Contributing Writers: Eric Messinger and Elora Tocci
When in doubt, take your kid to Central
Park. Just go.You’ll figure it out when you’re there. Maybe it’ll be a zoo
day, or maybe a playground (they have 21 scattered throughout) and a picnic. Maybe you’ll decide to
go rowboating (do it!), or take a spin on the carousel. Or some great mix of
all of the above. But if your preferred style is to plan ahead, here are two
invaluable resources. —
1. Our Ultimate Family Guide To Central
Park. We put this together a few years ago, but it’s still the go-to resource
for inspiration and information about the park. Try it. You’ll be amazed at
what you’ll discover. Check out The 15 Things You Must Do In Central Park Before
You’re 15! Enjoy our scavenger hunt/map “Who? What? Where?” to get to know some
of the parks most awesome treasures. Whether its recreation or nature, the
Ultimate Guide lays it all out for you –and it’ll help you and your family enjoy
the park even that much more. (And don’t miss the quiz on the last
page.)
2. We put together a guide to all the cool family events happening in central park this summer, with everything from royal crafts with Angelina Ballerina to musical madness–courtesy of SummerStage, the GMA concert series, and even a really awesome film fest.
GMA Summer Concert
Series
Fridays at 7 am, All Summer
Spend your Friday mornings (though it’s an early wake-up)
rocking out at Rumsey Playfield—featuring smash hit singers like Selena Gomez,
Beyonce, the Goo Goo Dolls, and this year’s American
Idol Top 11.
Adirondacks Tours
Thursdays at 12 pm, All Summer
Take a make-believe trip to the Adirondacks
in the North Woods of Central Park. The crystal streams, tumbling cascades, and
picturesque pools will leave you wondering whether you really are in the mountains.
Moey’s Music Party
Classes Meet June 29-August 11 (Tues-Wed 10&11am, Wed 9:10 Baby Class)
Kick it with Moey’s Music Party for the summer class session that will introduce little ones to song, dance, puppets and fairy tales–all based on a weekly party theme.
Summer Chess
July 9,
August 6 (10 am-3 pm)
Local Grandmasters will pawn off their secrets in chess
lectures and then challenge participants to “Simul” games, where Grandmasters
will play up to 30 games at once. Hop on a board or cheer for the underdogs as
they plot their next moves.
Meer Festival
Sundays (2-4 pm), All Summer
Park it in chairs or spread out on a picnic blanket to enjoy
the best of local and emerging jazz, Latin, gospel, blues and world artists on
the lakeside plaza of the Charles A.
Dana Discovery Center.
A Clearing in the Forest
Alternating Sundays,
June 19 to August 28 (1-2 pm)
Glide over to the Children’s Glade to enjoy interactive
dance, storytelling, poetry and musical performances. Celebrate the Summer
Solstice Native American-style and show your American pride at an Independence
Day live eagle show. Those feeling especially inspired can craft their own
written and artistic masterpieces.
Sandbox Program
Weekdays July 11 to
August 19 [Mon-Fri] 11 am and [Mon-Thurs]
2 pm
Children ages 3-8 can jam, boogie, imagine and play with
various dance, music and story programming sprinkled throughout the 20 distinct
playgrounds across Central Park.
Angelina Ballerina
Cinderella Celebration
Saturday, June 18 (10 am-2 pm)
Angelina Ballerina will charm families with a
Cinderella-themed celebration at Belvedere
Castle, complete with storytelling
performances and royal crafts throughout the day. Members of the Central Park
Conservancy can register for makeovers and photo-ops.
Family Fishing
Celebration
Saturday, June 25 (12-3 pm)
Flip and flop at Harlem Meer’s Family Fishing Celebration,
an afternoon of catch-and-release fishing and explore the now-flourishing
aquatic habitat at the Meer. The Zendora Dance Company will keep the afternoon
reeling (and rolling) with a performance at 2 pm.
Family Members Night
Monday, June 27 (6:30-8:30 pm)
Members of the Central Park Conservancy can celebrate the
end of school with unlimited access to rides, refreshments and relaxing fun at
the Victorian Gardens.
Members must RSVP by June 20.
Central
Park Bagel Bark
Saturday, July 9 (7:30 am)
Take your dog off his leash and the grump off your face as
you kick-start your morning with pastries, bagels, coffee and fellow dog owners
during off-leash hours in East Meadow.
Frolic Electronic
Music & Arts Festival
Saturday, July 9 (4-8 pm)
Let loose in the open-air with electronic beats you can
dance to or simply soak in. All proceeds from the event will be donated to art
and music educational programs in New York City.
SummerStage Family Day
Sunday, July 10 (3pm)
From the Zany Umbrella Circus to the Brooklyn Steppers (a can’t-miss youth marching band), to melodic rock of The Verve Pipe – don’t miss this free day of music and family fun.
Outdoor Film Screening
Sunday, August 7 (7-10pm)
Peter Jay Sharp Children’s Glade (near West 106th Street)
Co-presented with the African Film Festival, bring the older ones in the fam to this fresh air screening of “Kinshasa Symphony” – the first and only symphonic orchestra in Central Africa. An African dance performance precedes the 8:15 flick.
Central Park Conservancy’s Film Festival
Tuesday, August 23 – Saturday, August 27 (6:30-10pm)
Landscape north of Sheep Meadow, Enter at 72nd St
Music is at the center of this year’s ninth annual free (outdoor) film fest! From the best in rock to the brightest in country, each night of the festival will showcase a different musical American Icon. For Saturday’s flick, viewers will get to vote! But the process doesn’t begin until August – so check back in here for updates. Screenings begin at 8pm. (Rain or shine!)