All Weekend

Henry V – Financial District
Instead of Shakespeare in the Park, how about Shakespeare all over the park? The talented actors in New York Classical Theatre's Henry V perform throughout the Battery, starting at Castle Clinton, and then crossing the English Channel to France, a.k.a. Governors Island.  You don’t need to wait in line for the tickets, just show up! FREE (but donations are welcome).

Saturday, July 9

Family Art Festival – West Village
Enjoy an afternoon of creative fun courtesy of the Children’s Museum of the Arts. The Soho mainstay will be moving into new digs in the West Village this fall, and the staff is throwing a party in the streets, which are closed thanks to Manhattan's car-free Weekend Walks. Families can work on large-scale sculptures, collaborative murals and other art projects, and take an animation workshop. Other local organizations will join the fun: Bike New York will offer free cycling lessons, Collab will teach kids how to sew and the New York City Fire Museum will host crafts. If you can’t make it today you'll get two more chances: The fest returns on Saturday, July 16 and Saturday, July 23. FREE

Family Day at the Center for Architecture: Waterfront Cities – Greenwich Village
Using the exhibit Glimpses of New York and Amsterdam in 2040 as inspiration, families will discuss how to improve NYC's waterfront and make it more sustainable, and then draft plans based on their ideas. Reservations required. Ages 5 to 13. $20 for a family of four.

Word for Word Kids: Justin the Magician – Midtown West
Do you believe in magic? You will after you see Justin the Magician's slick tricks in Bryant Park. FREE

Tech in the Plaza: Secrets of the Cell Phone – Midtown East
Do you trust your kids with your cell phone? Well you have to for this workshop at Sony Wonder Technology Lab, in which educators help kids carefully take apart your phone so they can see how it works. Ages 8 and up. FREE

Outdoor Summer Movie Series: The Goonies – Roosevelt Island
Parents can share one of the cult films of their '80s youth, The Goonies, with their offspring. For the uninitiated: A group of kids goes on an adventure-filled quest for secret treasure in an effort to save to their neighborhood from developers. Josh Brolin and Sean Astin have never looked cuter! FREE

See all Saturday events.

Sunday, July 10

SummerStage's Family Day – Central Park
The citywide performance festival has already held Family Days in Brooklyn and Queens this summer. Now it's Manhattan's turn. The Central Park main stage welcomes rockers the Verve Pipe, the Zany Umbrella Circus, clarinetist Oran Etkin and his Timbalooloo music program, the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers and the Brooklyn Steppers. Plus there are usually great giveaways, snacks and face painting. We went last year and had a blast. However, two tips: Bring a blanket to sit on and an umbrella! There's no shade at all, so you'll want to use it as a parasol. FREE

Bastille Day on 60th – Upper East Side
Celebrate all things French at this annual fete featuring street mimes and accordion players, an open-air market, cancan dancers, live music, French language workshops and a classic Citroën car show. Les enfants can enjoy a junior pétanque contest, face painting, and arts and crafts. FREE

Seining the River Wild – Dumbo
Learn about the eco-system under the Manhattan Bridge. Staff from the Coastal Marine Resource Center will help kids catch, log and release fish and other East River creatures. All materials provided. FREE

Preservation Detectives: All of a Kind Family Walking Tour – Lower East Side
Fans of the classic children’s book All of a Kind Family will love this walking tour sponsored by the Museum at Eldridge Street. Families will visit the Lower East Side spots frequented by the characters in the tale. $15 per family.

All Children's Day – Staten Island
Willowbrook Park's Carousel for All Children throws its annual family fest. Music duo Pressley & Melody hit the stage at 2pm, followed by an interactive magic show by Randy St. James. FREE but rides cost $1.50.

Met Life Second Sundays for Families: Collaborative Art Day – Flushing
Art created by multiple people is the theme of the day at the Queens Museum of Art. Educators lead tours and discuss the various roles of collaborators. Afterward, families can work together to create their own masterpieces. FREE

See all Sunday events.

Outside of NYC

Thinking about a day trip? Try heading to Sussex County, New Jersey for the Pow Wow Championship Series, or pick berries at BlueBEARy Blast at the Camden Children’s Garden.  

Long Island also makes a lovely destination, full of pretty picnic places, beautiful beaches and amazing playgrounds.

In Connecticut, blueberry season is in full swing, and we've got the scoop on 24 pick-your-own farms.

Don't forget: There's more fun to be found in the Mommy Poppins Event Calendar.

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