Weekend Fun for NYC Kids: Free Arthur Ashe Kids' Day, Summer Festivals, FringeJr, VW Traffic Jam August 23-24

8/20/14 - By Stephanie Ogozalek

Sports, sprinklers, sing-alongs and lots of summer fun are all on tap for the weekend, the second to last one before the kids go back to school. Two of our top picks for the month take place this weekend. On Saturday, head to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for FREE tennis clinics, games and face time with pros at the annual Arthur Ashe Kids' Day, or catch the last weekend of family-friendly FringeJr theater shows.

Other cool options include NYC Audubon's annual Shorebird Festival in Queens and a Volkswagen show on Governors Island.

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 and our Summer Fun Guide. Before heading out on your adventures, be sure to download our FREE Mommy Poppins Kids on the Go app so you can find the best family destinations wherever you happen to be in NYC.

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All Weekend

FringeJr 2014 – East Village
An August Go List pick: The New York International Fringe Festival wraps up this weekend so it's your last chance to catch these offbeat family shows at the 14th Street Y: the wacky sci-fi romp Alienne: The Musical Adventures of My Little Martian, the musical My Monster Friend and the madcap Vagabond$. $13
 

Saturday, August 23

Arthur Ashe Kids' Day – Corona
Another August Go List pick: Kick off the US Open at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center with a day of tennis fun for kids. Get active at clinics, watch big-name pros practice, enjoy face painting, juggling workshops, hair beading and braiding, storytelling and a no-cost concert by young up-and-comers. (Note: There's a different concert at 1pm featuring big names like Hunter Hayes that isn't free but tickets are still available as of this writing.) All tennis and sports activities are FREE.

Legends of Oz Ride-A-Long, Sing-a-Long Double Decker Bus Tour – Midtown East & West
Here's a wacky way to play tourist for an hour: Celebrate the DVD release of the animated movie Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return with a no-cost double-decker bus tour of Manhattan with YouTube sensations the Holderness Family. As your cruise through midtown, the crooners will lead passengers in sing-alongs of tunes from the flick. Seating is first-come, first-served. FREE

Sprinkler Day – Upper East Side
Grab your towel and head to athletics complex Asphalt Green to romp in giant sprinklers set up on its large outdoor lawn. Don't forget to grab a frozen treat on your way out. Bring your own towels! FREE

Seining the River Wild – Dumbo
Explore the ecosystem under the Manhattan Bridge with local environmentalists, who'll help kids catch, log and release fish and other East River creatures. FREE

Family Field Day – Brooklyn Heights
More fun in Brooklyn Bridge Park: Get your game on at Pier 6 with friendly soccer matches, freeze tag, and potato sack and relay races. FREE

Shorebird Festival – Broad Channel
Head to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge to celebrate migrating shorebirds with the American Littoral Society and NYC Audubon. Experts will be on hand to host guided birding hikes and other avian fun. FREE

Stories & Stilts – Fort Greene
Head to BRIC House for an afternoon of activities inspired by the Transcommunality exhibition currently on view. Kids can learn how to walk on stilts, catch a performance by Amphibian Stage Productions and enjoy themed art projects. FREE

Children's Day Festival & PanFest – Crown Heights
Celebrate Carnival! The Carlos Lezama Archives & Caribbean Cultural Center hosts an outdoor family festival featuring clowns and games, traditional Caribbean entertainment, ethnic eats and live steel pan performances. FREE

See all Saturday events.  
 

Sunday, August 24

Brighton Jubilee Festival – Brighton Beach
Take a trip to our neighborhood of the month, Brighton Beach, for this massive community fest. Enjoy three stages of eclectic live entertainment (everything from rock bands to arm-wrestling contests), blocks of vendors, tasty treats and kiddie rides. Afterward, head to nearby Coney for more summer fun. FREE

Volkswagen Traffic Jam – Governors Island
Peruse vintage VWs (like bugs, campers and vans) parked on Governors Island, vote for your favorite and grab some grub. While on the isle, check out all of the other attractions including mini-golf and an Interactive Sculpture Garden. FREE

Family Performance Series: Story Laurie – Upper West Side
Catch the singer/storyteller in Central Park's Peter J. Sharp Children's Glade as she croons tunes about nature. FREE

See all Sunday events.
 

Don't forget: There's more fun to be found in our Event Calendar.

Photo courtesy of USTA