The Long Island Children’s Museum is inspiring its young visitors to take care of Mother Nature as they try their hand at earth-friendly crafts on Earth Day. Learn how to protect the planet on Earth Day (April 22) and every day. Visitors can also enjoy Mo Willem’s characters come to life in the LICM Theater, explore the art of karaoke and spend time with dinosaurs. Check out the programs and events for the week of April 17 to 22.
Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!
When: Through April 20 at 10:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.; April 21 at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Enjoy a musical adventure, ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved, award-winning, best-selling children’s books. Willems’ classic characters Elephant and Piggie storm the stage in a rollicking musical romp filled with plenty of pachydermal peril and swiney suspense perfect for young audiences. Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play! is a perfect way to introduce young people to theatre. This is a joint production of LICM and Plaza Theatrical and is produced with permission of Music Theater International. Book and lyrics by Mo Willems; Lyrics by Deborah Wicks La Puma. Ages: 3 and up. Fee: $9 with museum admission ($7 LICM members), $12 theater only.
stART (Story + Art)
April 19 from 11:30 a.m. to noon.
Join each week as the museum reads childhood classics and introduce new favorites; followed by a take-home, book-inspired craft. This week’s book is The Animal Boogie by Debbie Harter in preparation for Earth Day (April 22). After the story, create a Sloth Bear mask to wear home and help raise awareness about protecting this interesting animal. Fee: $4 with museum admission ($3 LICM members).
Silly Rabbit Spinners
April 20 from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Hop into the inner lobby this month to make your own silly rabbit spinner toy to take home. Ages: 3 and up. Free with museum admission.
Music and Movement
April 18 from 11:30 a.m. to noon
Enjoy creative movement exercises and interactive sing-alongs that get little bodies moving to the rhythm while having fun. Ages: 5 and under. Fee: $4 with museum admission ($3 LICM members).
Kids in the Kitchen
April 20 from 11:30 a.m. – noon
Little chefs use real cooking tools (with some help from adults) to make easy, yummy, kid-friendly snacks from start to finish. As they make their treat, kids gain experience measuring ingredients, following directions and building their vocabulary. This week’s recipe is “Compost Critter” Cups. Ages: 3-5. Fee: $5 with museum admission ($4 LICM members).
Okey Dokey Karaoke!
April 21 from 2 to 4 p.m
Did you know the word “karaoke” is a combination of the Japanese words for “empty” (kara) and “orchestra” (oke)? Kick off National Karaoke Week by decorating craft microphones and singing along to popular songs. Show off your voice and just let it go. All ages. Free with museum admission.
Green Teens: Our Earth, Our Home
April 22 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Earth is our home. Celebrate Earth Day and learn how you can make a difference in keeping the planet healthy. Make recycled paper and sun prints. This program is made possible with the support of National Grid. Ages: 3 and up. Free with museum admission.
Traveling Exhibit: Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice
Through May 13
Travel back to the Cretaceous Period and come face to face with dinosaurs of all sizes in their prehistoric environments. The immersive exhibit takes you to two dinosaur habitats (warm and cold environments), as well as a Field Research Station (complete with a Big Dig component), where junior paleontologists will experiment with materials and tools. Examine a touchable T-Rex and Triceratops and make observations and comparisons; climb into a Troodon nest and play with dinosaur eggs; uncover dinosaur bones and examine fossils in a dig station; cooperate and collaborate as you help complete an over-sized puzzle and don insect costumes.
The Long Island Children’s Museum is located at 11 Davis Ave., Garden City. Museum Hours: Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: $13 for adults and children over 1; $12 seniors and free to museum members and children under 1. For additional information, contact 516-224-5800.
