SUNDAYS ARE FUN DAYS
JUNE 1-AUGUST 3
[Ages 2-8]
Every Sunday, the Brooklyn Bridge Park is hosting Pier Kids, an interactive series with a little something for everyone. From learning math through step-dancing to turning the park into an outdoor Brooklyn Children’s Museum, this great family programming will not disappoint! In addition to each week’s themed activities, arts and crafts and an outdoor pop-up reading room will accompany each session.
Free; 11am to 1pm on Sundays. 334 Furman Street, Brooklyn; 718-222-9939, brooklynbridgepark.org
ROCK ON!
JUNE 10-AUGUST 7
[Ages 0-12]
Get your dance on at Madison Square Park’s epic lineup of outdoor children’s concerts! The Mad. Sq. Kids performances are free, and will feature groovy musicians like Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights, Elena Moon Park and Friends, the Okee Dokee Brothers, and the Dirty Sock Funtime Band, come rain or shine!
Free; 10:30am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Between Madison Avenue and 23rd Street; 212-325-2101, madisonsquarepark.org/kids
SUMMER SQUARED
JUNE 12- AUGUST 7
[All ages]
If you’re looking for a day of unforgettable fun, Summer in the Square is a can’t-miss event every Thursday in Union Square. Wake up at 7am to enjoy Atamananda Yoga and Reebok CrossFit, followed by Yoga StoryTime with Karma Kids Yoga. Fun children’s activities round out the late morning, while a slew of live jazz shows carry your family through lunch. Need more exercise? End the day with a dance class or performance from the Peridance Capezio Center!
Free; 7am to 8pm on Thursdays. 14th Street and Broadway; 212-460-1200, unionsquarenyc.org
COMING OF AGE
JUNE 13-22
[Ages 8 and up]
The New Victory Theater is back with another fantastic performance! “The Ballad of Pondlife McGurk” shadows Martin, a new kid in school who feels left out until he meets oddball Simon McGurk. This heartwarming, humorous story explores social pressures, new friendships, and coming of age, all presented by the talented Catherine Wheels Theater Company from Scotland.
$25; Various show times between 12pm and 7pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. 209 West 42nd Street; 646-223-3010, newvictory.org
BBQ TIME
JUNE 14 & 15
[All ages]
Who can think of summer without a great barbecue party coming to mind? The New York Botanical Garden is hosting the Big Backyard BBQ & Musical Festival, a weekend of family concerts, great food, and craft beer (for mom and dad). As part of the garden’s Edible Academy, which educates kids on gardening and healthy living, the event features mini-golf and games, a “Three Billy Goats Gruff” concert, cooking demonstrations for families, and much more!
Children $15, Adults $30; 11am to 5pm. 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx; 718-817-8700, nybg.org
DADDY DEAREST
JUNE 14 & 15
[All ages]
For the best of Father’s Day events, check out the Children’s Museum of Manhattan’s offerings. On this special day, tots can participate in workshops to decorate ties with funky LED lights and original riddles in honor of Dad. Older kids can meet and mingle with author Steve Metzger, who will outline his experience as a working parent and help kids create picture books. Chef Preston Clark and his son will also make an appearance to share simple and creative family recipes.
Free with museum admission; 11am to 3:30pm. 212 West 83rd Street; 212-721-1223, cmom.org
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
JUNE 20
[All ages]
The Swedish Midsummer Festival at Wagner Park is a unique way of celebrating the summer solstice. The festivities include learning folk dancing from Barnklubben Elsa Rix and the Swedish Folkdancers of New York, making midsummer wreaths, and enjoying children’s games and Swedish treats. Don’t miss live music from Paul Dahlin and fiddlers from the American Swedish Institute of Minneapolis!
Free; 5-8pm. Wagner Park off Battery Place; 212-267-9700, bpcparks.org
ONE FISH, TWO FISH
JUNE 28
[All ages]
Little marine biologists get the chance to embark on some aquatic adventures at Central Park’s Family Fishing and Water Celebration! Ooh and aah over microscopic organisms living in the Harlem Meer, try your hand at fishing, or go on a guided water walk. Other highlights include environment-themed live jams from Billy B. and the tale of New York City’s water supply from Arm of the Sea Theater and their puppets!
Free; 12-3pm. Charles A. Dana Discovery Center; 212-310-6600, centralparknyc.org
SWEET MADELINE!
JULY 4-OCTOBER 13
[Ages 4 and up]
For 75 years, Madeline, that spunky French schoolgirl with plenty of attitude, has been an inspiration for children everywhere. In honor of creator Ludwig Bemelmans and that remarkable anniversary, the New-York Historical Society is hosting the “Madeline in New York” exhibition, a collection of drawings from all six of the Madeline books and some of Bemelmans’ other notable work.
Free with museum admission; museum hours. 170 Central Park West; 212-873-3400, nyhistory.org
PART OF YOUR WORLD
JULY 5-27
[Ages 4-8]
Dive into a performance full of creatures, magic, and the ocean at Galli Theater’s production of “The Little Mermaid.” A unique twist on the beloved fairytale, the show follows a young mermaid who falls in love with a prince and wants to be made human. What price will she pay the Sea Witch for a pair of legs? Don’t miss a special after-show workshop every Saturday!
Children $15, Adults $20; 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays. 347 West 36th Street; 212-731-0668, gallitheaterny.com
CONCERT WITH THE STARS
JULY 9
[All ages]
An annual tradition, Prospect Park is hosting a lovely summer evening with the New York Philharmonic. Spread out a blanket and enjoy the free concert under the stars at Long Meadow Ballfields, complete with delicious concessions, a state-of-the-art speaker system, and an exciting fireworks display to end an unforgettable night.
Free; 8-10pm. Prospect Park’s Long Meadow Ballfields, Brooklyn; 718-965-8951, prospectpark.org
OFF BROADWAY!
JULY 10-AUGUST 14
[All ages]
Theater lovers at any age will love the Broadway in Bryant Park series, a mix of the most popular shows, songs, and performances both on- and off-Broadway. In the past, the lineup has included family favorites like “The Lion King,” “Stomp,” and the “Gazillion Bubbles Show.” Please note that not all performances will be appropriate for all ages.
Free; 12:30-1:30pm. West 42nd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues; 212-768-4242, bryantpark.org
REELIN’ ON THE RIVER
JULY 11-AUGUST 22
[All ages]
For a change of pace, spend movie night in the fresh air with Hudson River Park’s Riverflicks: Family Fridays. This film series features titles that kiddos will love, like “Despicable Me 2,” “Ghostbusters,” “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” and the “Wizard of Oz.” All movies are rated PG, and the popcorn is free (along with the show)!
Free; 8:30pm on Fridays. Pier 46 in Greenwich Village; 212-757-0981, hudsonriverpark.org
SWEET SOUNDS
JULY 12
[Ages 5 and up]
Explore Himalayan sounds at the Rubin Museum of Art during a special Family Art Lab, an educational workshop that will teach youngsters the joys of traditional music. From listening to a monk chanting in the Tibetan Shrine Room to examining ceremonial musical instruments, kids will love this unique experience. After learning, guests will get the chance to make their own instruments from recycled, natural, and found materials.
$16 for first adult/child pair, $16 for each additional child; 2pm. 150 West 17th Street; 212-620-5000, rubinmuseum.org
OIL AND WATER
JULY 12 & AUGUST 2
[Ages 5-13]
The Museum of Chinese in America is hosting special family programming in honor of their latest exhibit “Oil & Water: Reinterpreting Ink.” The children-friendly Ink Experiments workshops will explore materials used in the museum pieces and provide art supplies for kids to create their own beautiful work.
$10 per person; 11am to 12:30pm. 215 Centre Street; 212-619-4785, mocanyc.org
KIDS ON THE BLOCK
JULY 19
[All ages]
Arts and crafts projects, live performances, and interactive tours are all part of the annual New Museum Block Party. Hosted at Sara D. Roosevelt Park, the themed family festivities are based on different exhibitions at the museum and include constructing sea creature trading cards, kinetic sculptures, and American landscape postcards.
Free; 12-5pm. Chrystie Street between Delancey and Broome Street; 212-219-1222, newmuseum.org
CREEPY AND CRAWLY
JULY 26-JANUARY 4
[All ages]
Did you know that spiders evolved more than 300 million years ago? For the bravest of little learners, the American Museum of Natural History is opening an exhibit all about arachnids. “Spiders Alive!” will investigate the anatomy, behavior, defense mechanisms, venom, silk, habitat, and more from the eight-legged critters, who are among the most versatile creatures in the world!
Children $16, Adults $22; Every hour on the half hour from 10:30am to 4:30pm. Central Park West at 79th Street; 212-769-5100, amnh.org
HAPPENINGS IN HARLEM
JULY 27
[All ages]
In conjunction with Harlem Week, summer-long programming celebrating the unique history and culture of the neighborhood, “A Great Day in Harlem” holds many treats for families. A few highlights include “A Concert Under the Stars” in the U.S. Grant National Memorial Park, “A Gospel Caravan,” and the “International Cultural Showcase.”
This is a free event; 1-8:30pm. West 122nd Street and Riverside Drive; 877-427-5364, harlemweek.com
FABULOUS FRINGEJR
AUGUST 8-24
[Ages 5-12]
FringeNYC, the largest multi-arts festival in North America, has special kid-friendly productions in the form of FringeJR. “Peter Pan and the Stardust Dances,” “Sarazad and the Monster King,” and “The Young Olympians and The Most Amazingly Awesome Adventure Ever,” have made for some fabulous theater in past years!
$10 per ticket; various times. 344 East 14th Street; 212-279-4488, fringenyc.org
HAVE A BALL!
AUGUST 23
[All ages]
Tennis fans and otherwise will have a blast at the Arthur Ashe Kids Day in Flushing Meadows, Corona Park! With free family activities like face painting, 10 and under tennis, hair beading and braiding, and energetic appearances from beloved Nickelodeon characters (Spongebob and Patrick, Dora and Diego), the day will be nonstop fun. Don’t miss the special stadium show at 1pm!
Grounds activities are free, stadium shows from $10; 9:30am to 4pm. USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center; 718-760-6200, arthurashekidsday.com
