Events: Top Kid-Friendly Activities For The Week

Join Dan Zanes for the Ezra Jack Keats Family Concert in Prospect Park this Saturday! Photo courtesy of Dan Zanes via bricartsmedia.org.

We’ve got several heavy-hitting annual fests coming up this weekend! Clear some time on your calendar for a swingin’ exhibit at Brookfield Place, a 1920s-style lawn party on Governors Island, a delicious BBQ fest in Madison Square Park, and an American Indian festival in Inwood Hill Park. Plus, don’t forget to check out the Ezra Jack Keats Family Concert with Dan Zanes in Prospect Park. Enjoy!

Opening Friday, June 10

“The Swings” Exhibit
Brookfield Place
12-8pm
Presented by Daily tous les jours, a Montreal-based design studio, “The Swings: An Exercise in Musical Cooperation” is a fun, interactive exhibit that will thrill kids and adults alike. Each swing represents one of four instruments–piano, guitar, harp, and vibraphone–and visitors create music by swinging on them. As all four are swung, a beautiful symphony emerges. The kids will love participating in this collective music experience. Runs through Thursday, July 7. This event is free.

Saturday, June 11

Ezra Jack Keats Family Concert
Prospect Park
3pm
Dan Zanes is known for exploring American and global roots traditions in his incredibly fun and engaging family music. Join Zanes at the Prospect Park Bandshell for a concert that will provide a special sneak-peek of his newest “Smithsonian Folkways” album, which celebrates the blues icon Lead Belly. The show also honors the centennial of the birth of Brooklynite author Ezra Jack Keats, who introduced characters of color to mainstream children’s literature. Get to the show on time for a TADA! Youth Theater performance of one of Keats’ most beloved stories. Gates open at 3pm; show begins at 4pm. This event is free.

Saturday, June 11-Sunday, June 12

Jazz Age Lawn Party
Governors Island
11am-5pm
The roaring ’20s Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island has become an annual destination for New Yorkers young and old to dress up and have some good ol’ fashioned fun. Wear your best flapper-style outfits, bring some snacks for a lawn picnic, and take the ferry to be transported to another time. Once again this year, Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra will delight guests with big band dance numbers, joining an array of other performers throughout the weekend. This all-ages, family-friendly event will have plenty of entertainment options for everyone, including Kidland, which features carnival games and prizes for junior “flappers and flapperettes,” dance lessons, a paper moon photo booth, an antique car exhibit, vintage clothing and gift vendors, ’20s-era inspired food and drinks, and more. Tickets start at $15. Children under the age of 12 do not need a ticket, but must be accompanied by an adult at all times. This event will also take place on Saturday, August 13 and Sunday, August 14.

Big Apple Barbecue Block Party
Madison Square Park
11am-6pm
Rustle up the kids and head over to Madison Square Park for some mouthwatering BBQ! The Big Apple Barbecue Block Party is a two-day food fest where visitors can sample barbecue ribs, chicken, sausage and more from the best pitmasters in the US. The block party will also include cooking seminars with nationally renowned chefs, plus live music by Bernie Williams & His All-Star Band, David Ryan Harris, and the Demolition String Band. Admission is free. Food is $10 per plate; a FastPass is $125; Big Wig VIP Pass is $275.

Sunday, June 12

14th Annual Drums Along the Hudson Festival
Inwood Hill Park
11am-6pm
This year, the city’s only open air pow-wow will honor the American Indian College Fund’s president and CEO Cheryl Crazy Bull and the co-founder of Miss Jessie’s, Miko Branch. Featuring the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers, this Native American festival will include festivities such as storytelling, arts and crafts, food, an Environmental Tent, live dance and drumming performances, and, for the second consecutive year, a World Market Tent. Hosted by Sandra Bookman. This event will be held rain or shine.

Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND® New York Resort

Monstrous Family fun returns with Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND&reg; New York Resort! &nbsp; The signature children&rsquo;s Halloween event kicks off October 3rd&nbsp;when the Park transforms into a bewitching party filled with candy, seasonal shows, and Halloween themed LEGO characters. The event runs on all operating dates in October, with all festivities included in general admission. Meet LEGO Monster characters like Spider Lady and Wacky Witch and make your way to the treat stations around the Park. Don&rsquo;t forget your costumes! &nbsp; New for 2024: Monster Party Nights at LEGOLAND New York Hotel! Book a Brick-or-Treat overnight package in October to enjoy extra sweet Halloween-themed fun after a day in the Park. Hotel guests will have the opportunity to eat breakfast with a Monster, participate in themed crafts and LEGO builds, rock out at the Monster Dance Party each night, and more! &nbsp; AWESOME AWAITS at LEGOLAND&reg; New York Resort, the ultimate LEGO&reg; theme park destination, for kids ages two through twelve and their families. Ride, climb, and build your way through seven LEGO themed lands. &nbsp;

PaleyLand Holiday Experience

Celebrate the holidays at PaleyLand at the Paley Museum, New York's must-visit destination for a holiday adventure, just steps from Rockefeller Center! Our five-floor immersive holiday extravaganza, includes photos with Santa and holiday characters, crafts, giveaways, screenings of classic holiday favorites, hot chocolate, a magical train display, and more. Escape the cold and the crowds, and enjoy our indoor wonderland where families can play, relax, and create timeless memories together in our holiday oasis in the heart of midtown Manhattan. General Admission to PaleyLand is free for children under 12. The holiday extravaganza is open from November 20 &ndash; January 5 at the Paley Museum, 25 W 52 Street, NYC. Paley Members enjoy free access. Come to PaleyLand again and again to see all your favorite characters and screenings. After just one visit, membership pays for itself! &nbsp;

Super Soccer Stars

Soccer Stars is New York&rsquo;s most popular youth educational soccer program! With 24 years of experience under our cleats, we have positively impacted over one million kids in our local community by putting the FUN in FUNdamentals in our weekly classes and camps. At Soccer Stars, we use the soccer ball as a vehicle to help children not only improve their soccer skills, but develop self-confidence and physical literacy, improve gross motor skills, build teamwork, and hone socialization skills. Our highly trained coaches and early childhood experts lead an age-specific curriculum with a low kid-to-coach ratio so every child gets individual attention and can grow at their own pace. Kids ages 1-12+ can join our seasonal programs, including Parent &amp; Me, FUNdamentals, Development Training, and Travel Soccer. Join us at one of over 80 locations in neighborhoods across across Westchester County, Connecticut and New York, available 7 days-a-week: Connecticut: <ul> <li>Cos Cob</li> <li>Greenwich</li> <li>Port Chester</li> </ul> &nbsp; Westchester: <ul> <li>Briarcliff</li> <li>Eastchester</li> <li>Mt. Kisco</li> <li>New Rochelle</li> <li>Ridgefield</li> <li>Scarsdale</li> <li>White Plains</li> </ul> &nbsp; New York City: <ul> <li>Bronx</li> <li>Inwood</li> <li>Upper West Side</li> <li>Upper East Side</li> </ul> &nbsp; Can&rsquo;t find a class or location that fits your schedule? Soccer Stars also offers private classes for small groups or individual training. Let our coaches come to you with a completely customizable program, anytime, anywhere. Birthday parties are also available!&nbsp;