Popular Kwanzaa, New Years Events Return To LI Children's Museum

UNIONDALE, NY — For the first time in two years, the Long Island Children's Museum is bringing back to popular holiday programs. Families will be able to celebrate Kwanzaa and "Noon" Year's Eve at the museum this month.

First, at 1 p.m. on Dec. 27, is the museum's Kwanzaa celebration. The museum will join with the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority to explore the holiday and how it celebrates African American culture.

Guests can learn about Kwanzaa traditions and the meaning behind the holiday, and make their own crafts.

Members of the sorority will introduce visitors to the principles of the holiday, represented over the course of its seven days. They are: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith).

The program takes place on the second day of Kwanzaa, representing Kujichagulia (self-determination).

The studio where the workshop is held is decorated with symbols of the holiday, such as kikombe cha umoja (unity cup), kinara (candleholder), mazao- fruit and vegetables and the mkeska (woven mat). Members of the sorority share music and dance, plus craft projects that children take home.

The event is free with museum admission.

Then, a few days later, "Countdown to 12!" the museum's popular "Noon" Year's Eve party returns. It's an event to give kids all the fun of celebrating the New Year, without the extra-late bedtime.

Families can enjoy all the activities associated with year-end revelry, with the simple substitution of “midday” instead of “midnight.” The celebration starts and concludes with Times Square-style ball drops (noon and 4 p.m.). In between those two elements, visitors will create themed crafts and enjoy a DJ-led dance party.

“We are thrilled to bring back 'Countdown to 12!' and ring in the new year with the families in our community,” said LICM President Suzanne LeBlanc. “This event highlights the best of the museum – creative and energizing activities, communal gatherings and memory-making traditions – we are eager to end the year on such a joyful note.”

This theme for this year’s event is “Riding into 2023” as a nod to the museum’s partnership with Nassau County in the operation of the historic Nunley’s Carousel. In between the opening and closing ball drops, families will make carousel-themed items — including a “lead horse” top hat, a “brass ring” necklace, a “starting bell” noisemaker, a moving carousel horse and even a carousel-inspired snack. Guests can kick up their heels and show off their dazzling dance moves at the “Best in Show” dance party. All "Countdown to 12!" activities are included with Museum admission on Dec. 31.

All activities are held at the Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave. in Uniondale. For the safety of visitors, adults are not permitted in the museum without children. Museum visitors under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult at all times.