Saturday, April 16

Kids Comic Con – The Bronx
Don’t expect 40-year-old basement dwellers at this comic-book convention. This one's aimed at actual children! Aspiring artists can sit in on a workshop, get a portfolio review or roam the (admittedly modest) floor, checking out the merch and the scene, including artists and writers from Archie Comics. FREE for children under 18. $5 for adults.

Healthy Kids Day – Park Slope & Citywide
The city's 19 YMCAs are hosting festivals that reinforce healthy living for kids and families. While all of the fetes should be cool and educational, the YMCA in the Park Slope Armory will (like last year) be exceptionally fun. Kids can go wild on the inflatable rides—including an inflatable rock climbing wall—join a virtual camping trip, groove to kindie rock, make messy veggie art and much more. FREE

Community Earth Day – Staten Island
Support the Tottenville library by helping to plant some much-needed grass on its lawn. While there, pick up a Go Green Bag full of books for just $3. FREE

Green: Earth, Community, You – Gramercy
Join a CSA, get your blood pressure checked and learn how you can help the environment at this eco-conscience community street fair. Don’t miss the special storytime with the under-the-sea stars of John Tartaglia’s ImaginOcean, or the sustainable fashion show of duds made from recycled materials. FREE

Saturday Family Programs: Butterfly Boogie – Park Slope
The talented actors from the Central Park Zoo’s wildlife theater present a show about the Monarch butterfly's annual 3,000-mile migration. FREE

Short Films:Extraordinary Animals – Midtown East
Children ages four and up can delight in a trio of animal-themed shorts. Boundin’ is an Academy Award nominated Pixar short about a sheep who regains his confidence; Leo Lionni's eponymous picture book comes to life in Cornelius; and in Norman the Doorman, a mouse stands guard at a mouse hole in an art museum. FREE. Tickets distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

18th Annual Earthfest Celebration – The Bronx
Head to Pelham Bay Park to do some volunteer projects, like mulching, weeding, planting and cleaning up the shoreline. Afterward, stick around for nature walks, kids' activities and more natural fun. FREE

Create your Own Biosphere – Inwood
Bring an empty (and cleaned!) two-liter soda bottle to repurpose into an earth-friendly terrarium. FREE

StorahSteps: Miriam’s Drum – East Village
Celebrate Passover at this interactive performance created especially for kids, which tells how young Miriam as she helps the Jews escape from Egypt. After the show, kids will make a seasonal craft. Single tickets are $5; a family ticket for up to six people is $20.

The Paper Bag Players: Whoop De Doo – Upper East Side
This troupe is famous for its funny and lively shows, chock-full of song-and-dance numbers performed in the group's distinctive funky, minimalist style. In this performance, kids will meet a small paper bag dragon named Volcano and a little boy named Boom, and also get a chance to play the title game show. $20 for adults, $15 for kids.

Outside NYC:
 
New Jersey celebrates Earth Day this weekend with four family-friendly festivals, including a bash at the Essex County Environmental Center featuring bird walks, a fossil dig, canoe rides and a climbing wall. You can also ride the rails with the Easter Bunny at one of the many train museums that dot the Garden State. Rides start this weekend but sell out fast.

There are plenty of outdoor Easter egg hunts to choose from on Long Island, including the massive Great Lawn hunt in West Hampton Beach. Children are organized by age to scour the grass for more than 5,000 eggs stuffed with $1 bills, chocolate, temporary tattoos and other goodies.

Connecticut boasts four egg hunts, an Easter train ride and a chance to dine with the Easter Bunny, as well as a workshop where kids can learn to make gorgeous Easter eggs using vegetable dyes at the Ansonia Nature Center. 

Don't forget: There's a lot more fun in the Mommy Poppins Events Calendar.

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