All Weekend

FringeJr 2014 – East Village
An August Go List pick: Head to the 14th Street Y to catch two New York International Fringe Festival theater shows created specifically for families: the wacky sci-fi romp Alienne: The Musical Adventures of My Little Martian and Italian company ExtraTeatro's bilingual monster musical My Monster Friend. Want a sneak peek of the productions before you buy tickets? You can see excerpts and meet the casts in advance for FREE at Fort FringeJr. $13

Harlem Week: Children's Festival and Harlem Day – Harlem
Take the A train to 135th Street for tons of family fun this weekend. On Saturday, hit the annual Children’s Festival featuring live performances, arts and crafts, sports activities and the Historic Black College Fair & Expo. Sunday is Harlem Day, which includes the Upper Manhattan Auto Show and a kids' fashion show. FREE

Marvel Universe Live! – Fort Greene
Avengers fans, assemble! Iron Man, the Hulk, Captain America, Thor and Black Widow join forces with Spider-Man, Wolverine and other Marvel superheroes to defeat the evil Loki in this live-action stage spectacle at Barclays Center. The show is filled with pyrotechnics, parkour, and skateboarding and motorcycle stunts, and is a must for superhero fans. Check out our full review for more details and pics. $25-$125, free for children under age 2
 

Saturday, August 16

Sand Sculpting Contest – Coney Island
Another August Go List pick: Grab your buckets and shovels for Coney Island's annual sand castle competition. All ages can enter and there are prizes in multiple categories. Not feeling creative? Gawk at the entries and check out face painting, clowns and live music on the boardwalk, then enjoy everything else Coney Island has to offer. FREE but preregistration is recommended to compete.

Potions & Planting Party – Chelsea
And another August Go List pick: Enjoy an interactive meal and nature activities at the '30-style rooftop restaurant Gallow Green. Children are invited to bring their loveys for finger sandwiches, treats and unlimited pink lemonade, followed by hands-on lessons in potions and planting. Read our full review for more details. Advance reservations required. $25 per person

FlyNYC 2014 – Upper West Side
Go fly a kite at this annual festival in Riverside Park South. Kids can fashion paper flyers with the help of park volunteers or bring their own from home. Afterward, enjoy live music, grab a bite at the Pier I Cafe or head a few block north to romp in Elephant Playground. FREE

Summer Streets – Manhattan
It's your last chance this season to cycle, scooter or stroll Manhattan's car-free, seven-mile route from the Upper East Side to the Brooklyn Bridge. You'll find plenty of activities along the way at multiple interactive rest stops, including cycling lessons, bike tuneups, complimentary bike rentals, helmet giveaways, cool live performances, yoga sessions, parkour demos, a zip line, a rock climbing wall and Risa Puno's popular public art/mini-golf course, The Course of Emotions. Read our Summer Streets post for important tips for families. FREE

Craftsmen Days – Jamaica
Enjoy 19th-century pastimes at the King Manor Museum. Reenactors will be on hand to demonstrate spinning, tinsmithing and broom-making, and there will be live fiddle and dulcimer music. $2 suggested donation for adults, free for children under age 17

Family Art Workshop: Puppet Production – Flatiron
Use clay, wood, cloth and other materials to create puppets inspired by Madison Square Park's current public art installation Folly. Afterward, skip Shake Shack and grab lunch at one of these other kid-friendly restaurants in the area. FREE

Chalk the Walk – East Harlem
Head to the Museum of the City of New York to check out the street art exhibit City as Canvas, and then go graffiti the sidewalk outside the building with chalk. Free with admission: $10 for adults, free for children under 13

Reading with the Stars: Peppa Pig – Soho
Catch a screening of the British pig's new adventure "The Balloon Ride" at the Scholastic Store followed by storytime, and a meet and great with Peppa herself. RSVP suggested. FREE

Kids Fest – Chelsea
Hit Bowlmor Chelsea Piers for a super-sweet deal: Kids get an hour of no-cost bowling with rental shoes included. Meanwhile, parents who want to play can snag a special price, and hot dogs and sodas will be just a buck! FREE

See all Saturday events.
 

Sunday, August 17

SummerStage Harlem Family Day – Harlem
And another August Go List pick. Head to Marcus Garvey Park for SummerStage's final Family Day of the season. The lineup includes the soulful Shine and the Moonbeams performing classic and original tunes, boppy bilingual band Moona Luna, child prodigy jazz drummer Kojo Odu Roney and his musical family, B-Love's Hip Hop Jazzy Groove dance performance inspired by the Harlem Renaissance, and DJ KS 360. Disney Radio will also be on hand with giveaways, character photo ops and kids' activities. FREE

Astoria Park Shore Fest – Astoria
It's the final installment of traffic-free fun on Shore Boulevard with hands-on art projects, live music, dancing and other creative fun. FREE

Kid/Around! Lesley and the Flying Foxes – South Street Seaport
Hit the cobblestone streets of the South Street Seaport for an interactive concert with the award-winning kindie trio. FREE

PBS Kids Club Thirteen Presents: Dinosaur Train "Classic in the Jurassic" – Prospect Park
Are you a member of Kids Club Thirteen? It certainly has its privileges, including free or discounted admission to 13 family events throughout the year, like today's offering at Prospect Park's Lakeside. Members can catch a preview of Dinosaur Train's "Classic in Jurassic" animated special, meet Buddy the T-Rex in person, and enjoy arts and crafts and other activities. Read our post about Kids Club Thirteen for details on how to join. Free for Kids Club Thirteen members

See all Sunday events.

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