Central Manhattan isn't the only hotspot anymore when it comes to great museums for children—now families can venture uptown to explore a brand-new institution in Harlem! The Sugar Hill Children's Museum of Art & Storytelling celebrates its grand opening this weekend, inviting youngsters from ages 3 to 8 to check out giant murals, get hands-on with cool sculptures and create their own art. The museum focuses on storytelling as well as visual art, music, dance and film, encouraging little ones to learn and express themselves through various mediums.
Come by on October 3 between 11am and 5pm for tons of free activities, including a Stoop Party on the Plaza with tunes from Mark Kelly of The Roots, who will man the DJ stand. Tots who can get enough of the best kids' books will love fun story time events like a storytelling marathon, plus art workshops and music performances. Enjoy an Open House inside the museum and explore three different galleries for the first time, including "People, Places, and Things: Selections from the Studio Museum," depicting life in communities like Harlem, and "Txt: art, language, media," exploring various forms of literacy like poetry, text messages and emojis. Don't miss "The Pollen Catchers' Color Mixing Machine," a collection of bright folk tale–inspired murals by Saya Wollfalk, and stop in the Open Studio to meet this year's artist-in-residence, David Shrobe. Grab snack from several NYC food trucks onsite, curated by Taste Harlem.
Sugar Hill Children's Museum of Art & Storytelling is located at 898 St. Nicholas Ave at W 155th St (212-335-0004, sugarhillmuseum.org). Hours from October 3 through November 4 are Sat–Sun 12–5pm. Beginning November 5, hours will be Thurs–Fri 10am–5pm and Sat–Sun 12–5pm. Admission $7, children ages 9–17 $4, ages 8 and under free.
Photograph: Wade Zimmerman
Photograph: Wade Zimmerman