All Weekend

Figment NYC 2012 – Governors Island
One of Mommy Poppins' favorite annual events (Anna and Raven go every year), this über-creative, two-day festival invites all visitors to make, participate or collaborate in various art projects. The members of the Figment arts collective (who also design Governors Island's annual mini-golf course and interactive sculpture garden) say that they offer "art and activities in every medium available," and they're not exaggerating. In years past, projects have included cookie making, splashing around in big buckets of colored water, giant art murals, fashioning fairy wings, playing limbo and frolicking in a tent filled with rose petals. It's a truly unforgettable experience. FREE

Big Apple Barbecue Block Party – Flatiron
My summer just doesn’t feel right if I miss this festival. Pit masters from all over the country descend on Madison Square Park to sell their succulent smoky ribs, juicy pulled pork, mouthwatering sides, desserts and drinks to families and foodies. The fest also features workshops, book signings and great live blues. Arrive early because it gets super-crowded. Free admission but barbecue plates are $8, desserts and beverages are $2-$6.

Staten Ireland Irish Fair – Staten Island
The St. Columcille Irish Cultural Center celebrates the Emerald Isle with traditional and contemporary Irish music and dance performances. For the wee ones, there's the Land of Leprechauns, which features an inflatable slide, a bouncy house, an obstacle course, face painting, balloon art and puppet shows. $10 for adults, children under 12 enter for free, but Land of the Leprechauns costs $10 for an all-day wristband.

New York Classical Theater: Twelfth Night – Upper West Side
This theater troupe mounts roaming productions that require audiences to literally follow along. For this revival of the Shakespeare comedy, the cast uses Central Park as its backdrop. The magical journey of mistaken identities and misguided lovers is set in NYC circa 1900 and there are preshow family workshops so kids can get in on the action. FREE

Saturday, June 9

Vintage Police Car Show – Financial District
Little car lovers can check out the cool vehicles parked outside the New York City Police Museum, including old cruisers and paddy wagons. FREE

P.S. 75 Spring Fair – Upper West Side
Enjoy the usual carnival-style fun along with an international food court, a health fair and a green fair where families can learn how to be more ecologically responsible. Free admission but there are fees for activities.

High Line Kids: Second Saturdays with the Children’s Museum of the Arts – Chelsea
The elevated park kicks off its new series of monthly drop-in art workshops for kids led by teaching artists from the Children Museum of the Arts. At this session, participants will use found items and recyclables to create a sculpture inspired by the High Line. Afterward, explore the park and keep an eye out for the super-tiny sculptures of public art installation Lilliput. FREE

Starball: Family Planetarium Program – Upper West Side
A new way for families to experience the Hayden Planetarium: Museum educators will use kids' dreams to create constellations in a presentation that also includes improv and music. $12.

Long Island City Bike Parade – Long Island City
Families can pimp their rides at the Socrates Sculpture Park’s pre-parade workshop and then show them off in a colorful cycle parade, which ends in Queensbridge Park with a festival. FREE

Sea Lion Samba – Prospect Park
Shake your body with Samba NY, or watch as the sea lions Bebee and Stella perform dance moves in the water. Free with admission: $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 3 to 12.

Stories for All Ages: The Boy and the North Wind – Battery Park City
Professional storyteller Rita Auerbach shares the classic Norwegian tale The Boy and the North Wind and other Scandinavian stories in Teardrop Park. Afterward, stay and play at the awesome water area. FREE

Life On a Desert Island – Upper West Side
Catch this interactive, one-man adaptation of Robinson Crusoe in southwestern Central Park. Kids can help the hero look for food, make a bow and arrow, and other tasks as he confronts the challenges of living on a desert island. FREE

Brooklyn Pride Festival and Kids' Space – Park Slope
Celebrate gay pride at this low-key, family-friendly street fair featuring food, shopping and a stage with live music, comedy, dance and other entertainment. There's even a dedicated kids' space where children can make puppets, enjoy storytime, bookmaking and other activities. That evening, you can also catch the Brooklyn Pride Parade on Fifth Avenue.

NatureFest 2012 – Staten Island
Head to Willowbrook Park for the Staten Island Museum's annual fest featuring nature walks, arts and crafts, and other eco-fun. FREE

Bargemusic: Music in Motion Family Concert – Dumbo
Enjoy a chamber music concert atop the floating barge secured at the Fulton Ferry Landing section of Brooklyn Bridge Park. The free family performance is just an hour, perfect for even squirmy audience members. Afterward, explore the fantastic Brooklyn green space. FREE

Kids Club Thirteen and American Ballet Theatre Celebrate Le Corsaire – South Street Seaport
Are you a member of Kids Club Thirteen? It certainly has its privileges, including free admission to 13 tri-state area events throughout the year. This Saturday, even non-members can get a taste of what the club offers by heading to the recently reopened South Street Seaport Museum for some nautical fun. Go on a scavenger hunt, meet the Cat in The Hat and take a dance lesson with the American Ballet Theater. Unlike other Kids Club Thirteen events, this one is open to the public with paid museum admission of $10 for adults, free for children under 10, but space is limited so try to arrive early. Read our post about Kids Club Thirteen for details on member benefits and how to join.

See all Saturday events.

Sunday, June 10

Egg Rolls & Egg Creams Festival – Lower East Side
The Museum at Eldridge Street hosts this merry mash up of Jewish and Chinese culture. Enjoy Yiddish and Chinese lessons, Chinese opera and acrobatics, tours of the historic synagogue-turned-museum and Klezmer music performances. There will also be delicious noshes: The egg rolls are kosher and the egg creams are made with Fox's U-bet Chocolate Syrup. FREE

SummerStage: Brooklyn Family Day – Bedford-Stuyvesant
The first of SummerStage's five Family Days takes place in Brooklyn’s Herbert Von King park today. Catch an interactive African movement and music performance by FELA Queens, amazing feats by the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus and DJ Stormin' Norman's funky beats, along with face painting, crafts and golf lessons. FREE

The Epiphany School Spring Carnival – Gramercy
This annual school fundraiser features two bouncy castles, a massive inflatable slide and blow-up obstacle course, arts and crafts, and a silly string squirting area. There will also be a photo booth, a gently-used book sale, a Glee-style performance by the Kids Company Musical Theater Program and a top-notch food truck “parking lot.” In the spirit of full disclosure: I'm running this fest so I know it will be great. Free admission but there are fees for activities.

Prospect Park Carousel’s 100th Birthday Party – Prospect Park
Celebrate the historic merry-go-round's centennial with free rides, birthday cake, crafts and games. FREE

Suzi Shelton – Tribeca
The beloved kid rocker and local mom croons catchy tunes from her latest album, Tomboy in a Princess Dress, at 92YTribeca. $15

See all Sunday events.

Outside NYC

Strawberry picking season continues and we've got the scoop on pick-your-own-farms on Long Island, in New Jersey and Connecticut.

Long Island's Benner's Farm throws its annual Strawberry Festival this weekend. Watch as Mr. Benner hand-cranks his own berry-filled ice cream and then take a taste. $7 for adults, $6 for children.

Don't forget: There's even more fun to be found in our Event Calendar.