Family Fun This Weekend

The countdown to turkey (or tofurky) begins!  Before we start cooking and cleaning for our Thanksgiving celebrations, let's do some fun activities with the kids this weekend.


ONGOING

Sweet Creations Gingerbread House Display
Thursday November 15 through Wednesday, December 12 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tues-Sun and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday (closed Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day)
George Eastman House, 900 East Avenue, Rochester, NY
See more than 60 cleverly designed gingerbread houses from professional bakers, families, and community groups. Included with museum admission: adults, $12; children 12 and under are free.

A T. Rex Named Sue
UPDATE: ALL EXHIBITS AT THE ROCHESTER MUSEUM & SCIENCE CENTER ARE CLOSED THIS WEEKEND DUE TO THE HOLIDAY ARTS & CRAFTS SALE. Sorry for any confusion or inconvenience.
Daily through January 6, 2013; Mon-Sat 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY
See the largest, most complete, and best-preserved T. Rex! Touch casts of Sue's bones, complete a 3-D puzzle with bones, move models of Sue's jaws, and more. Included with general admission.

Dora & Diego: Let's Explore
Daily through January 6, 2013: Mon-Thurs 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Fri-Sat 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sun 12 - 5 p.m.
Strong National Museum of Play, 1 Manhattan Square, Rochester, NY
This fun, interactive exhibit includes a pirate ship, animal rescue center, rainforest maze, flower garden, rocket ship, car, and Purple Planet slide.

FRIDAY

Story Time & More

Friday, November 16, 2012

1. Pittsford Community Library, 24 State Street, Pittsford, NY - drop-in story time at 10 a.m. plus songs and finger play
2. Lift Bridge Book Shop, 45 Main Street, Brockport, NY - drop-in story time at 10:30 a.m. for toddlers ages 1-4, with songs and games
3. Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY - come for the drop-in story at 11 a.m., stay for the farm animal fun!

Fun Fridays
Friday, November 16 from 6 - 8 p.m.
YMCA-Westside, 920 Elmgrove Road, Rochester, NY
Family gym games, inflatables, obstacle course, crafts, and family swimming. There is no fee for members; $10 per family for the community.

Friday Family Nights
Friday, November 16 from 4:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
YMCA - Southeast, 111 East Jefferson Road, Pittsford, NY
Play in the Adventure Center from 4:30-9 p.m. (remember your socks!), then stop by the lobby at 5:45 p.m. for pizza ($1/slice) and a craft. There will be family fitness stations, a family obstacle course, and family relays in the gym from 6:30 - 8 p.m. The pool is open for Family Swim at 7:05 p.m. This event is open to the community, and admission is free.

Game Night
Friday, November 16 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. (repeats on Fridays through December 21)
ArtsROC, 3462 Monroe Avenue, Pittsford, NY
Watch movies, play Xbox, Wii, Minecraft, and LEGOs. For $25, enjoy a pizza party and a night of fun at ArtsROC. Call (585) 218-9125 or email info@artsroc.net for more information. Click here to register.

SATURDAY

Grand Opening
Saturday, November 17 from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Jungle Jolt, 805 Ridge Road, Webster, NY
New indoor play center with a Sport Court (basketball), interactive motion gaming system, Laser Maze, self-propelled racers, and a separate toddler area. Don't forget socks for kids and adults. Children under 12 months are free, ages 1-2 = $8, ages 3+ = $10 Monday-Friday and $12 Saturday-Sunday. Adults pay additional fee for Laser Maze.

The Bubble Man
Saturday, November 17 at 2:00 p.m.
Pittsford Community Library, 24 State Street, Pittsford, NY
Enjoy Doug Rougeux's Juggling & Bubbling & Mime show. Great fun for the whole family; no registration required.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY 

National Toy Hall of Fame Celebration
Saturday, November 17 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday, November 18 from 1 p.m - 5 p.m.
National Museum of Play, 1 Manhattan Square, Rochester, NY
Welcome the new inductees into the Hall of Fame, plus join in the Hula Hoopla, play with past toy hall winners, and change a tire in the Pit Stop Challenge. Included with general admission.

Holiday Family Fun
Saturday, November 17 - Sunday, November 18 (weekends only, continues through December 23)
The Garden Factory, 2126 Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY
Enjoy an indoor winter carnival in the greenhouse! The model train display opens at 10 a.m. along with the Hilton Sno-Flyers Snow Show. Rides, crafts, games, and the light show will run from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., and photos with Santa will be available from 12 - 4 p.m. Admission is free and includes the model trains; rides are $0.50-1.50 each, crafts are $1-2.50, games are $2.50, and the light show is $2 per person (ages 3 and under are free for the light show). While the activities are indoors, it is still chilly in the greenhouse - coats and hats are a good idea.

SUNDAY

Join the Super Scientific Circus
Sunday, November 18 at 1, 2, and 3 p.m.
Corning Museum of Glass, 1 Museum Way, Corning, NY
Enjoy a performance and learn circus skills through activity stations. Explore the science of glass though hands-on experiments, demos, and games. Ages 19 and under are free; adults are $15.

Stay warm and have fun this weekend! As always, thanks for reading.