Free Fun Easter & Passover NYC Weekend Kids Events: April 2 - April 4, 2010

New York City never slows down - not even on Easter or Passover. There is a ton of holiday fun in the city this weekend, egg hunts, spring carnivals and other egg related fun. And, if you have never been to the annual NYC Easter Bonnet Parade, this is the perfect year to check out the festive Manhattan tradition. For Passover, try something a little different and head on down to the Eldridge Street Synagogue for their Preservation Detective program which features a Passover Party.

It is also the first weekend of April which means some area museums have special free admission times and family programs. For a weekends worth of free museum going, start out Friday at The Children’s Museum of Manhattan it is free from 5:00 – 8:00 pm, then visit the Brooklyn Museum on Saturday it is free from 5 to 11 pm, and then spend Sunday afternoon at the Queens Museum of Art it is free from 1:00 to 4:30 and they are both offering some special programming for families to boot.

 

No matter what you decide to do - have a wonderful weekend and a lovely holiday. Here are our event picks for this Easter and Passover Weekend:

Indoor Activities for Kids: Have a Living Room Camp Out

Build a fort or pitch a tent in the living room to get started.

Love camping but don't want the drive, the dirt, the packing, the setup—frankly any of the hassle? Or maybe it's rainy, wet, or cold and kids are clamoring for a campout. Try a indoor camping trip, and turn a regular old day into an adventure.

Add to the camping fun with these Classic and Funny Campfire Songs for Kids, and next time you're ready to pack up the tent and do some real camping, check out our Camping Travel Guide for Families for more camping tips and fun.

NJ Easter Weekend Events April 3-4: Bunnies, Big Bird, Beatrix Potter and Barking Beauties–much FREE!

With the arrival of Easter weekend comes the expected, but always child-entertaining, mix of Easter egg hunts, bunny breakfasts and Easter Bunny crafts–take your pick of preferred location: Imagine That! Children’s Museum (once you’re in, you’re in–activity planning for the day DONE); Liberty Village Premium Outlets (they hunt for eggs, you hunt for bargains); Weis Ecology Center (bonus: learn to dye your eggs naturally); Terhune Orchards (romp through the blooming pastures); the Brownstone Puppet Theater (puppets and a teddy bear parade, too) or the New Jersey Children’s Museum (breakfast included!) Up to your long ears in bunny business? Switch to Big Bird at Liberty Science Center’s One World, One Sky event, or go to the dogs at the Ocean City Humane Society’s pet fashion show. By the end of the day, your own little beasties will be ready for bed!

Indoor Gyms and Playgrounds with Open Play on Long Island

The following is a comprehensive listing of facilities on Long Island that offer Open Play Time. Membership is not required in order to participate in these Open Play sessions.

Walk-in’s are usually welcome, but do call in advance to verify availability.

Whitney Biennial 2010: Highlights and Programs for Kids and Families

We recently took our son to The Whitney to experience The 2010 Biennial, the premiere contemporary art exhibition that sets the trends and tone in American modern art.  Not something you would expect to be kid friendly, right? Well think again.  

It is totally kid friendly, first of all, the museum is full of exciting, large scale installations, not just room after room of paintings hanging on the walls.  There is art you can walk through, around and even into, not to mention, video and film exhibits, giant sculptures and even cars in the displays!  Plus, there is a tremendous amount of programming available for families with the fantastic Whitney Museum Educators.

Don't Miss: Deedle Deedle Dees Family Variety Shows

Assuming you don’t already know the awesome NYC kids’ band, The Deedle Deedle Dees, you should, and seeing one of their new Family Variety Shows at The Knitting Factory in Williamsburg is a great way for you and your kids, small and tall, to get your dance on and learn a thing or two about American History besides.  

While seeing a regular Deedle Deedle Dees concert is always mighty fine entertainment, because these are bona fide Variety Shows, not only do you get the show’s eponymous stars but you’ll also get down with some righteous musical guest artists, lend a listen to a sparkling story, and delight in the onstage diversions of some truly talented kid-performers.

NYC Easter Parades 2010: Fancy Easter Bonnets and Greek Orthodox Celebrations

What the Village Halloween Parade is to Downtown, the Easter Fancy Hat parade is to Uptown; a chance to get dressed up and take to the streets in your quirkiest, home-made Easter bonnet. Not so much a parade, people mill about looking for the best bonnets, occasionally breaking into a waltz, swing dance or even song. It's as close as you're going to get to stepping into a classic movie.

Find out about this and other Easter Parades:

Long Island Events for March 26-28th

What a weekend for great family bonding! Whether it’s storytime mixed with song or bedtime stories under the stars, you’ll find it locally! There are also opportunities to put all of those imaginations to work in writing poetry or designing puppets. And for those who would prefer to spend the days outside, check out the event at THE END.
 

Pages