Not sure you can make it to midnight? These Seattle New Year’s Eve events happen a few hours earlier

2023 is almost here. While it’s always fun to pop open the sparkling cider and break out the silly string at home, there are lots of kid-friendly Seattle New Year’s Eve events happening around the city. If you’re looking to get out and celebrate with the kids, we’ve got the scoop on the best parties in town—from Noon Year’s Eve events that let you get home at a reasonable hour to events that will let you see the strike of midnight. Let’s get this party started!

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1. New Year’s Eve at the Needle

For over thirty years, local families have been ringing in the new year at the base of Seattle's iconic Space Needle. This year, we have a feeling tons of folks will be gathering for the first in-person show since the beginning of the pandemic. In addition to the traditional fireworks and lights show, families can enjoy an 11-minute choreographed drone show highlighting pop culture moments from the past year. Consider this your 2023 celebratory trifecta.

Date: Dec. 31, 11:35 p.m.

Space Needle
400 Broad St.
Seattle
Online: spaceneedle.com

2. New Year’s Eve Kindiependent Show

Enjoy this Seattle-based family concert on New Year's Eve at Mount Baker Community Club. You'll hear dynamic music from Harmonica Pocket that the kiddos will love and just might do a jig to. Your family will ring in the New Year on a happy note with this music in your ears. Doors at 10 a.m. Show starts at 10:30 a.m. Please note, families can either purchase tickets for $5 per person at the door, or subscribe to the concert series.

Date & Time: Dec. 31; 10:30 a.m.

Mt. Baker Community Club
2811 Mount Rainier Dr. S.
Seattle
Online: mountbaker.org

3. New Year’s Eve Pajama Party

The Seattle Children's Museum is throwing a daytime New Year's Eve pajama party you won't want to miss. This event will be filled with special activities, a dance party, and even materials for everyone to make a time capsule. This will be such a fun and memorable way for your kids to ring in 2023 and it's included with your admission fee. 

Date & Time: Dec. 31; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Seattle Children's Museum
305 Harrison St.
Seattle
Online: seattlechildrensmuseum.org

a kid wearing a 2023 new years eve hat and holding up peace signs
iStock

4. New Year's Eve Countdown at KidsQuest

For an all-day celebration, join the staff of KidsQuest as they ring in 2023. Activities will happen every few hours, ensuring the delight and joy never ends for your kids. Kids can get some fabulous face paint, hear a sensational story time, and experience the famous bubble wrap stomp. Tickets are required, and families can reserve times at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., or 4 p.m. to celebrate.

Date & Time: Dec. 31; 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

KidsQuest Children's Museum
1116 108th Ave. N.E.
Bellevue, WA
Online: kidsquestmuseum.org

5. Candyland Family NYE

The theme says it all at this family-friendly celebration that includes face painting, balloon artists, music, Disney princess appearances, and a major balloon drop that'll have your kids squealing with delight. And that's all before (or after) you play a round of mini golf on one of the coolest indoor courses around—they have unicorns and a throne. Tickets are just $25 per person for anyone over 6 years old and free for anyone under 5.

Date & Time: Dec. 31; 5-8 p.m.

Forum Social House
700 Bellevue Way N.E., #700
Bellevue, WA
Online: forumsocialhouse.com

6. Noon Year's Eve at KiDiMu

Put a scenic ferry ride on your list of New Year's Eve activities and make your way to Bainbridge Island for this kid-friendly celebration. Kids will have a chance to play at the museum, sure, but the highlights of the day include fireworks science and New Year's-themed crafts. Add in a celebratory countdown to noon to get 2023 started in the right direction. You'll need tickets to attend.

Date & Time: Dec. 31; 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Kids Discovery Museum
301 Ravine Ln. N.E.
Bainbridge Island, WA
Online: kidimu.org

At an exciting Seattle new Years eve event where a young boy near a disco ball bubbles falling all around
Hands On Children's Museum

7. Rockin' Rockfish Noon Year's Eve

Everyone is invited to virtually join the staff at Seattle Aquarium for their third annual Noon Year’s Eve celebration. It's a super-fun way to welcome 2023 with new animals, music, and dances—even more fun than last year. The event will be hosted by Diana Cardiff with music from Mikey the Rad Scientist. Plus kids can learn amazing facts about some of the animals at the Seattle Aquarium. Register online (it's free!) and you'll be sent the YouTube link so your crew can participate from home. The site has bonus activities so you can get your kids jazzed up for all the fun in advance. 

Time: Dec. 31, 2022; 11:30 a.m.
Online: seattleaquarium.org

8. Noon Year's Eve Party

Bring the kids to Olympia for the Hands On Children's Museum's unforgettable Noon Years Eve Party. This year's theme is "Shine Bright in the New Year." Expect lots of sparkle, shine, glimmer, and glow activities that tie into the theme like Dr. Science experiments, bioluminescence, shooting star launching, glitzy crafts, and a photo booth. The Noon Year’s countdown includes a dance party, ball drop, and parade every hour throughout the day. Our tip? Make your online reservations in advance and save $2 on admission.

Good to Know: The museum will have a sensory-friendly room and art space set up from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. so kids of all abilities can join in the fun throughout the day.

Date & Time: Dec. 31; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Hands On Children's Museum
414 Jefferson St. N.E.
Olympia, WA
Online: hocm.org

a family sits around with glowing 2023 numbers to celebrate new years eve
Shutterstock

9. New Year's Eve Pajama Party

2023 is almost here and that's as good a reason as any to celebrate with a kid-friendly cooking class. Welcome 2023 with color, style, and flavor—with a cooking party for kids ages 4-9. Kids will toast to the end of 2022 with a homemade cheese quesadilla, confetti cupcakes, hot cocoa, and more. They'll even come home with cinnamon rolls to bake up on New Year's Day. Be sure to register in advance for this class. Two sessions are available on New Year's Eve—one in U Village, one at the Kirkland shop.

Date & Time: Dec. 31; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

FrogLegs
2643 N.E. University Village St.
Seattle
Online: froglegskca.com

10. Princess Noon Year's Eve Party

Princess fans of all ages will jump at the chance to celebrate the new year at noon with their favorite princesses! Kids will enjoy games, crafts, snacks, a grand celebration, and more as the princesses from The Painted Palace countdown to 2023 at noon. 

Date & Time: Dec. 31; 11:15 a.m.-12:30 pm.

Painted Palace
1813 130th Ave. N.E.
Bellevue, WA
Online: paintedpalaceparties.com

Additional reporting by Taylor Clifton

A short flight or a road trip from the Bay Area, Mission Bay is best known as home to SeaWorld but is also an ideal family beach vacation destination. The protected bay with calm, still waters is perfect for sandy play while nearby Pacific Beach and its boardwalk is within walking distance. Nearby attractions San Diego Zoo, LEGOLAND, San Diego Zoo Safari and the brand new Sesame Place makes Mission Bay a great springboard for day trips. From windsurfing and jet skiing to lying on the beach, we loved our time in Mission Bay and think your family will, too!

Play

Christine Lai

Action Sport Rentals
Want to SUP, jet ski (minimum height 36”), paddle boat or kayak? Action Sports Rentals has you covered and with multiple locations in Mission Bay, is the go-to rental spot. For those who prefer to stay dry and on land, they’ve got bikes (even for kids and trailers for the littles!) and surreys for rent. We tried jet skiing as a family for the first time and our thrill-seeking kids absolutely loved it. Not only was it an adventure, but we got a unique tour of the Bay from the water.

Belmont Park
This oceanfront amusement park is a quintessential family beach vacation must! Kids will love the pay-as-you-play coasters, carousel, bumper cars, zipline, climbing wall, go karts and more. 

Christine Lai

Bahia Belle Sightseeing Cruise
Hop aboard this Mississippi-style, sternwheeler boat for a tranquil one-hour cruise at sunset for views of Mission Bay that you can’t find anywhere else!

Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve
Nature enthusiasts will love the peace and quiet of this saltwater marshland with its raised platforms for birdwatching. Come for a walk at dawn or dusk for breathtaking views. 

Two girls enjoy s'mores and a beachside bonfire

Bayside Bonfires
Chairs, tables, bonfire set up and clean up (say no more) and of course, s’mores are all included in this full-service experience. This means a perfect end to a family beach day is guaranteed while roasting marshmallows under the stars—as a bonus, dazzle the kids with the magic flame add-on! 

Eat!

A table with brunch food with the beach in the background
Christine Lai

Oceana Coastal Kitchen
California cuisine at this elegant bayside eatery is the name of the game and families will love the tabletop fire pits and live music on the weekends. Enjoy pre-dinner craft cocktails while the kids play nearby in the sand—it doesn’t get much better than this! 

Barefoot Bar & Grill
This casual waterfront restaurant at Paradise Point (more below) serves up a mean happy hour and we loved diving into their avocado toast and eggs benedict. Bonus: Kids will love playing by the lagoon while waiting for food and checking out the stingrays and leopard sharks. 

Los Panchos Tacos and Cantina
Since going to San Diego and not having tacos while on a family beach vacation is a sin, we sussed out the best-rated taqueria in the area. This spot is a short drive from Mission Bay and we took advantage of Taco Tuesday and got to try (and loved!) the carne asada, baja fish and cabeza (cow cheek!).  

Two girls slurp ramen noodles
Christine Lai

Sushi Ota
This unassuming hole-in-the-wall sushi joint is tucked in a strip mall but don’t let looks fool you; we had some of the freshest and tastiest sushi ever (the toro was out of this world good)! Udon and beef/chicken teriyaki is also available for the non-sushi inclined crowd. 

Ramen Ryoma
After a long beach day, slurping down oodles of noodles (the shoyu ramen was a winner here) and savory Japanese tapas is my family’s idea of a great end to the day. But save room for… 

Handel’s Ice Cream
Is it even a family beach vacation if you don’t have ice cream? We didn’t think so either. Handel’s has a bit of a cult following and it's not unusual to see long lines at this walk-up counter which is fine as you’ll need every minute to wrestle with which flavor(s) to get as they have a LOT. 

Stay

Paradise Point Resort and Spa
A tiki torch-lined driveway transports you to San Diego’s island resort where gorgeously manicured lawns, lush foliage and lagoons teeming with wildlife will make you wonder if you accidentally ended up in Hawaii. An iconic observation tower offers a bird’s eye view of the resort and its surrounding areas including the five (heated) pools and mini-golf course. 

A mom and two kids stand on an observation tower in Mission Bay

The kids zone activities (on select days) offer a break from the sun with rock painting and tie-dye arts. An island treasure hunt, tennis courts, bike tour/rentals and skateboarding lessons means kids here will be busy…and happy! 

Bayside bungalows open right to the sandy beach where families can enjoy lazy days in the sand and calm waters by simply walking through the back door. The convenience of getting kids on/off the beach without lugging a ton of equipment (and sand!) into the car will give you more time to relax and enjoy the glorious sunsets with the family on the beach—you are in Paradise after all!  

Editor’s note: This trip was sponsored by Discover Mission Bay and Paradise Point Resort, but all opinions expressed here belong to the writer.

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Love is in the air! There are plenty of ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with the family and spread some love and we gathered up a few of our favorite ideas to get you started. There are themed hikes, arts and crafts and baking classes to whip up extra special treats.

iStock

Take Your Kids to a Local Candy Shop
Treat your favorite little sweet tooth to a local sweet shop visit that has all the heart-shaped macarons you could ever desire. 

Share the Love
Show some love for the grandparents, neighbors or anyone who needs a little cheering up with a DIY Valentine's Day card or pick up a Valentine’s Day Cards Take Home Craft Kit beginning Feb. 5 or check out a Cards Galore event on Feb. 12

Celebrate Love at the Lake
Lake Chabot hosts a special Valentine’s Day escape with a two hour rental of a decorated, covered patio boat complete with a picnic basket full of snacks and treats. Enjoy an idyllic family Valentine’s day adventure out on the water! Feb 1 - 28. Event details.

Take the Valentine Kindness Challenge
Ideas of how to generously spread love every day of the month are available in this challenge. 

Splurge on Fancy Hot Cocoa
These Bay Area shops have all the fancied-up hot cocoa that you want this Valentine's Day. Be sure to try the spicy versions if you can take the heat! 

Watch Penguins Waddle for Valentine cards
Visit Cal Academy’s penguins as they receive felt Valentine’s cards that they love using to line their nests. Can’t make it down to the museum? Watch the live stream here. Feb. 12 & 13, Event details 

Join a Baking Class to Make a Special Valentine’s Day Treat
Calling all bakers! Kids will love learning how to make Heart cupcakes Feb. 10 or Cake pops Feb. 14. 

San Francisco Ferry Building

Visit a Pop Up Flower Wall
It’s back! The Insta-worthy flower wall at the Ferry Building is back for sweet photo ops along with craft activity stations and other delicious surprises to be found in the Ferry Building. Feb. 13. Event details

Get Outside for Love
Drop by the Del Valle Visitor's center where kids will learn about friendship and love in the wild in this drop-in program also design Valentine’s day cards to take home. Feb. 12. Event details 

Join one of the following Valentine themed hikes: Love is in the Air Hike Feb. 5,  Black Diamond Love Stories hike Feb 12, Art for the Heart Hike & Crafts Feb. 12

 

Laurie Berkner

Valentine’s Day Family Concert
Iconic children's musician Laurie Berkner invites everyone to celebrate the sweetest day of the year at a special LIVE virtual family concert. Fans of all ages can decorate their homes for Valentine's Day and wear something fun and valentine-y to the show. Feb. 13. Event details. 

Visit the Hearts & Crafts Market
Daggett Plaza celebrates Valentine’s Day with local artists and makers who will have treats, flowers and jewelry along with a live jazz band. Feb 12., Event details 

Little GF Chef

Get Hungry for Love

Valentine’s Day often involves sweet treats so we like to try and keep things balanced with healthy snacks and meals with some of our recent favorites below:

Little GF Chef’s baking kits let families bake delicious gluten-free food at home - we loved the pizza party kit, complete with red and white checkered tablecloth! 

There can always be more cheese and Cello’s Fontal and Copper Kettle cheeses are perfect for pairing with crackers, fruit and honey.

Joi

Plant-based almond and oat milk are all the rage these days and JOI makes a sustainable concentrate that is added to water for a delicious, creamy dairy-milk alternative. We also love that JOI can easily be swapped in for all baking needs—brownies, cheesecakes cookies and more! Need more inspiration? Check out these recipes for the sweet low down. 

We couldn’t get enough of NuTrail’s keto nut granola that is delicious over milk or yogurt for either breakfast or a snack. 

—Christine Lai & Kate Loweth

featured image by iStock

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Stars, stripes and so much fun. Soak it all up this Fourth of July, when our country turns the big 2-4-6. The 4th falls on a Monday this year, which gives us a three-day weekend for fun-filled family days and legendary fireworks shows. We put our eyes to the skies in search of the most amazing fireworks displays and day-time events if you want to party all day and hit the hay early. Read on and plan on, Chicago.

Lakeside is the Best Side

Take a Family Boat Cruise
Many boat tour and kayak companies in Chicago host special 4th of July firework cruises on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. These tours are a great way to get front-row seats to the action, with the Chicago skyline serving as a gorgeous backdrop.

Live at the Lake at Navy Pier
Make the 4th of July weekend all about live music and dancing the days away at Navy Pier's Live on the Lake, Jul. 2-4. 

Keep it Traditional with Parades & Fireworks

Navy Pier Fireworks
Start the celebrating early with Navy Pier's weekly fireworks display, Jun. 2.

Naperville Salute
The Naperville Salute, Jul. 1-4, is all about celebrating veterans, active military, first responders and their families. Along with a musical lineup, family entertainment will include an exotic animal display, face painting, glitter tattoos, balloon art, an obstacle course and fitness fun, crafts, a magic show and more.

Glen Ellyn Fourth of July
Everyone loves a parade — especially one as cheerful and colorful as the one in downtown Glen Ellyn, Jul. 4. The festivities will conclude with fireworks at dusk.

3D Fireworks Display in Skokie
The Skokie Fourth of July Fireworks, Jul. 4, is a 3-D extravaganza with the first 10,000 visitors receiving a free pair of 3D glasses. The day begins with a parade at noon followed by family activities, games and a concert. At dusk, break out those 3D glasses for a fireworks display that pops out at you.

St. Charles July 4th Celebration
When the sun goes down, the night sky will light up in a festival of color, lights and sound. Before the St. Charles fireworks show, Jul. 4, Feel Good Party Band will take the stage to keep you entertained with music from the 80s and 90s.

Itasca Fireworks
Itasca boasts the largest fireworks display in the Chicago area. The Itasca fireworks display, Jul. 4, is popular for families because the fireworks are so huge, they feel like they're going off right above you.

Northwest Fourth Fest
Kids and adults can have a blast on more than 30 carnival rides, listen to live music, fill up on fest food and watch one of the best fireworks displays in the area at Northwest Fourth Fest, Jun. 30-Jul. 4.

Evanston 4th Celebration
Evanston's 4th of July celebration, Jul. 4, starts with outdoor games (think three-legged races, pie-eating contests and water balloon tosses). Afterward, join in on a fun run before the parade kicks off. Then, the party moves to a lakefront concert followed by fireworks.

Celebrate with Music

Independence Day Salute
Prepare for a sensory feast featuring a medley of patriotic favorites at The Independence Day Salute, Jul, 2, at Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

Rock in the Park at Parkway Bank Park
Parkway Bank Park's Rockin' in the Park, Jul. 4, is a free summer concert that features a post-show musical fireworks display.

Make it a Sporty Weekend

Chicago Dogs Fireworks Extravaganza
Chicago's newest baseball team that pays homage to our favorite street food, HOT DOGS, is hosting a Chicago Dogs fireworks extravaganza, Jul. 2, after their home game.

Relax & Catch a Movie

Outdoor Movie with Rooftop Cinema Club
Rooftop Cinema Club at the Emily Hotel in Fulton Market is hosting two daytime family friendly movies during the Fourth of July weekend. See The Parent Trap, Jul. 2 and The Sandlot, Jul. 3.

Keep the Food Patriotic

Cupcake Making at Taste Buds Kitchen
Show your USA pride and whip up perfectly patriotic Red, White and Blue Cupcakes, Jul. 2, completely from scratch. Plain old vanilla? Bore-ring. Bring on the pizzazz, the color, the fireworks.

JoJo's Shake Bar 4th of July Shake
JoJo's 4th of July Shake, Jun. 27-Jul. 4, is a strawberry-blueberry shake topped with red, a white and blue sprinkled sugar cookie, cupcake and ice cream sandwich.

— Maria Chambers

Featured photo: iStock

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Halloween may look different this year, but you can still dress up and celebrate. You can even attend a virtual costume party singalong. Skinnamarink with Sharon & Randi! A Live, Virtual Concert is back by popular demand on Fri. Oct. 30 at 6:30 pm. ET. 

Skinnamarink with Sharon and Randi
Just as legendary musicians Sharon, Lois & Bram brought happiness to four generations of children and their grown-ups, Sharon Hampson and her daughter Randi are continuing to share the music of Sharon, Lois and Bram with yet another generation of families. Through this up-close-and-personal sing-along gathering, and like their first virtual concert, Live in your Living Room, they are planning a real family affair featuring Sharon and Randi, Randi’s sons Ethan and Elijah, their girlfriends Clare and Sofia, and Randi’s beau Jim.

Skinnamarink with Sharon and Randi

At this Halloween Costume Party, viewers will be able to see each other’s costumes and sing along with each other and the performers. Conceived as a “by family, for family” experience, the show will include some spooky Halloween-themed songs for all ages, along with such well-loved Sharon, Lois & Bram favourites as “Grandpa’s Farm,” “Five Little Monkeys,” One Elephant,” “Tingalayo,” and, of course, “Skinnamarink.”

“We wanted to find a fun, safe way to celebrate Halloween with our audience. The idea of dressing up and singing seems like a perfect way to be together” says Sharon Hampson. “We are thrilled to have this chance to once again see the smiling faces of our guests singing along with favourite tunes, old and new.”

“The best thing about our first virtual family concert was getting to watch everyone singing along together from their homes. It really felt like we were all connected,” adds Randi Hampson. “We’re especially excited to see kids (and maybe adults) dressed up in their fun Halloween costumes!”

As an added bonus, Sharon and Randi will be looking for some audience input on the song choices. Early bird ticket purchasers will have a chance to select and introduce a song during the concert. And those who purchase tickets and attend this show will be entered in a contest for a chance to win a special Sharon, Lois & Bram prize package or a personal Zoom meeting with Sharon and Randi.

Tickets are CAD $15 plus tax. Families of three or more require two tickets. To purchase tickets visit the Skinnamarink with Sharon and Randi Home Routes page.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Sharon, Lois & Bram

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If it doesn’t seem like summer without the annual festival visit, this list is for you! Many of the best summer festivals are going virtual this year so you can check out live music from Chicago, jazz from DC, art from Seattle and more. Many of them offer special programming for kids so you can inject a little culture into your summer routine. Find our favorite virtual summer festivals for families below!

Save this list on Pinterest to guarantee summer fun the whole season long!

Best of the Fest

Stern Grove Music Festval

Stern Grove is excited to present Best of the Fest, a series of video playlists featuring epic performances and footage from the archives, beautiful scenery of the Grove and special guests. Join host Liam Mayclem every Sunday and celebrate some of the greatest moments in the Grove! June 14-Aug. 16. Event details

 

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DC JazzFest From Home

The DC JazzFest from home combines never-before-seen footage from years gone by with live-streamed shows taking place now. Enjoy a weekly jazz concert from the comfort of your own home while letting the kids get the wiggles out! Every Saturday in July. Event details

SummerStage Anywhere

iStock

Starting in July, SummerStage Anywhere will highlight genres that were born in or deeply represent New York – Mondays: Contemporary Dance, Tuesdays: Global, Wednesdays: Indie Rock, Thursdays: Latin, Fridays: Hip Hop and Saturdays: Jazz. Every day they’ll be presenting exclusive digital arts content that you can watch from anywhere. Starting July 6. Event details

The OC Virtual Fair

San Mateo County Fair

The OC Virtual Fair is a fun way to engage with the OC Fair, even you can’t be there in person! It will include slices of the OC Fair that fans can enjoy from home and it will live on OC Fair social media channels and on ocfair.com. July 17-Aug. 16. Event details

Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Willem V. via yelp

You can see two of the fan-favorite shows from the 2020 Oregon Shakespeare Festival lineup—The Copper Children (July 2–July 15) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (July 9–July 22)—each at the low price of $15 for a 48-hour rental. Through July 22. Event details

 

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Virtual Wedgwood Arts Festival

Do you miss seeing your favorite artists this summer? Enjoy this three-day virtual art festival event featuring handmade artwork from Northwest Artists. The online event will have live chat sessions, an opportunity to see artists’ studios and more of their beautiful work (with the option to buy). Don’t forget the kids' art activity video so families can make an art project at home. July 10-12Event details

Bastille Day Celebration

Join in NYC’s biggest Bastille Day celebration, a fabulous four-day virtual fête. FIAF’s 25th annual Bastille Day celebration goes online this year with LIVE virtual performances, film screenings, Rosé and Champagne tastings, cooking events, kids activities, dance parties, the popular prize drawing and much more! July 11-14. Event details

Concerts from the Black Academy of Arts and Letters

iStock

Spend a relaxed Sunday afternoon in the comfort of your home and enjoy a one hour virtual concert of rarely seen performers and performances from TBAAL's rich archival collection. Sundays through Aug. 16. Event details

San Francisco Shakespeare Festival

This summer's free show is King Lear and you can enjoy it live from your own home for free. It will be available via youtube on Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m. from July 18-Sept. 27. Event details

 

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Chamber Music Northwest Family Concerts

As part of the Chamber Music Northwest's virtual summer festival, you'll find two shows that are perfect for families. 

Family Concert: Carnival of the Animals—Enjoy an auditory parade of lions, elephants, kangaroos, and more in this fun, family-friendly performance with entertaining narration by pianist Orion Weiss. July 13-19. Event details

Family Concert: Marita and Her Heart's Desire—Written specifically for young audiences new to chamber music, Bruce Adolphe’s Marita and Her Heart’s Desire tells the magical, mysterious, and funny story of a girl who believes the moon can grant her heart’s desire. July 20-26. Event details

Lollapalooza

Lollapalooza

Lollapalooza is a staple of Chicago’s music festival scene. The fest will honor the beloved summer tradition by bringing Chicago, and the world, live music via a live stream.  The weekend-long  virtual event will include performances from around the city and archived, never-before-seen footage from Lollapalooza in Chicago and around the world. July 30-Aug. 2. Event details

Dessert Goals Festival

Delicious looking vanilla, strawberry and chocolate donuts
Stan's Donuts

Traditionally hosted in New York & LA, the family-friendly digital event will bring people together nationwide to experience Dessert Goals in a whole new way. You'll get two days of exciting original content, both live and pre-recorded, available to stream for a week after the event including virtual panels, baking demos with celebrated chefs, a birthday celebration, an energizing morning workout class, family-friendly activities, a keynote speech, and much more. July 31-Aug. 1. Event details

Chicago Blues Festival

Beaches Jazz via flickr

Enjoy three nights of at-home entertainment brought to you by the Chicago Blues Festival. July 31-Aug. 2. Event details

Grant Park Music Festival Remixed

istock

While we may not be able to physically gather, the power of music knows no bounds. You can check out Festival Remixed, an exciting series of virtual events, including radio broadcasts, concerts, talks and master classes. Various dates through Aug. 14. Event details

—Kate Loweth

 

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Parents are working from home and are growing tired of hearing the same kids movies on repeat playing in the background. Along with trying to maintain a home school calendar, families are looking to bring some normalcy back into their lives. Now that we’ve had some time at home, our daily calendars are being filled up with at-home art classes taught by artists we love, live performances, museum tours, virtual field trips and bedtime stories read by some of our favorite celebrities. 

girl on computer

Laurie Berkner – Free Live-Streamed Concerts

Weekdays 10 am ET

Families can join Laurie, direct from her house, for live “Berkner Break” concerts, streamed most weekday mornings at 10 am ET on her Facebook page. Laurie offers an abundance of songs, playful movement activities, stories, and more, performing such well-loved favorites as “We Are The Dinosaurs” and “The Goldfish (Let’s Go Swimming),” plus educational earworms like “Waiting For The Elevator” and “Look At All The Letters.” 

Additionally, each weekday on Laurie’s social media, she’s posting a video of one of her songs for a morning Berkner Breakfast (7 am ET), an afternoon Berkner Break (3 pm ET), and an evening Berkner Bedtime (7 pm ET).

 

Alastair Moock – Virtual Concerts and Writing Contest 

Grammy-nominated Boston songwriter Alastair Moock performed multiple online concerts for families and students last week, and  he will continue to host shows in the coming weeks for quarantined families. 

Tuesday, Mar 24. at 10:30 am ET  Family Concert (all ages)

Friday, Mar. 27 at 1:30 pm ET  Family Concert (all ages)

Also available for streaming at any time are these previously recorded “virtual assembly programs:”

Playing with Tradition (ages 5-10)

Music and Social Change (ages 11-16)

Finally, Alastair has also announced an essay contest for students in grades K-8 based on a new video for a song called “Be a Pain” from an upcoming album of the same name. For the essay contest, kids are encouraged to pick a name of one of the many historical and present-day leaders featured in the video (from Malcom X and Cesar Chavez to Greta Thunberg and Malala Yousafzai), do some research and write a page about what this person did and how their work affects the world we live in today. Entries are due by Sunday, Mar. 29 and can be emailed to moockmusic5@gmail.com. 

 

Budsies Live Sessions

Budsies is going live on their Facebook page every day this week at 10 am ET. 

Join us at 10 am ET:

Mon., Mar. 23: Virtual field trip to learn about monkeys

Tue., Mar. 24: Reading with Molly the Fire Safety Dog

Wed., Mar. 25: Dancing with Ms. Danielle

Thurs., Mar. 25: Learning to paint

Fri., Mar. 26: Yoga for kids

 

L.O.L. Surprise Boredom Busters

L.O.L. Surprise will be posting #BBsBoredomBusters every day at 1pm PT, to their Facebook and Instagram channels. A tool for parents to help spark inspiration, different activities will include videos, trivia, challenges, activity sheets and more!

 

Brick Loot – LEGO Challenges

Brick Loot has partnered with Tyler Clites of LEGO MASTERS to bring you a daily build challenge. After you finish the challenge, post a picture to Facebook or Instagram #bricklootchallenge. Winners will be picked randomly every day. Build all the challenges and be entered to win the Grand Prize – the new LEGO Fiat set.

 

Cincinnati Zoo – Live Safari

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden will highlight one of their amazing animals each weekday at 3pm ET. Don’t worry if you can’t tune in every day, all of the safaris will be posted on the zoo’s website and on their YouTube page.

 

Mo Willems – Lunch Doodles

Every day at 1 pm ET, the Kennedy Center’s official YouTube account will post a new lesson centering on Willems’ beloved characters.

 

LEGO – #letsbuildtogether

Daily play challenges, new play ideas and live build-a-longs will be shared on social media using the hashtag #letsbuildtogether and at www.lego.com/letsbuildtogether.

 

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Hal Gatewood on Unsplash

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So you want your child to have an appreciation of music beyond Katy Perry, Daniel Tiger or Frozen? Great news! Not only is NYC home to premier music companies and organizations, many create programming just for kids. (Even better: several just launched kids’ music series with programming that will have the whole family singing and grooving until spring.) Here are some of the best places in the city to introduce kids to compositions beyond “Wheels on the Bus” and “Bad Blood.”

art: LOS Kids

LOS Kids
The Little Orchestra Society is all about getting them while they’re young. The organization is staging a new concert series for families this fall, dubbed LOS Kids. The series is recommended for kids ages 3 to 7 and will feature four of the classical giants and their greatest hits. “Mozart! Starting Small to Become Great” will include Magic Flute, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and the Marriage of Figaro; “Dvorak! Exploring the New World” will feature Humoresque, New World Symphony and Slavonic Dance; “Gershwin!: Got Rhythm?” spotlights Rhapsody in Blue, I Got Rhythm and Summertime,” and “Tchaikovsky!: Bigger Than Ballet” rolls out the Nutcracker, Mozartiana, Serenade for Strings and Swan Lake. Tickets are available as 4-concerts subscriptions, 2-concert subscriptions or individually. All concerts take place at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College.

LOS Kids
Sat., Nov. 7 to Sun. March 6
Tickets: starting at $15
The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College
695 Park Ave. at 68th St.
212-971-9500
Online: littleorchestra.org/

photo: Jeffrey Bary via Flickr

BAM Kids
The Brooklyn Academy of Music brings its funky sensibility to kids programming too, and that includes music. The arts organization’s kid’s music series is already underway, and this season will feature a bilingual concert by Sol y Canto for kids ages 2 to 5 (Nov. 7); a jazzy holiday concert by Grammy-winning Jennifer Gasoi for kids 4 to11 years old (Dec. 12), and Brooklyn viola and violin duo Chargaux performing original songs and pop favorite for those 5 to 11 (Jan. 23).

Brooklyn Academy of Music
Nov 7 -Jan. 23
Tickets: $10
Peter Jay Sharp Building
30 Lafayette Ave.
Fort Greene
718-636-4100
Online: bam.org/kids

photo: New York Philharmonic Facebook page

New York Philharmonic  Young People’s Concerts and Very Young People’s Concerts
The New York Philharmonic offers concerts for the tiniest of culture vultures and their parents. Started in the 1960s by Leonard Bernstein, the Saturday afternoon Young People’s Concert series for kids six years old and up explores symphonic music through a theme each season. This year, “Once Upon a Time,” with concerts such as “Fables and Folktales”, “Myths and Legends” and “Babble and Verse” will demonstrate how stories, poems, legends, tales of heroes and villains all come to life in music by great composers. Works by Strauss, Gershwin, Mahler and others will be featured this season.

For even younger kids (children 3 to 6 years old), the New York Philharmonic produces the lively and interactive Very Young People’s Concerts on Sunday afternoons. Designed by Philharmonic musicians together with faculty of Columbia University’s Teacher’s College, Very Young People’s Concerts combine games, storytelling, and great music in one fun-filled hour that unlocks children’s imagination and talent. This season’s theme of “Philharmonic Playground” explores musical concepts such as treble and base, forte and piano, allegro and adagio with works by Bach, Tchaikovsky and Grieg. Check out an example of a Very Young People’s Concert programs here.

Young People’s Concerts
Dec. 12 – May 14
Tickets: $13 and up
David Geffen Hall
10 Lincoln Center Plaza
Upper West Side
212-875-5656
Online: nyphil.org

Very Young People’s Concerts
Nov. 8 – April 4
Tickets: $24 and up
Merkin Concert Hall
129 W. 67th St.
Upper West Side
212-875-5656
Online: nyphil.org

photo: Carnegie Hall/Stephanie Berger

Carnegie Hall Carnegie Kids
Carnegie Hall is so serious about introducing young kids to music its concerts are free. Now entering its 20th season, the interactive concert series Carnegie Kids is developed for children ages 3 to six and features a diverse slate of performers and musical genres, from funk and bluegrass to “Indie Hindi”, Latin and classic kindie rock. Acts appearing in the 2015-26 season include Songs for Unusual Creatures, Shine and the Moonbeams and Little Big Tiny.

This season will also include two large orchestral concerts in the Stern Ausitorium/Perelman Stage just for families. We’re super psyched for the Carnegie Hall Family Concert: The New York Pops A Charlie Brown Christmas celebrating the 50th anniversary of the classic holiday special. The  December 20 concert will include a singalong, dance, a reading of the story and other surprises. (This one isn’t free, but ticket prices start at $10. Buy now: tickets are going fast!)

Carnegie Kids
November 15 – June 12
Tickets: free
Carnegie Hall
154 W. 57th St.
Upper West Side
212-247-7800
Online: carnegiehall.org

What’s your favorite spot in the city to catch a concert with kids? Tell us in the comments below!

—Mimi O’Connor

With the GRAMMY awards in LA, the rockers are in town!  It’s not often that you get to see one Grammy nominated artist in concert anymore, let alone all 5 performers nominated for best album of the year. The fact that it’s Best Children’s Album is all the better – it means you can take your kids, and rock out together to your favorite bands, and discover some new favorites, too.

photo courtesy of the Okee Dokee Brothers

We got the scoop and asked these 5 super talented artists why they prefer performing for the wee ones. See what they said, and then catch all five of them in concert on February 7th, the day before the Grammy Awards.

The Okee Dokee Brothers  Through the Woods
These 2013 Children’s Album GRAMMY winners are back with an album that was was created as they hiked the Appalachian Trail, and takes kids on a journey of old time mountain music in the great outdoors. They’ll totally make you want to spend the next day hiking!

Why they love rocking with kids: “Our favorite thing about playing music for kids and families is seeing the joy kids get from watching, not us, but their parents/guardians drop their inhibitions and participate in the show. We love providing a positive circumstance that allows parents to connect with their kids in a new way.”

photo credit: Eric Waterman

The Pop Ups  Appetite for Construction  
The Pop Ups are one of the top touring bands in the nation, and they’ve won tons awards and national radio play for their modern pop sounds and magical musical puppet shows.  Which is all well and good, but we adore them for their witty lyrics and dance-able beats. (And for riffing their new album title on the best G N’ R album from our own misbegotten hairband rock days…)

Why they love rocking with kids: Jacob Stein says: “We get to dress up like robots, work with puppets, make live drawings, play electric guitar, do dance routines, sing in public, tell lots of jokes…What’s not to like?” And Jason Rabinowitz says: “Kids like to have fun.  And we like to have fun.  So, we’re a pretty good match. Kids are the best audience ever. They have no hidden agendas.”

photo credit: Jayme Thornton

Brady Rymer   Just Say Hi!  
Brady and his Little Band That Could play a variety of instruments and blend harmonies for a rootsy, exuberant, and joyous collection of original songs celebrating friendship and family life.  We kind of think he sounds like a kid-friendly Tom Petty. To which we say, yes, please!

Why he loves rocking with kids: “It’s an amazing feeling to play music that feels good and important to me, and see kids and their families connecting with it – dancing, singing, laughing and gettin’ their ya-ya’s out!  The shared experience is so gratifying…I always leave a family concert feeling a little bit brighter, lighter, happier & inspired, and I try and pass that spirit along every time I play.”

photo credit: Mike Bellem

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo  The Perfect Quirk 
This band offers straight-up funk and “kid hop” that is never dumbed down.   Skidoo brings to the stage a musically sophisticated and lyrically intelligent half-pint dance party. His latest album celebrates diversity and funkiness, lifting up the underdog.

Why they love rocking with kids: “Cactus” – the band leader for Secret Agent 23 Skidoosays, “Having rocked at crazy festivals, house parties, and bars at 2 a.m. for grown ups, and also at crazy festivals, zoos, and schools at 2 p.m. for kids, I gotta say that a hyped up group of half pints is the best crowd a musician could ever dream of. Ask them to dance, they dance like the floor’s made of hot lava, and ask them to shout, they just might drown you out! If we could harness that energy, space travel would be a breeze.”

photo courtesy of Neela Vaswani

Neela Vaswani – I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World
This is the only non-musical nominee this year. Narrated by Neela Vaswani and featuring a prologue and epilogue read by Malala herself, this powerful New York Times best-selling young readers’ audio edition will open kids’ eyes to another world and will make anyone believe in hope, truth, miracles and the possibility that one person can inspire change in her community and beyond.

Why she loves reading to kids: “Recording and performing for kids feels powerful, like I’m making more of a lasting difference.  Kids’ joy and responses are so immediate and vivid. They’re more challenging as an audience, too; if you’re not holding their attention it’s very clear!”

You’ve met them, now go see them!
Gather up the kids and catch this special one-hour Grammy kids concert with all five nominees performing. Tickets are just $12 (in advance, $15 at the door), but this annual celebration of music for families always sells out in advance, so buy your tickets now before they’re all gone.

Children’s Grammy Award Nominee Concert
Musicians Institute Concert Hall
6752 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
February 7 at 10:30 a.m.
Tickets are available at brownpapertickets.com.

*All the proceeds from the concert will benefit Little Kids Rock.

What’s your kiddo’s fave music? We need more great recs, like these cool artists, for our 2015 playlist.  Let us know in the Comments, below.

-Meghan Rose