Free and Fun Things to Do This Weekend for NYC Kids: Ramona Quimby, Recess Monkey, Muppet Movie Marathon, Purim February 25-26

February break is winding down but you can end it with a bang this weekend. Rock out to concerts by Lloyd Miller of the Deedle Deedle Dees or Seattle trio Recess Monkey. If theater's more your thing, you can choose from a fairy tale puppet show, a musical based on the Beezus and Ramona book series or a kids' comedy show.

Other fun includes celebrating the Himalayan New Year at the Rubin Museum, and a Muppet movie marathon in conjunction with the Museum of the Moving Image's Jim Henson exhibit, which closes soon. Speaking of closing, it's your last weekend to go ice-skating at Bryant Park; the free rink shutters for the season on Sunday.

These are just a few of the great things going on this weekend. All of our best bets are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar or our Winter Fun Guide.

Saturday, February 25

Family Day: Himalayan New Year Celebration – Chelsea
Celebrate Losar, a.k.a. the Himalayan New Year, at the Rubin Museum of Art. Kids can create butter sculptures, taste Tibetan tea, listen to traditional live music and work on a giant collaborative mandala. Afterward, families can enjoy kid-friendly gallery tours. $10.

Recess Monkey – Upper West Side
We're big fans of this super Seattle trio. The three goofy guys, who are pictured above, are all elementary school teachers and kids love their rockin' tunes about marshmallows, hot chocolate and grandma to Symphony Space today. $20 for adults, $13 for children.

Ramona Quimby – Upper West Side
The precocious Ramona, her older sister Beezus and the rest of the Quimby gang from Beverly Cleary's beloved books come alive in this TheatreWorksUSA musical. $10 for adults, $5 for children.

R & R Shabbat at the JCC – Upper West Side
The free Saturday fun continues at the JCC and today's lineup is particularly cool. Activities include a workshop with Brooklyn graffiti artist KAVES, a special children’s art class exploring the work of Keith Haring, a demo by the Rock Steady Crew and the usual indoor games and outdoor play in the rooftop playground, weather permitting. FREE

National Girls and Women in Sports Day – Chelsea
Ladies can head to the Chelsea Recreation Center for a slew of sports clinics, including tennis, soccer, volleyball, track and field, golf, floor hockey and lacrosse. Health workshops, fitness classes and healthy snacks will also be on tap. FREE

Medieval Arts Children’s Workshop – Upper West Side
The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine hosts one of its signature workshops. Kids can carve a block of limestone, create medieval illuminated letters, design gargoyles and try weaving. $6 per child-adult pair.

Family Workshop: City Works – Upper East Side
Tweens can design their own model of a city block in this family workshop at the Museum of the City of New York. Free with admission: $10 for adults, free for children under 13.

See all Saturday events.

Sunday, February 26

Mother Goose Tales with the Three Little Pigs – West Village
The Gingerbread Man, The Three Little Pigs and other classic nursery rhymes hit the stage in this production by the Penny Jones Puppet Co. A great show for first-time theatergoers. $5.

Muppet Triple Feature – Astoria
It's almost your last chance to explore the Jim Henson’s Fantastic World exhibit at the Museum of the Moving Image, which closes March 4. If you go today, you can also catch three classic Muppet flicks: The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper and The Muppets Take Manhattan. Free with admission: $12 for adults, $6 for children ages 3-13, free for kids under 3.

Dinosaurs and More with Richie Mirissis – Staten Island
Budding paleontologists will love looking at fossils, 3D models and other dino paraphernalia from Mirissis’ collection. Afterward, kids can create their own clay fossil molds. Free with admission: $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 3-14, free for kids under 3.

Kids 'N Comedy: The Did You Know Show – Chelsea
Catch the teen stars of stand-up at the Gotham Comedy Club as they joke about random facts. If you enjoy the show, you can sign your own jokesters up for classes. $15 plus a one-item minimum.

Jumpin’ Juniper Presents: Lloyd Miller & the Brooklyn Phonebook – Park Slope
Deedle Deedle Dees front man Lloyd Miller plays the Brooklyn Arts Exchange backed by the Brooklyn Phonebook, a band made up of his friends, music students and audience members (so bring your instruments!). After the concert, kids can romp around in BAX’s indoor playroom at no extra cost. $7, free for kids under 2.

Funky Family Purim with the Mama Doni Band – Battery Park City
The Museum of Jewish Heritage celebrates Purim a few weeks early with a concert by the colorful Mama Doni Band. Kids can also do arts and crafts, and join a festive costume parade. Bonus: Every family snags a free CD. $10 for adults, $7 for children under 10.

Jazz Kids! – Greenwich Village
Jazz singer Amy Cervini’s interactive, hour-long jazz show is perfect for young hepcats. Kids can hear her belt out short and sweet standards, and get up and dance, sing along and even play with the instruments. $5.

See all Sunday events.

Outside NYC

Head to the Howell Living History Farm in Lambertville, New Jersey to learn about maple sugaring.

More maple syrup fun: Benner’s Farm on Long Island will show visitors how to make the sweet stuff, from tapping to collecting to boiling it down.

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

Planning an event? Submit it to our Event Calendar.

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