All weekend:
If you missed the grand opening festivities at the Rock Center Lego store, head out to Queens Center Mall to help the master Lego builders create an 8 foot R2D2.  (Plus they are having some shopping specials, too.) FREE
 

Saturday July 10, 2010

Unlocking the Little Red Lighthouse—Washington Heights
This historic and famous little lighthouse (under the great gray bridge) is opened just a few times each year so don’t miss this chance to explore it inside and out. FREE  

Summer Shake Up! With The Public Theater – The Bronx
NYC students (entering 6th grade and up) can explore the works of Shakespeare through games, improv and performance in workshops led by the teaching artists of The Public Theater. Don’t get jealous parents – you are welcome to join in, too. FREE

Canoe the Meer – Harlem
Kids 8 years and older can learn how to paddle a canoe and necessary water safety in the Harlem Meer. FREE

Rochester City Ballet—Financial District
Watch the NYC debut of the Rochester City Ballet, considered to be one of the countries best regional dance troupes as they perform contemporary dances as well as classic story telling ballets.  A 70 minute family friendly performance is presented as part of the River to River Festival. FREE

Dry Ice Capades—Midtown East
Little scientists aged 5 years and up can work the folks from Mad Science and learn all about what you can do with water and dry ice. FREE

And also:

Wild, Wild World: Penguins – Upper West Side
Get up close and personal with a real live black footed penguin in this special talk given by Jarod Miller from “Animal Explorations with Jarod Miller”.  $12 for adults, $10 for children, discounts for members.

The Verve Pipe at Brooklyn Bowl—Brooklyn
Join in on the fun at this family friendly concert live from the Brooklyn Bowl.  Knock down some pins, grab a bite and listen to the tunes. $5.00

 

Sunday July 11, 2010
 
Sunday Scene – Weekend Walks: Knickerbocker Avenue – Bushwick
The car free streets around the Maria Hernandez Park will be devoted to community service today.  Join in on the fun and help others by reading to kids, cleaning up the park and decorating cards for sick kids in the local hospital. FREE

Buggin’ Out – The Bronx
Learn all about the insects and bugs that live in the park and then work on a bug-themed craft with the Urban Park Rangers. FREE

Le Carrousel Magique – Midtown West
Stop by the merry go round in Bryant Park for a fun magic show put on by the performers of Monday Night Magic. FREE

And also:

Milkshake Concert – Upper East Side
Rock out to a concert inspired by the antics of Curious George to tie into the current exhibit at the museum. $16 for adults, $11 for children (membership discounts available.)

All About Owls – Prospect Park
Dissect an owl pellet to learn what owls eat, meet a live owl from the zoo and use field guides to study these amazing birds.  $ 8 in advance + zoo admission

 

Outside of NYC:

If you do decide to beat the heat and high tail it outta here, you may want to check out one of my favorite places on Long Island, The Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown. A great outdoor place that rehabilitates animals and offers wonderful programming for kids.  This weekend they are focusing on pollinators with a scavenger hunt in the butterfly house, a meeting with a real live bee keeper and a pollinator craft project to take home.  $6 per person.

Or if you are headed the Garden State way take a trip to Princeton and visit  Terhune Orchards while their annual Blueberry Bash is taking place. There will be a blueberry buffet and bake off, a puppet show and of course blueberry picking. FREE