Contributor: Meghan Gearino
The ball is in your court, New York! (Get it? That was our
attempt at a March Madness joke.) With so much to do, from festivals in the
forms of food, flicks and culture—we hope you get to enjoy this glorious
weekend of family fun. —
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
The month-long New York International Children’s Film Festival opens this
weekend, marking the event’s 15th anniversary. But be sure to get your tix to
certain flicks before they sell out.
Sail down the
Mississippi and straight to The New Victory Theater for a classic presentation of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY
Passing through Grand
Central?
Peruse their Japan Week kick-off events which include cooking demos (like
Japanese fried chicken), music, fashion shows, ice carving and art.
Get energized by the Spirit
of Uganda dancers and drummers at the Skirball Center for Performing Arts, great
for kids ages 8 and up.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
Ready your veg-lovin’
palates for
the New York Vegetarian Food Festival at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea. Fams will love the
healthy food, cooking demos, live music and a really cool interactive cartoon
show.
Rocking horses and
bouncing balls delight in A Musical Toy Store,
the latest installment from The Little Orchestra Society.
Celebrate Dr. Seuss’
b-day
at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum for the grand opening of their newest
exhibit, The Literacy Quilt.
SATURDAY
A-B-C, easy as 1-2-3—head to McNally Jackson for storytime and
art with author Al MacCuish. You’ll adore his new book, Operation Alphabet.
Jam on your steel drum with the Children’s
Museum of the Arts at their Caribbean American Festival. Traditional music,
dancing storytelling and workshops will be held all afternoon.
A little something for
the parents! Check out the Dan Zanes & The Del Fuegos reunion at the Bell House
in Brooklyn, playing together for the first time since the ’80s.
Leave your igloo and
explore the Arctic at the Scandinavia House’s Greenland Children’s Day. Learn winter
survival skills and how to speak the native language, Kalaallisut.
If you’ve ever wondered about Kumon, come to
their Literacy
Open House, happening at a bunch of participating locations around the city
(like Gramercy Park). The day will include games, readings with award-winning
authors, prizes and refreshments.
It’s a spring fling at the American Museum of Natural History with
the Pawkar Raymi Spring Celebration. Party the Ecuadorian way with music and
dance straight from the Andes Mountains.
It’s all about the Girl Scouts at the Scholastic Store this weekend. Make
friendship bracelets, eat cookies and celebrate 100 years of a great tradition.
Build your own personal
R2-D2 during
the Sony Wonder Technology Lab’s robot building workshop. Imagine what you can
do with a motor, screws and some cans!
For creepy tales that hit close to home,
join the New York Public Library for Spooky Stories of New York State.
SUNDAY
The 92Y Tribeca will host the Bari Koral Family Rock Band’s Anna and the Cupcakes release show. Who doesn’t love music and free
cupcakes?
For parents with children going to summer camp, check out
the Upper East Side’s Love,
Laura Gifts this Sunday for custom clothing, labels, towels, shower shoes,
laundry bags, games, photo albums and more.
Olympic figure skater
Kristi Yamaguchi will host a
launch party for her new book, It’s A Big World! Little Pig at Books of Wonder.
Put on your dancin’ shoes
(and socks) and groove to the Dirty Sock Funtime Band at The Jewish Museum.
Don your costumed best and get ready to
celebrate Purim with three family carnivals hosted by the 92nd Street Y, Jewish Community
Project Downtown and the JCC. Be sure and get plenty
of hamentashen!
The Ultimate Birthday
Party
at Chelsea’s apple seeds location is not a bash to miss.
Current and prospective members will attend sample classes, enjoy free play and
walk away with gift bags!
If you love contemporary pop and jazz, the
Sinatra-like crooner John Pizzarelli is headlining a benefit for The Anderson
School–kids are welcome, too!
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.
