All Weekend

Fantasia's Birthday Weekend – Brooklyn
Sing "Happy Birthday" to Fantasia, the Brooklyn Children's Museum’s 20-foot albino Burmese python, who turns 17 this weekend. The weekend-long party includes activities like creating bracelets and puppets inspired by the serpent, and learning all about the reptile. FREE with museum admission

Garden Party – The Bronx
Spend a peaceful afternoon among the brightly hued azaleas as the New York Botanical Garden debuts its new garden. The celebration features croquet and kite flying, ice-cold lemonade and Mother's Day-themed projects for kids. You can even purchase a picnic lunch and eat alfresco. FREE with garden admission

Viva Pinocho! – Lower East Side
Teatro SEA inaugurates its brand-new 110-seat puppet theater with its Latino take on the Pinocchio fairy tale. In this version, the wooden boy is a Mexican immigrant making his way in the U.S.A. Tickets are $15 for children, $18 for adults.

Peter and Wendy – Midtown West
The New Victory debuts its last production of the season, a dark take on Peter Pan, starring one multitalented actress and a gang of avant-garde puppets. Good for ages 10 and up, this critically acclaimed show by experimental theater company Mabou Mines last played the theater in 2002. Look for our review next week! Tickets are $14-$38.
show of the season,

Saturday, May 7

Sites Above the City: Family Arts Workshop – Chelsea
Families go hunting on the High Line for the artworks that comprise Kim Beck's installation Space Available. Afterward, Beck helps families create projects inspired by the elevated park's amazing views. FREE

Dave Eggar and Hammerstep – Upper West Side
At this interactive performance, kids can marvel at the unique style of these great dancers, who fuse traditional Irish step dance, hip-hop and tap. FREE

Stories for All Ages: Play Me A Story – Battery Park City
Kids can listen to the classic tales The Hat Seller and the Monkeys and Jack and the Beanstalk, then participate in a hat-making workshop. FREE

The Festival of Ideas for the New City StreetFest – Lower East Side
This creative fest promises to be so huge, we dedicated an entire post to it! Seventy-five grassroots organizations will show off their ideas to improve NYC. There will be organic food demos, art and design programs, workshops on upcycling and ecology, and lots of other activities for families. FREE

Peter and The Wolf – Upper West Side
The Little Orchestra Society presents its take on Prokofiev's classic musical coming-of-age tale. Tickets are $12-$50.

Street Games 2011 – East Harlem
Make the kids leave their DSes at home and show 'em how we used to play before video games were invented. Thomas Jefferson Park hosts all kinds of old-school fun, like double dutch, hula hoops, stickball, pogo sticks and other '70s amusements. There will also be live music from the era and dancing. FREE

Artopia: A Family Arts Festival – Upper West Side
Educational organization Wingspan Arts sponsors this fest, where you can see its students in action as performers and artists. Kids can also attend workshops, like clowning, songwriting and hip-hop. There will also be arts and crafts. This is a great way to find out what Wingspan has to offer in its after-school programs and summer camp. FREE

Second Annual Urban Wildlife Appreciation Day – Inwood
The Parks Department wants families to show their appreciation for the wild animals that share our concrete jungle—and I'm not talking about the rats and pigeons. Today, honor the squirrels, raccoons, coyotes, skunks, eagles and other creatures that call the five boroughs home by learning where and how they live. There will also be kids' activities, a Music for Aardvarks concert, puppet shows and lots of live animals. FREE

Sunday, May 8

Walking Tour with Tom Otterness – Battery Park City
A rare opportunity to explore The Real World public art installation in Nelson A. Rockefeller Park with the artist himself! Afterward, Otterness will help families create their own clay sculptures. FREE

Cinco de Mayo Mexican Parade – Upper West Side
This annual procession and celebration features festive floats, mariachi bands and Hispanic community organizations. FREE

The Paper Bag Players in Whoop-Dee-Doo – Lower East Side
This minimalist troupe is famous for its funny and lively performances, filled with song-and-dance numbers. In this show, kids meet a small paper bag dragon named Volcano and a little boy named Boom, and also get a chance to compete in a game show. FREE

MetLife Second Sundays for Families - Watershed Adventures – Flushing
Learn all about NYC's water supply at the Queens Museum of Art by exploring a massive map of the city's tubes, tunnels and reservoirs. Art projects and hands-on activities will also be on tap. FREE

A Clearing in the Forest: Music – Upper West Side
Enjoy the upbeat sounds of Presley, Melody and the Baby Dolls in this interactive, alfresco family concert in northwestern Central Park. FREE

Outside of NYC

Take a spin on one of three classic carousels on Long Island. While on the island, grab local produce at a farmers' market, many of which open for the season this weekend, including the Westhampton Beach Market.

In New Jersey, kids take to the streets in the Bulldog Sixth Annual Kids Mountain Bike Race in Andover. Or head to Campgaw Mountain Reservation for a family hike.

Party alongside the flowering trees at the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church's annual Dogwood Festival in Fairfield, Connecticut, or head out to Litchfield for a farm tour at the lovely Arethusa Dairy Farm. 

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

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