All Weekend

Séquence 8 – Midtown West
From our April GoList: This acrobatic, circus-arts show from Montreal's spectacular Les 7 Doigts de la Main features high-flying action and intense emotions set to a hip-hop soundtrack. Save on tickets through our affiliate Goldstar.

Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Cabaret – East Village
Another April GoList pick: Get ready for an old-school variety show that's comical and edgy but still kid-friendly. The Bindlestiffs' all-ages family matinees feature juggling, the diabolo, Ringmistress Philomena's wicked humor and whip-cracking, and Kinko the Clown's silly silent antics. Come in a circus-style costume or makeup and you can haggle for a discounted ticket (really!).

Egg and Spoon – Fort Greene
Catch Lyngo Theatre Company's interactive, multi-sensory show for very young audiences at BAM. Participants sit on the floor with the two actors as nature comes to life around them.

Muslim Arts Festival – Upper West Side
Explore Islamic artistic traditions at the Children's Museum of Manhattan's cultural series. Kids can engage in Turkish water marbling, go on a virtual 3D tour of mosques around the world and create movement based on the celebrated Persian poem Conference of the Birds. Free with admission

Catch Me – Midtown West
More circus fun from our April GoList: Catch the New Victory Theater's eye-popping circus spectacle from Canada's Flip FabriQue as the performers engage in a slew of amazing feats, including awesome aerial acts and a trampowall. My son and I saw the show over spring break and were blown away—see my full review for more info.

Children’s Carnival – Glen Oaks
Also an April GoList pick: It's the final weekend for this annual favorite at the Queens County Farm Museum. Enjoy carnival rides, a midway and old-time family entertainment. The best part? Unlimited carnival rides are included in the admission price. 

Saturday, April 18

Carnegie Hall Family Concert: Take the Stage with Broadway Stars – Midtown West
From our April GoList: Families are invited to sing and dance along to iconic numbers from Grease, The Sound of Music, Rent, Hairspray and other hit musicals with the help of onstage pros. Tony winner Jessie Mueller (of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical fame), composer Thomas Cabaniss and a lineup of Broadway vets teach kids and parents the songs and moves.

Cinderella & the Prince Who Slays the Magic Dragon – Upper West Side
Another April GoList pick: The venerable Little Orchestra Society has been introducing kids to classical music for generations, and this production is one of my favorites. The classic fairy tale comes to life at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall through Sergei Prokofiev's evocative music, live dancers and puppets—including a 15-foot fairy godmother and a 20-foot dragon!

Lincoln Center Kids: Sleeping Beauty with David Gonzalez – Upper West Side
Lincoln Center kicks off its new series of family programing with master storyteller David Gonzalez and his multimedia, rhyming rendition of the classic fairy tale.

Materials Day at The Wonder of Learning – Williamsburg
Our contributor, Kelly, raved about the FREE Reggio Emilia exhibit The Wonder of Learning. Today, its educators are hosting a special interactive event for little ones. Hands-on activities include building with recycled materials, crawling through a cardboard city, and listening to musical performances by Bash the Trash and the Easy Rollers, among others. FREE

See all Saturday events.
 

Sunday, April 19

A Child Grows in Brooklyn: Brooklyn Baby & Family Expo – Brooklyn Heights
Our friends at A Child Grows In Brooklyn are hosting their annual expo, where new and expecting families can get the scoop on NYC's top parenting resources, baby gear and more. There will be seminars and demos, live entertainment for the kids and complimentary childcare.

The National Grid Earth Day Celebration – Flatbush
Celebrate Earth Day a little early at this annual fest featuring interactive storytelling, puppet shows, live music and a slew of eco-activities on the plaza outside the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts. Bonus: Come an hour early and you can also catch the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia's cool, black-light puppet production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favorites, part of Brooklyn Center's Target Storybook Series. FREE for the festival

Russian Cultural Festival – Hudson Square
Explore Russian culture at the Children's Museum of the Arts' fest. Kids can sing and dance along with Andrew from the Russian kindie band Lyagushki, join in a puppetry workshop and take part in a variety of hands-on art projects throughout the museum. Free with admission

Bob McGrath in Concert – Park Slope
Catch Sesame Street mainstay Bob in a concert benefiting the hard-working kids at P.S. K280. Hear him croon favorites like "People In Your Neighborhood," "Rainbow Connection" and other Muppets-related hits. Special guests include Pete Sinjin & Friends and students from the Park Slope Performing Art Center.

Soaring over Staten Island – Staten Island
Head to Fresh Kills Park for a double dose of fun. Search for migrating hawks flying over the isle, and bring or make your own kite and fly it over the park. FREE

See all Sunday events.

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

Séquence 8 photo by Sylvie-Ann Paré