What To Do: With the Kids Winter 2015

What To Do: With the Kids Winter 2015: Here’s the best 38 family events we could find for the winter. We have mimes, and marionettes and little mermaids. Lots of basketball and three circuses, including one in a suitcase. No joke! There’s hot feet and ice skating, purple crayons, golden meatballs, rainbow fish and lots of maple sugar! 

December

WTD Fave Rave: New York Botanical Garden’s Train Show: The New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show in the Enid A Haupt Conservatory features more than a dozen large scale model train sets (some super-sized) zipping across a quarter mile of track and a landscape of 140 scaled replicas of iconic New York City buildings made of bark, twigs, fruit, seeds and pine cones. Including, the original Penn Station and Yankee Stadium, Radio City Music Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and the Brooklyn Bridge. Sat-Sun, 11/15-1/19/15. (2900 Southern Blvd. Bronx; www.nybg.org)

Westchester Knicks: See some up-and-coming NBA talent, including Langston Galloway; Todd Mayo and the Knicks’ 2014 2^nd round pick Thanasis Antetokounmpo as the Westchester Knicks debut their 2014-15 NBA D-League season. The expansion team, the official NBA D-League affiliate of the New York Knicks will play its home games right here at the County Center. (Westchester County Center, 198 Central Ave., White Plains) See full schedule here.

David Benoit’s Christmas Tribute to Charlie Brown: Contemporary Jazz Piano Legend, David Benoit pays tribute to the Peanuts animated television special “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Benoit performs with an all star school chorus and features the classic music of Vince Guaraldi along with “Charlie Brown Christmas” originals from David Benoit, who took over the helm as music composer for the new Charlie Brown Christmas TV Specials more than a decade ago. Thurs, 12/4: 7pm. (Paramount Hudson Valley, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill; www.paramounthudsonvalley.com)

Rent-a-Bucket, Teatown Lake Reservation: Buy your own maple syrup bucket at Teatown lake Reservation and they will hang it from a tree with your name on it and let nature fill it up. After filling the bucket, the sap gets turned into syrup in Warren’s Sugar House. The fee includes two tickets to the Pancake Brunch and an 8-ounce bottle of our award-winning grade A pure maple syrup. Call the Nature Center to purchase a bucket. 914-762-2912, ext. 110. www.teatown.org.

beyond words, Bill Bowers: International mime sensation Bill Bowers returns with a collection of mime, monologues and music! In Beyond Words, Mr. Bowers chronicles the traumatic business of becoming a man. Set against his hometown of Missoula, Montana, he explores sound, silence and small-town America. To see Bill Bowers is to see the technical elements of a style that bring Marcel Marceau readily to mind. Mime can be wonderful…the air between him and us was his palette.” – The New York Times. Sun, 12/7: 3pm. (Schoolhouse Theatre, 3 Owens Rd., Croton Falls; www.schoolhousetheater.org)

Circus-Minimus – The One Man Circus in a Suitcase: Just in time for the holidays comes an opportunity for family theater audiences to participate in a whimsical celebration of imagination. From Kevin O’Keefe’s suitcase an entire circus emerges: tent, band, lights, and a host of zany characters. However, the most important performers emerge from the audience, making for a unique and light-hearted collaboration! Sat, 12/13: 11am. (Schoolhouse Theatre, 3 Owens Rd., Croton Falls; www.schoolhousetheater.org)

Curious George: The Golden Meatball, Theatre Works USA: In this new musical, Chef Pisghetti vows never to cook again when upstart meat baller Phineas T. Lightspeed and his Meatballs O’Matic machine corners the meatball market on All-You-Can-Eat Meatball Day. George goes to Rome to enter Chef Pisghetti in the Golden Meatball Contest and helps him rediscover the secret ingredient to cooking. Ages 3+. Sat, 12/13: 11am & 1:30pm. (Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck; www.emelin.org)

The Little Mermaid: Based on the Disney animated film, The Little Mermaid, tells the story of a beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, who longs to leave her home in a magical kingdom beneath the sea to live in the world above. With an irresistible score by eight-time Academy Award winner, Alan Menken, that includes the hit songs “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl” and “Part of Your World.” 12 performances from Fri, 12/19-Sun 1/4: check times. (White Plains Performing Arts Center, 11 City Place, 3rd. Floor, White Plains; www.wppac.com)

Slam Dunk Tournament, Byram Hills HS Girls Varsity Basketball: The Byram Hills Girls Varsity basketball team will play Rye in the Slam Dunk Tournament’s Girls Challenge game. Fri, 12/26: 11am. (Westchester County Center, 198 Central Ave., White Plains; www.countycenter.biz)

Slam Dunk Tournament: See the best of local high school boys and girls varsity basketball at this annual holiday tournament. Including White Plains, Kingston, Molloy, Woodlands, Iona Prep, Greece Athena, Spring Valley and Stepinac. Fri-Mon, 12/26-29: check times. (County Center, 198 Central Ave, White Plains; www.countycenter.biz) 

The Paper Bag Players: Hot Feet! All wrapped up in a raucous song of hot city streets, The Paper Bag Players’ new show, Hot Feet, brings to life a world of dancing cookies, a runaway chicken, a bustling subway car, a talking building who refuses to be torn down, a polar bear who springs to life in paint and song, and a very mixed up family of giant tubes. Perfect for children ages 3-8.The OBIE Award-winning Paper Bag Players were the first theater for children to perform at Lincoln Center. Sat-Sun, 12/27-28: 11am & 3pm. (Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck; www.emelin.org) 

The Original Harlem Globetrotters 2015 World Tour: The Globetrotters will face a great challenge this year, as the infamous Washington Generals are more determined than ever to beat the Globetrotters. The Generals, the last team to beat the Globetrotters are now coached by a former member of that 1971 team. They are on a mission and will do whatever it takes to win, and break their 43 -year losing streak, with a new strategy, that’s sure to give the Globetrotters a run for their money. (Good luck!) Wed, 12/31: 2pm. (County Center, 198 Central Ave., White Plains; www.countycenter.biz) 

January

Winter Wolves, Wolf Conservation Center: Visit the wolves at their favorite time of year. Learn the mythology, biology and ecology of wolf families and discover why winter is a magical time for packs in North America. Whether on the Arctic tundra or the high desert of the southwest, wolf families are out searching for prey as their maturing pups experience their first winter season. Meet Ambassador wolves Atka, Alawa, Nikai, and Zephyr, the WCC’s critically endangered red wolves and Mexican gray wolves. Drink hot beverages in our woodstove-heated classroom. Pre-registration required. Sat-Sun, 1/3-4, Sun, 1/11, Sun-Mon, 1/18-19, Sat-Sun, 1/24-25 & Sat, 1/31: 11am. (Wolf Conservation Center, South Salem, www.nywolf.org)

A BILLION BRICKS 2: LEGO® Trains, Planes and Rocket Ships! Brick monorails, helicopters, subways, ships, and shuttles travel at full speed across a three-dimensional landscape built entirely out of LEGO® bricks. Exhibit runs daily through Sun, 1/25. BENDEL SPEEDWAY: Build and race a LEGO® brick car. 40 spots for kids 6+. Sat, 1/3: 10am-12pm & 2-4pm. FLYING MACHINES: Build and fly a lying LEGO® brick helicopter or spaceship. 40 spots for kids 6+. Sun, 1/4: 10am-12pm & 2-4pm. LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTTION!  Learn and film stop action animation with LEGO® creations and mini figures. 30 spots for kids 10+. Sat-Sun, 1/17-18: 10am-12pm & 2-4pm. (Stamford Museum & Nature Center, 39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford; www.stamfordmuseum.org)

Rosenthal JCC Winter Carnival: The Rosenthal JCC Winter Carnival offers kids of all ages an afternoon of indoor carnival fun with lots of games and booths! Coordinated by the Rosenthal JCC Youth Leadership Council. Proceeds to benefit the Summer Smiles Scholarship Fund for Rosenthal JCC Summer Camps. Sun, 1/11: 2-4pm. (Rosenthal JCC, 600 Bear Ridge Rd., Pleasantville, 914.741.0333 ext. 15; rosenthaljcc.org)

Disney On Ice – Princesses and Heroes: Join Ariel as she yearns to explore the world above the waves and Prince Eric as he breaks Ursula’s slithering spell to reclaim his one true love. See Prince Phillip, in a race against time to rescue Sleeping Beauty’s Aurora, defeat the evil Maleficent as she transforms herself into a fire-breathing dragon! Be there to discover a whole new world with Jasmine and Aladdin, Elsa, Anna and the hilarious snowman Olaf, from Disney’s blockbuster hit Frozen, and discover how an act of true love can thaw a frozen heart. Plus, Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, Rapunzel and Tiana. With high-flying jumps, daring acrobatics and breathtaking skating. Thurs-Mon, 1/15-19. (Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St, Newark: www.prucenter.com)

The Wizard of OZ: Antonia Arts presents a live production of The Wizard of Oz adapted by Jon Kane from the Frank Baum screenplay for The Royal Shakespeare Company. With music and lyrics from the MGM motion picture. Directed by Melodie Wolford and starring Gabrielle Sansone as Dorothy. Fri, 1/16: 7pm, Sat, 1/17: 2 & 7pm, and Sun, 1/18: 3pm. Paramount Hudson Valley, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill; www.paramounthudsonvalley.com.)

Harold and the Purple Crayon, The Enchantment Theater Company: Harold jets to Mars, joins a circus, and meets a king in an enchanted garden (of course, there’s a dragon). The Enchantment Theater Company’s adaption of these stories based on Crockett Johnson’s children’s books from the 1950s uses all the elements of its signature style including life-size puppets, masks, magic and music. Have your photo taken with Scooby Doo in the lobby! Sat, 1/17: 11am & 2pm. (The Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org) 

Ice Skating at The Harvey School: The Bedford Rec department, in cooperation with the Harvey School, offers public skating for all ages on Martin Luther King Day and Presidents Day with Program Supervisor Jim Whiting and staff and a live DJ. Fri, 1/19, 2/16: 12:45-2:45pm. (Harvey School, 240 Jay St., (Rt. 22), Katonah; www.bedfordny.info)

Outdoor Ice Skating in Bedford & Katonah: Ice skate on Lake Marie at Bedford Hills Memorial Park this winter and at Cherry Lake on Lakeside Drive off Cherry St., in Katonah. See signage at sites for skating conditions or call 914.864.3777 for information.

Click! Clack! Moo! Theatre Works USA: “Cows that type? Hens on strike! When his granddaughter Jenny comes for a visit, Farmer Brown declares the farm a “tech-free zone.” He confiscates her laptop in the cold barn. The shivering cows, who use Jenny’s computer to request blankets, go on strike and the chickens, join them in solidarity. No blankets: no milk, no eggs! Will Farmer Brown give in to the animals’ demands? Will Jenny get her computer back? Find out in this new musical about negotiation and compromise, based on the Caldecott Honor Book by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin. A Theatreworks USA production. Ages 4+.  Sat, 1/24: 11am & 1:30pm. (Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck; www.emelin.org)

Harlem Wizards vs. Chappaqua Challengers, Chappaqua School Foundation: They can teach but do they have game? The Chappaqua HS faculty takes on the Harlem Wizards in this annual fundraiser for the Chappaqua School Foundation. Sun, 1/25: 1:30pm. (HGHS Gym, 70 Roaring Brook Rd., Chappaqua; www.chappaquaschoolfoundation.org)

February

Jim Henson’s Sid the Science Kid Live: Let’s Play: Sid, Gabriela, Gerald and May take a journey through the five senses and discover a very special sixth sense! Teacher Susie leads the kids and the audience through an interactive musical adventure packed with special sensory effects that fill the theatre with sight, smell, sound and more! Fri, 2/6: 11am & 4pm. (Palace Theatre, 81 Atlantic St, Stamford, CT; www.palacestamford.org)

Charlottes Web, TheatreWorks USA: “Some pig.” Theatre Works USA brings to life E.B. White’s classic story about Charlotte the spider who helps turn Wilbur the pig, destined to become bacon and pork chops, into a prize pig, securing his place on the farm forever. Since 1961, Theatre Works USA has presented professional family theatre to over 90 million children in 49 states and Canada.  Ages 4+. Sat, 2/7: 11am & 1:30pm.  (Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck; www.emelin.org) 

Winter Family Festival, Byram Hills Preschool Association: Live entertainment, arts & crafts, bouncy castle, bake sale, local food vendors, a silent auction and more pre-school fun. Sun, 2/8: 11am-4pm. (Coman Hill Elementary School, 558 Bedford Rd., Armonk; www.bhpa.info.)

Free for kids! Westchester Philharmonic Family Program: Before the concert get up closed and personal with some cellos at the Westchester Phil’s instrument “petting zoo.” Teaching artists from the Philharmonic will be on hand in the lobby to guide young listeners as they explore violins, trumpets, drums and more. February 8 concert tickets for young people 17 and under are free with a paid adult ticket. Then Ted Sperling conducts special guest Anne-Marie McDermott, piano, and the Westchester Phil in a family friendly program of Mozart: Overture to The Magic Flute; Grieg: Piano Concerto 
and Beethoven: Symphony No. 2. Sun, 2/8: 3pm. (Performing Arts Center, Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.westchesterphil.org)

Family Valentine Contest, Bedford Recreation: Make a special card for someone you love and submit it to the recreation office by Mon, 2/9. Pick up your card and prize on Thurs, 2/12. Please attach your name and contact information. See Winter recreation department brochure; www.bedfordny.info)

NEW! Humpback Whales, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk: The Maritime Aquarium joins in the national release of the new IMAX movie “Humpback Whales.”

This is shot with IMAX 3D cameras off the shores of Alaska, Hawaii and the Kingdom of Tonga and offers a close-up look at how these whales communicate, sing, feed, play and take care of their young. Find out what makes humpbacks the most acrobatic of all whales, why only the males sing, and why these intelligent 50-foot, 48-ton animals migrate more than 6,000 miles every year. Humpback Whales is narrated by actor Ewan McGregor. Fri-Thurs, 2/13-5/21: 1, 3 & 4pm. (The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, 10 N. Water St., Norwalk, www.maritimeaquarium.org)

The Little Engine That Could, ArtsPower: Little Blue Engine dreams of someday leaving the train yard to pull the big cars on the main line track. But can she convince Big Silver that she is worthy of being a main line engine? Back to reprise its sold-out premiere season, ArtsPower’s dynamic, song-filled adventure portrays Watty Piper’s timeless tale about hard work, determination, and the meaning of true friendship. Sat, 2/21: 11am & 2pm. (The Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org) 

Adopt-A-Maple, Tapping Day, Westmoreland Sanctuary: Want to learn how to make maple syrup from your own tree? The Adopt-A-Maple program guides you through the process. Staff will record how much sap is dripping from your tree and record it on your trees sign. You can even come by and empty the sap and watch it cook in our pots. In the end you will take home a bottle of syrup and receive a family invitation to Westmoreland’s Annual Sugarfest on March 14 & 15. Trees are limited.  $75 Members only.  Not a member?  Become one today! Sun, 2/14: 1-3pm. (260 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Mt. Kisco; www.westmorelandsanctuary.org)

Royal Hanneford Circus, County Center starring Grandma the Clown: A Westchester tradition, this three-ring circus is in town just in time for President’s Day weekend. With international circus stars, motorcycle dare- devils, and performing tigers, bears, housecats, camels and Grandma the Clown. Sat-Mon, 2/14-16: 10am, 2pm & 6pm. (198 Central Ave., White Plains: www.countycenter.biz)

CIRCUS XTREME, Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus: There’s a reason why they call it “The Greatest Show On Earth.” Lions, tigers and bears. … and elephants! And all the flying acrobats, tightrope walkers, gymnasts escape artists and clowns that come with a big top circus. Thurs-Sun, 2/19-3/1: Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn; www.barclayscenter.org)

Maple Sugaring Series, Muscoot Farm: See the process of making maple sugar from tapping the farm’s maple trees to witnessing the boiling process and sampling the final product. Sun, 2/22, 3/1, 8 & 15: 11am,-12pm & 1-3pm. (Muscoot Farm, Rt. 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)

Sugaring Sundays, Teatown Lake Reservation: Stoke up the fire, its sugaring time at Teatown! From tapping to collecting, boiling to bottling, Teatown’s naturalists will be in Warren’s sugarhouse sharing facts and folklore about this sweet time of year! Sun, 2/22, 3/1 & 8: 1pm, 2pm & 3pm. (600 Spring Valley Rd., Ossining, NY 10562, 914.762.2912; www.teatown.org)

The Cashore Marionettes: Life In Motion: Award winning artist Joseph Cashore creates and manipulates lifelike marionettes. This one-of-a-kind performance is a series of scenes taken from everyday life and set to beautiful music by Beethoven, Vivaldi, Strauss and Copland. These vignettes include: a schoolgirl distracted from her homework, a spiritual yogi’s contemplations, a mother rocking her baby, and even an African elephant in mourning. (Suitable for 8 years and up!) Sat, 2/21: 8pm. (Westchester Community College, Academic Arts Building, 75 Grasslands Rd., Valhalla; www.sunywcc.edu)

Harvey School’s Children’s Carnival for Charity: Once again, The Harvey School campus is transformed into a family fun center. Expect bouncy castles, carnival games and other amusements in Harvey’s new gym. Plus nail and hair salons, photo ops, popcorn, cotton candy, hot dogs, meat and veggie chili, chips, baked goods, and more. All of the proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders and the All Stars Project, the two charities that the carnival sponsor, the Community Service Club, has chosen to serve this year. Sat, 2/28: 12-4pm. (The Harvey School, 260 Jay St. Katonah; www.harveyschool.org)

The Amazing Max: PBS Kids calls The Amazing Max “an awesome & hilarious live magic show” and the Huffington Post says “his ability to astound is something to see!” The show bursts with striking visual magic, comedy and loads of audience participation. Magician Max Darwin makes objects appear out of thin air, defies the laws of physics and performs miracles inches from spectators’ faces! Sat, 2/28: 2pm. (White Plains Performing Arts Center, 11 City Place, 3^rd Floor, White Plains; www.wppac.com)

March

South Pacific, Byram Hills Stage: The Byram Hills stage company travels to Bali Hai for an enchanted evening with Nellie Forbush and Emile de Becque, Lt. Joe Cable and Liat, Bloody Mary and a cast of WWII sailors and nurses drawn from the James Michener classic Tales of the South Pacific. With a score from the inimitable Rodgers and Hammerstein with unforgettable songs like “Some Enchanted Evening,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair,” “There Is Nothing Like A Dame,” and “Bali Hai.” Thurs-Sat, 3/5-7: 7pm & Sat, 3/7: 2pm. (Byram Hills H.S., 12 Tripp Lane, Armonk; wwwbyramhillsstage) 

The Rainbow Fish, ArtsPower: With shimmering scales, the Rainbow Fish is used to being the most beautiful creature in the ocean. So when the other fish ask her for some silver scales, she refuses to sacrifice the one thing that makes her unique? Will some good advice from the wise old Octopus persuade the Rainbow Fish to share her gifts with others? ArtsPower has turned Marcus Pfister’s bestselling book (love this book) into a delightful and touching musical about sharing and friendship. Wed, 3/11: 10am & 12:15pm. (The Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org) 

SugarFest 2015, Westmoreland Sanctuary: Westmoreland’s Sugarfest! celebrates the sugaring season with demonstrations and their delectable all-you-can-eat Pancake Feast served with 100% New York Maple Syrup. They’ll be flipping plain, blueberry, and gluten free (upon advanced request) pancakes. Plus, plenty of sausage, fresh fruit and hot and cold beverages. There are two seating times available each followed by their Maple Sugaring Through the Ages program that explores the harvesting and processing techniques used by the Native Americans and early colonists through present day. Sat-Sun, 3/14-15: 9:30 & 11:30am.  (260 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Mt. Kisco; www.westmorelandsanctuary.org)

Pancake Brunch, Teatown Lake Reservation: Start your day off with stacks of hotcakes and maple syrup, hot coffee, sausages and more. Space is limited; please register early to be guaranteed a seat! Then visit Warren’s Sugar House to watch a demonstration about how their ‘liquid gold’ is produced! Call the Nature Center for additional information or to purchase tickets. Sat, 3/14: call to reserve time. (600 Spring Valley Road, Ossining, 914.762.2912; www.teatown.org)

Fox Lane Musical: The Fox Lane winter musical (or is it Spring?) is scheduled for the weekend of March 13th. Check back for updates.

Compagnie Käfig: Artistic Director Mourad Merzouki’s dance troupe from Rio de Janeiro blends hip-hop, bossa nova, samba, and capoeira with electronic music in two new works of family entertainment that showcase the dancers’ virtuosity and offer innovative uses of props. Correria plunges its dancers into a rat race world where they must don extra appendages to keep up. In Agwa, a paean to water, complex configurations of water cups are used like slinkies, stacked like Legos, rearranged, and then smashed by the dancers. Sat, 3/21: 8pm. (Performing Arts Center, 735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase: www.artscenter.org)

The Jungle Book, Theatre IV: 
In Theatre IV’s musical adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic book, young Mowgli learns the ‘laws’ of the jungle in this time-honored adventure. With the help of the black panther, Bagheera, and Baloo the bear, Mowgli learns about friendship and survival, as he faces his fear and foils his nemesis the tiger Shere Khan. Have your photo taken with Scooby Doo in the lobby! Sat, 3/21: 11am & 2pm. (The Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Fly Guy and other Stories, Theatre Works USA: In this new musical revue, based on popular children’s books, Theatre Works USA presents Fly Guy Meets Fly Girld, Diary of a Worm, Fluffy the Classroom Guinea Pig, Horace and Morris But Mostly Dolores Kitten’s First Full Moon, Lilly’s big Day and Paper Bag princess. Sat, 3/22: 11am & 1:30pm. (Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck; www.emelin.org)

March Madness 3 on 3 Tournament, Byram Hills High School: Form your own team, design your own uniforms and register it with the North Castle Recreation Department. Then create your own March Madness. Boys & girls, grades 3-8 play and coach themselves in officiated games Registration due Fri, 2/20. Sun, 3/22: 10am. (BHHS, 12 Tripp Ln., Armonk; www.northcastleny.com)