Events: The Best Kid-Friendly Events Of The Week (September 5-7)

By Gavriella Mahpour

Hope everyone had a relaxing Labor Day weekend! Although this week marks the start of a new school year, there’s still loads of time to check out this array of weekend events. From an anniversary party in Madison Square Park to Family Day at the Queens Zoo, this round-up of family fun will chase away the first-week-of-school blues.

Members of the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus; courtesy of Bindlestiff Family Cirkus — Clowning around with the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus; courtesy of Bindlestiff Family Cirkus

Friday, September 5

City Island Trolley
From Pelham Bay Station
5:30pm-9:30pm
Hop on a trolley to City Island! On the first Friday of every month (through December), the City Island Chamber of Commerce runs free trolley service from the Bronx’s Pelham Bay Station to the Bartow Pell Mansion Museum on City Island. Riders can explore the island’s many sights and even receive special offers and discounts at participating establishments. Trolley runs hourly on the half-hour. Must have valid Trolley Card to qualify for offers and discounts. Free.

Saturday, September 6

Mad. Sq. 200
Madison Square Park
3pm-9pm
In honor of the 200th anniversary of the naming of Madison Square, Madison Square Park will host Mad. Sq. 200. The Historic Daytime Fair will celebrate the games, art, and food of the early 1800s and 1900s. Activities include games of badminton, hopscotch, marbles, and performances by the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, the Commonwealth Vintage Dancers, and Kid Ace. In the evening, Mad. Sq. 200 will transform into TASK, an experimental contemporary art party for all ages. Free.

Sunday, September 7

African Film Festival Family Day Celebration
Governors Island
11am-5pm
This Sunday, visitors to Governors Island will be transported to Africa during the African Film Festival’s Family Day Celebration. This free, day-long event will feature dance classes, storytelling, quilting workshops, African food, and more. Short films from African directors will be screened throughout the day. In the event of rain, Family Day Celebration will be held on Sunday, September 14 from 11am to 5pm.

Ferragosto 2014
Arthur Avenue (between Crescent Avenue & 187th Street), Bronx
12pm-6pm
Whether you’re Italian or not, Ferrogosto 2014 on Arthur Avenue is the place to be this Sunday for all things Italiano! This street fair will offer face painting for children, Italian street food, and live performances from Commedia dell’Arte, Gina Ricci, and others. Admission is free.

Family Day
Queens Zoo
1pm-4pm
Animal lovers of all ages are invited to the Queens Zoo for Family Day! Zoo visitors will learn about the animals of the South American rainforest, participate in live animal demos, and make a craft to take home. The program’s tour will also be offered in Spanish. Tickets are $35 for one adult and one child.

Super Soccer Stars

Soccer Stars is New York&rsquo;s most popular youth educational soccer program! With 24 years of experience under our cleats, we have positively impacted over one million kids in our local community by putting the FUN in FUNdamentals in our weekly classes and camps. At Soccer Stars, we use the soccer ball as a vehicle to help children not only improve their soccer skills, but develop self-confidence and physical literacy, improve gross motor skills, build teamwork, and hone socialization skills. Our highly trained coaches and early childhood experts lead an age-specific curriculum with a low kid-to-coach ratio so every child gets individual attention and can grow at their own pace. Kids ages 1-12+ can join our seasonal programs, including Parent &amp; Me, FUNdamentals, Development Training, and Travel Soccer. Join us at one of over 80 locations in neighborhoods across across Westchester County, Connecticut and New York, available 7 days-a-week: Connecticut: <ul> <li>Cos Cob</li> <li>Greenwich</li> <li>Port Chester</li> </ul> &nbsp; Westchester: <ul> <li>Briarcliff</li> <li>Eastchester</li> <li>Mt. Kisco</li> <li>New Rochelle</li> <li>Ridgefield</li> <li>Scarsdale</li> <li>White Plains</li> </ul> &nbsp; New York City: <ul> <li>Bronx</li> <li>Inwood</li> <li>Upper West Side</li> <li>Upper East Side</li> </ul> &nbsp; Can&rsquo;t find a class or location that fits your schedule? Soccer Stars also offers private classes for small groups or individual training. Let our coaches come to you with a completely customizable program, anytime, anywhere. Birthday parties are also available!&nbsp;

Monster Mini Golf

Upon entering Monster Mini Golf, all perceptions of traditional mini golf will be spirited away by the indoor, 18-hole, monster-theme, glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course! The locations in <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/deerpark/">Deer Park</a>, and <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/gardencity/">Garden City, NY</a> invite guests to experience a host of family-oriented fun activities. Whether visiting for the first time or the one hundredth, mini golfers feel the excitement and adventure of playing mini golf amidst spooktacular monsters and custom, glow-in-the-dark, hand-painted artwork. While testing their skill on the fairways, lively music flows over the course from the unique &ldquo;WEIRD Radio&rdquo; station&rdquo; and an interactive DJ entertains golfers with contests, awarding cool prizes for the wackiest reasons. While the course is challenging enough for adults, it is also quite playable for children. Monster Mini Golf is open year-round and frightfully fun for the entire family. In addition to miniature golf and thrilling arcade and redemption games, the locations offer additional attractions. <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/deerpark/">Monster Mini Golf in Deer Park, NY</a> offers a Laser Maze and a Virtual Reality experience. The Garden City location offers a Laser Maze, Bowling, and a Virtual Reality Experience. Two very posh, private party rooms are also available and are perfect for any event. Monster Mini Golf looks forward to making it a monstrous success. Monster Mini Golf is indoors, ensuring that the event will always take place, regardless of the weather. It is a climate-controlled, affordable source of family entertainment. For more details please visit <a href="http://monsterminigolf.com">monsterminigolf.com</a> or find them on Facebook.

USC Gymnastics & Baseball Training Facility

We offer sports activities, after school programs, birthday parties &amp; private lessons for kids ages 3&ndash;13 years! Our gymnastics classes are a great way to keep your child active and healthy. We strive to empower and challenge children through the sport of gymnastics.