Jolly Jams
Dec. 5: Uncle Rock Around The Holidays The children’s musician Robert Burke Warren (also known as Uncle Rock) is the main attraction at this year’s version of the Holiday Season Family Day at the Doctorow Center for the Arts. Warren is a true rock star, having fronted several adult rock bands in his day. His family-appropriate tunes are hits nationwide. (In other words, this is one uncle whom the kids won’t mind spending some of their precious holiday time with.) Other activities include a visit from Santa Claus, the film The Nutcracker, and showings of Christmas and Hanukkah children’s films. Recommended for ages 5 and up. 3:30 p.m. $7. • Rte. 23A, Hunter. 518-263-2063
Gift Grab
Dec. 6, 13 & 20: A Holiday Hunt for Kids If there’s one thing Christmas is missing, it’s the thrill of searching for the treats Santa left you — they’re there in plain sight, right under the tree! Head to one of these special sessions at Locust Grove, the Samuel Morse Historic Site, however, and you’ll be in for the hunt of the season. Travel from room to room in the mansion, collecting clues as you go. A hunt starts on the hour, every hour. 12-4 p.m. $10, $7 children. • 2683 South Rd., Poughkeepsie. 845-454-4500
What A Hoot
Dec. 12: Owl Pellet Workshop The owl is a mysterious creature, full of wisdom and… other things: After the nocturnal creature eats its prey, the hard parts of its food (bones or anything else it can’t digest) are regurgitated as pellets. Visitors to this Mohonk Preserve event dissect those pellets and see what owls’ diets are like. It may sound gross, but it’s fun — really! Reservations required. Ages 7 and up are welcome. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. $18 per family. • Rte. 44/55, Gardiner. 845-255-0919
The Mother of All Stories
Dec. 19: Babes in Toyland If you’re going to get shipwrecked, you might as well get shipwrecked at a place called Toyland. That’s what happens to a brother and sister named Jane and Alan in this colorful musical at the Lycian Centre for the Performing Arts. The duo enlist the help of Mother Goose characters to ward off the wicked Toymaker. 1 & 3 p.m. $15, $12 under 18. • Kings Highway, Sugar Loaf. 845-469-2287
Paper Pyramids
Dec. 26-27: Paper Bag Players You haven’t seen a good story set in Egypt until you’ve seen a bunch of paper bags stumble around the stage like mummies. It’s true — paper-bag puppets are the stars of “The Great Mummy Adventure” taking place at Emelin Theatre. The performers may be recycled, but the energy level isn’t. 11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. $18, $13 children. • 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck. 914-698-0098
