Contributor: Meghan Gearino
Kermit the Frog taught us that it’s good to be green.
And with Earth Day rounding the corner this Sunday, we rounded up over 10
unique events for your family to try; including the premiere of The New York
Children’s Theater Festival and two all-weekend eco fests for families. Oh,
plus all the other family fun below! —
FRIDAY
The Young Child Expo & Conference at Hotel Pennsylvania is great for parents and
professionals with an interest in special needs, gifted and bilingual children,
covering hot topics like early diagnosis and emotional intelligence.
TRIBECA FILM FEST FUN: The World Financial Center’s drive-in series continues
with a screening of The Goonies. Get
there early for a “truffle shuffle” contest and treasure hunt.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Ogle at art from up-and-coming galleries and artists at the Affordable Art Fair.
Kids can create animations and Andy Warhol-inspired pictures.
Young Thomas Klopper sees things that others
can’t. A story ripe with humor, struggle and hope, older kids will love The Book of Everything opening at the
New Victory Theater this weekend.
SATURDAY-MONDAY
Join Moey’s Music Party for a weekend of princess fun. Following free
concerts at Mary Arnold Toys and J&R Jr., the pink carpet will be put down
for The Princess Ball at the New York Junior
League Ballroom.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
Animal Tales Extravaganza returns to the Bronx Zoo this weekend, bigger and
more creature-themed than ever! Yo Gabba Gabba and Curious George are this
weekend’s highlights.
Children ages 10 and up can create large-scale pals
at the free PEN Puppet Workshops. The results will be used during mobile
performances along the NYC Highline.
Don’t miss the season finale of The
Little Orchestra Society’s Lolli-Pops series. Ages 3-5 will love identifying
instruments during the orchestral version of Peter & The Wolf.
The Dicapo Opera Theatre makes an
intimidating art form fun and accessible for kids. This weekend, catch a family-friendly one-hour
production of La Traviata, as part
of their Opera for Kids series.
SATURDAY
Earth Day aside, there are two marvelous events focused on the manmade to look forward
to. Kids can create an entire city skyline with poster paper at The Skyscraper
Museum’s Body Buildings workshop. Or design a structure at the Reading
Buildings event through The Museum of the City of New York.
Head to J&R Jr. for their Family
Photography Day, sponsored by KidzVuz.com, where kids ages seven and up can
learn photo composition, manual settings and menu options. Don’t have a gizmo?
One will provided for you!
The music of The Big
Easy comes
to life in an interactive family concert, What
is New Orleans Jazz? at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Once Upon
a Story at the Shadow Box Theatre lets kids spend Saturday morning with classic
American folk tales and legends like good ol’ Johnny Appleseed.
Bring your tween and
teen muggles to the Met for a Watson Adventures’ Wizard School Scavenger Hunt to
find Harry Potter art and objects throughout the museum.
TRIBECA FILM FEST FUN: Get your kicks at Hudson River Park’s Pier 40 for the
Tribeca/NYFEST Soccer Day. The free day features soccer drills, scrimmages and
celebs.
SUNDAY
Bust out that map and head to SoHo for the Citibabes Scavenger Hunt. Kiddos
will search for travel-themed items at community hotspots and end the day with
a welcome home party.
Hello, a dance party
just for kids! The Broad Street Ballroom hosts the Little Club Heads for groovers 12
months and up.
Baby Got Bach‘s final
performance of the season rolls through Le Poisson Rouge. This jam session features
music, comics, ballerinas and a make-your-own instrument workshop.
TRIBECA
FILM FEST FUN: For movies by kids and for kids, check
out the Downtown Youth Behind The Camera showcase followed by a forum with the
student filmmakers.
For even more events and
activities this weekend and beyond, check out our Family Calendar.
And if you haven’t
already, click here to
register for our free weekly newsletter which features our favorite events to
enjoy every weekend in the city and beyond.
