids, World Wide Playdate that released in 2024.
Saturday, February 15 | 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm & 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art

Artist: Ebony Bolt: Original Textile Artwork
Join artist Ebony Bolt for an interactive artmaking workshop informed by her creative practice and mural installation Driving the Future (currently on view). Design your own wearable artwork using custom stamps inspired by motifs found in the artist’s work.
Sunday, February 16 | 2:00 pm & 3:00 pm | Sign-up* | Ages 5 & older | 1st Floor | Makerspace

Performance: Ballet Hispánico: Baila Conmigo/Dance with Me!
Learn about Ballet Hispánico’s repertoire and explore different dance forms from Latino America with the Pa’lante dancers and our teaching artists. The program will showcase excerpts from the Company’s repertoire and close with an interactive experience for everyone to dance and enjoy.
Tuesday, February 18 | 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm & 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art

Music: Ants on a Log: Rainbow Seekers
Rainbow Seekers is an interactive family musical from nationally acclaimed children’s band Ants on a Log. In this interactive show, audience members are on a mission to restore the Pride Flag’s colors.
Friday, February 21 | 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm | Drop-in | Ages 4 – 11 | 1st Floor | Inside Art

Workshop: Cochinilla y arcilla with Mónica Palma
In this workshop, families will draw with two natural pigments: clay and cochinilla. Cochinilla is a tiny insect that lives on nopales, a cactus that produces a bright red color that has been utilized since pre-Columbian times in Central and South America.
Sunday, February 23 | 2:00 pm & 3:00 pm | Sign-up* | Ages 5 & older | 1st Floor | Makerspace

Art from the Heart!
Celebrate artists Betye Saar and Alma Woodsey Thomas, who used everyday objects and bold patterns to open possibilities for other Black artists to explore new forms!
Tuesday – Friday, February 25 – 28

Alma Woodsey Thomas Pattern Painting
Create your own patterned artwork while exploring color mixing with watercolor and oil pastel inspired by Alma Woodsey Thomas!
Tuesday – Friday, February 25 – 28 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

MARCH

March Into Wellness 2025: Shine from the Inside!
Join us all month for creative wellness activities that celebrate health from head to toe! Through art and play, discover how self-expression and self-care help us shine. Join in for dance activities, special concerts, create sensory boards, learn mindful movement, and create tools like pillow pals and fidget toys.
March 1 – 28

Rest & Relax to Recharge!
Have you ever wondered why sleep is important? Or why picking up hobbies can brighten your day? What about giving your body and brain some quiet time and gentle movement? Join us to explore how all these elements are connected and take away some wonderful mindful habits and healthy tips to enhance your life!
Saturday – Friday, March 1 – 7

Interactive Storytime, Yoga & Meditation with The Culture Tree: I am a Lotus with Guest Author Anu Sehgal
Join us for a lyrical story time led by guest author and educator, Anu Sehgal. Together, we will learn more about the lotus flower and the importance behind mindfulness as we encourage one another to pause and reflect on our deep connection with this wonder of nature. Then, join us for lotus artmaking with tissue paper!
Storytimes: Saturday, March 1 | 2:00 pm – 2:25 pm & 2:30 pm – 2:55 pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art
Artmaking: Saturday, March 1 | 3:15 pm – 4:15 pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art

Mindfulness Morning with Lori Klamner
Join us for a special mindfulness morning and read aloud with environmental educator, Lori Klamner. Learn about family mindfulness techniques, touch natural objects, and have a nature-focused morning, all as part of our morning in PlayWorks!
Sunday, March 2 | 10:30 am – 11:00 am & 11:15 am – 12:15 pm | Drop-in | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Breathe In, Paint Out
Discover creative ways to help us find calm, express emotions, improve focus, and reduce restlessness through soothing and creative artmaking with wonderful bright colors!
Saturday – Friday, March 8 – 14

You Belong with Bubbles Dance Party!
Dancing is an engaging way for children to alleviate stress and develop effective coping skills that can last a lifetime. Dance to fun pop hits while popping bubbles and moving around!
Saturday, March 8 | 4:15 pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art

Holi Celebration
In celebration of Holi, the traditional Indian festival of colors, join us for some exciting programs in conjunction with The Culture Tree and the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art!
Sunday, March 9 & Friday, March 14

Holi Celebration with The Culture Tree and the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art
Join us for a joyful Holi event, also known as the festival of colors, as we celebrate the arrival of spring with activities, performances, and workshops with The Culture Tree and the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art.
Sunday, March 9 | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art

Holi Mural Wall
Celebrate the Hindu festival of colors on CMOM’s Mural Wall as we swipe, smudge, and spread the colors of Holi: blue, yellow, red, purple, magenta, and green.
Friday, March 14 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm | Drop-in | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

St. Patrick’s Day
Celebrate Irish Culture, and the beautiful green landscapes of Ireland through our special St. Patrick’s Day programs!
Saturday & Sunday, March 15 – 16

Emerald Isle
Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle because of its lush green landscapes and abundant rainfall. Learn about all the plants that grow in Ireland, plant your own flower seed, and create a wonderful, lush landscape reminiscent of what you might see in Ireland!
Saturday & Sunday, March 15 – 16 | 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | Drop-in | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace

Performance & Workshop: Jiggy Tots with McManus Irish Dance
Jiggy Tots is an Irish pre-dance & movement class. Join us for an Irish Step demonstration and activities to build strength, coordination, and creativity through dance and educational games, counting, colors, songs, and a few words in the Irish language!
Sunday, March 16 | 11:00 am – 11:25 am & 12:00 pm – 12:25 pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art

Rooted in Me
Dive into activities that help you see the magic in being you! Create tiny “you” gardens, craft blooming bouquets of self-love, and paint nature-inspired scenes that reflect your one-of-a-kind personality.
Tuesday – Friday, March 18 – 21

Blooming Personality Pots
What makes you bloom? Plant a flower seed in a small tin and decorate a mini “you” garden scene around it! Add popsicle-stick people, felt flowers, and a favorite color to show what makes you shine!
Tuesday – Friday, March 18 – 21 | 10:30 am – 4:15 pm | Drop-in | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace

Happy Thoughts Flower Bunch
Design a beautiful bunch of coffee-filter blooms, each petal with a happy thought or something you love about yourself. Watch your bouquet fill with positivity and bright colors that make you smile.
Tuesday – Friday, March 18-21 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Fuel, Move, & Groove!
Explore the magic of food and movement all week at CMOM! Through art and play, discover how nutritious food and fun activities help us grow strong, feel energized, and keep our bodies and minds happy. From veggie prints to “fuel-up” collages, enjoy hands-on ways to learn about food, movement, and everything in between!
Saturday – Friday, March 22 – 28

Lunchtime Learning: Playtime Pasta with Cricket’s Candy Creations
Join The Creative Kitchen for a healthy cooking class! Little chefs make Playtime Pasta using whole wheat pasta and beans colorful vegetables, cheese, and more!
Saturday & Sunday March 22 – 23 | 11:30 am & 12:30 pm | Sign-up | Ages 5 & up | 3rd Floor | Discovery Classroom

Eid al-Fitr
Eid Al Fitr is a time to unite communities by sharing smiles and love for one another! Join us as we show gratitude and appreciation through intentional art projects in honor of this special holiday. Presented in partnership with The Culture Tree.
Saturday – Monday, March 29 – 31

Eid Charity Boxes
The festival of Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is often celebrated by giving back to the community. Make a charity box to fill with gifts or kind words to give to someone in need.
Saturday – Monday, March 29 – 31 | 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Makerspace

Decorative Lanterns
Create your own paper fanous, a colorful lantern used to illuminate homes and city streets around the world during Ramadan.
Saturday – Monday, March 29 – 31 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks