J-J-January: Bundle up and head outside!

BROOKLYN

JANUARY 16, 11 AM AND 2:30 PM: Celebrate the work of American hero Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with performances by the Great Day Chorale; and warm your peepers taking in the splendors of African plants in the conservatory. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn - www.bbg.org.

JANUARY 21, 10:30 – 12 PM AND JANUARY 22, 1:30 – 3 PM: Imagine the warmth of summer as you sort through shells at the NY Aquarium’s parent/child workshop – and take home some sample shells at the end of your visit. Eight and up with adult, $23. Members, $30. Non members. NY Aquarium, Surf Avenue and W. 8th St, Brooklyn - www.nyaquarium.com.

BRONX
JANUARY 1, 11 – 4 PM.: Enjoy some holiday cheer at the NY Botanical Garden’s Conservatory Plaza. When you’re done, take the kids to see THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD puppet show playing at 1, 2 and 3 pm. NY Botanical Garden, 200th St and Kazimoff Blvd, Bronx - www.nybg.org.

JANUARY 7 AND 8, 1 – 4 PM: Create your own unique 3D mixed media model of a garden and get prepared for spring at Wave Hill, 675 W. 252nd Street, Bronx - www.wavehill.org.

JANUARY 14 AND 15, 1 – 4 PM: Celebrate the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as you use African fabric to create a one of a kind family quilt. Wave Hill, 675 W. 252nd Street, Bronx - www.wavehill.org.

JANUARY 21 AND 22, 1 – 4 PM: Create your own family tree album after sketching trees from around the world at Wave Hill, 675 W. 252nd Street, Bronx - www.wavehill.org.

JANUARY 21, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Spend some time with Dr. Amy Vedder, biologist and writer, as she talks about her work with gorillas, travels and adventures and get a signed copy of her book written for teens. Bronx Zoo, Fordham Rd, Bronx - www.bronxzoo.com.

JANUARY 28, 9 – 11 AM: Join the animals at JungleWorld for a morning filled with tropical treats! Explore the recreated Asian rain forest and learn about fruit bats, tree kangaroos and langurs. Bronx Zoo, Fordham Rd, Bronx - www.bronxzoo.com.

JANUARY 28 AND 29, 1 – 4 PM: Enjoy a spectacular conifer weekend as you immerse yourself in the shades of woods and gardens. Look at conifers, collect plant material and create your own collage to take home. Wave Hill, 675 W. 252nd Street, Bronx - www.wavehill.org.

MANHATTAN

JANUARY 8, 11 – 12 PM: Create an old fashioned nature diary using ink made from wasp’s nests and a quill pen as you learn about the work of naturalists at the Rose Center for Earth and Space, 81st and Central Park West, NYC - www.amnh.org/rose.

JANUARY 10, 4:30 – 5:30 PM: Become a space explorer at the Hayden Planetarium’s telescope party! American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West, NYC - www.amnh.org.

CONTINUING EVENTS:
TUES – SAT, 10 AM – 2 PM: Beginner Climbing Course for Ages 8 to 17, North Meadow Recreation Center, Mid Central Park at 97th Street - www.centralparknyc.org.

TUES – FRI, 10 AM – 2:30 PM: Challenge Course for Ages 12 to 17, North Meadow Recreation Center, Mid Central Park at 97th Street - www.centralparknyc.org.

TUES – SUN, 10 AM – 5 PM: Woods and Water Exhibit at Belvedere Castle, Mid Central Park at 79th Street - www.centralparknyc.org.

QUEENS

JANUARY 7, 14, 21, AND 28, 10:30 – 11:45 AM: Explore nature with your toddler as you create nature crafts, read stories, take nature walks and pet real, live animals.
Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd, Queens - www.alleypond.com.

JANUARY 8, 10 – 12 PM: Ages 4 to 7 explore the unique world of animals as they greet animal friends, follow a path through the wilderness and create a craft! Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd, Queens - www.alleypond.com.

STATEN ISLAND

JANUARY 8, 1 PM: Learn winter survival techniques with the Urban Park Rangers! Greenbelt Nature Center, Staten Island - www.sigreenbelt.org.

JANUARY 22, 1 PM: Join educators from the State Department of Environmental Conservation for fun activities involving water and animals (or, water+animals=fun) Greenbelt Nature Center, Staten Island - www.sigreenbelt.org.

JANUARY 29, 11 AM: Walk along the trails of the nature center and learn how to identify the species of birds that make the Greenbelt their home year round. Greenbelt Nature Center, Staten Island - www.sigreenbelt.org.