All Weekend

Children's Carnival – Glen Oaks
If you've never visited the Queens County Farm Museum, this is the time to go. This real working farm is a hit with kids year-round, but this weekend and next, it hosts a huge, old-time carnival, complete with a midway, a magic show and lots of kiddie rides. $10

The Butterfly – Midtown West
Making Books Sing premieres its musicalization of Patricia Polacco's award-winning tale about an amazing friendship between a pair of tweens during the Nazi occupation of France. The pals meet when the Catholic Monique finds Jewish Sevrine hiding in her attic. This is an excellent way to introduce school-age kids to a difficult subject. $15 for adults, $5 for children under 13.

New York International Auto Show – Midtown West
It's your last chance to catch the car show at the Javits Center before it drives off into the sunset. Check out the industry's latest cars and trucks, and cutting-edge concept vehicles, including a car that can fly! One of our bloggers went to check it out with her kids and had a blast. She even put up a small photo gallery of their visit on our Facebook page. $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 3-12.

Jack & the Beanstalk – Greenwich Village
The New Acting Company debuts its take on the old fairy tale. Judging from the troupe's past productions, this Jack's sure to amuse kids and adults alike with slapstick and clever pop culture references. $18.

Baseball in the Bronx: Nine Innings of Bronx Baseball – the Bronx
Just in time for Little League season comes this exhibit at the Bronx Museum of the Arts, which examines the dramatic history of baseball in the boogie down borough. It goes way beyond the Yankees! FREE

Saturday, April 14

J-Cation 2012: Sakura – Midtown East
Celebrate spring at Japan Society's annual cultural festival. Families can compete on a Japanese-style game show, listen to live bands, enjoy Japanese art, films and karaoke, and take origami, printmaking and language workshops. There will even be a cherry blossom lounge. $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 2-12, free for kids under 2.

Elizabeth Mitchell – Prospect Heights
The beloved kids' crooner hits the central branch of the Brooklyn Public Library for an interactive concert featuring songs off her latest album, Sunny Day. FREE

Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players – Upper West Side
Groove to the playful tunes of the Grammy-nominated rocker and his band at Symphony Space. Although the price is officially $25 for adults and $15 for children, you can snag $13 tickets by using the code KIDROCK when purchasing tickets online.

New York Pops in a Salute to Jim Henson's Musical World – Midtown West
You probably know by now that we're huge Muppets fans. If your kids are too, you'll want to hit this concert hosted by puppeteer John Tartaglia and featuring appearances by Sesame Street regulars Maria, Bob, Alan, Gordon and perhaps a puppet or two. Interactive pre-concert activities included with the price of admission. $9-20. Tickets are almost sold out!

Celebrate Earth Festival – Crown Heights
Head to the Brooklyn Children's Museum for this Earth Day fest, where kids can try out solar power, run a geothermal heating system and other eco-friendly educational activities. Free with admission: $7.50.

Family Films: Imagine That! – Midtown East
The Museum of Modern Art presents a trio of shorts that explore imagination. Afterward, stay and explore all the museum has to offer. For kids 7 and up. FREE but tickets are distributed first come, first served.

Tartan Day Parade – Midtown West
Great Scot! You'll see a lot of kilts, drums and bagpipes at this annual Scottish procession. FREE

See all Saturday events.

Sunday, April 15

Children's Day at the Bay Ridge Festival of the Arts – Bay Ridge
Although this annual arts fest goes on for four days, Sunday is for the kids. Catch a puppet show, meet Maya and Miguel author Crystal Velasquez, enjoy a sing-along and take lots of different art workshops. Suggested donation of $5 per child.

Titanic Sinks: Commemorate the 100th Anniversary – Upper West Side
Check out artifacts from the doomed ship at the interactive DiMenna Children’s History Museum. Then at 1pm, author Barry Denenberg will read excerpts from his children's book Titanic Sinks! Free with admission: $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 7-13, free for kids under 7.

Celebrate Spring Workshops – Flushing
Learn how to make Mexican paper flowers and Puerto Rican masks at a pair of Flushing Town Hall family art workshops. $10.

Poem Runs and UnBEElievables with Douglas Florian – Battery Park City
Poets House is the perfect place to celebrate National Poetry Month, particularly today when children's author and illustrator Douglas Florian reads from his work and leads a writing workshop for kids. FREE

See all Sunday events.

Outside NYC

Head across the Hudson to Newark, New Jersey for the annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival featuring beautiful blooms, trolley tours and a massive picnic.

Looking for a last-minute day trip? How about Connecticut's Litchfield County, where you can marvel at a daffodil display, meet birds of prey and more.


Don't forget there's a lot more fun in the Mommy Poppins Events Calendar.