Weekend Planner: Fun Family Activities in NYC (September 18-21)

HOT OFF THE BLOG

Keep your family rockin’ till winter with our list of 10 must-see fall concerts–shows at Symphony Space, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and more! Move to the music!

Elmo and the gang are on display at a new multimedia exhibit at the New York Public Library celebrating “Sesame Street’s” 45th season. Muppet mania!

Get lost in the corn maze at the Queen's County fair!
Get lost in the 3-acre corn maze at the Queen’s County fair!

THURSDAY

Some of the best show jumpers and riders in the world will compete at the Central Park Horse Show’s inaugural debut. (Thursday-SundaySaddle up!

Check out more than 50 photo exhibitions in re-purposed shipping containers at Photoville, one of the largest photographic events in New York at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Enjoy free artist and curatorial talks and kid-friendly workshops. (Through Sept. 28) Say cheese!

SATURDAY

Come to the New York Hall of Science for the 5th annual World Maker Faire. Makers will be sharing everything from robotics to food-making to DIY crafting in what has become the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth. (Saturday-Sunday) Meet the makers!

Welcome fall with a trip to the Queens County Fair! Explore the corn maze and check out pie-eating and corn-husking contests, pig races, hay rides and more! (Saturday-Sunday) A-maize-ing!

Catch the musical adaptation of Washington Irving’s spooky classic, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” at the Players Theater. This imaginative rendering of Irving’s characters will help viewers start getting in the Halloween spirit. (Saturday-Nov. 9) Spooky scenes!

Come to the Vital Theatre to see the premiere of “The Butterfly Girl,” a musical story of a young girl’s discovery of her passion for butterflies and her own metamorphosis. (Saturday-Nov. 16)  Spread your wings!

Catch the debut of the is spooky and spectacular pumpkin display at the New York Botanical Garden’s Haunted Pumpkin Garden! (Saturday-Oct.31) Pumpkin party!

SUNDAY

Calling all bibliophiles! The place to be this Sunday is the Brooklyn Book Festival at the Brooklyn Borough Hall. All ages can listen to author readings, enter contests, participate in a “Where’s Waldo” search and more! (Sunday) Read on! 

Go behind-the-scenes of the movie industry during the New York On Location Street Fair. Visitors will learn how movie magic is created and gain access to star dressing rooms, special effects trucks, hair & makeup trailers, see stunt performers demonstrate street fighting and more! (Sunday) Lights, camera, action!

Get in the groove at Carnegie Hall’s Family day! Enjoy free, interactive musical activities for the whole family. The little ones can compose songs, enjoy a “sound playground,” try conducting, and check out amazing live performances! (Sunday) Sing along!

Close the weekend with a cool kid dance party with CirKiz at NYC’s VIP Room! At this daytime disco, families can groove to DJs and check out live performances in a cool, kid-friendly night-club setting. (Sunday) Get down!

Pseudonymous Bosch, the mysterious author of the bestseller The Name of This Book is Secret will give young readers a behind-the-the scenes look at his new series, Bad Magic, at Symphony Space’s Thalia Kids’ Book Club. The event will also include a book signing and a creative writing exercise. (Sunday) Magical mystery!

Relevant Directory Listings

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Collina Italiana, The Italian Language and Cultural Center

<p>Learn Italian the fun way. Children practice and absorb the language through arts & crafts, activities, games, songs and stories!</p>

Speakitaly NYC

<p>SPEAKITALY NYC offers stimulating and entertaining lessons for children 0 to 16 years through a wide combination of activities based on the communicative approach anchored in the Common European Framework of Reference: active learning (group work, role plays, etc.) and practice exercises aimed to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Kids will start speaking and using Italian in a very natural way.  Small classes capped at 6 students to make sure each one gets the needed attention and facilitate learners' progress. </p> <p>Our method is driven by a didactic method that is the result of constant updates, professional certifications and more than 10 years of experience in working with non-native speakers from different native languages and levels of knowledge.</p> <p>Our aim is to develop a range of Italian language skills while improving accuracy that will enable the students and participants to interact without stress or feeling rushed. We want to help those in the community really embrace not only the true culture in Italy but the Italian culture within New York City… Who doesn’t love what Italy represents in the kitchen, in history & in the arts?</p> <p>Speakitaly wants to support multilingual families who want to learn a new language or pass along their ancestor’s heritage and culture. Raffaella, the founder said: "We see language awareness and intercultural sensitivity as the milestones for an inclusive society. Italian, like all other languages, is an enrichment and a growth in every way. Vi aspettiamo!"</p>

Music Together

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Music Together® is for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their parents/caregiver. The classes include songs, rhythmic rhymes and movement, and instrument play activities that are developmentally appropriate for the children and easy for parents and caregivers, regardless of their own musical ability.</span></p>