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Figment Fest, Tilt Kids, and More Things To Do this Weekend in NYC with Kids

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5/17/23 - 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 this weekend.

Welcome to June! Elephants are falling from the sky in Dumbo, Encanto and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever are unfurling on big outdoor screens, the Figment Fest returns to SI, and kids can go full TILT boogie at FIAF.

Introduce the kids to the wit of Oscar Wilde at a free outdoor performance of The Importance of Being Earnest, get in some kayaking and face painting at Red Hook Fest, and syncopate with Drums along the Hudson!

Our Family Activity Calendar is packed to the brim with great summer fun, for now and the months to come, and ...

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 times.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Harry Potter: The Exhibition invites visitors on an interactive experience inspired by the magic behind the movie franchise. Photo courtesy of Harry Potter: The Exhibition
Harry Potter: The Exhibition invites visitors on an interactive experience inspired by the magic behind the movie franchise. Photo courtesy of Harry Potter: The Exhibition

Best Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids

Dumbo Drop Block Party

Dumbo, Brooklyn
Friday, June 2
The Great Dumbo Drop is back! The annual block party tradition returns with its signature wow factor—thousands of elephants dropping onto Washington Street, Brooklyn's most photographed block. READ MORE

Literature Festival

Flushing, Queens–FREE
Friday, June 2
Explore the wonderful world of children’s literature with readings of timeless children’s classics as well as contemporary selections. Book giveaways, word games, face painting, and refreshments are all included in the festivities. READ MORE

The Importance of Being Earnest

Upper West Side–FREE
Thursdays- Saturdays, through June 25
The Hudson Classical Theater Company presents Oscar Wilde's comedy live in Riverside Park. READ MORE

Movies Under the Stars: Encanto (PG)

Soundview, Bronx–FREE
Friday, June 2
Deep in the Colombian mountains, the Madrigal family possesses an extraordinary secret. Each member of the family is able to perform magic. Yet at the heart of the family is 15-year-old Mirabel, who does not seem to possess any unusual abilities. READ MORE

Movies Under the Stars: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (PG-13)

East Harlem–FREE
Friday, June 2
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. READ MORE

Red Hook Fest 2023

Red Hook/Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn–FREE
Friday, June 2 - Saturday, June 3
Red Hook Fest 2023 kicks off with a dance party and community barbecue at PS 15. With activities, free food, and great music, the opening night event is a fun neighborhood gathering for the whole family. The festivities continue on Saturday, June 4, with main stage events at Coffey Park and Pier.  READ MORE

Co(s)mic Con

Flushing, Quens
Friday, June 2 - Sunday, June 4
A ‘pop-up con’ like no other includes all the usual goodies—comics, toys, Funkos collectibles, panels, original art, creators, celebrities—plus a whole lot more! Cosmic Con exclusives include prints and sketchbooks created just for the event and creative ‘playshops’ for the whole family. READ MORE

TILT Kids Day

Midtown East/Upper East Side
Saturday, June 3
FIAF hosts a day filled with fun activities focusing on "la fete" (celebration). Stop by for a giant family party and enjoy the most wonderful aspects of celebrations: dancing, music, and time spent together. READ MORE

PS 125 Ralph Bunche School Spring Fair

Morningside Heights
Saturday, June 3
Celebrate all things spring at the PS 125 annual Spring Festival!  Activities include a bouncy house, touch-a-truck, BioBus, Harlem Grown's mobile kitchen, face painting, henna and nail art, slime making, tie dye, food, snacks, and more! READ MORE

Private Picassos Pride Workshop

Park Slope, Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, June 3
Private Picassos hosts a special Pride event for families that includes a reading of Twas The Night Before Pride, by author Joanna McClintick, followed by a free pride button workshop. READ MORE

Hands On History: Queer Pride & Possibility

Jamaica, Queens–FREE
Saturday, June 3
Happy Pride Month! King Manor Museum invites kids to create rainbow salt dough heart ornaments popularized in the Victorian era. READ MORE

The Jalopy School of Music Folk Festival

Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, June 3
Celebrate the School of Music with workshops, jams, and recital performances by students of all ages who study at The Jalopy Theatre & School of Music.  READ MORE

The New York Scandia Symphony Presents: The Emperor's New Clothes

Hudson Heights–FREE
Saturday, June 3
The New York Scandia Symphony presents an educational children's music performance of Hans Christian Andersen's The Emperor's New Clothes, as part of the larger Scandinavian Music Fest. READ MORE

Alterations and Repair: Dance, Music & Poetry

Inwood–FREE
Saturday, June 3
Follow a poet through Fort Tryon Park to see and hear dance, music and poetry performed on benches, lawns, stairways, pathways, near rock faces, and under trees. Original music is played on saxophone, frame drum, harmonica, flute, and accordion. READ MORE

Super Sábado: Celebrating Something Beautiful

Upper East Side–FREE
Saturday, June 3
Inspired by El Museo del Barrio’s new permanent collection exhibition, Something Beautiful, come by for an exciting day filled with Puerto Rican art and culture. Activities include storytelling, art-making, gallery tours, dance workshops and a special performance. READ MORE

Bloomingdale School of Music 23rd Annual Performathon & BBQ

Upper West Side–FREE
Saturday, June 3
Join the BSM community for live, non-stop performances, fun activities for kids of all ages, a raffle to win Yankees tickets, and a delicious BBQ READ MORE

Free Ice Cream and Live Music on the East River Waterfront

Midtown East/Upper East Side–FREE
Saturday, June 3
EsplanadeFriends Conservancy hosts free ice cream and live music on the East River Waterfront. Enjoy free a la mode ice cream scoops, live music and craft studio do-it-yourself activities. READ MORE

Figment Festival

Snug Harbor, Staten Island–FREE
Saturday, June 3 - Sunday, June 4
Attracting tens of thousands of visitors for the past 12 years, this family-friendly festival is an explosion of creative energy and imagination, perfect for adults and kids alike. READ MORE

Family Art Project: Whimsical Windchimes for Summer

Riverdale, Bronx
Saturday, June 3 - Sunday, June 4
Explore the beauty of windchimes by learning about their importance in gardens and rich history in different cultures, then create a windchime using natural and upcycled materials. READ MORE

Madeline Hollander: Hydro Parade

Upper East Side
Saturdays, June 3 - 17
Hydro Parade is a processional performance inspired by the water sources moving under, within, and around The Met. Beginning outside the Museum, on Fifth Avenue, and traveling a meditative, rhythmic journey into the Museum and around its various fountains and water features, dancers create a continuous stream of movement that flows through the galleries. READ MORE

Studio Sunday: Wet Felting

Midtown West
Sunday, June 4
Artist Studios resident Melissa Joseph demonstrates the craft of wet felting and kids are invited to use wool, water, and dish soap to create a felted encasement for a stone. Bring a stone that holds personal meaning or choose from a selection provided. READ MORE

Drums Along the Hudson: A Native American Festival

Inwood–FREE
Sunday, June 4
The annual Drums Along the Hudson: A Native American Festival and Multicultural Celebration marks its 21st anniversary as Manhattan’s only open-air pow wow. The all-day event features Native American crafts, storytelling, and traditional food and dance. READ MORE

Classical Kids Fair

Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Sunday, June 4
The Classical Kids Fair invites families to enjoy live performances, an instrument petting zoo, arts and crafts, radio broadcasting workshops, and more. Listen and play music along with WQXR, the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, dancers from the Met Opera ballet, and The Little Orchestra Society. READ MORE

Kids Kino: Rocca Changes the World

Union Square–FREE
Sunday, June 4
A modern-day, punk rock Pippi Longstocking, Rocca comes from a family of astronauts—but she’s no space cadet. READ MORE

The Happening

Tribeca–FREE
Sunday, June 4
Church Street School for Music and Art hosts its annual community block party—live music, interactive art projects, games, and more. READ MORE

Movies Under the Stars: Top Gun: Maverick (PG-13)

Flushing, Queens–FREE
Sunday, June 4
After more than 30 years of service as one of the Navy's top aviators, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. Bring a blanket and a picnic for a screening of the Top Gun sequel, under the stars. READ MORE

Bell Blvd Food & Music Fest

Bayside, Queens
Sunday, June 4
The Bell Blvd Food and Music Fest features a restaurant stroll, live music on every block, dancers, aerialists and other performers. Beach ball volleyball, ping pong, demonstrations, line dancing, arts and crafts, games, and other family entertainment fill the afternoon.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Washington Street between York and Plymouth Streets
Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Riverside Park
FIAF - French Institute Alliance Française
Goethe-Institut New York
Church Street School for Music and Art