All Weekend

Paper Planet – Midtown West
From our May GoList: Don't expect to sit back and relax at this interactive installation presented by the New Victory Theater. Families can add their own creations to this immersive environment and even contribute to the soundscape by making noise when the mic comes along.

Bronx Zoo Children's Zoo Grand Reopening – the Bronx
Celebrate the reopening of the Bronx Zoo's tot spot with arts and crafts, music, dancing, tours of the new exhibits, and meet and greets with Nick Jr.'s Peppa Pig.
 

Saturday, May 30

IDEAS CITY StreetFest – Lower East Side
Also from our May GoList: The New Museum's biannual fest dedicated to innovative arts and culture in urban areas culminates in this all-ages street fair in and around Sara D. Roosevelt Park. Outside the museum, massive blocks of recyclable EPS geofoam will transform the Bowery into a surreal street-scape, while old hot-air balloons will be reinvented as colorful, temporary structures for interactive workshops and performances. FREE

Night Lights, Big City: Stargazing – Brooklyn Heights
Hit Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 1 to stargaze with professional astronomers as part of the World Science Festival. Also, meet real-life astronauts, check out an interactive installation from NASA and enjoy other space-related fun. FREE

It's My Park Day – Citywide
Help spruce up your neighborhood green space as part of this awesome initiative. It's a great way to connect with nature and the perfect opportunity to teach kids about the importance of giving back to the community. FREE

Ladybug Day – Tribeca
An annual spring tradition: Head to Washington Market Park to help release 100,000 (!) of little ladybugs into the green space. FREE

Kids Author Carnival – West Village
Celebrate kid lit at the Jefferson Market Library, where more than 30 local YA and children's authors will be on hand to read their books and answer questions. Other fun on tap includes games, giveaways and signings. FREE

Memorial Day Fair – Sunnyside
Kids can hit the sandpit, swoosh down the slide or swing in the lovely members-only Sunnyside Gardens Park, which welcomes the general public to this annual fair. Other attractions include an obstacle course and a kiddie nail salon. And yes, we realize Memorial Day was last weekend but that's still the name of the fete! Free admission but there are fees for activities

Children's Festival of Flowers – West Village
Frolic in the flowers at the lovely Jefferson Market Garden. Seasonal games and composting with Dave the Worm Guy are also on tap. FREE

Teen Opening of the Whitney – Meatpacking District
Got teens? Then make sure they know about this special evening event when they can check out the brand-new Whitney Museum of American Art with their peers. Ninth through 12th graders can explore the exhibit America is Hard to See with artists Josh Kline and Dread Scott, followed by dancing and art making. FREE

KidsFilmFest – Dumbo
Catch screenings of 10 independent shorts created for kids at this annual fest curated by the folks behind the Brooklyn Film Festival.  

See all Saturday events.
 

Sunday, May 31

The Ultimate Science Street Fair – Greenwich Village
More from our May GoList: This amazing fest in Washington Square Park features tons of hands-on activities and experiments. In years past, my science-obsessed kid has made Goop, explored the BioBus, participated in a dinosaur Q&A with paleontologist Dr. Scott from the Dinosaur Train TV show, played crime scene investigator, toured the Math Midway and met Sid the Science Kid. Every year it is a little bit different but always a big hit. Go early! It gets super-mobbed. FREE

The Epiphany School Spring Carnival – Gramercy
Full disclosure: My son attends this school so I know for a fact that the annual fundraiser is a blast. Enjoy two bouncy castles, a massive inflatable slide and blow-up obstacle course, lots of arts and crafts, and a Silly String squirting area. Free admission but there are fees for activities

Adoptapalooza – Union Square
Looking to add a four-legged friend to your family? The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals and Petco are hosting a free adoption event in Union Square where you can choose from a large selection of rescued dogs, cats and rabbits. There will also be pet care demos, face painting and other fun for kids. All the activities are free but there are fees for adopting a pet

See all Sunday events.  

Don't forget: There's even more fun to be found in our Event Calendar.