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Weekly Family Programs This Spring at the New-York Historical Society

The New-York Historical Society makes a rich investment in the local community, especially teaching kids about history! On the basement level of the N-YHS is the DiMenna Children’s history museum, where the staff puts on a diverse and exciting slate of family activities every week. These storybook readings, touch tables, interactive museum tours, and craft hours make history come alive for children and adults alike. Bring your family to one of these rich cultural experiences, most of them free with museum admission, this spring at the New-York Historical Society.

Family Programs at the New-York Historical Society: Macy’s Sunday Story Time

Every Sunday at 11:30am, bring your kids for story time at New-York Historical Society. This weekly engagement, sponsored by Macy’s, will present readings like The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein on April 29 and The Earth and I by Frank Asch in honor of Earth Day on April 22. After the readings, your child can make a craft related to the story! The event is free with museum admission and recommended for ages 3-7.

Family Programs at the New-York Historical Society: Living History Days

Living History

History will come alive at Living History Days, which occur most Saturdays and Sundays at N-YHS. Topics will range from Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad to James and Dolley Madison to historic hats and shoes. These talks and demonstrations are designed for kids as interactive learning experiences. For example, they can touch historical objects and reproductions at the Vietnam War Front/Home Front Touch Table on April 21 and 22. The event is free with museum admission and typically lasts 12-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays. All ages are welcome!

Family Programs at  the New-York Historical Society: History Detective Briefcase for Families

Embark on a history scavenger hunt with History Detective Briefcase for Families. Armed with a briefcase full of tools, you and your kids will set off through the N-YHS Luce Center to discover clues, play games, think outside the box, and learn about the past. This activity is held every Saturday and Sunday from 1-4pm and is free with museum admission.

Family Programs at the New-York Historical Society: Little New-Yorkers

Little New Yorkers

Every Tuesday and Friday afternoon, bring young historians to N-YHS for songs, stories, and crafts. At Little New Yorkers, books and crafts will be paired based on a theme each week. The first week of May, for example, will feature the books Jennie’s Hat by Ezra Jack Keats and She’s Wearing a Dead Bird on Her Head by Kathryn Lasky to celebrate the new exhibition Feathers: Fashion and the Fight for Wildlife. This weekly event is held every Tuesday and Friday from 3:30-4:15pm and is free with museum admission. Recommended for ages 3-5.

Family Programs at the New-York Historical Society: Stroller Tour Through History

Walk your child through the quiet of the New-York Historical Society before it opens for the day! This stroller tour will bring in toddlers to the magic of the museum with singing, movement, crafts, and more. Kids can touch certain objects and feel free to run and play throughout the space. This event occurs the second Friday of each month from 9:15-10am and is $25 for two adults and their children. Ages 3 and below are welcome!

Family Programs at the New-York Historical Society: Cross-Stitch Circle

Bring your child to NYHS to teach them embroidery! Every Thursday, kids can learn to stitch in a safe, supervised environment and create their own unique bookmark. The more they attend, the more advanced projects they can work on as they develop this time-honored skill. Every Thursday, Cross-Stitch Circle will be held from 3:30 to 5:30pm. It’s free with museum admission and recommended for ages 6 and above.  

Family Programs at the New-York Historical Society: Reading Into History Book Club

Reading Into History

Firoozeh Dumas, author of It Ain't So Awful, Falafel

Any young readers in the family? Bring them to meet a young-adult author in person on Sunday, April 29. Firoozeh Dumas, author of It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel, will be at N-YHS to field questions about her novel, which follows a young Iranian immigrant to America in the wake of the Iranian Revolution. The event will also take you to the Library at N-YHS to see artifacts relevant to the Iranian Revolution. The event is Sunday, April 29 at 2pm. Check back on the N-YHS website for upcoming events in the Reading into History Book Club.

The New-York Historical Society is located at 170 Central Park West. Call 212-873-3400 or visit nyhistory.org for more information.

About the Author

Merrill Lee Girardeau lives and writes in Brooklyn.

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