Kids

TOP OF the Rock, the observation deck at Rockefeller Center, will host a special Halloween celebration for New York families, on Saturday, Oct. 31, from noon to 3 p.m. Throughout the afternoon, children can enjoy face painting, magic shows, crafts and sweet treats, while all members of the family will witness the stunning 360- degree panorama of Manhattan. Access to this event is free with the purchase of a Top of the Rock ticket. For more information, call 212-698-2000.

WAVE HILL, located at West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, will host its next Family Art Project on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, from 1 to 4 p.m., in the Kerlin Learning Center. During this week’s Halloweenthemed activity, titled “River Masquerade,” visitors will first design their own mask or costume in order to become a river-dwelling creature. Then, all participants will be invited to wear their newly created outfit in a parade of river life celebrating the Hudson. This program is free with paid grounds admission. For more information, call 718-549-3200.

THE RIVERDALE Library, at 5540 Mosholu Ave., presents the following upcoming programs for kids:

• Baby Story Time, a special program for infants up to 18 months old, will be held on Thursdays, Oct. 29 and Nov. 5, at 10:30 a.m. on both days. Participants and their parents can enjoy great books, as well as lively songs and fun rhymes, while meeting other neighborhood babies. Pre-registration is required.
• The children’s librarian will present bone-chilling tales from around the world, during a special Halloween Story Time program for ages 8 to 12, which will be held today, Thursday, Oct. 29, at 4 p.m.
• On Friday, Oct. 30, at 3:30 p.m., the library will host the next meeting of Fun Fridays, a new weekly program for ages 8 to 12. Participants will have the chance to play a variety of board games, as well as enjoy other fun activities, with staff members and other children their age.
• The library presents Toddler Story Time, for ages 18 months to 3 years old, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 10:30 a.m. During this program, participants will enjoy interactive stories, action songs and finger plays, while interacting with other toddlers in the neighborhood. Preregistration is required.
• The library will host “Stories and More if You are Three or Four,” a special program presented by Jeannette Ornstein, on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 10:30 a.m.

All events are free and open to the public. For more information or to register, call 718-549-1212.

THE KINGSBRIDGE Library, at 280 W. 231st St., will host the following upcoming events for kids:

• The children’s librarian will present scary stories for ages 5 to 12 during Halloween Story Time, which will be held today, Thursday, Oct. 29, at 4 p.m.
• On Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 10:30 a.m., the library presents Toddler Story Time, for ages 18 months to 3 years old. During this program, participants will enjoy interactive stories, action songs and finger plays, while interacting with other toddlers in the neighborhood.
• The library will present Baby Story Time, a monthly program for newborns up to 18 months old, on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 10:30 a.m. Babies and their parents can enjoy great books, as well as lively songs and fun rhymes.
• Also on Wednesday, Nov. 4, the library will hold Reading Aloud, a special program for children ages 5 to 12, at 4 p.m.

These programs are free and open to the public. For more information, call 718-548-5656.

THE SPUYTEN Duyvil Library, at 650 W. 235th St., will hold the following children’s programs during the upcoming week:

• The library will hold Toddler Story Time, for children between the ages of 18 months and 3 years old, on Thursdays, Oct. 29 and Nov. 5, with sessions at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. During this program, participants can enjoy stories, songs and finger plays, while interacting with other toddlers.
• The children’s librarian will host Halloween Story Time, for ages 6 to 12, today, Thursday, Oct. 29, at 4 p.m.
• Baby Story Time, a special program for newborns up to 18 months old, will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 11 a.m. Babies and their parents can enjoy great books, as well as lively songs and fun rhymes, while meeting other babies from the local neighborhood.
• On Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m., the library will host Reading Aloud, for ages 5 and older.

These events are open to the public, free of charge. For more information, call 718-796-1202.

THE VAN Cortlandt Library, located at 3874 Sedgwick Ave., will host the following upcoming events for children:

• The library will hold Reading Aloud, for ages 3 to 6, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 3 p.m.
• Children between the ages of 6 and 12 are invited to make their own beaded jewelry during a special arts and crafts workshop, which will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 3:30 p.m. This program is free and open to the public, but due to limited space, pre-registration is required.

Admission to both programs is free and open to the public. For more information or to register, call 718-543-5150.

THE BRONX Library Center, located at 310 E. Kingsbridge Road, will hold the following activities for children this week:

• On Friday, Oct. 30, at 4 p.m., the center will host Game Day, for ages 5 to 12. Participants will have the chance to play a variety of board games, including Connect 4, Uno, Checkers and Monopoly Jr., with other children and library staff members.
• “The Creepy Chemistry Show,” a special program presented by Mad Science of Westchester and Manhattan, will take place on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 2 p.m. During this special interactive class, which is designed for ages 5 and older, young scientists will witness gooey slime experiments, melting witch heads, the creation of pumpkin foam and the release of ghosts from bottles.
• “Code Breakers,” a special interactive program for ages 5 to 12, will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 4 p.m. Children will develop their own secret code, while learning about various forms of secret communication, such as Morse Code and signal flags. Participants will then go on a scavenger hunt and use code-breaking techniques to find hidden treasure. This event, which is presented by the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, is free but space is limited so advance reservations are required.

These events are free and open to the public. For more information or to register, call 718-579-4244.

This is part of the October 29, 2009 online edition of The Riverdale Press.

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