What To Do: Kids Stuff Spring 2014

From Doc Gooden to Snow White, pancakes to Swedish meatballs, fishing to bear hunting (sort of)

March

Lend Me a Tenor at Chappaqua High School: The Horace Greeley High School Performing Arts Department presents its winter play Lend Me a Tenor, the 1986 comedy by Ken Ludwig that received 9 Tony Award nominations and won for Best Actor (Philip Bosco) and Best Director (Jerry Zaks.) Thurs, 3/6: 7:30pm; Fri-Sat, 3/7-8: 8pm; (Horace Greeley HS Performing Arts Center, 70 Roaring Brook Rd., Chappaqua) Box office: 914.238,7201 ext. 2302; http://hg.ccsd.ws)

Fiddler on the Roof at BHHS: Byram Hills Stage 2014 presents their Spring Musical Fiddler on the Roof. The original Broadway production, starring Zero Mostel, was the first Broadway musical to run for over 3,000 performances and won 9 Tony Awards. Thurs, 3/6: 79n, Fri, 3/7: 8pm, Sat, 3/8: 3 & 8pm. (Byram Hills HS, 10 Tripp Ln., Armonk) For tickets: 273.9200 ext. 4550 or stagetkts@byramhills.org 

Hudson River Museum Planetarium Re-opens: See a million stars in the Hudson River Museum’s new, state-of-the-art, digital Planetarium. The Museum’s Planetarium is the only public planetarium between New York City and Albany, and will resume regularly scheduled shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 12:30, 2 and 3:30 pm starting Sat, 3/8. (511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers; www.hrm.org)

Sugarfest 2014 at Westmoreland Sanctuary: Have a pancake feast and learn about the harvesting and processing techniques used by the Native Americans and the early colonists through to the present day. Learn to tap a tree and how to tell the difference between real and imitation maple syrup – other than price, that is. Sat-Sun, 3/8: 9:30 & 11:30am. Music by The Nannyhagen Creek Band and the Fox Lane Music Ensemble. Call or register online. (260 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Mt. Kisco; 914.666.8448; www.westmorelandsanctuary.org)

Playtime at the Palace: Story Pirates: Story Pirates with puppets, catchy songs and outrageous sketches entertain the kids and help them write their own adventures. Story topics run the gamut, from Kung Fu Ninja babies fighting crime to cats flying and tickle-monsters who rule the world. Sun, 3/9: 3pm (Stamford Center for the Arts, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.stamfordcenterforthearts.com)

PRC BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT, County Center: Youth Basketball Tournament from the Westchester County Parks Department. Register with your local Recreation Department. Mon-Wed, 3/10-13, 3/17-19 & 3/24-27: 5pm. (198 Central Ave., White Plains, 914-995-4050; www.countycenter.biz)

Big East Men’s Basketball Tournament, Madison Square Garden: Nationally ranked Villanova (6) and Creighton (13) are in the hunt for the Big East Title. Semi-final games: Fri, 3/14: 7pm. Tournament Championship: Sat, 3/15: 8:30pm. (www.thegarden.com)

Pancake Brunch at Teatown Lake Reservation: When the sugaring season comes to an end … the pancake season begins. Start your day with hot cakes, maple syrup, sausages and coffee. Then go to Warren’s Sugar House for maple syrup folklore and a demonstration of how “liquid gold” is made. Sat, 3/15: 8:30am-12: 15pm. (1600 Spring Valley Rd., Ossining; www.teatown.org)

Vernal Pool Hike at Muscoot Farm: Join naturalist Paul Lewis for a hike to the vernal pools at Muscoot Farm. Discover wood frogs, salamanders and fairy shrimp. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Sun, 3/23: 1-3pm. (Muscoot Farm, Rt. 100, Somers www.muscootfarm.org)

Global Village Day, BHHS: Entertainment, food and crafts from 9 countries. Taste Shepherd’s Pie, Chicken Kebabs and Swedish Meatballs. Make an Indonesian shadow puppet, a Swedish Dala Horse, or a Brazilian carnival mask. Watch Irish step dancing, Balinese dancing, Moroccan belly dancing and listen to Swedish folk songs. Presented by the Byram Hills PTSA. Sat, 3/29: 11am-4pm. (Byram Hills H.S., 12 Tripp Ln., Armonk)

WHUD Radio Kids Fair, County Center: A day of sports, games, science experiments, computer/public safety/environmental education and live entertainment for kids, 3-13, and their families. The WHUD Kids Fair supports The H.O.P.E. For Youth Foundation and Children’s Charities in the Hudson Valley. Sat, 3/29: 11am-5pm. (198 Central Ave., White Plains; www.countycenter.biz)

Playtime at the Palace: Silent Slapstick: MoMA’s famous silent film accompanist/historian Ben Model presents 3 short slapstick silent comedies from the ‘20s. (Kids’ll love it. We’d love it.) Sun, 3/30: 3pm. (Stamford Center for the Arts, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.stamfordcenterforthearts.com)

April

Legally Blonde, Horace Greeley Senior Musical: Horace Greeley High School seniors present Legally Blonde, based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name. The musical with music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin premiered on Broadway in 2007 and was nominated for 7 Tony Awards. Thurs, 4/3: 7pm, Fri, 4/4: 8pm, Sat, 4/5: 2 & 8pm. (HGHS,  70 Roaring Brook Rd., Chappaqua; www.hg.ccsd.ws)

Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza in Armonk: Wear boots and bring a bag to North Castle Recreation’s annual egg hunt for boys and girls pre-K through grade 5. Sat, 4/5: 10:30am. (Community Park, 205 Business Park Dr., Armonk) And Sat 4/5: 12:30pm. (North Castle Community Center Fields, 10 Clove Road, N.W. Plains) Rain Date: Sat, 4/12. (www.northcastleny.com)

Photo by Christine Yeres

4th Annual Fishing Derby at Gedney Pond: New Castle Recreation & Parks Department stocks Gedney Pond with a variety of fish for this catch-and-take home event! With prizes and give-aways to keep the competition going. Reservoir Bait ‘n’ Tackle will be on hand with bait and equipment available for purchase. Ages 6 and up. Pre-register by Fri, 3/28 at the Recreation Department office or online. Sun, 4/6: 11am. (Gedney Park, Rt. 133, Chappaqua; www.mynewcastle,org)

Galumpha: Three performers serve up skits from the ridiculous to the sublime incorporating acrobatics, visual effects, physical comedy and choreography. Pieces feature experiments in human architecture set to music by Rachmaninoff, Mahler and the virtuoso Czech band Jablkon. “Superb, even spellbinding physical control.” – The New York Times. They have appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, MTV, Showtime, and A&E. Sat, 4/5: 11am, 1:30pm. (Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Ln, Mamaroneck; www.emelin.org)

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, PAC: The Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia returns to PAC with a triple bill of Eric Carle favorites: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Little Cloud and The Mixed-Up Chameleon. Sun, 4/6: 3pm. (Performing Arts Center, Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org)

Playtime at the Palace: Puppets in Education: The Monkey Boys teach your children how to create a show with their own stuffed animals and how to create puppets with simple construction techniques! Some of the children’s creations are used in a short show at the end of the class. Sun, 4/6^: 3pm. (Stamford Center for the Arts, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.stamfordcenterforthearts.com)

National High School Basketball Tournament, Madison Square Garden: Watch future D-1 stars as top nationally ranked high school basketball teams come to Madison Square Garden for the 6^th annual boys and girls’ championship games. Sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods. It doesn’t get any better than this. Sat, 4/5: 10am (girls) 12pm (boys). Tickets start at $19. www.tickets) 

Disney Live Pirate & Princess Adventure, County Center: Take a journey to the world of Enchancia, where Sofia, her stepsiblings Amber and James, and the entire kingdom are preparing for the annual friendship festival. Sofia has the honor of delivering the perfect gift to her royal subjects at the celebration, and Cinderella visits the castle to help Sofia find the right present.Thurs-Fri, 4/10-11: 7pm,Sat, 4/12: 11am, 3pm & 7pm, Sun, 4/13: 1 & 5 pm. (198 Central Avenue, White Plains; www.countycenter.biz)

Get Real: Dwight “Doc” Gooden, Ridgefield Playhouse: One of the greatest pitchers of all-time tells his bruisingly honest story of addiction and recovery. Dwight Gooden shares the most intimate moments of his successes and failures, from endless self-destructive drug binges to three World Series rings. Recommended for families and teens. Thur, 4/10: 7:30pm. (Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefiledplayhouse.org) 

Sid the Science Kid, Tarrytown Music Hall: The popular PBS Kids television show, produced by The Jim Henson Company, comes to life in this live stage experience! With mysteries to explain and wonders to discover, Sid and his friends set off on a day of excitement and adventure, asking curious questions and finding cool answers. Sat, 4/12: 2pm. (Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main St. Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)

Ballet for Young Audiences: Snow White, White Plains Performing Arts Center: Ballet for Young Audiences presents full-stage productions, narrated to ensure understanding of the dance vocabulary for young audiences. Their new production of Snow White, based on the Grimm tale, features a beautiful princess, a wicked Step queen, 7 comical dwarves, 3 Princes, 4 children and a narrator. Sat, 4/12: 11am, 2 pm. (11 City Pl. White Plains; www.wppac.com)

Sheep to Shawl, Phillipsburg Manor: Sheep ready to lose their winter coats are shorn by hand just like in the 18th century. Scottish border collies herd sheep and corral ducks. Costumed interpreters demonstrate wool dyeing, spinning, and weaving, and lead hands-on activities. With storyteller Jonathan Kruk. Sat-Sun, 4/12-13: 10am-5pm. (381 North Broadway, Sleepy Hollo; www.hudsonvalley.org) 

Day & Night Egg Hunts in Bedford: Kids, ages 2-10, hunt by day. Festivities include photo ops with the Spring Bunny, magic by Joe Barney of Center Ring Productions, and the egg hunt. BYO baskets. Tues, 4/15:10am. (John Jay Homestead, Rt. 22, Katonah) Kids, grades 3-7 hunt at night. Bring a flashlight for the hunting and a bag for the goodies. Registration required with Bedford Recreation. Wed, 4/16: 7:45pm. (Bedford Village Memorial Park; Greenwich Rd., Bedford, 666.7004; www.bedfordny.gov)

Sesame Street Live presents Elmo Makes Music, The Palace Theatre: When the new music teacher’s instruments go missing, Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird, and friends come to the rescue and discover instruments they never knew existed. Children learn that everyone can make and enjoy beautiful music together! Tues, 4/15: 7 pm, Wed, 4/16: 10:30am & 7 pm.  (Stamford Center for the Arts, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.stamfordartscenter.org)

Chappaqua Fire Department Egg Hunt: The Chappaqua Fire Department Egg Hunt kicks off at 1pm on Sun, 4/20 at Chappaqua Crossing, Rt. 177/Roaring Brook Rd. The Bunny will be cruising downtown Chappaqua on Sat, 4/19 from 12:30-1:30pm.

Seussical: Adapted from the Broadway version, this adaptation for young audiences featuring thirteen actors is Theatreworks USA’s biggest show ever. The Cat in the Hat is your host, emcee, and all-around mischief-maker in this romp through the Seuss classics. Ages 4+. Sat, 4/26: 11am & 1:30pm. (Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Ln, Mamaroneck; www.emelin.org)  

Mommy, Teddy and Me Tea, Caramoor: This event includes an I Spy tour and a hot-chocolate (& whipped cream!) Tea Party including finger sandwiches and cookies for moms and kids ages 4 and up. The event includes and I Spy tour and hot chocolate with whipped cream. Cookies for Teddy too. Sun, 4/27: 2pm. (Rosen House, Caramoor,  149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah: www.caramoor.com)

May

Carnivals: Carnival season offers a host of local events for kids and teens. Up first, Spring Fling 2014 at the Bedford Community Church. This free bi-lingual event for families with children through grade 5, offers carnival games, races, face painting, bounce houses, crafts tables, a story tent, and a petting zoo. Sat, 5/3: 1-4pm. (160 Bedford Center Rd., Bedford Hills: bedfordcommunitychurch.org) The Rosenthal JCC Children’s Carnival has rides, games, refreshments and entertainment for all ages including bumper cars, trackless train ride, zip line, carousel, rock climbing, bouncy castle, magician, variety show, sports games, fairy and pirate show, come ‘n drum and music. Sun, 5/4: 11am-4pm. (Rain date 5/18.) (RJCC, 600 Bear Ridge Rd., Pleasantville; rosenthaljcc.org) 39th St. Patrick’s School Carnival: One of the state’s biggest grossing carnivals, this event raises money for educational ministries of the parish. With full-scale carnival rides and games for kids and teens, food, cotton candy and a big-prize raffle worth $25,000. Tues-Sun: 5/13-18. (483 Old Post Road, Bedford; stpatricks.org)  Katonah Fire Department Carnival: The 2014 Katonah Fire Department Carnival kicks off with the annual Fireman’s Parade on Wed, 6/4: 7-11pm. The carnival continues on Thurs, 6/5: 6-10pm, Fri, June 6/6: 6-11pm and Sat, 6/7: 1-11pm. Ride all night for one price on Thursday and again on Saturday. (Katonah Fire Department, 65 Bedford Rd., Katonah) www.katonahfd.org 40th Armonk Lions Club Fol de Rol: Ride the Ripcord, Tornado and Tilt-a-Whirl. Visit the fun house. With carnival games, pony rides, music, food and prizes. There’s even a Crafts Fair for adults whose Ripcord days have passed them by. The Armonk Lions sell raffle tickets to support various charities including Guiding Eyes for the Blind and diabetes camps. Thurs-Sun, 6/5-8. (Wampus Brook Park, 28 Maple Ave., Armonk; armonklions.org)

The Wizard of Oz: Follow the yellow brick road as you join in Dorothy’s adventures over the rainbow with the Tin man, Scarecrow, Lion, and of course, the Wizard himself. This full-scale musical production comes from American Family Theatre, the nation’s premier producer of musicals for families and young audiences. Sat, 5/3: 11am & 2pm.(Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org) 

BINGO NIGHT in Bedford: Pizza, Bingo, prizes and dessert for grades 2-7 from Bedford Recreation. Sat, 5/3: 6-8:30pm. (Bedford Hills Community House, 74 Main St., Bedford Hills; www.bedfordny.gov)

New Event! LIGHTSCAPES: a new event from the creators of the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze. This springtime garden fantasy from the creators of the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is a nighttime display of sculpture, light, sound and special effects. Recycled elements are eco-friendly building blocks for intergalactic flora and woodland creatures. Otherworldly mushrooms, floating fairies, butterflies, a massive praying mantis, a super-size birdhouse, and a dino-sized egg are among the state of the art illuminations you’ll find set against the natural landscape and specimen trees of Van Cortland Manor. Squiggle through an enormous caterpillar and walk through a giant garden maze. Fri-Sat in May & Sun 5/25: timed walk-throughs: 8, 8:30, 9:, 9:30, 10pm. (Van Cortland Manor, 525 S Riverside, Croton-on-Hudson; www.hudsonvalley.org)

Rosenthal JCC Children’s Carnival: Rides, games, refreshments, and entertainment for all ages including bumper cars, trackless train ride, zip line, carousel, rock climbing, bouncy castle, magician, variety show, sports games and relays, fairy and pirate show, come ‘n drum, music with Tyler Miller and Yom Haatzmaut with Koby. Sun, 5/4: 11am-4pm. (Rain date 5/18.) (RJCC, 600 Bear Ridge Rd., Pleasantville; www.rosenthaljcc.org)

Bedford Fishing Derby: The Bedford Recreation Department’s 14th annual Fishing Derby at Lake Marie is open to kids to age 15. Volunteers will help young anglers bait hooks and provide fishing tips. Prizes are awarded throughout the day. Pre-register at the Bedford Hills recreation office by Fri, 5/2. Sun, 5/4: 12-3pm. (Bedford Hills Memorial Park, Haines Rd., Bedford Hill; www.bedfordny.info)

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Emelin Theatre: Michael Rosen’s award-winning book We’re Going On A Bear Hunt is brought to the stage in director Sally Cookson’s adaptation set to Benji Bower’s score. Join the intrepid adventurers on their quest to find a bear as they wade through the gigantic swishy-swashy grass, the splishy-splashy river, and the oozy-squelchy mud. “A fun-filled frolic.” – The Guardian. Sat, 5/10: 11 am & 1:30 pm. (153 Library Ln, Mamaroneck; www.emelin.org) 

Learn to Ride Bike Program, Bedford Recreation: This highly successful program was initiated by “Bike New York”, a Bicycle Education Program dedicated to teaching kids how to ride a bicycle and showing parents effective methods for teaching their kids at home. The Bedford Police will be on hand to provide safety tips and bike registration. Bring your own bike and helmet. For boys and girls of all ages. Sat, 5/10: 10am-12pm. (Bedford Hills Memorial Park, Haines Rd, Bedford Hills; www.bedfordny.gov)

Sheep Shearing & Farmers Market at Muscoot Farm: Every Mother’s Day Muscoot Farm shears its adult sheep and the public is invited to watch them get their spring haircut. Mother’s Day also marks the opening of Muscoot’s Farmers Market. The market is open every Sunday through October. See our guide to Farmer’s Markets. Sun, 5/11. 10am-3pm. Sheep shearing 12-3pm. (Rt. 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)

Scooby-Doo Live: Musical Mysteries, Tarrytown Music Hall: Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. Gang take center stage in an all-new family musical featuring everyone’s favorite characters from one of television’s longest-running animated series, Scooby-Doo. In this new production, Scooby-Doo and the gang help solve an epic mystery about a trouble-making ghost who is haunting a local theatre. Thurs, 5/15: 3:30pm & 6:30pm. (Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main St. Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org) 

39th St. Patrick’s School Carnival: The St. Patrick’s Church Carnival kicks off carnival season each year with one of the state’s biggest grossing carnivals that raises money for the educational ministries of the parish. Featuring rides, games, food and their annual big prize raffle. This year they will raffle off a 2014 Ford Fusion, a Ford 150 Truck or $25,000 in cash. Vroom. Tues-Sun: 5/13-18. (483 Old Post Road, Bedford Village; http://www.stpatricksbedford.org)

New Listing! Spring on the Farm Festival: Spring’s baby animals, sheep shearing, yarn demonstrations, llama trekking, face painting, crafts, music, plant and herb sale, hayrides and museum exhibit. Food trucks: Cowabunga, LobsterCraft, The Local Meatball, Melt Mobile, Mister Softy and more. Sat-Sun, 5/17-18: 11am-3pm. (Stamford Museum and Nature Center, 39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford; www.stamfordmuseum.org)

New Listing! Pinkster Day, Philipsburg Manor: Philipsburg Manor’s Pinkster Day recreates this 17^th century African-American spring celebration with a colonial-style festival of music, dance and food. Including presentations of drumming, traditional dance and African folktales. Phillipsburg Manor is the only living museum dedicated to the history of slavery in the northern colonies. Sun, 5/18: 10am-5pm. (Philipsburg Manor, 381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow) www.hudsonvalley.org)

New Castle 10K Road Race and Fun Run: Annual 10K race and fun run for kids from the New Castle Recreation Department. Registration form and additional race information will be available in early April. Refreshments and awards ceremony in Town Hall following race.  Sun, 5/18: 8:10am. Onsite registration 6:45-8am. (Town Hall, 200 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua; www.mynewcastle.org)

Meet the Baby Animals at Muscoot Farm: Get up close and personal with Muscoot Farm’s new arrivals. Like this Dorset lamb. Visit their Farmers Market when you are three. Sun, 5/25. (Muscoot Farm, Rt. 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)

Lime Rock Park Season Opener: Stock car racing at its best! The Grand Sport Race has big, loud, fast Camaros, Porsches, Mustangs and Aston Martins. The Street Tuner has quick and agile Hondas, VWs, Mazdas and Porsche Boxsters. Plus, the world debut of Electric Vehicle Sports Racers! On Sunday, the Royals Car Show draws 200-400 prime vehicles from rare sports cars to muscle cars from the 60s and 70s. Fri-Sun, 5/23-5: check schedule. (60 White Hollow Rd., Lakeville CT: www.limerock.com)

June

40^th Annual Armonk Lions Club Fol de Rol: Ride the Ripcord, Tornado and Tilt-a-Whirl. Visit the fun house. You know the school year is almost over when the Armonk Lions Club Fol-de-Rol comes to town. Just buy the $20 wristband, for unlimited rides, and let the kids run wild. With carnival games, pony rides, music, food and prizes. There’s even a Crafts Fair for adults whose Ripcord days have passed them by. New this year, the Jersey Disc Dogs Performing dog team, llamas, vintage cars, square dancing, a colonial village exhibition and a pet parade. The Armonk Lions sell raffle tickets to support various charities including guiding eyes for the blind and diabetes camps. Thurs-Sun, 6/5-8. (Wampus Brook Park, 28 Maple Ave., Armonk; www.armonklions.org)

New Listing! Boscobel, Snapping Turtle Walk: Bring your camera to Boscobel’s Belvedere, overlooking the Hudson River and Highlands, for an up-close snapping turtle presentation. These prehistoric creatures have been climbing up the banks from Constitution Marsh to Boscobel every spring to lay their eggs. After the presentation guests can search of the grounds to look for egg-laying females. Complimentary donuts, coffee and juice included. Sat, 6/7: 7:30-9:00 am. 1601 (Route 9D (Bear Mountain Highway) in Garrison; www.boscobel.org)

Challenge Game Night in Bedford: Games and competitions in Stratego, Battleship, Connect Four, Giant Spoons and more. Plus, dinner and snacks from Bedford Recreation. Sat, 6/7: 6-8:30pm. (Bedford Hills Community House, 74 Main St., Bedford Hills; www.bedfordny.gov)

SteveSongs: Steve Roslonek songs and stories create “not just a musical journey but an entertaining, interactive and educational one.” – Boston Globe. Steve has performed at Symphony Space, Wolf Trap, the Kennedy Center, White House, and Fenway Park. In 2008, he took on the role of “Mr. Steve,” cohost of PBS KIDS. Ages 2+. Sat, 6/7: 11am. (Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Ln, Mamaroneck; www.emelin.org)