Things To Do This Week With The Kids, Through January 12: Magic With Gary The Great, Learn Chess, And You CAN Be A Superhero

Looking for something to do with the whole family this week? There are a lot of great kid-friendly events coming up in Brooklyn, and we’ve selected some of our favorites. See the full details below!

For more things to do around Brooklyn, and to add your own upcoming event, check out our calendar.

REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Explore and Create
When: Tuesday, January 5 at 4pm
Where: Cortelyou Library at 1305 Cortelyou Road (Ditmas Park)
What: Join other kids in creating a new craft project every week and take it home with you!

Kids Create: Origami Cranes
When: Wednesday, January 6 at 4pm
Where: Clinton Hill Library at 380 Washington Avenue (Clinton Hill)
What: An hour-long workshop with detailed instructions on how to create origami cranes out of colorful paper squares. Please note: this activity is designed for kids aged 8 or 9 and up. It will be very difficult for younger children unless they have prior experience.

Knitting and Crocheting Club
When: Wednesday, January 6 at 4pm
Where: Kensington Library at 4207 18th Avenue (Kensington)
What: Learn to knit or crochet! Get ready for Spring with a cool knitted or crocheted project that you made all by yourself.

Middle Grade Book Club: “Look Both Ways In The Barrio Blanco”
When: Wednesday, January 6 at 5:30pm
Where: powerHouse on 8th at 1111 8th Avenue (Park Slope)
What: Kids’ book blogger Jordan B. Nielsen of TheRustyKey.com will host a discussion hour based on “Look Both Ways in the Barrio Blanco” by Judith Robbins Rose. Ages 9-12
How Much: FREE | Purchase a book and get 15% discount on club books. –

Creative Writing Class
When: Friday, January 8 at 2:45pm
Where: Cortelyou Library at 1305 Cortelyou Road (Ditmas Park)
What: Participants will be writing and sharing their work with each other in a safe atmosphere of respect and acceptance. They will discover the power of of their own stories, gain confidence and a stronger sense of self, and become part of a creative and socially conscious community. Ages 7-11

Saturday Storytime: “Tough Guys Have Feelings Too”
When: Saturday, January 9 at 11am
Where: Greenlight Bookstore at 686 Fulton Street (Fort Greene)
What: With Keith Negley’s bright, bold illustrations and fun read-aloud narrative, “Tough Guys (Have Feelings Too)” opens up a light-hearted but important discussion on emotions and how they affect us all. Story Time at Greenlight Bookstore, Sat., Jan. 9, 11am. Ages 3-8.
How Much: Free | $17.95 for the book

Graffiti Workshop with David Alicea
When: Saturday, January 9 at 1:30pm
Where: Walt Whitman Library at 93 Saint Edwards Street
What: Learn about the history of hip-hop and practice your graffiti art style with artist David Alicea.

Learn Chess
When: Saturday, January 9 at 2:30pm
Where: Central Library at Grand Army Plaza
What: Learn chess with instructor William Del Castillo.

Sunday Storytime with Fiona Smart
When: Sunday, January 10 at 10am
Where: powerHouse on 8th at 1111 8th Avenue (Park Slope)
What: Jump into the fun-filled world of an animated little girl and discover just what she can become using her own imagination, in “I Can Be A Superhero.” Ages 4-8.
How Much: FREE

Magic with Gary The Great!
When: Monday, January 11 at 3:30pm
Where: Walt Whitman Library at 93 Saint Edwards Street
What: Magician Gary the Great presents his high-energy blast of magic, comedy, and juggling.  The hilarious tour through the world of magic gets everyone involved!

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5

Read To Me
When: Tuesday, January 5 at 3:30pm
Where: Walt Whitman Library at 93 Saint Edwards Street
What: Kids ages 8-12 practice reading aloud.  Vocabulary, comprehension, pronounciation and annunciation are emphasized.

Teen Tech Time
When: Tuesday, January 5 at 4pm
Where: Clinton Hill Library at 380 Washington Avenue
What: Come race your wheels off, battle your heart out, and dance your socks off with Wii games at the library! We have sports games, dancing games, racing games, and more! No registration or experience necessary.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7

Sing With Me
When: Every Thursday from 11am-12:30pm
Where: Ingersoll Community Center at 177 Myrtle Avenue
What: Sing, dance, laugh, and make music with your little one. Ages four months to four years.

Stutengarten Brooklyn
When: Thursdays from 2:30-5pm
Where: Die Stammkneipe/ Der Schwarze Kölner at 710 Fulton Street
What: Tuesdays & Thursdays playgroup! Parents and/or caregivers can bring their babies (infants and toddlers) for play and socializing.
How much: $10 includes food and drink

FRIDAY, JANUARY 8

Toddler Time
When: Friday, January 8 at 10:15am
Where: Clinton Hill Library at 380 Washington Avenue
What: Stories, songs, fingerplays, puppets, and fun for toddlers and caregivers!

Babies and Books
When: Friday, January 8 at 11:15am
Where: Clinton Hill LIbrary at 380 Washington Avenue
What: Storytime is for babies, too! Come sing, play, hear stories, and meet with other parents and caregivers.

Build with LEGOS and DUPLOS
When: Friday, January 8 at 4pm
Where: Clinton Hill Library at 380 Washington Avenue
What: Come help us think up new things to build – towers, house, cities, vehicles, monsters? Collaborate with your friends and get creative. Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers will also have their own play area at the library with DUPLO blocks galore!

SATURDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 9-10

MONDAY, JANUARY 11

Preschool Storytime
When: Mondays at 10:30am
Where: Clinton Hill Library at 380 Washington Avenue
What: A read-aloud for preschool-aged kids. Groups and classes are welcome to attend (please contact the children’s librarian, Emily Heath, at 718-398-8713 to let us know ahead of time that you will be bringing a group, if possible.

Homework Help
When: Mondays at 3pm
Where: Bedford Library at 496 Franklin Avenue
What: Get homework help for children in grades k-8.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12

Story Play First RIF
When: Tuesdays at 11am
Where: Walt Whitman Library at 93 Saint Edwards Street
What: Hear stories, sing songs and play with other children.  Ages 0-5

Toddler Time with First RIF
When: Tuesdays at 11am
Where: Bedford Library at 496 Franklin Avenue
What: Come and enjoy books, songs and toy time. For ages 18 months to 3 years. Get free books with the Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) program.

Read To Me
When: Tuesdays at 3:30pm
Where: Walt Whitman Library at 93 Saint Edwards Street
What: Kids ages 8-12 practice reading aloud.  Vocabulary, comprehension, pronunciation and annunciation are emphasized.