All Weekend

Back to the Beach – Staten Island
Hit the Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk for this annual celebration of sand and surf. Fun includes live music and magic shows, and a fireworks spectacular on Saturday night. FREE

Harlem Week: Children's Festival and Harlem Day – Harlem
Head to 135th Street for tons of family fun this weekend. On Saturday, hit the annual Children’s Festival featuring live performances, arts and crafts, sports activities and the Historic Black College Fair & Expo. Sunday is Harlem Day, which includes the Upper Manhattan Auto Show and a kids' fashion show. FREE

Global Gardens Summer Harvest Celebration – the Bronx
One of our August NYC Go List picks: Get your hands dirty in the New York Botanical Garden's Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden by helping to harvest plants from around the world. There will also be garden games, nature crafts, pickle samples and other interactive activities. Remember to check out NYBG's cool Four Seasons sculptures before you leave. Free with All-Garden Pass: $20 for adults, $8 for children ages 2-12, free for kids under 2

Jazz Age Lawn Party – Governors Island
The 1920s come alive at this old-fashioned fete. Come dressed to the nines and dance to live jazz tunes courtesy of Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra. Don't worry if you don't know the steps—lessons will be offered. Period games, portraits, picnicking and a kids activity area round out the retro fun. In advance: $30 for adults; at the door: $35 for adults, free for children under 12

Make it Snappier: Plays in a New York Minute (double time) – Midtown West
Catch this series of mini-musicals written by inner-city youth in collaboration with theater pros at the venerable 52nd Street Project. Reservations required. FREE  

Saturday, August 17

Sand Sculpting Contest and Unity Day – Coney Island
Another August NYC Go List pick: Grab your buckets and shovels for Coney Island's annual sand castle competition. All ages can enter and there are prizes in multiple categories. Not feeling creative? Gawk at the entries and check out face painting, clowns and live music on the boardwalk, or hit the rides. FREE but preregistration is recommended to compete.

FlyNYC 2013 – Upper West Side
Bring a store-bought kite or make your own at this annual festival in Riverside Park South. Kids fashion paper flyers with the help of park volunteers and dance to live music. Afterward, grab a bite at the Pier I Cafe or head a few block north to romp in Elephant Playground.

Summer Streets – Manhattan
It's your last chance to cycle, scooter, skate or stroll Manhattan's car-free streets. Take a break at the rest stops for family-friendly activities like a zip line, a rock climbing wall, cycling tips, yoga sessions and more. If you want to check out the art projects at Summer Streets, arrive early! Last Saturday there were lines for popular attractions like Rafael Lozano-Hemmer's light and sound installation Voice Tunnel in the Park Avenue Tunnel. Read our tips for enjoying Summer Streets before you go. FREE

Craftsmen Days – Jamaica
Go old-school at the King Manor Museum with 19th-century crafts. Reenactors will be on hand to demonstrate spinning, tinsmithing and broom-making, and there will be live fiddle and dulcimer music.

Family Workshop: Medieval Merchant Adventurers – Washington Heights
Learn about the lives of the medieval merchants who traveled the globe in search of silks, spices and other treasures at the Cloisters. While there, be sure to check out the soon-to-close Search for the Unicorn exhibit, which celebrates the museum's 75th anniversary. Free with suggested admission: $25 for adults, free for children under 13

Solar One Family Day: Creatures – Kips Bay
Get some face time with the Art Farm in the City's collection of native frogs, snakes and salamanders at the eco-arts center's family day. Preregistration recommended. Suggested donation: $5

The Little In-Between People – Astoria
The Queens-based theater company hosts a day of play in the Astoria Park Playground featuring face painting, art projects and a dramatic reading of Dr. Seuss' classic Oh! The Places You'll Go. $5 suggested donation

The Magical Castle of Now – Crown Heights
Action Racket Theater will delight little wizards and witches with this performance packed with music, movement and interactivity. Free with admission: $9

See all Saturday events.
 

Sunday, August 18

Festival de las Flores – Flushing
A colorful flower parade kicks off this fest in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Afterward, check out live music and dance performances, a market and international blooms from Colombia, Brazil, China, Ecuador, India, Bolivia, Mexico, Ireland and Bangladesh. FREE

Clearing in the Forest: Jungle Jam Storytime – Upper West Side
Enjoy Robin Bady's stories of her travels to exotic locales and then make a craft inspired by her adventures. FREE

Little Makers: Superhero Science – Corona
Attention budding superheroes: Create own crime-fighting gadgets at New York Hall of Science's Maker Space. $8 per family plus general admission: $11 for adults, $8 for children ages 2-17

Astoria Park Shore Fest – Astoria
It's the final installment of traffic-free fun on Shore Boulevard with two tents of local music along with a ukulele social. FREE

See all Sunday events.
 

Outside NYC

Hit Riverhead, Long Island for the annual Polish Town Fair & Polka Festival, a childhood favorite of mine with ethnic food, music and dancing.

Head to Hartford, Connecticut's Riverfront Dragon Boat and Asian Festival featuring races and other cultural fun.

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