A vist to the New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show makes for magical holiday memories. Photo by Jody Mercier
Holiday Train Shows, Sesame Street, and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids
The Tianyu Lights Festival transforms the Citi Field parking lot into a magical holiday destination with larger-than-life lanterns and kid-friendly activities. Photo courtesy of the festival
Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in New York City for Kids
All aboard a festively decorated Polar Express train ride for some holiday magic and memories. Photo by Gwendolyn Tundermann
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains near NYC
GUIDE
NYC Fall Day Trips Guide: Orchards, Farms, Festivals, and Kid-Friendly Getaways 2024
Experience the magic of the Tianyu Lights Festival at Citi Field this holiday season. Photo courtesy of the festival
21 Best Things To Do in NYC November 2024 with Kids
Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has become an enchanting holiday tradition for many families. Photo courtesy of the garden
Holiday and Christmas Events in NYC to Book Now!
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation is an event unto itself. See the larger-than-life balloons come to life the night before the parade. Photo by Anthony Quintano/CC BY 2.0
See the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation with Kids
Celebrate Thanksgiving with Leuca. Photo courtesy of the Noho Hospitality Group
26 Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in NYC
Canstruction is free and open to the public at Brookfield Place through Monday, November 11. Photo by Heidi Lee
39 Free and Fun Things To Do in NYC this November with Kids
Join Jack Skellington, Sally, and Zero on a walk of wonders at NYBG's The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail. Photo by Ally Noel
Fall Bucket List for Kids: 35 Top Things To Do in NYC this Fall
Classics, like Tom Turkey, and newbies alike take flight in the 98th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024: Where to Watch, What's New
The 2024-2025 NYC public school calendar is out, and students return to school on Thursday, September 5.
Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2024-2025
Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort
14 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC
Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep
Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier
47 Fun Indoor Activities in NYC for a Rainy Day
Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
GUIDE
Guide to NYC Classes for Kids
Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.
Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful Under-the-Radar Museums in NYC that Kids Love
Hell's Kitchen is a cool coming-of-age piece loosely based on Alicia Keys' life story. Photo by Marc J. Franklin
Best New Broadway Shows This Season Plus Can't-Miss Classics for Families
The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!
Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids
For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier
Best Attractions and Things To Do near NYC that are Kid-Friendly
Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
GUIDE
NYC Summer Camp Guide
Tea Around Town combines a sumptuous meal with a unique view NYC landmarks! Photo by Jody Mercier
25 Best NYC Tours for Families: From Boat Rides to Free Walking Tours and More
Twinkle Playspace in Williamsburg offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.
21 Top Indoor Play Spaces in New York City
The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH
Best Museums for Kids in NYC: Children's Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in NYC
Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
GUIDE
Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC
Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids
There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier
101 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
Best Aquariums to Visit from the NYC Metro Area with Kids
Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in NYC
Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
GUIDE
Indoor Playgrounds, Play Spaces, and Fun Zones in NYC
See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
100 Things To Do in NYC With Kids Before They Grow Up
Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier
3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC on a Budget: Cheap Things To Do and Money Saving Tips for Families
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in NYC for Kids
No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird
40 Best NYC Attractions to Do with Kids Right Now
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.
GUIDE
Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
100 Things To Do in New York State with Kids Before They Grow Up
Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
GUIDE
Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Boredom Busters for Kids

Weekend Fun: Powwow, Lincoln Center, Poetry Fest, Sandcastles

Celebrate summer at the 23rd annual sandcastle contest at Rockaway Beach. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks and Recreation
Celebrate summer at the 23rd annual sandcastle contest at Rockaway Beach. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks and Recreation
7/25/18 - By Drew Kristofik

It's another jam-packed summer weekend in NYC. The spectacular Thunderbird Mid-Summer Powwow brings over 40 Native nations together for a weekend of dance and celebration, plus there's Lincoln Center Family Day, the High Line July Family Fest, and tons more happening around town.

The 8th Annual New York Poetry Festival on Governors Island takes place Saturday and Sunday: Kids can go on a "poetry scavenger hunt," and teens can register in advance for special day-long workshops with published poets.

On Sunday, head over to the Brooklyn Roots Fest at Lefferts, make stunning sandcastles on Rockaway Beach (or just watch the contest and applaud the results!) or check out the Ballet Folklorico Mexicano's Guelaguetza Festival at Socrates Sculpture Park. Ready to raise your voices to help reunite migrant families? Come to the Beatles Sing-along fundraiser in Park Slope (tickets must be purchased in advance, but 100% of proceeds go to Immigrant Families Together).

Keep an eye on our packed Summer Fun Guide and our NYC Event Calendar for even more fun things to do with the family as we head into August!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Celebrate stanzas with NYC's diverse poetry community at the New York City Poetry Festival. Photo courtesy of Governors Island
Celebrate stanzas with NYC's diverse poetry community at the New York City Poetry Festival. Photo courtesy of Governors Island

All Weekend

New York City Poetry Festival on Governors Island

Governors Island – FREE
The New York City Poetry Festival unites the vast and diverse New York City poetry community on Governors Island. The festival invites poetry organizations and collectives of all shapes and sizes to bring their unique formats, aesthetics, and personalities to the festival grounds. READ MORE

Thunderbird American Indian Mid-Summer Powwow at Queens County Farm Museum

Floral Park, Queens
New York City's oldest and largest powwow features three days of intertribal Native American dance competitions, and the public is invited. More than 40 Indian nations are represented at this spectacular event held in the apple orchard on the farm grounds. READ MORE

CANCELED: Galli Theater: Cinderella

Midtown West
Cinderella meets her new stepmother and stepsister, but they turn out not to be as nice as she had hoped. When the Prince invites everyone to the ball, they tell her she has to stay home and clean, clean, clean... READ MORE

BAM Animation Block Party

Fort Greene, Brooklyn
BAM's annual animation festival returns for its 16th edition, featuring international films, award winners, indie shorts, and more. The highlight for families is the "Animation for Kids" program featuring a fresh collection of the year’s best family-friendly animated shorts. READ MORE
Explore how our voices can make a difference at the High Line's Sing! Family Fest. Photo courtesy of the High Line
Explore how our voices can make a difference at the High Line's Sing! Family Fest. Photo courtesy of the High Line

Saturday, July 28

Lincoln Center Out of Doors Family Day

Midtown West – FREE
Lincoln Center Out Of Doors celebrates its 49th season of free performances with family-friendly music and dance performances on its spectacular outdoor campus. READ MORE
Immerse yourself in one of the most vivid expressions of Mexican culture: the 6th annual Guelaguetza Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival
Immerse yourself in one of the most vivid expressions of Mexican culture: the 6th annual Guelaguetza Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival

Sunday, July 29

Ballet Folklórico Mexicano De Nueva York’s Guelaguetza in Socrates Sculpture Garden

Long Island City, Queens – FREE
Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Nueva York (BFMNY)’s Annual Guelaguetza Festival is  dedicated to preserving the culture and traditions of Mexico. Representatives of the eight regions of Oaxaca gather together wearing traditional costumes to dance, sing, and give gifts to the crowd. Each region offers a unique contribution to the festivities — including the much-loved Dance of the Pineapple! READ MORE

26th Annual Sandcastle Contest

Rockaway Beach, Queens – FREE
Build sandcastles—or just take a look at the amazing sculptures emerging on the beach. Prizes are awarded in several age categories. READ MORE

Music in the Grove Kids Concerts

Rolie Polie Guacamole performs!
Fort Greene, Brooklyn – FREE
These hour-long concerts bring parents and children of all ages together with some of the finest talent in Brooklyn for a romping, stomping good time.  READ MORE

What’s Dis? with The Grand Falloons

Red Hook, Brooklyn
A Daffy Duck-esque romp through the Great American Vaudeville of the 1920's when a stuffy professor and a latecomer bring comedy, juggling, magic, slapstick, audience participation, the live music of Brahms, Gus Kahn and Irving Berlin, a virtuoso concertina, a saxophone, infectious song and dance and the Square Bubble. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: