Thomas and friends come to New York Botanical Gardens

Mini-performances of “All Aboard with Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends” will be staged as part of the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden Jan. 2-16.

Thomas and Driver Sam pull into the station for a fun-filled, sing-along adventure. Thomas finds his way from Knapford Station to Brendam Docks using teamwork and friendship. Bring your camera. Each performance includes a photo op with Thomas.

Performance times are Jan. 2 at 11 am, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm; Jan. 3-6 and Jan. 10-13 at 11 am and 2 pm; Jan. 7-8, Jan 14-15 and Jan. 16 at 9 am (members only), 11 am, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm.

New York Botanical Garden [200th Street and Kazimiroff Boulevard in Belmont, (718) 817-8700]. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for students and seniors and $10 for children. For more info visit www.nybg.org.

Manhattan Mandarin

Manhattan Mandarin runs the Mandarin after-school programs at over 40 schools nationwide, including St. Bernard's, Chapin, Allen-Stevenson, and Buckley. Whether in schools, students' homes, in the office, online, or on our beloved China trips, our teachers and tutors have helped hundreds of students of all ages master the Mandarin language on their own unique paths to fluency. Our philosophy has always been to make private lessons and classes perfectly tailored for each individual student. We look forward to working with you. - Jamie Keyte, Founder

Athletic Association of Yorkville Youths

Serving the families and children of NYC for over 50 years with high-quality recreational activities that foster life-lessons which empower young people to succeed beyond sports. Our programs encourage positive attitudes and growth through teamwork and sportsmanship, attendance, fair play, respect, hard work, integrity and fun. Your child can participate in clinics and leagues in such sports as baseball, basketball, flag-football, lacrosse, soccer, hockey, wrestling, track, and tennis. We also offer weekly dodgeball tournaments, drama and musical theater workshops, and after school programs.

Instituto Cervantes

Children and teenagers learn to understand and express themselves in Spanish, while improving their communication skills through a dynamic immersion program taught by NATIVE TEACHERS that combines CLASSES, ARTISTIC WORKSHOPS and FUN ACTIVITIES! All of our high-qualified teachers are native Spanish speakers who adapt the structure of the class to the needs and levels of each group while conducting the classes entirely in Spanish. We offer both Spanish Summer Camps and Regular Courses for children along the year to foster language learning and multicultural understanding.