Free and Fun Weekend Events for NYC Kids - March 13 and 14, 2010

It’s the time of year that New Yorkers start to breathe a sigh of relief.  We return to the streets, blinking in the long forgotten sun, happy to have made it through another cold and snowy winter.  It is hard to believe that two weeks ago we were literally buried under a foot of snow but now it seems to have melted into some pretty blissful pre-Spring days.  You won’t need your parka or your snow boots when you go out this weekend (you may need an umbrella though.)

Parks across the city beckon with their offerings of cool, free, family fare like a Native American puppet show, bird watching and live animal encounters. But, if you aren’t ready to spend time outdoors just yet, there are plenty of exciting things going on inside, too. Boogie down at one of the many kiddy concerts, visit Artopia a family arts festival or take in a flick from The New York Kids International Film Festival - tickets are still available. And don’t forget St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner.  Visit the Irish Arts Center during their Annual Open House this Sunday.

Saturday, March 13, 2010:

2nd Annual Artopia: A Family Arts Festival - Upper West Side
If I wasn’t bogged down with escorting my son to birthday parties this weekend I would go to Artopia, a family arts festival that benefits Wingspan Arts Free Summer Theater Conservatory.  The festival features a “mainstage” with Wingspan students performing and fun workshops like clowning. There will be day-long craft projects and, they tell me,  great raffles. If you don’t already know what Wingspan is – go check it out and support a great organization that provides art and after school programming in many of our local schools. The festival is FREE but they will be asking for a donation at the door.

Be a Nature Detective - Queens
Families can learn investigative skills and put them to work looking for signs of life throughout the park. FREE
 
Bunny Hop - Staten Island
Visit with and learn about our fuzzy, long eared, cotton tailed friends. FREE

Putumayo Kids Jazz Playground Concert - SoHo
This is sure to be a great time.  The newly released CD features kid friendly be bop, swing and jazz from all over the world.  Featured artist and New York City’s own Oran Etkin, jazz clarinet player and children’s music educator, will be performing two special concerts this Saturday and then signing copies of the CD after the show. The concerts are FREE but reservations are required.

Also: 

David Weinstone and the Music for Aardvarks Band – Gramercy
Quite possibly the most popular children’s band – ever! Part of the Parents Magazine: House of Kids, Rock and Roll Saturday morning concerts.  I hear the events are really fun with a lot going on besides the music: face painting, magic, juggling and a lot more. Tickets are $20.

Sunday, March 14, 2010:

Native American Storytelling and Puppet Show– Inwood
Learn some Native American tales with an afternoon of puppetry and story telling with the Urban Park Rangers. FREE

Visit the Irish Arts Center during their Annual Open House this Sunday and soak up the culture of the Emerald Isle for free by watching films, step dancing, theater and musical performances, or try your hand at speaking Gaelic or playing the tin whistle.  Kids will love to hear the story of St. Patrick at a special reading just for them at noon.  Find out what else is going on for St. Patrick’s Day.

Did you know that New York City is home to over 200 species of birds?  We are located on the fly zone and they love to stop in while they migrate.  This is a great time of year to look for them.  Bring your binoculars and try bird watching this weekend in one of the city parks:

Audubon Nature Center in Prospect Park offers introduction to bird watching for FREE on Saturday. 

The Loeb Boathouse is holding their weekly Spring bird walks this Sunday.  $10 for adults and $5 for children. 

Also:

Brady Rymer and the Little Band that Could – Upper East Side
Fun and folksy, Grammy award winning, roots rockers Brady Rymer and the Little Band that Could will be getting groovy in a benefit for the PTA of PS 151/The Yorkville Community School. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the school or online.

Joanie Leeds Family Show– Upper West Side
City kids love the grown up sounds of high-energy Joanie Leeds and she will be rocking out to celebrate the release of her debut CD with a family friendly show. Tickets are $16 at the door.

Brooklyn Mutt Show – Park Slope
This is not the Westminster Dog Show, entrants here will be judged on their unique ability to look like their owner or give the sloppiest kiss.  Plus, no pedigrees required (or even wanted) this is a dog show for the mutts, I mean, mixed breeds. Any dog can enter but only the mutts will be judged.  Give it a shot on Saturday, Sunday or both days, a fun way to benefit a great cause: the BARC Shelter in Williamsburg. $5.00 per day to attend, $10 per class to enter.

If your plans are taking you to Long Island this weekend, you may want to check out the interesting minerals program at the Garvies Point Museum. Learn from the curator how to use your senses to identify minerals. Find out what else is going on Long Island or New Jersey for kids.

There is so much more in our events calendar if you are still looking for something to do.

If the rain keeps you indoors, check out these ideas for free crafts for kids in NYC or maybe an outing to Chelsea Market.

No matter what you choose have a great weekend. 

If you are planning an event, don’t forget to let us know.  Enter it into our calendar or shoot us an email at events@mommypoppins.com.

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