100 Free Things to Do with NYC Kids July 2012

Free Things to Do July 2012

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Sunday, July 1 Tap your toes to the awesome New York Cuban All Stars in a free concert as part of the Harlem Meer Performance Festival. The free Sunday shows continue through September 2. FREE

Monday, July 2 Pen a poem that pays tribute to NYC at the Kew Gardens Hills branch of the Queen’s Library. FREE

Tuesday, July 3 Enjoy storytime at Wave Hill and then explore the Bronx oasis. Wave Hill offers free admission on Tuesdays throughout July and August. FREE

Wednesday, 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

Thursday, July 5 Spend the afternoon working on art projects and playing lawn games at Battery Park’s Nelson A. Rockefeller Park. The program runs every Thursday through October 25. FREE

Friday, July 6 Enjoy no-cost admission to the Children's Museum of Manhattan from 5 to 8pm. It's a great time to check out the Eat Play Sleep exhibit. FREE

Saturday, July 7 Journey through Battery Park during a roving performance of Twelfth Night by New York Classical Theatre. Arrive at 5pm for a free pre-show family workshop. FREE

Sunday, July 8 Head to Central Park's SummerStage for Family Day. The amazing lineup includes Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players, performers from the New York Chinese Cultural Center and the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus. FREE

Monday, July 9 Watch an interactive show with WonderSpark Puppets at the Upper West Side’s Diana Ross Playground. The Sandbox Puppets program takes place at different Central Park playgrounds every Monday through Thursday through July 26. FREE

Tuesday, July 10 Get up close and personal with Arcadia Bird Sanctuary's exotic residents in Bryant Park. The amazing creatures will be on view every Tuesday through September 18, weather permitting. FREE

Wednesday, July 11 Enjoy a free family flick courtesy of Clearview Cinemas Summer Kids' Club. Today, see The Smurfs in Chelsea and Rio on the Upper East Side. The movie theater chain shows no-cost films on Wednesday and Thursday mornings through August 30. FREE

Thursday, July 12 Groove to Astrograss in Washington Market Park. The Tribeca green space hosts free family concerts on Thursday evenings through July 19. FREE

Friday, July 13 Watch Kung Fu Panda 2 as part of Riverflicks for Kids at Pier 46 in Hudson River Park. The free family flicks continue on Friday evenings through August 24. FREE

Saturday, July 14 Learn the basics of merengue, tango and swing during Midsummer Night Swing Kids Dance at Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park. FREE

Sunday, July 15 Drop a line in Prospect Park’s Lake at a Macy’s Fishing Clinic. These fishing lessons are held every Saturday and Sunday afternoon in July and August. FREE

Monday, July 16 Catch an interactive concert by children's music duo Presley & Melody at the Webster Library branch of the New York Public Library. FREE

Tuesday, July 17 Enjoy catch-and-release fishing on Pier 25 today and every Tuesday through August 21. Kids can also cast their lines on Piers 46 and 84 every Sunday through August 26. FREE

Wednesday, July 18 Catch Brooklyn mom rocker Suzi Shelton as she brings down the house—er, playground—in Fort Greene Park. The green space's Music in the Grove kids' concert series continues through August 15. FREE

Thursday, July 19 Enjoy complimentary admission to the Brooklyn Children's Museum from 4-7pm today. FREE

Friday, July 20 Pack a picnic and watch an outdoor screening of last year's big family blockbuster The Muppets in Bellevue South Park.

Saturday, July 21 Get arty at the New Museum's Block Party in Sara D. Roosevelt Park. Enjoy a slew of creative activities, and then explore the Bowery museum at no cost. FREE

Sunday, July 22 See TheatreWorksUSA's page-to-stage adaptation of Skippyjon Jones, as the feline battles banditos as El Skippito Friskito. The show runs through Sunday, August 19 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. Visit the website for a schedule of performances. FREE

Monday, July 23 Dance to live African djembe beats at Pat Hoffman Friedman Playground. The Sandbox Dance program takes place in different Central Park playgrounds on Mondays and Tuesdays through August 14. FREE

Tuesday, July 24 Dance to the kooky tunes of Recess Monkey in Rufus King Park in Queens. One of the many SummerStage Kids concerts playing throughout NYC this season. FREE

Wednesday, July 25 Make music alongside Central Park Brass in the James Michael Levin Playground. The Sandbox Music program takes place at different Central Park playgrounds every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday through August 17. FREE

Thursday, July 26 Today is your last chance to bring your mat to Washington Square Park for an kids' yoga class. FREE

Friday, July 27 Head to Sara D. Roosevelt Park for the soulful sounds of Shine & the Moonbeams. One of the many SummerStage Kids concerts playing throughout NYC this season. FREE

Saturday, July 28 Today is Family Day at Lincoln Center Out of Doors. Watch performances by the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus and Chinese acrobats, plus take part in Polyglot Theatre's interactive art project Tangle.

Sunday, July 29 Enjoy SummerStage’s Queens Family Day in Springfield Park with soul singer Randolph Matthews, LuckyBob's Magic Juggling Comedy and a Little Club Heads dance party.

Monday, July 30 Get up close and personal with live owls and learn all about the nocturnal predators at the NYPL’s High Bridge Branch.

Tuesday, July 31 Party with the Dirty Sock Funtime Band in Madison Square Park as part of its Madison Square Kids free music series. Catch complimentary concerts every Tuesday and Thursday morning through August 9. FREE

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