Free Weekend Events for New York City Kids June 12-14: Giant BBQs, 400+ Art Activities, Science Festivals and More

Every single event in this post is free (not even one pay-as-you wish!). Not that there aren't cool events worth paying for this weekend, but there's just so much goodness going on for absolutely free, why pay: Giant BBQs, monster art festivals, science fairs (and not the 5th grade kind) and tons of free music, food, shows and so much more. Isn't summer in the city great?

Like last weekend, this weekend is packed out with free festivals. A sure-to-be-crowded one, Children's Day at South Street Seaport (Sat 13, Noon-5PM) is filled with musical acts, plays, an eco-friendly traffic show and a lot more. It will be crowded, but this event has proved worth the claustrophobic feelings.

A less packed and more intellectually stimulating event, World Science Festival Street Fair (Sun 14, 10AM-6PM) is a very cool extravaganza that features a non—stop program of interactive exhibits, experiments, games, and shows like the science of bubbles, planting, and live animals.

The Queens Art Express Festival wants people to enjoy their recession-proof staycations by exploring different cultures through art. Many of the dance and music performances are family-friendly, check out their schedule for more information. 

Perhaps the mother of all festivals this weekend is Govenors Island's Figment. If you haven't been, I'd say you're missing out. Figment is "an explosion of creative energy," where you’ll have the opportunity to experience 400 art pieces, projects, and performances (like Megasoccer, crown & tiara making for kids, cookie making, recycled wind-powered instruments), with only one common theme:  you are asked to participate, create, and engage. Kids love it, parents love it, hipsters love it, you'll love it. (Fri 12-Sun 14, FREE)

More free events:

Hungry? Head to the 7th Annual Big Apple BBQ Block Party(Sat 13, Sun 14) at Madison Square Park for the sights, sounds and smells of  great live music, seminars and cooking demonstrations. The country’s best pitmasters grill up their best and serve it for $8 a plate (everything else is free). 

Looking to groove? Astrograss kicks off the Kids Concert Series at Carroll Gardens (Sun 14 3:30PM-5:30PM, FREE) with a blend of bluegrass and old-time music and down-home humor. The concert features sing-a-longs, dance contests, and high-energy fiddle hoedowns. Their original songs cover topics like spelling, whether Pluto is a planet, bedtime, and the many neighborhoods of Brooklyn.

Take the PATH to the practically 6th borough of the city, Hoboken, for Kiddiepalooza (Sun 14, Pier A Park, 11AM-4PM, FREE): a festival designed just for kids, featuring live music (headliners are the Fuzzy lemons), games, rides, face painting, sand art, creative activities and more. 

Stop by East River Park on Sat 13 (10AM-3PM) for the 3rd Annual Field Day, filled with good old-fashioned fun like hula-hooping, jump rope, obstacle courses and free lunch for everybody who attends.

Also going on this weekend is the Annual Vintage Police Car Show at the NYC Police Museum, the 30th Annual Mississippi Day Picnic in Central Park (filled with blues, fried catfish and lots of Southern Hospitality) and a boarder's paradise at Rockstock and Barrell in the Rockaways, an annual festival including surf contests, skate board demos, and live music.

For even more cool events, pay a visit to our calendar, where you'll find out about events like a catch-and-release day of water fun at the West Harlem Piers Park Fishing Festival and don't forget about our post on the Come Out & Play Festival! Plus it's the last weekend to catch the Ernesto Neto art show that kids have been loving.
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Photo Credit: Fernando Sanchez