Parents Can Go Back To School at the Prospect Park Zoo and SPARKS

With back to school right around the corner now is the perfect time for The Prospect Park Zoo to once again run their SPARKS workshops, created to help make science more understandable for children.  But unlike many programs at our city’s zoos, SPARKS isn’t for kids.  This unique and interactive seminar is for adults, specifically for parents (or caregivers) of preschool and elementary aged children.  SPARKS, which stand for, Supporting Parents in Advocacy, Reform, and Knowledge in Science, works by reinforcing and expanding on what adults already understand, teaching them what they don’t and ultimately giving them the opportunity to help educate the next generation in science.  Read on to learn more about this super cool (and free) program.

Things To Do This Weekend for Families & Kids in New York City-August 7-August 8, 2010: Dragons, Festivals, Saw Music and More

As usual, there is a ton going on this weekend, whether you are looking to beat the heat or relish in it. Whatever you prefer, definitely take advantage of these cool events before those Staples back-to-school commercials start to haunt you. If you need a little inspiration, check out the awesome days our readers have been having, and tell us about your own. If you don't know where to start, be sure to give the Mommy Poppins Summer Fun Guide a look. Remember, you can win a Flip and have your day featured on our homepage!

Some favorites for this weekend are the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, Vaudville Festival, Celebrate Brooklyn Family Day, and a family festival that will spike your interest at Four Sisters Winery (NJ). If you are just looking to venture out, you might want to check out the popular car-free Summer Streets, make your first trip over to Imagination Playground, or Hunt for Pirate Treasure.

What's happening this weekend:

Long Island Weekend Round-Up of Events August 7th-8th

We’re covering all of our bases this weekend! From Shakespearian comedy to dogs climbing ladders, from magic to Suess, there are a variety of performance options that appeal to all interests. Want to spend more time in the great outdoors? Head to Garvies Point Day or on an unusual safari of the bat kind. Whatever you choose, savor it … only a few more weekend of summer!

 

Muttville Comix
Saturday, August 7th and Sunday, August 8th, 12PM, 2PM, 4PM
Long Island Game Farm
Chapman Boulevard
Manorville
631.878.6670
Come and cheer on Animal Planet’s 2003 Pet Star winners, Johnny Peers’ Muttville Comix Canine Comedy Show on the Long Island Game Farm. Fifteen dogs perform tricks like tight rope walking, skateboarding and even jumping rope. Everyone in your family will enjoy the show! Tickets are $17.45 for adults, $15.45 for children 3-11 and senior citizens.

 

Garvies Point Day
Saturday, August 7th, 10AM-4PM
Garvies Point Museum & Preserve
50 Barry Drive
Glen Cove
516.571.8010
A sampling of the best events available at Garvies Point is at your disposal this weekend. Experience birding, mineral identification, butterfly garden tour, paper making and much more. Add in a Paul Helou (author of Bears, Bees and Butterflies) concert for the kids, and you have a jam-packed family fun day ahead of you! Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for children 5-12, free for those 4 and under.

 

Seussical Junior
Saturday, August 7th, 2PM
931 Montauk Highway
Oakdale
631.218.2810
Bring your little Dr. Seuss fans to the theater to see their favorite characters like the Cat in that Hat and Horton. Tickets are $8.

Bat Safari
Saturday, August 7th, 7:30PM-9:30PM
Connetquot River State Park Preserve
Box 505
Oakdale
631.581.1072
Need an excuse to miss bedtime? Learn about and then observe bats in their own environment on this walkabout tour. This Family Night Adventure costs $4 for adults, $3 for children.

 

 

Children’s Summer Theater – Nassau County
Sunday, August 8th, 2PM
Hempstead Lake State Park
West Hempstead
516.766.1029
Perhaps we could all use some magic to prolong summer! Bring your blankets and chairs and join in the fun of a family friendly illusion show, the Magic of Mark & Kym. As with all New York State Park events, there is a charge for parking.

  

A Midsummer Night's Dream
Sunday, August 8th, 7:30PM
The Vanderbilt Museum Carriage House
180 Little Neck Road
Centerport
631.854.5579
Have older children who enjoy Shakespearian humor? Watch as the Arena Players perform their rendition of Shakespeare’s comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream. What better a setting than to be surrounded by the Vanderbilt estate. General admission is $15.

 

 

 

Weekend Events in NJ August 7-8: State & County Fairs, National Lighthouse Day, Honey Harvesting, Summer Socials

With three State and County Fairs throughout NJ this weekend, you can get your fill of livestock competitions, pie eating contests, demolition derbies, music, and even $10 hot air balloon rides!  Or enjoy a FREE day of honey harvesting (and tasting!) at the Howell Historical Farm.  Pirate Pete will make an appearance at the Cape May Lighthouse on Saturday where there will be a slew of pirate and shipwreck themed events in celebration of National Lighthouse Day.  Families can also get retro at Grounds for Sculpture's 50s themed Summer Social by sipping malt shakes and making crafts out of old vinyl records.  Finally, family fun day at a winery?  Yes!  With wine tasting & food for adults and tractor rides & barefoot grape stomping for the kids, everyone is happy...

Five Local Native American Festivals & PowWows

Put a little Pow Wow into your summer!  Native American tribes put on some impressive Pow Wows and Festivals during the Summer and Fall where you can experience authentic dancing in full costume, Native American drumming, crafts demonstrations, and the more adventurous can taste buffalo burgers and venison stew. 

Cool Off at the Warm Up: Live Music, Wading Pools and Fun for the Whole Family at MOMA's P.S.1

It’s true that art museums don’t instantly come to mind when you think of outdoor water works where kids can splash around and cool off on a steamy summer day, but PS1’s unique “Warm Up” Saturdays do just that.  Their interactive courtyard exhibit entitled Pole Dance (fear not, there’s nothing “Bada Bing” or remotely suggestive about it), offers a wading pool filled with giant pastel colored exercise balls and nets to throw them in, a refreshing sprinkler-like water mister to stand under, a sandbox the size of a swimming pool (with some fun purple climbing structures), cushy hammocks for swinging in, more balls and nets for all-around exercise, and, of course, poles which you’re supposed to shimmy up or swing on to create weird whooshing sounds. Sound like a blast?! Read on to find out more!

We Lost Our Gold: Hunting REAL Pirate Treasure in Manhattan

Ahoy Mateys, there's treasure buried in NYC! And your kids can try to find it, no pullin' yer peg leg. The "Pirate Gold" is actually ten thousand dollars in real US mint one dollar coins (which are gold toned), it's buried in New York City in one of the five boroughs, and to get the clues to find the treasure you have to watch very silly videos of a motley crew of muppet-like pirates (and one Ninja!) giving secret hints as to the location.
 

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