All Weekend

High Line Rink Grand Opening Weekend – Chelsea
Roller boogie baby at this temporary outdoor rink. The 8,000-square-foot space is located in The Lot, the open plaza underneath Section 2 of the High Line. If you're one of the first 500 skaters during its first three days of operation (Thursday-Saturday), you'll get in free. Otherwise, it's $12 for adults and $10 for children under 13. Skate rental is included. Update: A mom who went on opening day reports that while it's a lot of fun, the rink doesn't have anyplace to store patrons' belongings—not even their shoes! So be prepared to leave your valuables on the benches.

33rd Annual Thunderbird American Indian Mid-Summer Pow Wow – Douglaston
The Queens County Farm Museum hosts more than 40 Native American tribes at this massive performance and competition. There will also be a market with traditional items, including jewelry, arts and crafts, and food. $10 for adults, $5 for children under 13. Discounted weekend passes are also available.

Water Wild Weekend – Crown Heights
Families can examine the exotic creatures that live underwater, make a seashell collage, learn how to save our H2O and compete in an exciting game of Survivor, Brooklyn Children's Museum-style. FREE with museum admission: $7.50.

Nature Adventures for Kids – Inwood
Educator and mom Julia Attaway kicks off her summer nature series for kids in Fort Tryon Park. This weekend's theme is ladybugs. Kids can study the cute critters with a magnifying glass and enjoy other hands-on activities. FREE

Saturday July 30

Great Jazz on the Great Hill – Upper West SIde
Head to Central Park’s Great Hill for an afternoon of rug-cutting and Lindy Hopping at this open-air concert and dance party. The George Gee Swing Orchestra and other bands provide the syncopated tunes, and there will be dance classes and demos. Bring your own picnic or buy soul-food eats from Harlem's Spoonbread Restaurant. FREE

Brooklyn Treasure Cove Maritime Bacchanal and Red Hook Pirates Festival – Red Hook
Ahoy, mateys! The swashbuckling eco-pirates from Red Hook’s Nature & Maritime Museum are invading Ikea Erie Basin Park. This waterfront fest features an eco-cruise on a 32-foot Indian shipping canoe, historical reenactments, pirate theater for kids, catch-and-release fishing, tours of the Traveling Nature & Maritime Museum on Wheels, and presentations from real live salty dogs who've traveled the oceans blue. Complete your seafaring fun by traveling to the fest on the Ikea Water Taxi. FREE

Klutz Arts & Crafts Extravaganza – Midtown West
Scholastic hosts an alfresco arts session featuring the cool Klutz books/craft kits in Bryant Park. FREE

See all Saturday events.

Sunday, July 31

16th Annual Sandcastle Contest – Rockaways
Pack your shovel and bucket for this family-friendly competition. There will be prizes for winners in multiple age categories, and free refreshments for all. Registration begins at 10am. FREE

Dragon Boat Festival Day – Chinatown
Although Flushing's annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival isn't until August, you can celebrate the tradition early at the Museum of Chinese in America with poetry workshops, live Qin musical performances and family-friendly tours of the museum. Kids can also make origami paper dragon boats at the drop-in craft station. $10

Junta Hispana – Flushing
Celebrate Hispanic culture at this large outdoor fest featuring multiple stages of dance and music performances, crafts and food representing 20 Spanish-speaking countries. Expect crowds! FREE

Little Club Heads Second Anniversary Party – Financial District
Hit the dance floor with the kids in tow at this all-ages party. This anniversary edition features special performances by a 30-piece marching band, the Free Style Double Dutch Show and the Hey-Ya Brothers, plus all the usual attractions: DJ, face painting, balloon twisters and games. $15

Lincoln Center Out of Doors Family Day – Upper West Side
Enjoy offbeat artistic fare at the cultural institution's annual family day. Catch four African Diaspora dance acts, Memphis-style soul from Stax Music Academy and Gospel standards sung by NYC teens. FREE

The Yellow Brick Road – West Village
We absolute loved this Latin-themed version of The Wizard of Oz, Theatreworks USA's free summer musical at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. The original hour-long show is great for Oz-obsessed kids. If you can't catch it today, it's playing through August 19.

See all Sunday events.

Outside of NYC

Across the Hudson, you can take your kids out to the ballgame. The Garden State boasts six minor league baseball teams, many of which have home games this weekend.

Although Long Island is famous for its beaches, there are also plenty of pristine pools to enjoy. Non-residents can take a dip for a slightly higher entrance fee.

Over in Connecticut, you can check out Old Lyme's Midsummer Festival and the opening weekend of Lyman Orchard's Sunflower Maze.

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

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