100 Free Things to Do with NYC Kids July 2011

Free Things to Do July 2011

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Friday, July 1 Enjoy no-cost admission to the Children's Museum of Manhattan from 5-8pm. It's a great time to check out the engaging Curious George exhibit that opened in June! FREE

Saturday, July 2 Explore the wonders of Van Cortlandt Park on an educational Imagination Walk. These complimentary kids' tours happen every Saturday morning through July 30. FREE

Sunday, July 3 Head to St. Mary's Park to catch Moona Luna and other cool kindie bands as part of SummerStage's Bronx Family Day. FREE

Monday, July 4 Celebrate Independence Day with two NYC holiday traditions: Macy's annual fireworks display and Nathan's hot dog eating contest in Coney Island. FREE

Tuesday, July 5 Catch a concert by Secret Agent 23 Skidoo in Chinatown's Columbus Park as part of SummerStage Kids. FREE

Wednesday, July 6 Enjoy a free family flick courtesy of Clearview Cinemas Summer Kids' Club. Today, catch Despicble Me in Chelsea and Shrek 4 on the Upper East Side. The movie theater chain shows no-cost films on Wednesday and Thursday mornings through August 25. FREE

Thursday, July 7 See CityParks PuppetMobile's touring production of Bessie's Big Shot—about a cow who wants to join the circus— in Morningside Park. This show plays in multiple city parks all summer. FREE

Friday, July 8 Watch the Pattycake Theater's take on Jack & the Beanstalk at this alfresco performance in Queens' Highland Park. FREE

Saturday, July 9 Journey through Battery Park and Governors Island during a roving performance of Henry V by New York Classical Theater. Click here for a complete schedule of performances. FREE

Sunday, July 10 Head to SummerStage's Central Park main stage for a Family Day performance. The amazing lineup includes the Verve Pipe, the Zany Umbrella Circus and the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers. FREE

Monday, July 11 Listen to a good tale told by a professional storyteller in Central Park. Sandbox Stories takes place at different playgrounds every Monday through Thursday through August 19. FREE

Tuesday, July 12 Try one of clarinetist Oran Etkin's acclaimed Timbalooloo classes in Queens' Rufus King Park.

Wednesday, July 13 Make music alongside Central Park Brass in one of the park's playgrounds. Sandbox Music takes place at different playgrounds every Monday through Friday through August 19. FREE

Thursday, July 14 Get down with the Funkey Monkeys, who play Riverside Park this morning. FREE

Friday, July 15 Find out all about the Monarch butterfly in the Wildlife Theater Company's The Great Migration Sensation at Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park. FREE

Saturday, July 16 Learn the basics of meringue, tango and swing during Midsummer Night Swing Kids' Dance. FREE

Sunday, July 17 Tap your toes to the awesome Ebony Hillbillies in a free concert by Central Park's Harlem Meer. FREE

Monday, July 18 Enjoy free arts and crafts in Riverside Park's Hippo Playground. The popular play spot hosts no-cost activities every Monday through August 29. FREE

Tuesday, July 19 Take tours of two historic ships docked at Brooklyn Bridge Park: the 1914 Lehigh Valley Barge and the 1907 Tugboat Pegasus. The boats are welcoming visitors through Friday, July 22. FREE

Wednesday, July 20 Catch Brooklyn’s own Deedle Deedle Dees as the band brings down the house—er, playground—in Fort Greene Park. The green space's Music in the Grove: Kids concert series continues through August 10. FREE

Thursday, July 21 Bring your dancing shoes to Union Square Park for an outdoor edition of Baby Loves Disco. The Kids in the Square Festival continues Thursdays through August 11. FREE

Friday, July 22 See TheatreWorksUSA's The Yellow Brick Road, a Latino take on Oz filled with salsa and meringue tunes. Through August 19. Click here for a complete schedule. FREE

Saturday, July 23 Get arty at the New Museum's Block Party in Sara D. Roosevelt Park. Partake in a ton of free activities, then enjoy no-cost admission to the Bowery institution. FREE

Sunday, July 24 SummerStage's Queens Family Day features music from Shine & the Moonbeams, and Robbi K, storytelling by David Gonzalez and Puppetmobile marionette show. FREE

Monday, July 25 Play a rousing game of Ping-Pong in Bryant Park. FREE

Tuesday, July 26 Enjoy a no-cost storytime at Wave Hill, and then explore this Bronx oasis. This stunning spot offers free admission on Tuesdays throughout the summer. FREE

Wednesday, July 27 Groove to StarFish in Carroll Gardens. The Carroll Park Concert Series has two more dates later in the summer. FREE

Friday, July 28 Learn all about jazz when Hayes Greenfield's Jazz-a-ma-tazz visits Van Cortlandt Park. The groups plays other Big Apple locations throughout the summer. Click here for a complete schedule. FREE

Saturday, July 29 Catch Buzz and Woody in their most thrilling adventure to date, Toy Story 3, which screens at Pier 46 as part of River Flicks for Kids. The free family flicks continue on Friday evenings through August 19. FREE

Saturday, July 30 Enjoy catch-and-release fishing on Piers 84, 64 and 46 every weekend through September 5. FREE

Sunday, July 31 Compete in (or just marvel at) the annual Sandcastle Contest in the Rockaways. FREE

Check out our Summer Fun Guide and Events Calendar for additional suggestions.