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Mother's Day Weekend 2024 in NYC: NYBG Garden Party and More Things To Do with Kids

Visit the Queens County Farm Museum's Sheep Shearing Festival to see the sheep get their annual haircuts. Photo courtesy of the QCFM
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5/10/24 - By Drew Kristofik

Looking for the best things to do in New York City this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for Mother's Day weekend 2024.

Take it easy this Mother's Day weekend with a movie under the stars, including Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie in Prospect Heights and Remember the Titans in Marcus Garvey Park. Treat mom to a glorious garden party at the NYBG, or make giant flowers at the Old Stone House, and enjoy Japan Day on the Upper West Side.

More Things To Do in New York City This Week With Kids

Be sure to click through to each listing for all the details, including recommended ages and time.

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Best Things To Do in NYC This Weekend With Kids

Movies Under the Stars: PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie in Stroud Playground

Prospect Height, Brooklyn – FREE
Friday, May 10
Bring a blanket and a picnic to watch the PAW Patrol save the citizens of Adventure City on a big outdoor screen. Rated G. READ MORE

Movies Under the Stars: Remember The Titans in Marcus Garvey Park

East Harlem – FREE
Friday, May 10
A football coach (Denzel Washington) tries to promote racial harmony among the players of a newly integrated high-school squad in early 1970s Virginia. Bring a picnic. Rated PG.   READ MORE

Tour the Forest Park Greenhouse

Forest Park, Queens – FREE
Saturday, May 11
For only one day every year, the Queens Greenhouse opens its doors to give New Yorkers a sneak peek inside. Take this rare opportunity to learn about the diverse array of plants grown in one of the three greenhouses serving the city. READ MORE

Sheep Shearing Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum

Glen Oaks, Queens
Saturday, May 11
Visit the Queens County Farm Museum on the Nassau-Queens border to see the sheep get their annual haircuts. Move to the foot-stomping rhythms of live music, and enjoy farmer-led tours and a plant sale all day.  READ MORE

Japan Day Parade and Street Fair on Central Park West

Upper West Side – FREE
Saturday, May 11
Japan Day is celebrated with a parade and street fair. Watch the parade march down Central Park West before enjoying the festive street fair along 72nd Street.  READ MORE

Bird Bonanza on Randall's Island

Randall's Island – FREE
Saturday, May 11
Celebrate birds, especially those that are currently migrating through NYC, at the Randall’s Island Bird Bonanza. The entire day is dedicated to flying feathered friends, with activities and games for all ages. READ MORE

Spring Fest at Atlantic Terminal Mall Plaza

Downtown Brooklyn – FREE
Saturday, May 11
Brooklyn Bridge Parents and Atlantic Terminal Mall team up to host a Spring Fest with free kid's activities, Mother's Day crafts, and treats for moms. READ MORE

Mother's Day at Olly Olly Market

Chelsea – FREE
Saturday, May 11
Olly Olly Market is hosting a fun family event to celebrate moms with activities that include mommy-and-me portraits, personalized haikus, and more.   READ MORE

AAPI Children's Literary Festival at the Asia Society

Upper East Side
Saturday, May 11
Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islanders heritage month with an exciting event featuring readings, meet-and-greet sessions with authors and illustrators, panel discussions, and writing and illustration workshops. READ MORE

Robin Newman at Books of Wonder

Chelsea – FREE
Saturday, May 11
Robin Newman celebrates the launch of her latest book, "Who's Writing this Story?!," with crafts, cupcakes, and super cool swag. READ MORE

Puppet Making Workshop: Giant Flowers at the Old Stone House

Park Slope, Brooklyn – FREE
Saturday, May 11
Make giant flowers with performer/puppeteer, Theresa Linnihan, and prep for participation in The Right of Spring puppet pageant on Sunday, May 19.   READ MORE

Movies Under the Stars: Elemental in Starlight Park

Crotona, the Bronx – FREE
Saturday, May 11
Disney and Pixar’s Elemental is set in Element City, where fire-, water-, land- and air residents live together. The story introduces Ember, a tough, quick-witted and fiery young woman, whose friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade challenges her beliefs about the world they live in. Bring a blanket and a picnic.  READ MORE

Make Your Own Lantern at Morris-Jumel Mansion

Washington Heights – FREE
Saturday, May 11
Tin punch lanterns were popular in colonial times, providing both function and artistry, and now you can create your own unique design using aluminum foil! As the days grow shorter, let your creativity illuminate the season. READ MORE

Movies Under the Stars: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in Coffey Park

Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn – FREE
Saturday, May 11
Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M'Baku, Okoye, and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T'Challa's death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia and Everett Ross and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. Rated PG-13. READ MORE

Urban Wildlife Festival in St. Mary's Park

South Bronx – FREE
Saturday, May 11
Get up close and personal with NYC’s wild residents. Learn about squirrels, turtles, raccoons, opossums, and coyotes, and discover the best places in New York City and New York state to watch wildlife. READ MORE

Rosie Revere Engineer and Friends at Tribeca PAC

Tribeca
Saturday, May 11
This fun new musical i based on the books "Rosie Revere, Engineer;" "Iggy Peck, Architect;" and "Ada Twist, Scientist," by Andrea Beaty. The character's stories shine a spotlight on STEM curriculum. READ MORE

Open Stages 2024 in Park Slope

Park Slope, Brooklyn – FREE
Saturday, May 11
Brooklyn Conservatory of Music’s spring music festival is back to rock Park Slope once again! Stoops, school lots, parks, gardens, and sidewalks host more than 150 musicians throughout the day, including classical musicians, hip-hop artists, marching bands, kids' groups, and more. READ MORE

Gladiators NYC in Central Park

Central Park – FREE
Saturday, May 11
Knights in full armor battle on the grass in Central Park behind The Met. Bring a blanket and a picnic.  READ MORE

Musical Explorers Family Concert at Carnegie Hall

Midtown West
Saturday, May 11
New York City-based artists with magnetic personalities lead this vibrant, highly interactive concert for children at Carnegie Hall. Discover music from around the world, including the internationally renowned Sylvester Makobi, who explores Kenyan song traditions; returning family favorite Michael Daves celebrates bluegrass; and vocal trio Zulal shares its passion for Armenian folk music. READ MORE

Rooftop Mother's Day Event at The Moore

Chelsea – FREE
Saturday, May 11
The Moore rooftop celebrates moms with free wine, free bouquets, and a series of activations from Scent Lab, Indy Sunglasses, and The Skoop NYC. READ MORE

Mother's Day Weekend Garden Party at NYBG

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Saturday & Sunday, May 11 & 12
Mother's Day at the New York Botanical Garden is abloom with activities, music, crafts, and face painting—not to mention walking tours packed with colors and gorgeous spring scents. READ MORE

Premier Mother's Day Dinner Cruise 2024

South Street Seaport
Saturday & Sunday, May 11 & 12
Celebrate mom on a Mother’s Day dinner cruise, filled with delicious food and an elegant ambiance. Dinner includes a three-course meal and a complimentary glass of champagne to celebrate mom as you cruise New York Harbor.  READ MORE

Family Art Project: Flowers for Mother's Day at Wave Hill

Riverdale, the Bronx
Saturday & Sunday, May 11 & 12
Floriography is the art of using flowers to communicate a message. Send someone special a loving message by creating a bouquet of paper flowers. Then arrange your creation in a vibrant vase of your own making. READ MORE

The 148th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Arthur Ashe Stadium

Flushing, Queens
Saturday, May 11-Tuesday, May 14
The 148th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show features breed judging during the day on Monday and Tuesday. Groups, Junior Showmanship Finals, and Best In Show are judged Monday and Tuesday evenings. READ MORE

I Wish at the New Victory Theater

Midtown West
Opens Saturday, May 11
Acclaimed theater artist and contemporary opera singer Le Gateau Chocolat crescendos to centerstage as the mysteriously magic-less Wish Giver. On a musical quest to recover their powers, they step into the shoes of beloved storybook characters, managing mystical messes and learning that, while life’s not always fair(ytales), love and acceptance can be more than fantasy. READ MORE

Fables in Concert at The Green Room

Midtown West
Sunday, May 12
Aesop's Fables are set to music, including "The Fox, the Rooster, and the Dog;" "The North Wind and the Sun," "The Ant and the Grasshopper," and "The Lion and the Mouse." READ MORE

Mother's Day Planting Seed Startup in Owl's Head Park

Bay Ridge, Brooklyn – FREE
Sunday, May 12
The Urban Park Rangers teach kids how to germinate seeds to grow indoors or outdoors. Participants can take home a plant for Mother's Day. READ MORE

Blooming Together on Mother’s Day at the Seaport

South Street Seaport – FREE
Sunday, May 12
Celebrate Mother’s Day at the Seaport Museum with a free family program centered around the lotus flower, mindfulness, meditation, and reflection. Author Anu Sehgal reads her latest children’s book, I am a Lotus, followed by an engaging hands-on, all-ages art activity that further explores the profound meaning of the lotus flower. READ MORE

Mother's Day Flower ID Walk in Fort Tryon Park

Inwood – FREE
Sunday, May 12
Enjoy a relaxing stroll through the beautiful Heather Garden in honor of Mother’s Day.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Urban Farm at Randall's Island Park
BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
Brooklyn Conservatory of Music