All Weekend

Queens County Fair — Glen Oaks
A September GoList pick: Head to the Queens County Farm Museum for old-fashioned fun like blue ribbon competitions, pie-eating and corn-husking contests, pig races, hayrides, a petting zoo and tons of carnival rides. Bonus: This is also the weekend the farm opens its massive corn maze for the season.

Staten Island Museum Grand Opening — Staten Island
Another September GoList pick: Celebrate the museum's new digs at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center at this two-day fete. On Saturday, enjoy lawn games, live music, science and history activities, and an Autumn Moon Festival in the nearby New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden. On Sunday, there will be classical concerts, gallery tours and nature walks throughout the gorgeous grounds. FREE

The Figment arts collective is behind the super-creative Play:Ground Adventure.

Play:Ground Adventure — Governors Island
Head to Governors Island to help build a city out of cardboard boxes, fabric, markers, string, tape and other easy-to-use materials. Afterward, hit the mini-golf course, the hammocks and the Interactive Sculpture Garden before the isle closes for the season next weekend. FREE

Harvest Festival — the Bronx
Hit the Bronx Zoo to celebrate the season with apple tasting, composting and gardening demos, salsa and jam making, seasonal crafts, live bluegrass bands and, of course, lots of face time with the animals. Free with admission

Feast of San Gennaro — Little Italy
And another September GoList pick: This annual favorite wraps up this weekend with a cannoli-eating contest, live music, games and rides, and delicious food. Come during the day to avoid the party scene. Free admission but there are fees for certain activities

Saturday, September 19

Brooklyn Book Festival Children's Day — Brooklyn Heights
Our final September GoList pick of the weekend: Check out the BBF's first-ever Children's Day, which takes place the day before the main event. Head to MetroTech Commons to enjoy readings by big names in little-kid lit (Kevin Henkes, Kitten's First Full Moon, Jon Scieszka,The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales), plus puppet shows, live music, costumed characters, illustrator draw-offs and lots of children's books for sale. FREE

Go fly a kite at Brooklyn Bridge Park's annual fest.

Brooklyn Kite Festival — Brooklyn Heights
Bring your own kite to Brooklyn Bridge Park's Harbor View Lawn and let it soar in front of the glorious Manhattan skyline. (If you don't have one, flyers will be available for purchase.) Afterward, explore everything the glorious green space has to offer including a historic carousel, awesome playgrounds and interactive outdoor art. FREE

Poseidon's Parade — Rockaway
Attention Coney Island Mermaid Parade fans! This brand-new Rockaway Beach procession is inspired by that iconic annual event. Register to march in your most impressive sea-themed costume or just gawk at the eye-popping aquatic outfits. After the parade, families can hit the Under the Sea Lounge for face painting, hula hooping and crafts. FREE to watch

Go Fish! Featuring Arm-of-the-Sea Theater — Battery Park City
Cast a line in Wagner Park and enjoy art projects, face time with turtles and a puppet show about the history of fishing in the Hudson River by the Arm-of-the-Sea Theater. FREE

The Commedia Rapunzel — Soho
Catch this Commedia dell'arte take on the classic fairy tale at the Soho Playhouse. Structured as a show within a show, The Commedia Rapunzel follows an impoverished troupe of Italian performers as they mount a campy and interactive musical inspired by the imprisoned princess with insanely long tresses.

See all Saturday events.

Sunday, September 20

#MetsKids Launch Party — Upper East Side
Celebrate the Metropolitan Museum of Art's brand-new digital feature created by and for kids. Enjoy collaborative art projects, watch kid-made films, try stop-motion animation, doodle, weave or just hang out. Free with suggested admission

Youth Stage at the Brooklyn Book Festival — Brooklyn Heights
If you can't make it to BBF's Children's Day on Saturday, there will still be plenty of fun for tween and teen bookworms at Sunday's main event. Hit the Youth Stage at the Brooklyn Heights Library for young adult readings and author Q&As throughout the day. FREE

Stand Clear of the Closing Doors, Please — Park Slope
Brooklyn-based Spellbound Theatre presents this NYC-centric show for very young audiences at the the Old Stone House. Follow the adventures of Catbear, a lost lovey, as he travels through various subway tunnels looking for his owner.

Flatbush Frolic — Flatbush
Hit this community celebration featuring the usual street fest fun including delicious treats, live music, a craft fair, and a dedicated kids' area with games and bouncy houses. FREE

Lantern Floating for Peace — Upper West Side
Head to Lincoln Center's Paul Milstein Reflecting Pool to decorate a lantern with your hopes and dreams for world peace at this Shinnyo-en-sponsored celebration. At sunset, the head Buddhist priestess will say a special prayer as LED-lit lanterns are set afloat. FREE

Adoptapalooza — Union Square
Meet more than 300 cats, dogs and other animals looking for forever homes at this annual pet adoption event in Union Square Park. Training demos, pet care advice, training and grooming, and kids' activities like face painting and temporary tattoos are also on tap. FREE

92Y Street Festival — Upper East Side
The venerable Upper East Side institution sponsors this multi-block street fair. Check out the Y's fall programming and classes, and visit KidCentral Avenue for family performances, arts and crafts, sports and games, and activities sponsored by American Girl Doll. FREE

See all Sunday events.

Don't forget: We have additional activity options in our Event Calendar.

Top photo: Kids getting ready to race at the Queens County Fair; photo courtesy of the Queens County Farm Museum.