School's out, the presents are opened, and the kids are bouncing off the walls.
But there are plenty of great places to go to keep the kids busy in Queens. Here are our top picks:
Queens Zoo. Located inside Flushing Meadows Park, the zoo's 11 acres features such animals as alligators, pumas, parrots, Andean bears, and bison. Visit the aviary for a bird’s-eye-view of wildlife and wilderness, and enjoy daily sea lion feedings at the pool. $8 adults, $6 senions, $5 kids 3-12, up to 35 months, free. (718) 399-7339. Open every day 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Museum of the Moving Image At the country's only museum dedicated film and television, children can explore every phase of the production, promotion, and exhibition of moving images. Kids may particularly enjoy Behind the Screen, which features over 1,400 artifacts, from optical toys to a real Yoda from the Star Wars films, as well as an array of interactive experiences such as creating stop-motion animations, adding sound effects and music to famous movie scenes, and staring in a personalized flipbook. Closed Dec. 24 and 25 but open Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. $12 adults, $9 seniors and students, $6 kids 3-12. Children under 3 are free. 36-01 35 Avenue (at 37th Street), Astoria. (718) 784-0077.
Queens County Farm Museum is a working, educational farm on a 47-acre site on the edge of the Queens/Nassau border. Kids can meet sheep, goats, pigs, and chickens, and the most mellow cow in the world. Open Dec. 24, 26-31. Closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. On Dec. 26-28 there is a holiday open house from noon to 4 with house tours, mulled cider and a craft activity for the kids. Admission is free. 73-50 Little Neck Parkway in Floral Park, (718) 347-3276.
New York Hall of Science Also in Flushing Meadows Park, the museum has more than 450 hands-on exhibits on biology, chemistry and physics. Kids and parents can make music or play with trains in Preschool Place, enjoy a classic children's video, join a story time in our Science & Technology Library, or sign up for a family workshop. Closed on Christmas but open on New Year's Day. Adults $11, Children aged 2-17, students and seniors, $8. 47-01 111th Street, (718) 699-0005.
Alley Pond Environmental Center Located in Alley Pond Park, home of the Douglaston Estate Windmill, which was built in 1870. The building, which has workshops and interactive exhibits is open 7 days a week, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (9-1:30 on Dec. 23). Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Walking trails are open from dawn to dusk, year ‘round. Parking and entrance to the building and grounds is free. See their schedulehere. 228-06 Northern Boulevard in Douglaston (718) 229-4000.
Have some suggestions for other spots? Let us know in the comments!
