All Weekend

Kings County Fair – Marine Park
If you've been hankering to hit an old-fashioned country fair with a massive Ferris wheel, cool kiddie rides, carnival games, cotton candy, corn dogs, and live entertainment, you're in luck! Brooklyn athletic complex Aviator Sports and Events Center welcomes the annual Kings County Fair this weekend and the fun lasts through Memorial Day. $5 admission plus cost of rides and activities.

Ninth Annual Food Festival – Midtown West
This culinary celebration is one of my family's annual faves. Ninth Avenue between 42nd Street and 57th Street overflows with eclectic eats from different countries like Poland, Italy, Spain, Greece, Thailand and more. While there are live performances and various children's activities, the main attraction is the cuisine. Rain or shine! Free admission but you will end up spending money on food.

Fleece Festival – Prospect Park
The Prospect Park Zoo and Lefferts Historic House celebrate shearing season. At the zoo, watch the sheep get their spring haircuts, groove to tunes by the Otter Brothers and make some barnyard-themed crafts. Afterward, head to Lefferts to learn how to turn wool into cloth. Activities at the zoo are free with admission: $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 3-12. Activities at Lefferts Historic House are $3 for adults, free for children under age 17.

New York Baby Show – Midtown West
Everything for new moms, babies and toddlers under one roof. The New York Baby Show features the hottest baby gear; a newly expanded Stroller Test Track; local entertainers; demo classes; seminars on hiring a nanny, finding a preschool and other important parenting issues; plus a special keynote speech from designer and Pregnant in Heels Bravo reality star Rosie Pope. No need to hire a babysitter since there's fun for kiddos, too, like a Radio Disney play area, and Music Together and yoga sessions. $10 per person, $20 per family

Rennie Harris: RHAW – Midtown West
You don't need to be a dance mom to enjoy the latest New Victory Theater show. RHAW was developed by urban dance star Rennie Harris and features nine energetic performers who infuse their moves with a Philly street sensibility and do a mean Michael Jackson tribute to boot. $14-$38
 

Saturday, May 18

New York Dance Parade and Dance Fest – Flatiron
One of our top annual parades for families! Watch as 10,000 movers and shakers make their way down Broadway doing more than 75 dances, including salsa, tango, waltz, African, Asian, the hula, break dancing and more. Cheer them on along the route or head to Tompkins Square Park for the after-party featuring choreographed performances, workshops and lots of dancing. FREE

Spring Kids Fest – Flatiron
Madison Square Park and Time Out Kids throw this popular (and always crowded) fest. Groove to live tunes by kindie bands Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Rolie Polie Guacamole and Songs for Seeds, and enjoy pie throwing, storytime, yoga, arts and crafts, snacks and face time with prehistoric creatures from Field Station: Dinosaurs. FREE

On A Wing: Family Festival – Upper East Side
Get up close and personal with birds of prey, take a guided nature walk, make crafts and participate in a butterfly release at Central Park's Belvedere Castle. FREE

Touch-a-Truck – Upper West Side
Climb into NYPD cruisers, an ambulance, an FDNY fire truck and even a refrigerated Fresh Direct truck at the West Side YMCA. There will also be performances by the Hungry March Band, Bilingual Birdies and Looney Louie, along with bouncy castles, and arts and crafts. Free admission but there are fees for activities.

Children’s Festival: Circle of Dance Aloha Days – Financial District
Celebrate the culture and traditions of Hawaii at the National Museum of the American Indian. Take part in an interactive dance presentation by Hālau O ‘Aulani, or try your hand at island crafts like kapa prints, floral leis and kukui nut bracelets. FREE

Super Sabado: Mad about Libros – East Harlem
Literature is the theme of this edition of El Museo del Barrio's monthly family fest. Explore the new multimedia exhibit Cuentame/Tell Me a Story, enjoy folktales performed by the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute, create your own storyboard and hear the Queens County Children's Choral Ensemble sing traditional songs from the Andes. FREE

Bay Ridge Viking Festival – Bay Ridge
Marvel at an authentic-looking Viking ship, catch period handiwork and combat demos, watch a traditional May Pole dance and sample some Scandinavian treats in Owl's Head Park. Free admission but there are fees for activities.

Hot Mama Burlesque – Lower East Side
Looking for a memorable moms' night out? Then catch this all-moms burlesque revue. Real-life NYC moms explore parenthood through striptease, songs and sexy silliness. I've been in years past and it's an R-rated hoot, and most people in the audience are moms. I'm going again to cheer on the ladies, including Mommy Poppins' own Raven. $12

Kids Club Thirteen: An Old-Fashioned Good Time – Upper East Side
Are you a member of Kids Club Thirteen? It certainly has its privileges, including free admission to 13 tri-state area events throughout the year. Today, members can head to the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden to learn about 19th-centiry pastimes and meet the star of PBS Kids' Postcards from Buster! Read our post about Kids Club Thirteen for details on member benefits and how to join. Free for Kids Club Thirteen members.

See all Saturday events.

Sunday, May 19

Sing-along Sound of Music – Flatbush
If your kids love to croon "Do-Re-Mi," "Edelweiss" or the title tune in the shower (or on the subway, the street, in school...) then they'll really enjoying belting them out in a theater full of other Sound of Music fans. Not sure they know all of the words? No worries: All of the lyrics will be projected onscreen. Best for older children as the movie itself is almost three hours and there will also be pre-show trivia and activities. $15

Drums Along the Hudson – Inwood
This annual fete in Inwood Hill Park is a great way to learn about and experience Native American culture. Watch dance and drumming performances by Louis Mofsie and the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers, and Heyna Second Sons and Silver Cloud Drum Group, and try Native American crafts and foods. Rain or shine! FREE

CMA Around the World: Caribbean Cultural Festival – Hudson Square
Celebrate all things Caribbean at the Children's Museum of the Arts. Enjoy live performances by Haitian musician Bonga and La Troupe Zetwal and Cumbe dancers, make a 3D topographical map of the islands and Carnival-inspired headdresses, or bang in the drum circle. Free with admission: $11

Frolic Rock & Roll Carnival – Williamsburg
Play space Frolic! is sponsoring this kiddie rock bash at Brooklyn Bowl featuring Tim and the Space Cadets, the Little Rock-its by Frolic! and Mario the Magician. In advance: $15 for adults, $10 for children under 13; at the door: $20 for adults, $15 for children

Mamapalooza – Upper West Side
Watch moms rock out, read poetry, crack jokes and show off their other family-friendly talents in Riverside ParK South. Ran or shine! FREE

Touch-a-Truck – St. George
Climb aboard 20 vehicles and also enjoy arts and crafts, a bouncy house and games in the Staten Island Yankees' ballpark. In advance: $7; at the door: $8

Family Day: Let Your Colors Roar – Upper East Side
The Jewish Museum hosts an art-filled family day in honor of its JACK GOLDSTEIN × 10,000 exhibit. Families can explore the artist's paintings and films, make glittery puppets, collaborate on large-scale art projects, paint with unconventional materials and catch a concert by Jukebox Radio. Free with admission: $12 for adults, free for children under 19

See all Sunday events.

Outside of NYC

New Jersey's picturesque Historic Smithville hosts a Mayfest featuring live music, an international food court and kids' activities.

The annual Robin Hood Springtime Festival kicks off in Guilford, Connecticut this weekend. Families can learn courtly dances, duel with the Black Night, thrill to the joust, and even meet Robin Hood and his Merry Men.

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