The first weekend of June bursts with summer-vibe, STEM-filled fun for New York City kids. The always mind-boggling 11th annual World Science Festival packs Washington Square Park with FREE hands-on activities. Families are also invited to join the citywide NYC Fish Count, an evening of stargazing, release live ladybugs, join the Carnival and Science Spectacular, or Go Green at McCarren Park.

This weekend's summer launches include a biggie: the Hudson River Park's 20th-anniversary blowout, which runs from 9am to just a little past bedtime on Saturday, ending with a free outdoor movie. Also revving up for the season: storytelling at the Hans Christian Andersen Statue in Central Park, a Google mini-golf pop-up, Union Square's It's My Park Day, and the 16th annual Drums Across the Hudson Fest. Inwood Art Club's Culture Hub kicks off on Sunday, and ice cream enthusiasts won't want to miss Bryant Park's annual ScooperBowl, doling out delicious brain freeze options all weekend.

FREE outdoor movies abound, and we have a massive list up already, so you can also plan ahead. The options include The Lion King and The Lorax on Staten Island, Deep and The Greatest Showman in Manhattan, and Zootopia in Brooklyn. Looking for something a little more, um, active? Give young cyclists a leg up at one of the FREE Learn to Ride workshops.

Festivals and fairs, indoor fun, kid-friendly theater, and outdoor art installations—all that and more have our calendar bulging! Also, see our guide to accessing any beach in New York City and check out our list of nearby farms for strawberry picking. We're banking on at least one dry day.

For even more ideas, dive into our new June GoList, and don't miss our shiny Summer Fun Guide! There's no excuse to sit inside...except air conditioning. Pace yourself.