All Weekend

Great Howl! Out Loud Kids Carnival – East Village
Named after Allen Ginsberg's iconic poem, the funky Howl! Festival takes place at various venues throughout the East Village. However, the main event for families is the two-day Great Howl! Out Loud Kids Carnival in Tompkins Square Park featuring games, storytelling, face painting, clowns, arts and crafts, miniature golf, and performances by Rosie’s Theater Kids, the American Tap Dance Company and teen rocker Jack Skuller. Warning: Some of the performances in other parts of the park get a little risque so you may want to stay in the designated family area. FREE

Maddie’s® Pet Adoption Days – Citywide
Is your family looking to add a new four-legged member? Then don't miss this amazing multicity adoption event. You can take home a rescued cat or dog for free throughout the weekend at select locations, including NYC shelters and pet stores. Find a complete list of spots and adoption times on the website. FREE

Sing for Hope Pianos – Citywide
As in summers past, nonprofit Sing for Hope is installing 88 artist-designed pianos in public spaces throughout the five boroughs for people to play. They are everywhere. I spied one last week in the Arthur Avenue Retail Market in the Bronx, and you can also find them in the Dairy in Central Park, the main branch of the New York Public Library and in Times Square. Find the map of pianos on the website. FREE

The Girl Who Forgot to Sing Badly – Midtown West
The New Victory Theater ends the season with this solo show from Ireland about a brave girl named Peggy who tries to save the day after her hometown empties out and work dries up. $25

City Island Arts & Crafts Fair – the Bronx
City Island is the perfect summer staycation destination—the Bronx isle looks and feels like a New England town! If you go this weekend, you'll also be able to explore this annual fair, which features more than 50 artisans and craftsmen selling jewelry, ceramics and other handmade items. FREE 
 

Saturday, June 1

Meet the Artist Saturdays: In Search of the Real Monkey King – Upper West Side
Enjoy traditional Chinese folk dances and masked Chinese opera in this interactive performance at Lincoln Center's David Rubenstein Atrium, which introduces kids to the character of the Monkey King. FREE

Red Hook Fest – Red Hook
This three-day celebration of local artists kicks off on Thursday and culminates in an art-filled parade on Saturday from Coffey Park to Louis J. Valentino Park, where there will be a slew of live performances and family activities like kayaking. FREE

Stories at the Hans Christian Andersen Statue – Upper East Side
A new season of the storytelling series kicks off in Central Park with a special edition celebrating the life of the recently deceased Diane Wolkstein, once touted as NYC's official storyteller. Several of her colleagues will share her signature tales along with musical accompaniment. FREE

Innovation Square – Downtown Brooklyn
While this World Science Festival expo isn't aimed at kids, they'll love checking out robots, video games and 3D printers at this showcase. There will also be workshops and lectures (mainly for adults) and a performance by Blue Man Group technician Bill Swartz. FREE

Click Clack Moo – Tribeca
My son and I saw this excellent TheaterworksUSA adaptation of Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin's picture book a few years back. If your little one is a fan of the story, it's a must-see with traditional musical theater numbers and lots of humor as striking cows teach Farmer Brown a lesson he'll never forget. $25

Ships, Seas and Poetries – Battery Park City
Professional boat builders lead kids in a hands-on workshop at Poets House, where they'll sing sea shanties, write pirate poetry and make model boats. $5, free for children under 4

Families First Annual Spring Carnival – Cobble Hill
This nonprofit family center throws a fun carnival with a petting zoo, refreshments, games, rummage and bake sales, arts and crafts, balloons, face painting and a moon bounce. Free admission but there are fees for activities.

Strawberry Festival – Jamaica
This sixth annual fest in Highland Park features inflatables, face painting, carnival games, crafts, live performances, tattoos, hayrides and lots of the title fruit. FREE

Brooklyn Arbor Presents: PLAYground 2013 Festival – Williamsburg
P.S. 414 throws this fete to support its music programs. Enjoy live performances, food and the usual carnival fun for the kids: crafts, inflatables, storytime and face painting. $10 for adults, free for children under 13

Dance of the Planets: An Evening Under the Stars – Dumbo
Enjoy stargazing fun in Brooklyn Bridge Park with professional and amateur astronomers as part of the World Science Festival. Telescopes will be on hand although you're welcome to bring your own, and there will also be live music and refreshments. FREE

See all Saturday events.
 

Sunday, June 2

The Ultimate Science Street Fair – Greenwich Village
One of my family's annual must-do events, this amazing fest in Washington Square Park is the climactic offering of the massive multiday World Science Festival. Attractions include tons of booths with hands-on science activities, crafts and experiments, live animal demos and a carnival-style Math Midway. Be sure to catch the shows by the traveling scientists from Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute; they're awesome and keep kids on the edge of their seats as they play with fire and homemade cannons. Since it gets crowded quickly, arrive as early as possible to try to avoid long lines. FREE

Hopper Drawing: Family Day – Upper East Side
Check out the Whitney Museum of Art's brand-new Hopper Drawing exhibition on this special family day. Enjoy kid-friendly tours, art workshops, a huge collaborative drawing project led by artist Jason Polan and other creative activities. Only families will be let into the museum from 10 to 11am so that sounds like the best time to go. Free with admission: $20 for adults, free for children under 19

Brooklyn Baby Expo – Downtown Brooklyn
Our friends at A Child Grows In Brooklyn host their second annual Brooklyn Baby Expo, where new and expecting parents can get the scoop on NYC's top parenting resources, baby gear and more. Seminars and demos include CPR, greening your home, pre- and post-natal care, and other important issues. Plus there's live music for the kids by Kidville’s Rockin’ Railroad Band and Little Rock-its by Frolic! Mommy Poppins is proud to be a media sponsor. Tickets start at $15 per person but you can save 15% by using the discount code MP-BBE2013.

Family Walking Tour on the Lower East Side: Pickles, Playgrounds, Candy Shops & More – Lower East Side
Explore the sights and sweets of the LES on this family stroll hosted by the Museum of Eldridge Street. In addition to learning about the history of the nabe, you'll stop for candy and pickles. RSVP required. $15 per family

Circus-In-A-Suitcase With Kevin O'Keefe – Upper West Side
Ever seen a one-man circus? Well you can today when O'Keefe conjures an entire big top out of his suitcase including a tent, band, lights, a ringmaster and a magician at the New York Historical Society. Free with admission: $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 5-13

See all Sunday events.
 

Outside NYC

Are you a member of Kids Club Thirteen? It certainly has its privileges, including free admission to 13 tri-state area events throughout the year. Today, members can head to Field Station: Dinosaurs in Secaucus, New Jersey to marvel at dozens of animatronic creatures and then enjoy a dino-themed craft. Read our post about Kids Club Thirteen for details on member benefits and how to join. Free for Kids Club Thirteen members.

Strawberry picking season is in full swing and there are plenty of nearby farms where families enjoy this spring activity. My favorite is Lewin Farms on Long Island. It's always a good idea to call before you head out to make sure they're open and strawberries are still available.

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