YOUTH ACTIVITIES

BY KAITLYN MEADE & SCOTT STIFFLER

SARAZAD AND THE MONSTER-KING his reimagining of Scheherazade and “1001 Arabian Nights,” written by E. J. C. Calvert and directed by Justin Lauro, introduces 9-year-old Sarazad — who escapes bullying at school by retreating into Storyland. There, she meets the grouchy Monster-King and wins his friendship by telling him fantastic stories. When Sarazad returns to school, her experiences with the Monster-King (and her newfound confidence) help her triumph over adversity. Through Sun., July 15, on Sat. and Sun. at 1 & 4pm. At Canal Park Playhouse (508 Canal St., btw. Greenwich and West Sts.). For tickets ($18) or more info, call 866-811-4111 or visit canalparkplayhouse.com.

NEW YORK CITY FIRE MUSEUM ids will learn about fire through group tours led by former NYC revention and safety firefighters. The program — which lasts approximately 75 minutes — includes classroom training and a simulated event in a mock apartment, where a firefighter shows how fires can start in different rooms in the home. Finally, students are guided on a tour of the museum’s first floor. Tours (for groups of 20 or more) are offered Tues.-Fri. at 10:30am, 11:30am & 12:30pm. Tickets are $3 for children and $5 for adults — but for every 10 kids, admission is free for one adult. The museum offers a $700 Junior Firefighter Birthday Party package, for children 3-6 years old. The birthday child and 15 guests will be treated to story time, show and tell, a coloring activity, a scavenger hunt and the opportunity to speak to a real firefighter (the museum provides a fire-themed birthday cake, juice boxes and other favors and decorations). The NYC Fire Museum is located at 278 Spring St. (btw. Varick and Hudson). For info call 212-691-1303 or visit nycfiremuseum.org.

THE SKYSCRAPER MUSEUM he Skyscraper Museum’s “Saturday Family Program” series features workshops designed to introduce children and their families to the principles of architecture and engineering — through hands-on activities. On July 14, “Trash Factory” will talk about how architects recycle old warehouses into new buildings. On July 28, kids ages 8-12 are invited to learn about the science behind the structures in “Skyscraper Physics,” complete with demonstrations from the educators at the museum. During “So Sew Tall,” on August 12, children will design factories to manufacture their own product, like those in the Garment District, in conjunction with the museum’s exhibit “Urban Fabric.” All workshops take place from 10:30-11:45am, at The Skyscraper Museum (39 Battery Place). Registration required. Call 212-945-6324 or e-mail education@skyscraper.org. Admission: $5 per child, free for members. Museum hours: Wed.-Sun., 12-6pm. Museum admission: $5, $2.50 for students/seniors. For info, call 212-945-6324, visit skyscraper.org or email education@skyscraper.org.

POETS HOUSE he Poets House Children’s Room gives children and their parents a gateway to enter the world of rhyme — through readings, group activities and interactive performances. For children ages 1-3, the Children’s Room offers “Tiny Poets Time” readings on Thursdays at 10am; for those ages 4-10, “Weekly Poetry Readings” on Saturdays at 11am. Filled with poetry books, old-fashioned typewriters and a card catalogue packed with poetic objects to trigger inspiration, the Children’s Room is open Thurs.-Sat., 11am-5pm. Free admission. At 10 River Terrace. Call 212-431-7920 or visit poetshouse.org.

CREATURES OF LIGHT Descend into the depths of the ocean and explore the caves of New Zealand — without ever leaving Manhattan. Just visit the American Museum of Natural History’s new exhibit on bioluminescence (organisms that produce light through chemical reactions). Kids will eagerly soak up this interactive twilight world where huge models of everything from fireflies to alien-like fish illuminate the dark. Through Jan. 6, 2013 at the American Museum of Natural History (79th St. and Central Park West). Open daily, 10am–5:45pm. Admission is $25, $14.50 for children, $19 for students/seniors. Tickets can be purchased at the museum or at amnh.org. For more information, call 212-769-5100.

HOUSE OF GHOSTLY HAUNTS Cardone The Magician’s spook show will continue to electrify audiences as Canal Park Playhouse once again extends its run, now through July 31. The vaudeville-style act features razor swallowing and spirit conjuring — and ends in 10 minutes of complete darkness. Appropriate for ages 7 and up. Tuesdays, 7pm, at Canal Park Playhouse (508 Canal St., btw. Greenwich & West Sts.). For tickets ($20), call 866-811-4111 or visit canalparkplayhouse.com.
POTTED POTTER: THE UNAUTHORIZED HARRY EXPERIENCE — A PARODY BY DAN AND JEFF Former BBC hosts Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner create comedic magic as they attempt to “pot,” or condense, all seven Harry Potter books into a 70-minute, family-friendly show. An Olivier award nominee for Best Entertainment and Family Show, this chaotic musical tribute directed by Richard Hurst has charmed audiences of all ages on London’s West End and is now making its New York debut. Through Aug. 12, Tues., 7pm; Wed., 2 & 7pm; Thurs., 7pm; Fri., 8pm; Sat., 2, 5 & 8pm; and Sun., 2 & 5pm. At the Little Shubert Theatre (422 W. 42nd St., btw. 9th & 10th Aves.). For tickets ($40-$100) call 212-239-6200 or visit telecharge.com. For more info: pottedpotter.com or facebook.com/pottedpotter.

THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE MUSEUM During regular Museum hours (Mon.-Sat., 10am-5pm and Sun., 12-5pm), visit the Junior Officers Discovery Zone, designed for ages 3-10. It is divided into four areas (Police Academy, Park and Precinct, Emergency Services Unit and a Multi-Purpose Area). Each has interactive play experiences for children to understand the role of police officers in our community. For older children, there’s a crime scene observation activity, a physical challenge similar to those at the Police Academy and a model Emergency Services Unit vehicle where children can climb in, use the steering wheel and lights, hear radio calls with police codes and see some of the actual equipment carried by the Emergency Services Unit. At 100 Old Slip (btw. Front and South Sts.). For info, call 212-480-3100 or visit nycpm.org. Admission: $8 ($5 for students, seniors and children; free for children under 2).
Would You Like to See Your Event listed in The Villager? Please provide the date, time, location, price and a description of the event. Send to scott@chelseanow.com or mail to 515 Canal St., Unit 1C, New York City, NY 10013. Requests must be received at least three weeks before the event. For more info, call 646-452-2497.