Kids’ Almanac (Dec. 27 – Jan. 3)

It’s Winter Welcome Week at Washington’s Headquarters in Newburgh

It’s easy to fit in a fun, educational and historic visit while you are out and about after the holiday frenzy. Stop in at the Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site for its Winter Welcome Week this Thursday, December 27 until Saturday, December 29, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Tours set out every half-hour, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Children can make an 18th-century-style hat; historic interpreters guide visitors through the home; and over 1,300 artifacts are on display in the museum. Admission costs $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and students, and children 12 and under get in free.

Washington’s Headquarters is located at 84 Liberty Street in Newburgh. For more information, call (845) 562-1195 or visit https://nysparks.com.

New Year’s fun for kids at Children’s Museum in Poughkeepsie, downtown Millbrook

For families interested in celebrating New Year’s Eve with their children but concerned about the late hour, here are two fun events happening in Dutchess County:

On Monday, December 31, join the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum for New Year’s at Noon, where the Museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and New Year’s festivities begin at 11:30 a.m. Special activities will be offered, as well as refreshments and noisemakers for the countdown at 12 noon. New Year’s at Noon is included with regular Museum admission at $7.50 per person; it’s free for members and babies under one year.

The Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum is located at 75 North Water Street in Poughkeepsie. For reservations or more information, call (845) 471-0589 or visit https://mhcm.org.

New Year’s Eve Millbrook has lots of activities for families, including magic, music and dance with performances by the Bindlestiff Cirkus the Puppet People’s The Elephant Child, Dog on Fleas and many more. Crafts and activities take place throughout the evening. The suggested donation for admission is $5. The celebration takes place on Monday, December 31 from 4 to 8:15 p.m.

New Year’s Eve Millbrook takes place in the Village of Millbrook, centered at the north end of Franklin Avenue, with information available at the Thorne Building. For more information and a complete schedule of activities, call (845) 337-1890 or visit www.millbrookrotary.org.

Win an Empire Passport on the Walkway

It’s the first day of a brand-new year: How do you plan to set the tone for 2013? How about taking a stroll on the Walkway over the Hudson? On January 1 at 2 p.m., people of all ages are invited to participate in the First Day Hike Program. To join in, just meet up at either entrance and walk to the middle for a chance at winning a 2013 Empire Passport, which gives you unlimited vehicle entry to most New York State Parks. This would be a great prize to win, because the regular price of a Passport is $65.

The two Walkway entrances are located at 61 Parker Avenue in Poughkeepsie and 87 Haviland Road in Highland. For more information, call (845) 834-2867 or visit www.walkway.org.

Thursday Tales at Ten resume this Thursday at Mohonk

Thursday Tales at Ten are back! Beginning January 3, families are invited to the Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center on Thursday mornings at 10 a.m. for a nature-themed story and activity. Stay after the storytime to explore the Kids’ Corner or the children’s areas outside. Thursday Tales at Ten are free and open to children between 2 and 5 years, accompanied by an adult.

The Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center is located at 3197 Route 55 in Gardiner. For more information, call (845) 255-0919 or visit https://mohonkpreserve.org.

Ideas to do with the kids and teens this week

Here’s something really cool for families to do this week, or anytime. It’s indoors, it’s totally unique and it will impress your visitors: It’s America’s largest kaleidoscope! The giant kaleidoscope at the Emerson Resort has three show choices, and each one lasts about ten minutes. I saw the show America: The House We Live In, but you can request Metamorphosis or Hexagram Holiday. You can just walk in; you do not need a reservation or to stay at the resort to watch the kaleidoscope show.

Susan Paroubek will set you up. I appreciated her kind guidance, telling me what to expect. I was by myself, and even got to lie on the floor of the small room and gaze up at the dazzling colors; but they have leaning stands with headrests to support your neck as you look upward. The show is recommended for ages 5 and up because it is so dark, so it might be overwhelming to young children. It is also a bit loud, so earplugs might be helpful to children or others in your party who have hearing sensitivities.

The door opens automatically after the show finishes, and you exit into the gift shop. I love the gift shop. It has a fantastic array of gifts for all price points and all ages, and every type of kaleidoscope that you can imagine. The Emerson has other gift shops as well, and a café, if you want to get a snack after the show. Admission to the kaleidoscope show is $5 per person; children 11 years of age and under get in free. The Kaleidostore is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The Emerson Resort is located at 5340 Route 28 in Mount Tremper. For more information, call (877) 688-2828, extension 7654, or visit www.emersonresort.com/kaleidostore.