Things to do this week
If you're not consumed with shopping for Hanukkah, which starts Sunday, and Christmas, here are few family activities for the weekend. Kwanzaa Family Day at the Baltimore Museum of Art, pictured on the right, takes place Sunday:
Thursday, Dec. 18:
Crafternoon: Hear a story, then make a craft based on the book at 3:45 p.m. at the Brooklyn Park branch of the Anne Arundel County Public Library. For elementary-school age children (preschoolers can attend if accompanied by an adult). Free.
Caroling in Bel Air: Go caroling in the neighborhood around the Bel Air branch of the Harford County Public Library, then enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call 410-638-3151 for more information.
Holiday open house: Visit with Santa and enjoy refreshments at 4 p.m. at the Enoch Pratt Free Library's Light Street branch. Call 410-396-1096.
Friday, Dec. 19:
Nature Story Hour: Natural Holidays - Hear how the natural world comes alive during the holidayss from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at the Howard P. Rawlings Conservatory, Druid Hill Park, 3100 Swan Drive, Baltimore. Ages: 3-6 with adult. Call 410-261-5056 for information.
Holiday stories - Hear holiday stories at the Mount Airy branch of the Carroll County Public Library, 10 a.m. Ages 4-6. Call 410-386-4488 or visit library.carr.org.
On Saturday...
(Photo from the 2006 Kwanzaa Family Day courtesy of the Baltimore Museum of Art)
Saturday, Dec. 20:
Christmas for Kids: The Baltimore Choral Arts Society presents a holiday program with a visit from Santa at 11 a.m. at Goucher College's Kraushaar Auditorium. $13. Visit baltimorechoralarts.org
Make holiday pop-up cards: Create cards for the holidays at 11 a.m. at the Savage branch of the Howard County Public Library. For ages 7 and up; registration required. Free. Call 410-880-5978 or register online.
Cookie decorating: Decorate cookies from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. at the Westminster branch of the Carroll County Public Library. Call 410-386-4488 or visit library.carr.org.
Sunday, Dec. 21:
Hanukkah on Ice: Connections, a program of the Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, hosts a skating party from 12:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m at the Mount Pleasant Ice Arena. $5 includes skate rental and snacks; free for children under 3. Call 410-369-9363. Register at associated.org/iceskating.
Live from the Sun: Celebrate and learn about the winter solstice from noon-4 p.m. at the Maryland Science Center, with crafts themed on the Northern Lights, a staff-led discussion of the sun's movements, and a viewing of sunspots and other sun features in the Observatory. Free with museum admission. Call 410-545-5940 or visit mdsci.org.
Kwanzaa Family Day at the BMA: Festivities at the Baltimore Museum of Art include performances by Fritete African Drum & Dance Ensemble and Lesole’s Dance Project and storytelling with drums by Baba Jamal Koram. There will also be workshop for making drums using recycled objects. The program runs from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the museum, 10 Art Museum Drive. Free. For more information, call 443-573-1832 or e-mail programs@artbma.org.
