This Week: Free Tribeca Drive-in Family Movies, Thomas the Tank Engine & Patriots' Day

4/16/15 - By Ravelle Worthington

It's been a busy week for public school students in third through eighth grades, with the ELA tests wrapping up this Thursday. Whether your kids took them or opted out, they're going to want to let loose this weekend. Luckily, it's going to be a nice one; Saturday is expected to be in the 70s!

We've got lots of outdoor fun on tap with the Tribeca Film Festival's FREE drive-in outdoor movies, the Tenafly Street Fair in nearby New Jersey and the Suffern Street Fair in Westchester. Or head over to Benner's Farm on Long Island, where kids can meet the newest barnyard babies. It's also the kickoff weekend of the Day Out with Thomas Celebration Tour in Connecticut. Enjoy carnival rides, a magic show and, of course, everyone preschooler's favorite friendly engine.

If you're looking to take a quick weekend trip, the Shad Festival takes place in Philly on Saturday, where kids can learn basic fishing techniques and make colorful fish rubbings. Or celebrate Patriots' Day in Boston, commemorating the opening battle of the American Revolution.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

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Tots can enjoy an afternoon of open-ended play with Imagination Playground on Friday at the Brooklyn Children's Museum.

The Tribeca Film Festival kicks off its family programming this week with FREE drive-in outdoor movies, including the animated classic Lady and the Tramp.

Take a visit to the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, a beautiful cultural destination in this month's featured neighborhood, Morningside Heights. From the art installations and stained-glass windows, to the family art workshops and parks, there's plenty to keep the whole family entertained.

Speaking of arts and crafts, this week's WeeWork projects include making wind chimes out of recycled materials, and an easy recipe for peanut butter and jelly cookies.

Are your kids obsessed with sea life and all things related to marine biology? We've got seven places where they can really delve into the subject.

In our biweekly news roundup, we've got details on the closing of Pearl River Mart and a FREE summer prep camp for the Specialized High School Admissions Test.

We also shared our picks for the best family theater this spring, with shows like The Trials of Alice in Wonderland from TADA! Youth Theater and the interactive installation Paper Planet at the New Victory Theater.

Lincoln Center is launching a new family series, Lincoln Center Kids, featuring special programming and events like the upcoming Spring Fling, an outdoor festival filled with performances and other fun.

Visit the Houdini Museum of New York or acquire some new tricks at midtown's Fantasma Magic store and showroom.

Best bets for the weekend include hawk watching on Staten Island, a Broadway sing-along at Carnegie Hall and the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Cabaret.

[Photo: Flickr user Diana Beato]