Public Programs – Children's Museum of Manhattan

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DECEMBER

Frosty Festivities Around the World
Travel the world as we create artworks inspired by Asia, Europe, and North America- without leaving Manhattan! Join us for musical performances with bands Mimi and the Podd Brothers and Elena Moon Park and Friends.
Sunday – Friday, December 1 – 20 | Museum-wide

Frosty Festivities in East Asia
Tuesday – Sunday, December 10 – 15

Snowy Glowy Lanterns
Lanterns represent good luck and happiness in Japanese culture. Create your own lantern jar in hues of red, representing the many lantern festivals that happen across Japan.
Tuesday – Friday, December 10 – 13 | 10:30 am – 4:15 pm | Drop-in | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace

Sapporo Snow Festival Ice Festival
Inspired by the Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan — where ice and snow sculptures incorporate color through lighting and projections — combine ice and color mixing to create vibrant 3D paintings.
Tuesday – Friday, December 10 – 13 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Performance: Elena Moon Park and Friends Holiday Celebration
Join us for a lively performance with Elena Moon Park, featuring folk and children’s music from East Asia, reimagined to celebrate various musical traditions, languages, and stories.
Saturday, December 14 | 11:00 am & 12:00 pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art

Ice Fishing Collage
Many Winter festivals across South Korea include trout ice fishing. Create your own collage fish artwork using reflective and textured papers and add them to our PlayWorks lake!
Saturday & Sunday, December 14 – 15 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Frosty Festivities in France
Tuesday – Friday, December 17 – 20

Upcycled Carousel Spinners
Montmartre is a large hill and park in Paris, and is home to Christmas markets, incredible views, and a famous carousel. Design your own horse and build an upcycled spinning carousel using straws, paper cups, and other household materials and pretend you’re in the City of Light!
Tuesday – Friday, December 17 – 20 | 10:30 am – 4:15 pm | Drop-in | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace

Mini Parade Flower Floats Sensory Play
Celebrate Nice’s wintry parade by playing with our flower floats and exploring the textures and fragrances in our sensory bin, inspired by the colorful and lively Carnaval de Nice in the South of France.
Tuesday – Friday, December 17 – 20 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Holiday Celebrations
Join us for exciting holiday celebrations through music, dance, and song. Spin dreidels, create ornaments, and light the kinara. Design your own New Year’s Eve sparkling headpiece, and ring in 2025 in style—with us!
Saturday – Tuesday, December 21 – 31 | Museum-wide

Hanukkah Celebration
Saturday & Sunday, December 21 – 22

Performance: Hanukah Alegre with Sarah Aroeste
Get ready to sing and dance for Hanukkah with Sarah Aroeste, award-winning Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) singer/songwriter and children’s book author.
Sunday, December 22 | 11:00 am & 12:00 pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art

Sparkly Sensory Jar
Learn about the significance of oil to the story of Hanukkah and create your own sparkly sensory jar using water, oil, and glitter!
Saturday & Sunday, December 21 – 22 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Christmas Celebration
Tuesday, December 24 & Thursday, December 26

Christmas Tree Ornaments
Draw inspiration from Christmas traditions from around the world to create your own ornament! Display your ornament on our community Christmas tree in the lobby.
Tuesday, December 24 & Thursday, December 26 | 10:30 am – 4:15 pm | Drop-in | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Inside Art

Christmas Card Stamping
Explore the colors and shapes of Christmas. Stamp, draw, and write something special on a card and envelope to send to a loved one.
Tuesday, December 24 & Thursday, December 26 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

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Family Celebration
Friday, December 27

Performance and Workshop: Bomba: Make That Drum Talk!®
Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba and Afro-Caribbean traditional folkloric elements come to life in a movement workshop with Milteri Tucker Concepción and the intergenerational Bombazo Dance Company! Families gather to celebrate life through traditional rhythms, as they sing and dance to live drumming.
Friday, December 27 | 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm (performance) & 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm (workshop) | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art

Snowflake Tissue Paper Prints
Cut snowflake designs in vibrant holiday colors and create a print using your designs, water, and thick paper!
Friday, December 27 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Kwanzaa Celebration
Saturday & Sunday, December 28 – 29

Performance: Griots in Concert presents Kwanzaa – A Time to Celebrate
Storyteller Linda H. Humes and friends celebrate Kwanzaa with interactive stories, music, and song, and a special Kwanzaa ceremony.
Saturday, December 28 | 11:00 am & 12:00 pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art

Performance: Asase Yaa’s Illuminate the Principles
Illuminate the Principles is an interactive concert and dance that explores the Nguzo Saba (seven principles of Kwanzaa). Families learn about different African and African diasporic instruments, dances, folktales, and songs in this interactive and lively show!
Sunday, December 29 | 11:00 am & 12:00 pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art

Adinkra Symbol Screenprinting
Adinkra symbols originated in present-day Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Beyond their beautiful designs, they can also convey ancient traditional wisdom. Learn about the importance of these symbols and make your own print!
Saturday & Sunday, December 28 – 29 | 2:00 pm – 4:15 pm | Drop-in | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspac

Countdown to New Year’s Celebration!
Monday & Tuesday, December 30 – 31

Workshop with ray ferreira: New Year’s Wearable Artwork
Join artist ray ferreira for an interactive artmaking workshop informed by her creative practice spanning performance, costume, and video art. Design your own iridescent wearable artwork inspired by your own cultural heritage, create your own mini performance routine, and wear it to celebrate the New Year!
Monday, December 30 | 11:00 am – 11:45 am & 12:00 pm – 12:45 pm | Sign-up | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace

Snowflake Tissue Paper Prints
Cut snowflake designs in vibrant holiday colors and create a print using your designs, water, and thick paper!
Monday & Tuesday, December 30 – 31 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

New Year’s Eve Countdown and Ball Drop with Dance Vibes by DJ Ino!
Come dance along to festive beats by DJ Ino and join us for our very own special CMOM New Year’s countdown and ball drop.
Tuesday, December 31 | 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Inside Art

JANUARY

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!

Día de Reyes: Three Kings Day Weekend Celebration
Join us as we celebrate Día de Reyes, or Three Kings Day, a special holiday observed in various cultures worldwide. From Spain to Mexico, the Caribbean, and even Bulgaria and India, this day is marked with unique traditions and customs. Come along for an extraordinary journey as we explore the different ways in which this holiday is celebrated!
Thursday – Sunday, January 2 – 5

Symbolic Sculptures
Use mixed media materials to create a sculpture highlighting the three wise men’s magical journey and learn the meaning behind the gifts they offered: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Thursday – Sunday, January 2 – 5 | 10:30 am – 4:15 pm | Drop-in | All ages | 1st Floor | Makerspace

Kings’ Bread Sculptures
Create a sculpture inspired by Kings’ Bread, a traditional Día de Reyes treat. Learn about the traditions behind this uniquely shaped pastry and design a royal crown sculpture inspired by the bread’s round shape and candied fruit decorations.
Thursday & Friday, January 2 – 3 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | All Ages | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks
Saturday & Sunday, January 4 – 5 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | All ages | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Frosty Festivities in Ethiopia & Mali

Collaborative Timkat Tapestry
Timkat is a festival celebrated in Ethiopia in January, marking the Ethiopian Orthodox Epiphany with colorful processions, music, and dance. Create a collaborative tapestry inspired by the vibrant colors and motifs seen during Ethiopia’s Timkat festival, using fabric, yarn, and beads.
Tuesday – Friday, January 7 – 10 | 10:30 am – 4:15 pm | Drop-in | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace

Mali: Saharan Sunset Silhouettes
Create warm watercolor art inspired by the breathtaking sunsets of the Sahara Desert, incorporating silhouette techniques and warm colors reminiscent of the Festival au Désert, an annual music festival that was held near Timbuktu, Mali.
Tuesday – Friday, January 7 – 10 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Frosty Festivities in the Spanish Speaking World

Birds of a Feather: The Birds of Latin America
Come learn the fun and colorful world of the national birds of Latin America with Guest Artist, Plushie! Much like traditional Latin American art and clothing, you will find that there are many national birds that are vibrant and colorful. As we learn the importance of each bird that represents these countries, we will be creating our own colorful felt bird portraits to hang up at home. What national birds represent your country or places you want to visit? Let’s find out together!
Sunday, January 12 | 11:00 am & 12:00 pm | Sign-up | Ages 5 & older | 1st Floor | Makerspace

Uruguay: Carnival of Fireworks
Celebrated in Montevideo during February, this carnival located in Uruguay occurs during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer but is still considered part of the winter season. Join us in a fun sensory firework art program!
Saturday & Sunday, January 11 – 12 | 11:15 am – 12:15 pm & 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | All ages | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Frosty Festivities in Australia

Sydney Festival Faux Glass Sculptures
Sydney Festival is a major annual event featuring stunning light installations, music, and theatre performances, and art displays across Sydney’s landmarks. Design and bring unique pretend-glass sculptures inspired by the beautiful lit up Sydney Opera House to life!
Tuesday – Friday, January 14 – 17 | 10:30 am – 4:15 pm | Drop-in | Ages 5 & up | 1st Floor | Makerspace

Rainbow Bubble Painting
Create your own magic wand and blow real rainbow-colored bubbles inspired by the bright and colorful light installations of Sydney Festival celebrations in Australia!
Tuesday – Friday, January 14 – 17 | 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm | Drop-in | Ages 4 & younger | 3rd Floor | PlayWorks

Truffle Making and Tasting!
The Truffle Festival Canberra in Australia is celebrated during the winter months and showcases the region’s truffle harvest with truffle hunts, truffle tastings, and cooking classes. Awaken your inner chef as we make our own no-bake truffles!
Friday, January 17 | 3:30 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.

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 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 Quiltui
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

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 and explore different dance forms and cultures with dancers from Ballet Hispánico. From Afro-Caribbean dances in Colombia, to Hip-Hop in the Bronx, come dance along with us!
Tuesday, February 18 or Thursday, February 20 | 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