Plenty On Tap For Kids This Week

The excitement of tearing into Christmas presents is wearing off and Sunday's warm temperatures melted away all the snow so sleigh riding is out but parents need not fret because there's plenty of activities on tap this week to keep busy.

The Garden City Public Library is ringing in the New Year slightly early with a party for young adults on Wednesday, Dec. 30 at 7:30 p.m. A DJ will spin the latest tunes and partygoers will count down with sparkling cider and noise makers. The Garden City Library is located at 60 7th Street. Registration for this program is ongoing; call 516-742-8405.

Join musician Billy Kelly and the Blah Blah Blahs at the Long Island Children's Museum (LICM) and take a musical and multimedia tour of the imagination Wednesday, Dec. 30 at 1 and 3 p.m. The live show features drawings, jokes, songs and more. Dance and sing along if the music moves you. This show is appropriate for children ages 3 and up and is $4 with museum admission ($3 for LICM members) or $8 for theater only.

December is Celebrations! Month at the LICM. Don't miss the "Noon" Year's Eve celebration Thursday, Dec. 31 and count down to 12 Times Square-style. Theme craft activities and live music kicks off at 12:30 p.m. At 4 o'clock, ring in 2010 with a ball drop. This event is appropriate for children of all ages and is free with museum admission (general admission is $10; $9 for visitors 65+and free for members and children under 1. Group rates ($8) are available by reservation; call 516-224-5869.

Also on Thursday, Dec. 31, at 1:30 p.m. enjoy a performance by LICM favorite Louie Miranda and the El Louie Show. Join him in the theater for stories, music and friends. He's even going to stick around for the 4 p.m. ball drop.

Tickets may be purchased with a credit card (American Express, MasterCard or Visa) by calling 516-224-5801 until 4 p.m. the day before the performance. There are no phone sales the day of the event; same day tickets however may be purchased at the box office on a first come, first serve basis. This show is appropriate for children ages 3 and up and is free with museum admission. LICM is located at 11 Davis Avenue, on Museum Row in Garden City.

The Garden City Recreation Department is conducting a holiday break gym program in the St. Paul's Field House today. This program is open to Garden City residents according to the following schedule: children in kindergarten and first grade can play from 9 to 10:30 a.m.; second and third graders from 10:30 a.m. to noon; fourth, fifth and sixth graders from noon to 2 p.m.; children in grades 7-12 can enjoy supervised open play from 2 to 6 p.m.; and college students can shoot hoops from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Keep it educational this week and teach your kids the importance of fire safety at the Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center. Instructors use imaginative props in a theater setting to help youngsters learn how everyday activities could possibly result in fires or injuries. Your kids will have the opportunity to participate in a home exit drill under simulated fire conditions. 

The museum, located at One Davis Avenue on Museum Row in Garden City, is open today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Thursday, New Year's Eve, until 2 p.m.  Adult tickets are $4 while children gain admission for $3.50. The museum also offers a special discount to seniors 62+, volunteer firemen and non-ambulatory visitors ($3.50). Call 516-572-4066 for more information.