MANHATTAN

Popcorn and a Movie (and Tom Seaver)
Fri, July 31 at Sundown
Intrepid Museum Complex
FREE

Spend an evening at the museum with a Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. OK so its not the Museum of Natural History or the Smithsonian, but its pretty close and it has popcorn. Hall of Fame Pitcher Tom Seaver is attending, too, so be sure to be there when doors open at 7:30. Rain date, Saturday, August 1. 

Family Movement Workshop with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company
Sat, Aug 1 at 4PM and Sun, Aug 2 at 4PM
Rockefeller Park, part of the River to River Festival
FREE

It is so timely that this event is going on now, and it is a wonderful way for the whole family to honor Merce Cunningham, and for the kids to really learn about dance. Participants create their own dance "events" based on their observations of movement, time and their surroundings. Wear comfortable clothes; reservations requested. Email your name and how many are in your party to mcdcfamilyday@joyce.org. 

Storyteling by Felix Pitre with Coqui the Frog
Sat, Aug 1 at 11AM
High Line Park (At the Tenth Ave Square)
FREE

Watch Felix Pitre and Coqui his puppet friend, tell stories through music, song and tales. Reservations are recommended, but not required. Visit the website to RSVP. 

BROOKLYN

Celebrating the Caribbean
Sat, Aug 1, 3PM-11PM
Brooklyn Museum
FREE

This Saturday is a Target First Saturdays event that is packed out with cool stuff. Kids will want to be there when the West Indian-American Day Carnival Association kicks off the celebration with steel pan music, stilt walkers, carnival costumes and more (3-7PM), and parents might want to stick around for the poetry open mic (5-6:30PM). At 6:30PM, you can create your own carnival costume headdress, inspired by objects in the Museum's permanent collection. Be sure to check the site for information on the free tickets that are necessary for some events, like the hands-on art activity mentioned above. 

The Giving Tree
Sun, Aug 2 at 1PM
Fort Greene Park (Visitor's Center)
FREE

Come for a relaxing reading of this beloved children's book, followed by a walk through the park. Bring blankets and a picnic to make it a lazy Sunday afternoon. 

QUEENS

Plaza Theatrical: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Fri, July 31, 7-8:30PM
Alley Pond Park (76th Ave off Springfield Blvd)
FREE

If you're looking to spice up your outdoor movie night routine, check out this live outdoor family theater production of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. And just as if you were heading to a movie, don't forget blankets and chairs (and bug spray). 

Charlie & Kiwi's Evolutionary Adventure
Fri, July 31, 10AM-5PM
New York Hall of Science
Free with museum admission

Ages 6 and up can discover the link between dinosaurs and modern birds with this English/Spanish exhibition. The story follows a boy named Charlie as he works on a book report about kiwis, a fight-less bird found in New Zealand. Kids learn how kiwis evolved by unraveling puzzles, playing games, exploring computer interactives, and observing live birds. 

Kulu Mele African American Dance & Drum Ensemble
Sat, Aug 1 at 4PM
Queensbridge Park
FREE

African dance company Kule Mele is in town for free lessons and performances. It is an exciting mix of West African ancestral tradition and African American creativity, that blends music from Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, Brazil, Haiti, Sengal, Cuba, and African American heritage. Soul Steps, a group who uses audience participation and the body to tell stories, will also be performing. 

STATEN ISLAND

Breakfast with the Beasts
Sat, Aug 1, 8:30AM-10AM
Staten Island Zoo
$13/person

Kids (5 and up) really go crazy for this event. You get to go on a tour of the animal kitchen, help prepare some food for critters and watch them eat. You get up close and personal with the animals, since you'll both be enjoying breakfast (provided with admission). Pre-registration is required, so visit the website. 

Lost ladybugs
Sun, Aug 2 at 11AM
High Rock Park (off Rockland Ave)
FREE

Some species of ladybugs, including the official insect of New York State, seem to be vanishing. Learn how to identify ladybugs, photograph them and submit your photos so you can be part of a citizen science project that helps Cornell University scientists track ladybugs. Don't forget to bring your camera (digital cameras strongly preferred). The group will meet in the lower parking lot of HIgh Rock Park, call (718) 351-3450 to register.

THE BRONX

Plant & Play Time
Sat, Aug 1, 1PM-4PM
Grove Hill Playground
FREE

If you've got a green thumb, head over to Grove Hill Community Playground for an afternoon of planting flowers, digging in the soil and harvesting fruits and veggies. There will also be games and activities for all ages. 

The Reel Deal
Sun, Aug 2 at 11AM
Pelham Bay Park
FREE

Join the Park Rangers as they fish the Long Island Sound in search of the area’s saltwater dwellers. Don't worry about bring any equipment, everything is provided. First come, first-served. Ages 8 and up. 

 

 

If you're looking to explore a little further out, pay a visit to our Long Island and New Jersey pages, for information on beaches, events, pick-your-own farms and more. And, our event calendar is jam-packed with even more things to do. Don't forget to enter to win a dinner for 10 in our Summer Activity Guide!