Join Brooklyn Children’s Museum to Celebrate Tu BiShvat, The New Year of the Trees, on Sunday, February 1

Brooklyn Children’s Museum (BCM) invites families to its annual celebration of Tu BiShvat, the Jewish New Year of the Trees, taking place on Sunday, February 1 together with The Neighborhood: An Urban Center for Jewish Life.

Throughout the day, interactive activities connect children to nature, Jewish culture, and environmental stewardship through hands-on learning experiences for all ages and backgrounds. Families can sample traditional Tu BiShvat fruits, join pop-up musical performances and music classes, create art with cyanotype printing in BCM's art studio, and explore Jewish herbalism traditions with Adamah.

“Our Tu BiShvat celebration invites families to look closely, and rediscover the powerful role nature plays in everyday life,” said Atiba T. Edwards, President and CEO of Brooklyn Children’s Museum. “Even in a dense urban environment like Brooklyn, trees connect us to care, sustainability and a healthy future. We have enjoyed shade from trees we didn't plant but are still here today. This day encourages children to engage with the natural world while exploring the cultural traditions that help shape how we care for our shared future.”

“The Jewish community has a deep and enduring relationship with the natural world, and we are thrilled to bring Tu Bishvat—the Birthday of the Trees—to families in Brooklyn through an experience rooted in tradition, creativity, and care for our shared world,” said Rebecca Guber, Founding Director of The Neighborhood: An Urban Center for Jewish Life.

Program Schedule

• Taste the Fruits of Tu BiShvat
  Traditionally, only four kinds of fruits are eaten on Tu BiShvat. Sample these symbolic foods in a fun and interactive fruit tasting experience, and learn about their origins.
• Tkiya Music Class
  Join a music class featuring entertaining songs, stories, and puppets that explore trees through Jewish music. Tkiya creates participatory music experiences that meet participants where they are – physically, psychologically, and spiritually – to find their unique connection to Jewish culture and community.
• Wandering Tree Performers
  Throughout the day, a musical duo dressed as trees will wander the Museum, sharing their original songs about their leafy lives.
• Wandering Balloon Performers
  You may have seen balloon animals, but have you ever seen a balloon tree? Look out for the wandering balloon performers as you stroll through the Museum.
• Blooming Beyond Waste: Brooklyn Branches of Care
  Join an interactive performance exploring how we can reduce food waste to help the environment. This activity is accompanied by the NYC Department of Sanitation and the Big Reuse tabling and compost bin giveaway. Big Reuse's mission is to fight climate change through community-based zero waste initiatives.
• Mindful Forest
  Take a break from the action in the film auditorium with a facilitated mindfulness practice, which will take place periodically throughout the day. Forests captured on film will serve as the calming backdrop in this low-sensory space.
• Cyanotype Printing Workshop
  In a creative, hands-on workshop, families can transform leaves and natural materials into stunning works of art using sunlight and photosensitive paper in BCM’s ColorLab.
• Herbalism Workshop with Adamah
  Explore Jewish herbalism traditions from around the world during a workshop with Adamah’s instructors in BCM’s cafeteria. Adamah is the largest Jewish environmental organization in North America. Their mission is to cultivate vibrant Jewish life in deep connection with the earth.
• Story Time with PJ Library
  PJ Library offers interactive stories about trees, planting, and Tu BiShvat. Families can join these earth-centered tales to life through engaging read-alouds.
• Hands-on activities with Repair the World
  Join Repair the World for some hands-on activities and learn more about trees and Tu BiShvat.
• The LUNAR Collective Workshop
  Explores Asian Jewish heritage through environmental awareness with the LUNAR Collective.

Celebrate Tu BiShvat takes place from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sunday, February 1. Museum admission includes access to all activities. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $14 for grandparents, and free for children under one year old.

To purchase tickets, visit: www.brooklynkids.org/tu-bishvat