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Weekend Fun: World Science, Figment Fest, Dinosaur Day

Dinosaurs return to the Bronx Zoo. Photo courtesy of WCS
Dinosaurs return to the Bronx Zoo. Photo courtesy of WCS
5/29/19 - By Drew Kristofik

The first weekend of June bursts with fun for New York City kids. The 12th annual World Science Festival packs Washington Square Park with FREE hands-on activities, and for more STEM and science-focused fun, there's the Carnival and Science Spectacular on Staten Island and International Dinosaur Day/Weekend at the Bronx Zoo.

This weekend's summer festivals include a biggie: the Figment Festival, debuting on Roosevelt Island after several years on Governors. The 2019 Uptown Games sports festival for families also revs up on Saturday. Nature-loving families can join the citywide NYC Fish Count, stargaze in Brooklyn Bridge Park or Riverside Park, Go Green at McCarren Park, hit Union Square's It's My Park Day, or try Greenbelt Adventure Day in Willowbrook Park on Staten Island. Plus, Hunts Point's Rocking the Boat opens its FREE boating program with a party on Saturday.

Need to recuperate from outdoor time? How about trading books at the Brooklyn Book Bodega, or exploring kid lit at the Irish Arts Center's Rí Rá Children’s Festival of Literature? The Pop Ups are playing a free concert for kids at the Lincoln Center Atrium. Kitten and cat fans can make new feline friends at Jason Galaxy's Cat Camp. Or hit the Made in NY Media Center's 15th Annual Kids Film Fest in Brooklyn.

Did someone say film? FREE outdoor movies this weekend include Mommy Poppins Returns in Carl Schurz Park, Ralph Breaks the Internet in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, and Anastasia at Manhattan Beach Park. Or get a little exercise chasing The Importance of Being Earnest around Central Park!

Festivals and fairs, indoor fun, kid-friendly theater, and outdoor family concerts—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, don't miss our shiny Summer Fun Guide! There's no excuse to sit inside...except air conditioning. Pace yourself.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

World Science Festival is back in NYC. Photo by Greg Kessler
World Science Festival is back in NYC. Photo by Greg Kessler

All Weekend

World Science Festival NYC

Citywide
The 12th annual World Science Festival kicks off on May 28th for a week packed with over 60 events that take science out of the lab and into the streets, parks, museums, and premier performing arts venues of New York City. READ MORE

Figment Festival at Snug Harbor

Roosevelt Island — FREE
Attracting tens of thousands of visitors for the past 13 years, this family-friendly festival is an explosion of creative energy and imagination, perfect for adults and kids alike. READ MORE

International Dinosaur Day/Weekend

Bronx Park, the Bronx
International Dinosaur Day is the perfect excuse to visit the Bronx Zoo's deliriously fun Dinosaur Safari. READ MORE

Bout a Bout

Midtown West
In the whimsical world of Bout À Bout ("End to End"), an ordinary piece of rope transforms into a lovable little hero who sets out on an adventure full of challenges and excitement. Along the way, this intrepid bit of twine encounters curious aquatic creatures, a cranky motorist and some springy, stringy playmates, all brought to life through the wondrous and inventive puppetry of Le Clan des Songes. READ MORE

The Importance of Being Earnest (Two Ways)

Central Park — FREE
New York Classical Theatre romps through the north end of Central Park in a fast-paced (literally) version of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest. READ MORE

Jackson Galaxy's Cat Camp

Chelsea
Feline fans can cuddle with kittens at Cat Camp, which promises an on-site cat cafe hosted by Meow Parlour, workshops and panels with community cat experts and nationally recognized rescue professionals who act as the “camp counselors,” and child friendly activities such as a kitten condo-making workshop. READ MORE
Dive into science this summer at Hudson River Park's Science Saturdays at Pier 84. Photo courtesy of Hudson River Park
Dive into science this summer at Hudson River Park's Science Saturdays at Pier 84. Photo courtesy of Hudson River Park

Saturday, June 1

Science Saturday at Pier 84

Midtown West — FREE
Families dive into science with catch and release fishing, microscopic investigations, River-inspired crafts and more. READ MORE

World Science Festival: New York City Fish Count

Citywide — FREE
Now in its fourth year, this hugely popular, all-age, hands-on event is a celebration of the marine life in the waters surrounding our five boroughs. Top marine biologists and scientists work with families and kids to discover–and count–the many species of fish and marine creatures (even seahorses) right here in our own city waterways. READ MORE

2019 Uptown Games at The Armory

Washington Heights — FREE
The Uptown Games at The Armory introduces hundreds of children and their families from Washington Heights, Inwood and Harlem to a healthy lifestyle during a day of fun track & field activities, nutritious food and surprises. READ MORE

POSTPONED: Union Square's It's My Park! Day

Union Square — FREE
This event has been postponed in anticipation of bad weather. When a new date is chosen, we'll update it on the MommyPoppins calendar. Celebrate living green in Union Square and learn how to bring sustainability from the park into your home with fun for the whole family! READ MORE

LC Kids: The Pop Ups

Upper West Side — FREE
Grammy nominees for Best Children’s Album (2012's Radio Jungle and 2015's Appetite for Construction) perform a rompin' stompin' set for toddlers and preschoolers. READ MORE

Greenbelt Adventure Day in Willowbrook Park

New Springville, Staten Island — FREE
Participate in loads of outdoor fun in lovely Willowbrook Park. READ MORE

Brooklyn Book Bodega

Brooklyn Heights — FREE
Brooklyn Book Bodega’s mission is to increase the number of 100+ book homes in Brooklyn, with the belief that every child deserves to own the books that they want to read and enjoy. Bring any children’s books to this FREE swap to pass along to someone else. You can take books from the bodega without giving. READ MORE

Hike the Heights Giraffe Path Party

Washington Heights — FREE
Hike the Heights with Sugar Hill Children's Museum. READ MORE

12th Annual Go Green Brooklyn Festival

Greenpoint — FREE
Go Green is a fun and informative day of exhibits and activities promoting Earth Day values. Visitors can engage with and learn about sustainability initiatives while sampling local food, participating in live-action art projects, and enjoying musical performances for all ages. Held rain or shine. READ MORE

Family Fun Day

Kips Bay — FREE
NYC Parks and Council Member Keith Powers host a fun afternoon of crafts, games, carnival booths, inflatables, transformation face painting with Agostino Arts, an obstacle course, a photo booth, and more! READ MORE

Spring Launch Fest

Hunts Point, the Bronx — FREE
Join Rocking the Boat for Spring Launch Fest 2019, celebrating another semester of boatbuilding, environmental science, and sailing programs for youth in the South Bronx. READ MORE

18th Annual Kids Film Fest

Dumbo, Brooklyn
KidsFilmFest presents two programs of films tailored to young viewers. Showings are divided into those appropriate for ages 3-7 and ages 8-13. The two featured programs are available 24/7 from June 4-12. READ MORE

New York Music Month Concert Series: Family Fun and Music

Forest Hills, Queens — FREE
The NYC Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment and NYC Parks presents the New York Music Month Concert Series. Join in for a celebration of family fun and music featuring The Dirty Sock Funtime Band and Alex and the Kaleidoscope. READ MORE

Stargazing

Dumbo, Brooklyn — FREE
The Amateur Astronomers Association of New York sets up high-power telescopes for views of the moon, stars, and planets in the summer sky.  READ MORE

Summer on the Hudson: Stargazing

Upper West Side — FREE
A summer evening in Manhattan is made complete when the Amateur Astronomers Association's expert stargazers help families peer heavenward to see stars and planets. READ MORE

Movies Under the Stars: Mary Poppins Returns (PG)

Upper East Side — FREE
Decades after her original visit, the magical nanny returns to help the Banks siblings and Michael's children through a difficult time in their lives. READ MORE

Red Hook Fest 2024 in Valentino Park

Red Hook, Brooklyn — FREE
Red Hook Fest 2024 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 1, with main stage events at Valentino Park and Pier.  READ MORE

Virtual Stories at the Statue: Hans Christian Andersen Story Telling

Central Park — FREE
Stories at the Statue celebrates its 65th year this summer, continuing a beloved legacy of sharing tales and music in NYC's Central Park—but, this year, it's online once again. READ MORE

PS 125 Ralph Bunche School Spring Fair

Upper West Side
Celebrate all things spring at the PS 125 annual Spring Fair!  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

Carnival & Science Spectacular

Randall Manor, Staten Island
Experience the fun of carnival rides and games, a mad scientist show, robotics demonstrations, and STEAM activities. READ MORE
At the Epiphany Spring Carnival 22nd Street is transformed into a Family Fun Zone with rides, crafts, and games. Photo by SNAP
At the Epiphany Spring Carnival 22nd Street is transformed into a Family Fun Zone with rides, crafts, and games. Photo by SNAP

Sunday, June 2

The Epiphany School Spring Carnival

Gramercy
This annual fest for the Epiphany School features bounce houses, inflatable slides, carnival games, crafts, and more.  READ MORE

City of Science

Washington Square Park — FREE
A larger-than-life touring event where the wondrous properties of science, technology, engineering, and math collide. Filled with interactive demonstrations, hands-on activities, and enormous exhibitions, this FREE program - part of the World Science Festival designed specifically for kids - unleashes everyone’s inner scientist. READ MORE

Israel on Nostrand Avenue Festival

Crown Heights, Brooklyn — FREE
Celebrate Israel at the largest outdoor festival in Brooklyn. READ MORE

Rí Rá Children’s Festival of Literature

Midtown West
Stay all day or pop in to play at the fourth annual literature festival celebrating work from the best contemporary Irish and New York-based children’s authors and illustrators, including Rowboat Watkins and one of the winners from the annual Children’s Books Ireland Book of Year awards. READ MORE

Scandinavian Music Festival in Fort Tryon Park

Fort Tryon — FREE
Now in its 20th year, NY Scandia Symphony treats Washington Heights and Inwood to outdoor music programs in Fort Tryon Park. Bring a blanket and enjoy these free performances with views of the Hudson River as the backdrop. READ MORE

Eid al Fitr Family Feast

Upper West Side
The full moon of the Muslim lunar calendar indicates the start of Eid al Fitr, the Festival of Fast-Breaking and the end of Ramadan. Children and families from New York to Mali gather together with lights and decorations, special meals and unique treats to give thanks. READ MORE

World Science Festival: Science and Storytime

Greenwich Village — FREE
World Science Festival: Kids’ Science Storytime-Meet the Authors Top kids authors read from their own books. Join us for a special storytime, all afternoon. Shop their carefully curated collection of kids’ science books for sale and have your books signed by participating authors. Pluto Visits Earth!: What Does It Mean To Be A Planet? 2:00 - 2:30 Steven Metzger, Pluto Visits Earth! Steven Metzger, author of more than 60 children’s books, tells the story and shares the science behind little Pluto’s disappointment at being downgraded him a planet to a “dwarf planet.” When... READ MORE

Movies Under the Stars: Anastasia (G)

Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn — FREE
This 1997 animated musical centers around Anya, an eighteen-year-old amnesiac orphan who, in hopes of finding some trace of her family, sides with con men who wish to take advantage of her likeness to the Grand Duchess of the Russian Royal Family. Know Before You Go Gates open to the public at 7:30pm. Arrive early to get a good spot. Food is OK, but no alcohol or smoking. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Pier 84 Hudson River Park
Citywide. See locations in text above
New Balance Track and Field Center at The Armory.
Ingersoll Community Center
Brooklyn Bridge Park
World Science Festival: Kimmel Center at NYU