10 Great Events For June

Central Park's Adventures NYC

Ongoing
Coney Island Comeback
[All Ages]
Seven months after it was devastated by the effects of Hurricane Sandy, the New York Aquarium at Coney Island is making a comeback! The Wildlife Conservation Society will partially reopen the aquarium, including a fully remodeled Aquatheater with a new sea lion demonstration. Come say hello to the friendly sea creatures in their refurbished habitats.
10am-6pm, 602 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, 718-265-3428, nyaquarium.org 

Through September 1
For All Design Junkies
[All Ages]
Who says learning can’t be fun? Find out how video game developers, music producers, roller coaster designers, and other creative types use math and science to solve problems at the New York Hall of Science’s new Design Zone. Kids can play with turntables, create laser light shows, experiment with photo manipulation, design skate parks and roller coasters, and learn about magnets—just to name a few.
Free with NYSCI admission; 9:30am-5pm on weekdays and 10am-6pm on weekends. 47-01 111th Street, Queens, 718-699-0005, nysci.org

Dinosaur Safari at the Bronx Zoo; photo by Julie Larsen Maher

Through September 8
They’re Alive!
[All Ages]
Get ready for some prehistoric fun! Dinosaur Safari is coming to the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo. Complete with a life-like ride through the Cretaceous and Jurassic periods featuring over two dozen 40-foot animatronic dinosaurs, this attraction is sure to offer thrills and chills to kids of all ages. This safari experience was created to be fun and educational– kids can also dig for fossils, see a dino musical, and create prehistoric crafts.
10am-5pm on weekdays and 10am-5:30pm on weekends. 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, 718-367-1010, bronxzoo.org

June 9
Sizzling Summer Celebration
[All Ages]
Join in on the multicultural fun at the Almost Summer Celebration in Wagner Park. Attendees will enjoy an upbeat family concert by Grammy winner Dan Zanes and Elizabeth Mitchell, favorite stars on the kindie rock scene who offer families an eclectic, soulful musical experience. For even more fun, kids can also enjoy art and nature projects and activities, then sit in on Native American folk storytelling for a break.
Free; 11am-2pm. 20 Battery Place, 212-267-9700, bpcparks.org

New York Aquarium; photo by Julie Larsen Maher

June 10
Picnic Party
[All Ages]
Join celebrity chef Mario Batali in a family garden party and cooking demonstration! Enjoy a picnic dinner, learn how to grow your own veggies, take part in a cooking demo, get your face painted, and more. All proceeds will go to the newly established Edible Academy, New York Botanical Garden’s new space dedicated to educating the public about the connections between plants, gardening, nutrition, and health.
From $75 for kids and $125 for adults; 4pm. 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, 718-817-8773, nybg.org

June 11
Museum Madness
[All Ages]
Beginning in 1978 as a means of garnering support for the arts, the Museum Mile Festival continues today as a cultural event for New Yorkers and tourists alike. This annual event boasts free access to the ten participating museums, live bands, activities and art for children, and 23 traffic-free blocks for your strolling pleasure. Join art and culture lovers in this mile-long block party on Fifth Avenue.
Free; 6-9pm, Fifth Avenue between 82nd and 110th Streets, 212-606-2296, museummilefestival.org

Design Zone at the New York Hall of Science

June 11 to August 8
Madison Square ROCKS!
[All Ages]
Get ready to rock out in Madison Square Park with the Mad. Sq. Kids Summer Concert Series! Every Tuesday and Thursday, little ones can dance to the beat in time with their favorite kindie rockers like Recess Monkey, The Deedle Deedle Dees, Audra Rox, and more. Don’t forget your dancin’ shoes!
Free; 10:30am. Madison Square Park, 212-538-1884, madisonsquarepark.org

June 13 to August 15
Summer In The Square
[All Ages]
Kick off your flips flops and head over to Union Square Park for the yearly Summer in the Square series. Throughout the season, an array of activities will be offered for kids and families, including: kiddie yoga classes, the Gazillion Bubbles show, Baby Loves Disco dance parties, concerts, as well as fitness and dance classes for adults. The best part? It’s all free! Pack a picnic lunch and you’re good to go.
Free; from 7am. East 14th Street & Broadway, 212-460-1200, unionsquarenyc.org

Summer in the Square in Union Square

June 14-23
Tiny Toys
[All Ages]
Love toys and all things miniature? Check out the 10th International Toy Theater Festival and Free Temporary Toy Theater Museum at St. Ann’s Warehouse for a colossal event of tiny proportions! This eclectic Victorian art form promises a ten-day lineup of teeny tabletop performances. The festival includes access to family toy theater performances, a temporary toy museum, and workshops like tiny toy theater creation for kids.
Museum and admission free, performances and programs from $10; times vary. 29 Jay Street, Brooklyn, 718-254-87­79, stannswarehouse.org

June 22
Outdoor Adventures
[All Ages]
If your child has a lot of energy and loves the great outdoors, the NYC Parks and Backpacker Magazine’s 9th annual Adventures NYC is for your family. On this day, Central Park will become home to a slew of fun activities for youngsters, including rock climbing, kayaking, giveaways, tours, live music, and much more. This event is rain or shine, so come get your respite from the concrete jungle.
Free; 11am-4pm. Bandshell Area in Central Park, 311, nycgovparks.org

Relevant Directory Listings

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USC Gymnastics & Baseball Training Facility

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">We offer sports activities, after school programs, birthday parties & private lessons for kids ages 3–13 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.</span></p>

HudsonWay Immersion School

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">A pioneer in language immersion since 2005. After school language classes provide a fun and effective way for preschool and elementary children to learn Mandarin or Spanish language skills through project based learning and fun, engaging themes.</span></p>

New York Society of Play Summer Camp and Classes

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Summer Game Camp</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">There are many who do not feel safe sending their children back out into the world with summer camp, this year. To serve those parents and keep the children connected and stimulated during this challenging time, we are offering NYSP Digital Summer Camp. The name of the game with NYSP Summer Camp is community. We have made a large effort to make our camp feel like a living space, with features including –</p> <p dir="ltr">- Role-Playing games familiar and new, led by our master storytellers!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Enriching electives such as Chess, World Building, Character Acting, Crafts, Drawing, and more!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Discussion and media screening rooms during lunch!</p> <p dir="ltr">- A digital campus!</p> <p dir="ltr">- Moderated chat hours!</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Join us for a summer of games, friends, and more!</p> <p dir="ltr">Mon - Fri 10am - 2:30pm</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Roleplay Expeditions: Dungeons & Dragons</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">No experience is required to join one of our Dungeons & Dragons games. Our game masters have pre-made character sheets, so you'll be able to start playing the game right away! We adapt the rules of traditional Dungeons & Dragons to make them more approachable to children of various ages. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons & Dragons workshop! </p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Public games meet once per week, with different groups every time. Private games meet 1 to 2 times per week with the same group of kids. Since the players and the storyteller in the group are consistent, this enables us to tell epic tales of adventure together!</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Dungeons & Dragons Junior</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">No experience is required to join one of our drop-in Dungeons & Dragons games. Our Dungeons & Dragons Jr. game provides a D&D storytelling experience without character sheets. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons & Dragons workshop! A great way to introduce young children to D&D so they can eventually move onto the main game.</p>