Animal events, Santa skydiving top kids' weekend fun in the Hudson Valley
Photo credit: Handout | Kids can meet and learn about live animals Thanksgiving weekend at Hudson Highlands Nature Museum in Cornwall (pictured), or lend a hand at feeding time at Teatown Lake Reservation in Ossining.
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Katonah Museum of Art
Looking for family activities other than shopping for the weekend after Thanksgiving? Hudson Valley kids can have an up-close encounter with live animals, see Santa perform a daring feat, get creative at an art museum or attend a Christmas tree lighting. It’s all happening this weekend, and we’ve got the details here.
Friday-Sunday: Nature museum “Holiday Open Days” in Cornwall
For the three days following Thanksgiving, it’s all about animals at the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum. All weekend, families can buy a Sponsor-an-Animal package and receive a small plush animal. Kids can see and learn about live animals at “Meet the Animals” programs throughout the weekend. The museum will also offer a school break mini-camp for children in kindergarten-third grade Friday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., featuring crafts, activities and a short hike ($22, $17 for members); preregistration is required for minicamp.
When: Noon-4 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Nov. 23-25; “Meet the Animals” programs are at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.,
Info: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center, Muser Drive across from 174 Angola Rd., Cornwall; 845-534-5506, ext. 204; www.hhnaturemuseum.org; $3 admission; free for members and children under 3
Friday: See Santa skydive in Modena
Watch the skies in Modena for a glimpse of Santa Clause in flight. St. Nick will soar over Hurd’s Family Farm -- in a plane instead of a sleigh -- before making a daring parachute plunge down to the Christmas tree farm to celebrate the opening day.
When: Noon Friday, Nov. 23
Info: Hurd’s Family Farm, 2187 Route 32, Modena; 845-883-7825; www.hurdsfamilyfarm.com; free
Friday: “School’s Out, Art’s In” in Katonah
Kids ages 3-12 with an adult are invited to drop in on their day off and try their hands at exciting art projects such as flip books, cartoon drawing and cut-paper animation. A teaching artist will lead the children in various projects inspired by the museum’s exhibition, “Ice Age” to the Digital Age: The 3-D Animation Art of Blue Sky Studios.
When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23
Info: Katonah Museum of Art, 134 Jay St., Katonah; 914-232-9555; katonahmuseum.org; $7 for adults (free for members), $6 for children ($3 for members)
Saturday: Animal feast in Ossining
Are turkey and stuffing on the menu for Teatown’s animal ambassadors Thanksgiving weekend? Find out at the “Animal Feast,” a 90-minute program where children can learn about what rabbits and turtles eat in the wild, and even lend a hand to the animal caregivers at feeding time.
When: 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 24
Info: Teatown Lake Reservation, 1600 Spring Valley Rd., Ossining; 914-762-2912; teatown.org; $5, free for members
Sunday: Christmas tree lighting in Lake Katrine
The Town of Ulster will celebrate the start of the holiday season with a 90-minute tree lighting ceremony. The event will include refreshments, Christmas carols and a live musical performance by the Miller School Brass Ensemble. Boys and girls of all ages can listen to Mrs. Clause read some favorite holiday stories and see Santa make a flashy arrival on an Ulster Hose fire truck.
When: 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25
Info: Town of Ulster Hall, 1 Town Hall Dr., Lake Katrine; 845-706-4440; townofulster.org; free
