Jingle your way to Long Island Children's Museum (LICM) for a season brimming with holiday cheer, cultural exploration, and winter fun.
Throughout December, visitors can explore the symbols associated with Hanukkah, Las Posadas, Christmas, and Kwanzaa, celebrating the diversity of holiday cultures and traditions. Kids can also slip on a pair of booties and glide on LICM’s Snowflake Sock Skating rink, enjoy a musical adaptation of Leo Lionni’s beloved book “Frederick,” make winter wreaths, and lots more. It all ends with LICM’s popular New Year’s “Countdown to 12” Times Square-style event.
December 2023 Program Calendar
LICM Theater presents “Frederick”
Friday, Dec. 1 at 10:15 a.m. & noon
Saturdays, Dec. 2, 9, 23 and 30 at 11:30 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 5 through Friday, Dec. 8 at 10:15 a.m. & noon
Tuesday, Dec. 12 through Friday, Dec. 15 at 10:15 a.m. & noon
Sunday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 20 and Thursday, Dec. 21 at 10:15 a.m. & noon
Wednesday, Dec. 27 through Friday, Dec. 29 at 11:30 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Based on the book by Leo Lionni
Book by Suzanne Maynard Miller
Music and Lyrics by Sarah Durkee and Paul Jacobs
It’s a beautiful sunny summer day in the meadow! Mouse friends Nellie, Sunny, Baby, Ernest, and Frederick are playing their musical instruments and having fun singing, until a leaf falls from the sky…autumn is here! Winter will be coming soon! All the mice get to work gathering supplies for winter, except…where is Frederick? He is gathering supplies, too, in his own unique way. With toe-tapping Americana music inspired by bluegrass, gospel, and folk, Frederick is an engaging, energetic story about the power of the arts community, and that no mouse gets left behind.
Ages: 3 and up. Fee: $10 with museum admission ($8 Members), $14 Theater only.
Photo courtesy of Alan Miller Public Relations, Ltd.
Winter Wreaths
Tuesdays-Fridays (Dec.1-22) from 2:30-4 p.m.
Kids can bring the warmth of the holiday season home by making a festive winter wreath.
All ages. Free with Museum admission.
Happy Hanukkah
Sunday, Dec. 3 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Kids can get ready for Hanukkah by learning all about dreidels, the game’s history, and rules. Plus, they can decorate their own dreidel to take home. This is a drop-in program; it takes approximately 10 minutes and is yours to keep.
Ages: 3 and up. Free with Museum admission.
LI Warriors Sock Hockey Clinic
Saturday, Dec. 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Kids can join members of the LI Warriors in a Snowflake Sock Skating exhibit for a hockey clinic to add some skills to their sock skating game. They’ll learn about stick handling and passing as they master wrist and slap shots on the LICM "ice."
The LI Warriors is a not-for-profit recreational hockey program and team for military veterans, active military, and reserves.
Ages: 3 and up. Free with Museum admission.
Las Posadas Poinsettias
Saturday, Dec. 16 from noon to 2 p.m.
Las Posadas are a popular tradition in Mexico and parts of Latin America. Children will learn about the story of La Flor de Nochebuena and the significance of poinsettias during this holiday season and make their own paper flowers to take home. This is a drop-in program; it takes approximately 10 minutes and is yours to keep.
Ages: 3 and up. Free with Museum admission.
Let’s Skate!
Sunday, Dec. 17 from 1 to 3 p.m.
New York is one of the best places to enjoy outdoor and pond skating. Kids can make their own winter wonderland scene complete with a moving skater. This is a drop-in program; it takes approximately 10 minutes and is yours to keep.
Ages: 3 and up. Free with Museum admission.
Christmas Star Ornaments
Saturday, Dec. 23 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Come celebrate with LICM by making sparkling Christmas Star, also known as the Star of Bethlehem, ornaments. Learn all about this important symbol and its meaning. This is a drop-in program; it takes approximately 10 minutes and is yours to keep.
Ages: 3 and up. Free with Museum admission.
Snow Pal Puppets
Tuesday, Dec. 26 through Friday, Dec. 29 from noon to 2 p.m.
Stop by the Green Studio and get crafty as kids create some winter magic by bringing our own paper bag snow friends to life.
Ages: 3 and up. Free with Museum admission.
STEM Explorers: Snow & Ice
Wednesday, Dec. 27 from noon to 2 p.m.
Join the Green Teens and learn about our coldest season. Children will make a beautiful wintry keepsake to take home.
STEM Explorers, powered by Green Teens, is made possible with the support of National Grid.
Ages: 3 and up. Free with Museum admission.
Celebrate Kwanzaa
Thursday, Dec. 28 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Celebrate Kwanzaa at LICM! Kwanzaa is a week-long holiday that celebrates African American culture and heritage. Kids can join the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority to learn about the rich traditions and meaning behind Kwanzaa while creating festive symbols of this holiday.
Ages: 5 and up. Free with Museum admission.
Snowball Popper
Saturday, Dec. 30 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Children can design their very own pom pom tossing snow friend to take home. This is a drop-in program; it takes approximately 10 minutes and is yours to keep.
Ages: 3 and up. Free with Museum admission.
Special Event: Countdown to 12! - Let Your Light Shine in 2024
Sunday, Dec. 31 from noon to 4 p.m.
Celebrate the New Year in New York’s famous Times Square-style! This year’s event will be filled with fun themed activities, ball drops (noon & 4 p.m.), live music, and confetti-filled dance parties.
All activities are drop-in and run from noon- 3:45 p.m. while supplies last.
Countdown to 12! is made possible with the support of Bank of America
All ages. Free with Museum admission.
The Long Island Children’s Museum is located at 11 Davis Avenue in Garden City. Museum admission: $17 for adults and children over 1 year old, $16 for seniors, FREE to museum members and children under 1 year old. Additional fees for theater and special programs may apply. For additional information, contact 516-224-5800 or visit the LICM website.
About the Long Island Children’s Museum
Long Island Children’s Museum (LICM) is a dynamic and innovative museum dedicated to providing enriching experiences for children and families. Through interactive exhibits, engaging programs, and creative workshops, LICM sparks curiosity, ignites imagination, and fosters a lifelong love of learning. With interactive galleries, a theater, and a host of special events, LICM is a place where children can explore, discover, and create.
