Events

Sat., Jan. 15 to Mon., Jan. 17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: I was walking down the street with my 4-year-old today when she said, “Mom, you know that Marfa Lewis Keen?” I said, “Hmm?” She said, “You know, Marfa Lewis Keen, that man who died. It’s his birthday. When is that?”

Clearly, I’ll have to educate my child, perhaps with a visit to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, which is holding extended hours for a three-day celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. The museum is honoring King and other civil rights heroes and inventors with hands-on programs for all ages.

The museum’s annual weekend celebration for King’s birthday features a variety of  programs, including storytelling and dancing from the play The Hat Seller and the Monkey and more.

Sat., Jan. 15, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.: Spotlight: Coretta Scott King

An activist and iconic figure of civil rights in the United States, Coretta Scott King was a Civil Rights Movement leader. Use your mind’s eye to design a creative craft about the King family as we see how she carried on the legacy of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ages 6+

1 p.m.: W.O.R.D. UP! Words of Real Distinction Reading series featuring Yvette D. Clarke.

W.O.R.D. UP! Present a unique opportunity for lifelong learners to share and enjoy the power of literacy. Join us for a special reading and meet & greet by Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, reading a Sweet Smell of Roses by Angela Johnson (Illustrated by Eric Velasquez) & A Child’s Goodnight Book by Margaret Wise Brown (pictures by Jean Charlot) in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Due to popular demand we recommend arriving early to W.O.R.D UP! as seating is on first-come, first-served basis.

2 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Invention Convention

Learn about African-American inventors. Then get your thinking caps on for problem solving. Ages 5 and up.

2 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Art Works

Visit the Totally Tots Art Studio and see what activity is in store for your young Picasso. Ages 5 and under.

Sun., Jan., 16:

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.: Meet and Greet: Creatures of the Sea

Discover how diverse life really is under the sea  by exploring animals up close and personal! All ages.

12 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Coretta Scott King

An activist and iconic figure of civil rights in the United States, Coretta Scott King was a Civil Rights Movement leader. Use your mind’s eye to design a creative craft about the King family as we see how she carried on the legacy of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ages 6+

1 p.m. to 3 p.m.: MetLife Early Learner Performance: The Hat Seller and the Monkey

Assist performers from Play Me A Story in the telling of folk tale, The Hat Seller and the Monkey. Enjoy the beautiful handmade preps, costumes and sets, as we create a magical world of storytelling, music, and dancing. Made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, celebrating 50 years of building strong, creative communities in New York State’s 62 counties. All Ages.

1 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Kitchen Chemistry: Pumping Iron

How much iron is really is your breakfast cereal? We’ll use all our science Trix and put those O’s to a Total test. Ages 5+.

2 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Art Works

Visit the Totally Tots Art Studio and see what activity is in store for your young Picasso. Ages 5 and under.

4 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Live Animal Encounter

Learn about and touch live animals from the Museum’s living exhibit. All Ages.

Mon., Jan. 17:

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.: MLK Weekend Spotlight: Coretta Scott King

An activist and iconic figure of civil rights in the United States, Coretta Scott King was a Civil Rights Movement leader. Use your mind’s eye to design a creative craft about the King family as we see how she carried on the legacy of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ages 6+

2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Adinkra  Stamping Fun

Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday by making an art piece using African Adinkra symbols of hope, love and friendship to take home. Ages 5 and under.

2 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Big Ideas about FREEDOM!

A look at the historic and present-day struggles for freedom, social justice and human right. From slavery to suffrage to civil rights, this exciting, highly interactive show traces America’s never-ending quest for equality, fairness and liberty. Made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, celebrating 50 years of building strong, creative communities in New York State’s 62 counties. All Ages.

General Museum Information:

Winter Hours: Dec. 1 to Feb. 28: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tues. to Sun., Closed Mon.

The Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the following holidays: Mon., Jan. 17: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Mon., Feb. 21 to Fri., Feb 25: Mid-Winter Recess

$7.50 per person. Museum members and children under 1 enter for free.

All programs during normal museum hours are free with Museum admission.

Admission to the Museum will be free on every Thurs., 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on the second and fourth full weekend of every month, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., except on holiday weekends. (Does not apply to school, camp, or other organized groups.)

The Brooklyn Children’s Museum

718.735.4400

145 Brooklyn Ave.

www.brooklynkids.org