Fun stuff can be FREE too! Or at least, pretty cheap. You don’t need to break the bank to have holiday family fun. Here’s some local ideas for celebrating the season on a dime.
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Sled with Reindeer
Saturday, December 1 • 9am-12pm
Home Depot • All Staten Island Locations • homedepot.com/workshops
Dash through the snow in our hands-on workshop where you and your child can build a model sleigh pulled by a reindeer. Free.
Kids Club Advent Calendar
Saturday, December 1 • 10am-12pm
Michael’s • All Staten Island Locations • michaels.com/classes
Kids 3+ ($2) and 6+ ($5) can enjoy making an advent calendar.
Jewelry Making Inspired by the Season
Saturday, December 1 • 11:30am
Greenbelt Recreation Center • 501 Brielle Ave. • 718-351-3450
Create winter-inspired jewelry using both crafted and upcycled materials. Participants will learn introductory jewelry making techniques and create easy-to-love pieces. Ages 12+. Registration required. $5.
Weekend Art Studio: Pop-Up Holiday Cards
Saturdays & Sundays in December • 1pm
SI Children’s Museum • 1000 Richmond Terrace • 718-273-2060
Create pop-up cards inspired by snowy days. Free w/ admission.
ShopRite Kidz Cook Holiday Cookies
Fridays in December • 3pm & 4pm
SI Children’s Museum • 1000 Richmond Terrace • 718-273-2060
Make delicious cookies to celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and Omisoka. Free w/ admission.
Winter Wonderland Storytime
Tuesday, December 4 • 3:30 pm
West New Brighton Library • 976 Castleton Avenue • 718-442-1416
Join in a story, tell us about your favorite parts of winter and the holidays, and than make a craft based on your favorite part of winter. Ages 4+, no registration is required. Free.
Holiday Wreath Craft
Wednesday December 5 • 3:30pm
South Beach Library • 21-25 Robin Road • 718-816-5834
Free craft activity.
Foam Gingerbread People Craft
Wednesday, December 5 • 3:30pm
Great Kills Library, 56 Giffords Lane • 718-984-6670
Free craft activity.
Winter Crafternoon
Thursday, December 6 • 3:00pm
Huguenot Library • 830 Huguenot Ave. • 718-984-4636
Join us for a crafternoon all about the upcoming winter and holidays! Festive fun is sure to be had, so make sure to comfy clothes because it may get at bit messy. All ages! Free.
Snowman Craft
Thursday, December 6 • 3:30pm
South Beach Library • 21-25 Robin Road • 718-816-5834
Free craft activity.
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Holiday Ornament Decorating
Thursday, December 6 • 4pm
Mariners Harbor Library • 206 South Avenue • 212-621-0690
No matter what holiday you celebrate, get into the holiday spirit at the library. Decorate your very own ornament and display your masterpiece on the library’s holiday tree. First come, first served. All ages.
Kids Club Dashing Reindeer
Saturday, December 8 • 10am-12pm
Michael’s • All Staten Island Locations • michaels.com/classes
Kids 3+ ($2) and 6+ ($5) can enjoy creating a reindeer.
Holiday Festival of Traditions
Sunday, December 9 • 12pm-6pm
Conference House Park • 7455 Hylan Blvd.This holiday celebration features the Festival of Trees exhibit with a glittering display of decorated evergreen trees and the Menorah representing the Jewish Festival of Lights to commemorate the diverse cultures of our community past and present. Trees are individually decorated to honor the traditions of Poland, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Scandinavia, and Mexico.
Holiday Story and Craft Hour
Tuesday, December 11 • 3:30 pm
West New Brighton Library • 976 Castleton Ave • 718-442-1416
Enjoy a Holiday story or 2 and make a fun, seasonal craft. Ages 4+, no registration is required. Free.
Elf Story & Craft
Tuesday, December 11 • 4pm
Tottenville Library • 7430 Amboy Road • 718-984-0945
Join us for an ELF EXTRAVAGANZA of holiday stories, crafts & fun! Best for ages 4 & up. Pre-registration begins Dec. 4 in person OR by phone. Space is limited. Register by phone or in-person.
Light Up Holiday Cards
Thursday, December 13 • 3:30pm
Huguenot Library •830 Huguenot Avenue • 718-984-4636
Create a light up greeting card! Participants decorate a card with a circuit made of copper tape, a coin cell battery, and an LED. Learn about basics of electricity and make a take-home card for family or friends. For ages 13-18 years old. Presented by Staten Island MakerSpace.
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Kids Club Christmas Frame
Saturday, December 15 • 10am-12pm
Michael’s • All Staten Island Locations • michaels.com/classes
Kids 3+ ($2) and 6+ ($5) can enjoy creating a Christmas frame out of materials.
Saturday, Annual Wreath Workshop
Saturday, December 15 • 10am-12pm
Clay Pit Ponds Visitors Center • 2351 Veterans Rd W • 718-605-3970 x201
Create a holiday wreath using fresh greens. Best for pre-teens through adults. Please call to RSVP. $15.
Preparing for Winter Solstice
Saturday, December 15 • 11am-12pm
Greenbelt Nature Center • 700 Rockland Avenue • 718-351-3450
Celebrate the end of fall and look forward to the cozy winter days ahead. Ages 4-8. $8. Must register.
Family Holiday Movie: Elf
Tuesday, December 18 • 3:30 pm
West New Brighton Library • 976 Castleton Avenue • 718 442-1416
After inadvertently wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity. For all ages. Free.
Family Finger Painting: Festive Lights
Wednesday, December 19 • 4pm
South Beach Library • 21-25 Robin Road • 718-816-5834
This new sensory art program is for the little ones, the older ones, the ENTIRE family. Free.
Winter Holiday Storytime
Thursday, December 20 • 3:30-4:30pm
St. George Library • 5 Central Avenue • 718-442-8560
If you and your family aren’t traveling, don’t miss this special story time featuring holiday stories, music, and a craft. Ages 3-12 & families welcome. Free.
Gingerbread Houses
Thursday, December 20 • 4:00 pm
Stapleton Library • 132 Canal Street • 718-727-0427
Created on a flat frame, participants will construct a house to be decorated with graham crackers, candies and cereal and all participants will prepare “royal icing” for their displays. Free. Registration required.
Family Holiday Movie: How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Thursday, December 18 • 3:30pm
West New Brighton Library • 976 Castleton Avenue • 718 442-1416
On the outskirts of Whoville, there lives a green, revenge-seeking Grinch who plans on ruining the Christmas holiday for all of the citizens of the town. For all ages. Free.
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Walk-In Workshop: Create New Year’s Eve Noisemakers!
Tuesday, December 26 & Wednesday, December 27 • 1-4pm
SI Children’s Museum • 1000 Richmond Terrace • 718-273-2060
Create unique noisemakers to ring in the New Year! Pick up a ticket at the front desk.
Toddler Noon Year’s Eve
Friday, December 28 • 11:15am
West New Brighton Library • 976 Castleton Avenue • 718 442-1416
Celebrate the clock turning 12:00 with some music, dancing, and stories before the countdown. Snacks will be provided and an apple juice toast at noon. Ages 2+, no registration is required. Free.
Noon Year’s Eve Celebration
Monday, December 31 • 11:00am
Stapleton Library • 132 Canal Street • 718-727-0427
For the younger crowd that can’t stay up until midnight, celebrate the new year as we count down to noon with stories, activities and other treats. Free.
New Year’s Eve (Day) Party!
Monday, December 31 • 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
SI Children’s Museum • 1000 Richmond Terrace • 718 442-1416
Welcome 2019 with games, crafts, light refreshments and a performance by Music with Patrick.
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