North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
Free & Fun Things to Do This Weekend for NYC Kids: Kite Festival, Story Pirates, Harlem Week, Global Gardens August 18-19
Don’t let the back-to-school madness bum you out. There are three more weekends of summer break to go, so there's still time to hit the beaches, the pools and the sprinklers, and enjoy other seasonal fun. This weekend brings the New York Botanic Garden’s Global Gardens Harvest Celebration, Riverside Park South's annual kite festival FlyNYC and the final Summer Streets (that’s my boy pedaling up Park Avenue at last Saturday's installment). Other family fun includes annual favorites Great Jazz on the Great Hill and Harlem Week.
That's just a bit of what's going on. All of our best bets for the weekend are below. You can find additional options in our Summer Fun Guide and our Event Calendar.
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All Weekend
Global Gardens Summer Harvest Celebration – the Bronx
Get your hands dirty in the New York Botanical Garden's Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden by helping to harvest plants from around the world. There will also be garden games, crafts, cooking demos and yummy pickle samples. Free with All-Garden Pass: $20 for adults, $8 for children ages 2-12, free for kids under 2.
Jazz Age Lawn Party – Governors Island
The 1920s come alive at this old-fashioned garden party. Come dressed to the nines and dance to live jazz tunes courtesy of Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra. Don't worry if you don't know the steps—lessons will be offered. Games and picnicking round out the retro fun. $15 for adults, free for children under 12.
Maker Weekends – Corona
The World Maker Faire-inspired fun continues at the New York Hall of Science. Kids can work on a large-scale collaborative fort using PVC pipes, cardboard and other recycled materials. There's also the Science For Nanos film festival featuring flicks about scientists and their work. Free with admission: $11 for adults, $8 for children ages 2-17, free for kids under 2.
Harlem Week: Children's Festival and Harlem Day – Harlem
Head to 135th Street for tons of family fun this weekend. On Saturday, enjoy the annual Children’s Festival with live performances, arts and crafts, sports activities and the National Historic Black Colleges Fair. Sunday is Harlem Day, which includes the Upper Manhattan Auto Show and a kids' fashion show. FREE
Saturday, August 18
FringeJr – Downtown Manhattan
The massive performing arts festival continues but there's only one FringeJr show this weekend: Super Sidekick: the Musical, about a second banana who tries to save the day. In advance: $15 for adults, $10 for children under 12; at the door: $18 for adults, $10 for children under 12.
Hudson River Park’s Science on the River – Midtown West
Pier 84 hosts a day of hands-on fun for the whole family. Kids can try various science experiments, make recycled crafts and go catch-and-release fishing. Other attractions include live hawks and folk music from Betty and the Baby Boomers. FREE
Minette's Feast: The Delicious Story of Julia Child and Her Cat Reading — Chelsea
Celebrate Julia Childs’ 100th birthday at Books of Wonder with readings of two children's books about the legendary chef. Susanna Reich will share her new book Minette's Feast: The Delicious Story of Julia Child and Her Cat and Jessie Hartland will read Bon Appetit! The Delicious LIfe of Julia Child. FREE.
Madison Square Kids Family Art Workshop – Flatiron
Explore Madison Square Park’s interactive art installation Pet Sounds and then create blob bracelets inspired by the kooky sculptures. Afterward, skip the line at Shake Shack and grab a bite at one of the other kid-friendly restaurants in the area. FREE
FlyNYC 2012 – Upper West Side
Bring a store-bought kite or make your own at this annual festival in Riverside Park South. Kids fashion paper flyers with the help of park volunteers and dance to live music. Afterward, grab a bite at the Pier I Cafe or head a few block north to romp at the newly renovated Elephant Playground. FREE
Le Pond – Midtown West
Dan Kitrosser—a well known children's storyteller who previously wrote the charming family musical Night of the Butterfly—debuts this new tuner in Bryant Park. Subtitled "A New Musical for the Les Dreamers of the Le World," Le Pond is about a woman who lives in a fantasy world set in a magical pond from her youth. FREE
Summer Streets – Manhattan
It's your last chance to cycle, scooter, skate or stroll the car-free route. Take a break at the rest stops for family-friendly activities like a zip line at Foley Square, a rock climbing wall in Soho, plus cycling tips, pop-up playgrounds, live performances and more. Read our tips for enjoying Summer Streets before you go. FREE
Nocturnal Wildlife – Inwood
Stroll through Inwood Hill Park at dusk with the Urban Park Rangers, who'll teach families about the nocturnal animals that call the park home. FREE
Wash Ave Rocks Street Fair – Prospect Heights
Get ready to party at this annual Brooklyn bash, which features the best art, music, eats and fashion in the neighborhood. Local organizations and cultural institutions like the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and the Brooklyn Museum will also be on hand with fun family activities. FREE
Great Jazz on the Great Hill – Upper West Side
Head to Central Park’s Great Hill for an afternoon of rug-cutting and Lindy Hopping at this open-air concert and dance party. There will be a tribute to Louis Armstrong from Wycliffe Gordon, and other bands will play swinging tunes. New this year: A family area where kids can make jazz-themed postcards. Bring your own picnic or hit one of the onsite food trucks. FREE
Birds of Prey – Midtown East
Get up close and personal with live hawks, owls, falcons and other New Canaan Nature Center raptors at the main branch of the New York Public Library. FREE
See all Saturday events.
Sunday, August 19
The Story Pirates — East Harlem
El Museo del Barrio welcomes the fabulous children's troupe for two performances of mini musicals inspired by school kids' stories. FREE but reservations recommended.
Ice Cream Sunday – Financial District
Eleven ice-cream makers bring their locally made best to the New Amsterdam Market. Buy a package of eight mini cones or an early admission pass that comes with ten. All sales benefit the market. All tickets must be purchased in advance. In advance: $20-$30; at the door: $25-$35.
Astoria Park Shore Fest – Astoria
It's the final installment of traffic-free fun on Shore Boulevard. Stroll down the street and enjoy educational activities, live music, fitness programs and snacks from local eateries. FREE
Miniature Giants Workshop – Governors Island
Artist Janelle Iglesias leads a family workshop where kids can create miniature sculptures inspired by Mark di Suvero’s giant abstract pieces currently on display on Governors Island. Afterward, explore all the free fun the isle has to offer. FREE
See all Sunday events.
Outside NYC
Enjoy the Canal Day Music & Craft Festival in Wharton, NJ. This country fair features live music, exotic animals, crafts and boat rides on the canal, and ends with fireworks.
Don't forget: There's more fun to be found in our Event Calendar.
