Weekend Events and Free Things To Do for New York City Kids July 24-25, 2010
Summer's almost half over? I've spent so many summers in an office where you barely know it's summer at all. But living in New York City, each weekend can be a mini-vacation. This weekend take advantage of the water all around us at the City of Water Festival, or head to the beach for a sand-sculpting contest. Not traveling the world this summer? In New York the world comes to you. Soak up some culture: Japanese, Chinese, Latin, Gospel, theater and art.
It's going to be crazy hot again so you might want to head to Chelsea Waterside Park for some sprinkler action, the new Pier 6 playground or another great sprinkler park. Or at least feel the gentle breeze of one the city's best carousels. If you're heading out of the city, stop at a local farm to pick your own produce in NJ or LI. This weekend NJ events include a couple of county fairs (love them) and even a hot air balloon festival.
We've picked out all the fun things to do, all you have to do is pick your activities, grab your kids and go!
By ferry, kayak, canoe, sail and boats of all kinds, New Yorkers will converge on the waterfront to celebrate the importance of water in New York City. The main event is held on Governor's Island, but additional activities will be at Liberty State Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and Atlantic Basin in Staten Island. There will be boat tours, children's fishing, races, sign-a-longs, arts and crafts, music and more. Stop by the New Amsterdam Market at the South Street Seaport for a picnic before hopping on the ferry. Click through to event site for the full schedule. FREE
Noguchi Museum Family Day --Long Island City, Queens
The Noguchi Museum hosts great events and this year they team up with the Horticultural Society of New York and invite families to explore the Museum galleries, create small sculptures, and design their own family sculpture gardens. Models of Japanese, Western, and mixed-influence gardens will be available to work with. FREE
New Museum Block Party--Lower East Side, Manhattan
We hear rave reviews of this event every year. There will be performances and cool art projects, plus a children's film festival with films from around the world. And it's all FREE.
Sand Sculpting Competition -- Coney Island, Brooklyn
Head to the beach on Saturday for a huge sand sculpting contest at Coney Island. Kids can enter in their own category or just watch the amazing pros. There will be plenty of family activities on the Boardwalk also or check out our post this week on other fun things to do at Coney Island. On Sunday another competition is held at Rockaway Beach. FREE
Family Campfire and Kayaking --Yonkers, NY
If you live in the Bronx (or even if you don't) skip over to Yonkers for a day of fun on the river. There will be kayaking, net fishing, and a collaborative craft project plus sit around the campfire and enjoy a BBQ with hamburgers, hotdogs and marshmallows. FREE
Clinton Cove Family Festival -- Midtown West, Manhattan
Blue grass music, kayaking, games and crafts await you in the park. FREE
Southern Queens Gospel Festival -- Jamaica, Queens
Music all day, plus there will also be free arts and crafts, face painting and inflatables. Bring your picnic. FREE
Mad Science at NYPL --Midtown, Manhattan
Kids get to be scientists and try their hand at lab works with popular science program, Mad Science. FREE
Vital Theater Company Favorites -- Bryant Park, Manhattan
Bryant Park Word for Word on Saturday at noon, a medley from the children's Vital Theater Company's best shows, like Pinkalicious. FREE
SUNDAY, JULY 25
Dragon Boat Festival -- Chinatown, Manhattan
A full day of activities immerses kids in Chinese culture in celebration of next weekend's Dragon Boat Festival. Kids can learn Mandarin, make kites, hear stories and do crafts, like dragon boat puppets and silk screen prints. Get there early to sign up for workshops before they fill up. $10 per person.
Imagination Playground Pop-Up Tour -- Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Try out the fun new playground experience designed by David Rockwell before it takes its permanent home at the South Street Seaport later this summer. FREE
Bushwick Arts Day -- Bushwick, Brooklyn
Three streets of Bushwick are closed to traffic for a big party with live Salsa, free dance lessons, arts and crafts as part of NYC's Weekend Walks program. FREE
