Weekend Fun for NYC Kids: Street Games, Free Spring Festivals & Story Pirates April 25-26

4/22/15 - By Stephanie Ogozalek

The spring season kicks into high gear with six of our top family event picks for April happening this weekend. Gawk at gorgeous flowers and funky fashions at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Sakura Matsuri: Cherry Blossom Festival; introduce the kids to pogo sticks, hula hoops and hippity hops at Street Games in East Harlem and enjoy all kinds of FREE fun at the Tribeca Film Festival Family Street Fair.

Plus there is some exceptional kids' culture to enjoy this weekend. See Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players croon at the New Victory Theater, catch a stage adaptation of the popular book Manxmouse at BAM or giggle at the antics of the Story Pirates, part of the new family series Lincoln Center Kids.

As always, you can find even more options in our Event Calendar and our Spring Fun Guide.

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Sakura Matsuri: Cherry Blossom Festival – Crown Heights
One of our April GoList picks: Celebrate spring and Japanese culture at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's wildly popular annual fest, which is set in and around its beautiful blooming Cherry Esplanade. Kid-specific activities include manga drawing, origami, magic and drumming workshops. Although the fest usually doesn't sell out, the lines often snake around the block so arrive early.

Séquence 8 – Midtown West
More from our April GoList: This acrobatic, circus-arts show from Montreal's spectacular Les 7 Doigts de la Main features high-flying action and intense emotions set to a hip-hop soundtrack. Save on tickets through our affiliate Goldstar.

The Mysterious Hat – Midtown West
Grammy-nominated Justin Roberts and his band, the Not Ready for Naptime Players, are hitting NYC with a concert experience created exclusively for the New Victory Theater. Expect to hear old faves along with new tunes that should have kids bouncing in their seats. 

Saturday, April 25

Street Games – East Harlem
Also from our April GoList: This annual fest in Thomas Jefferson Park is dedicated to the kinds of analog amusements we grew up with back in the '60s and '70s. Leave your iPads and iPhones at home and encourage the kids to try out classics like pogo sticks, hippity hops, hopscotch and Double Dutch. There will also be an old-fashioned soap box derby race! FREE

Tribeca Family Festival Street Fair and ESPN Sports Day Tribeca
Another April GoList pick: The highlight of the Tribeca Film Festival's family programming is really two fests in one. The Family Street Fair features giveaways, performances by Broadway musicals, interactive art and film workshops, plus a Games for Change Public Arcade featuring real-world and digital games. Along the route, you'll also find one block set aside for ESPN Sports Day, with games, demos, and appearances by pro athletes and sports teams. FREE

Manxmouse: The Mouse Who Knew No Fear – Fort Greene
Part of BAM's series of family programming, this stage adaptation of Paul Gallico's children's novel comes from the Netherlands' Theatergroep Kwatta, which uses everyday objects and simple toys to tell the adventurous tales of an odd little mouse. It's a tribute to imagination and low-tech storytelling.

St. George Day – Staten Island
Also from our April GoList: Celebrate Earth Day and the arts on Staten Island at this annual fest. There's a ton of fun on tap, including local artists selling their wares and leading workshops, live music and dance performances, plus a fanciful puppet show that recounts the St. George dragon-slaying legend with a less gruesome ending. The highlight of the day is the 35-foot puppet dragon parade. FREE

New York Road Runners Youth Jamboree – Randall's Island
The NYRR hosts a no-cost track and field event for kids at Icahn Stadium. No experience necessary. Children are grouped by grade and gender, and get to run, jump and throw. The preregistration deadline has passed but you can sign up onsite starting at 7:45am. FREE

Park Slope Family Festival – Park Slope
This annual neighborhood favorite in J.J. Byrne Park is organized by the creative folks at Puppetry Arts. Enjoy clowns from UniverSoul Circus, carnival games, bouncy houses and other kid-centric fun. The first 200 children to arrive snag free goody bags. Free admission but there are fees for certain activities

South Street Seaport Museum Opening Day – South Street Seaport
The still-shuttered museum hosts an open-air festival on Pier 16 and the surrounding cobblestone streets. Families can go on a self-guided scavenger hunt of the area, explore sailor's tools like compasses and maps, learn about the underwater creatures that call the New York Harbor Home and sing sea shanties. FREE

Short Stories – Hudson Square
Hit avant-garde theater HERE for a unique puppet performance in which Peruvian duo Ines Pasic and Hugo Suarez create kooky puppet characters out of their own hands, feet, knees, elbows and a few well-chosen props. The vignettes are wordless and humorous, and riff on the oddities of everyday life.

See all Saturday events.
 

Sunday, April 26

The Trials of Alice in Wonderland – Chelsea
From our April GoList: TADA! Youth Theater's latest production is based on Lewis Carroll's classic books, but expect a few twists and turns as Alice goes on trial for her kooky adventures in Wonderland. Saturday's performance is already sold out so buy tickets in advance for Sunday!

Lincoln Center Kids: Story Pirates Greatest Hits Show – Upper West Side
Lincoln Center's new family series continues with the ever-popular Story Pirates. This zany troupe keeps audiences of all ages giggling with hilarious sketch-comedy musicals inspired by kids' creative writing.

Jim Henson’s Dinosaur Train Live: Buddy’s Big Adventure – Flatbush
If you have a fan of the PBS Kids' hit series Dinosaur Train at home, don't miss this live stage adaptation at the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts. My son and I saw this interactive musical a few years back and we thought it was adorable. All the beloved characters including Buddy, Tiny and Don come to life thanks to Jim Henson Studio's amazing puppets.

Worldwide Pin Hole Camera Day – Staten Island
The historic Alice Austen House Museum will provide pinhole cameras, paper and the chance to use the darkroom to develop one picture per person (additional exposures available for a fee). Darkroom reservations suggested. FREE

Birding Bonanza – Randall's Island
Visit the activity-packed isle for a day of fun watching our flying feathered friends with the NYC Audubon Society. Kids can also enjoy arts and crafts, games and refreshments. FREE

See all Sunday events.


Don’t forget: There are lots of other options in our Event Calendar.