Events: Top Kid-Friendly Activities For The Week

The 38th Annual Thunderbird American Indian Mid-Summer Pow Wow will take place this weekend at the Queens County Farm Museum. Photo courtesy of Queens County Farm Museum.

Is it hot enough for everybody?! Brave the sizzling temps so you and the fam don’t miss our sensational summer event picks for this week. We chose a wide range of activities sure to please a variety of interests: A fun, Latin-themed street fest, an animation block party, a Native American powwow, Harry Potter release extravaganzas galore, and a children’s poetry festival all await you. Stay hydrated and enjoy!

Beginning Wednesday, July 27

Uptown Bounce Festival
El Museo del Barrio
6pm-9pm
El Museo del Barrio and the Museum of the City of New York combine forces to host their third Uptown Bounce summer series. Take your family on any of the four upcoming consecutive Wednesdays to experience dance workshops, live music, food, art workshops, gallery talks, and much more. Check dates for specific events; advanced registration is required. This event is free. Runs Wednesdays through August 17.

Friday, July 29-Sunday, July 31

Animation Block Party
BAM
Various times
Join Brooklyn’s Rooftop Films & BAMcinématek for this year’s edition of the Animation Block Party! The largest animation festival on the East Coast, dedicated to exhibiting the world’s best independent, professional and student animation, is returning for the 13th year in a row! Experience an extensive and diverse lineup of films with your little film fans including “The Transformers: The Movie” from 1986 and the Pink Panther cartoon collection. This year the festival will include Animation Features screenings for kids at 2pm on Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31 at BAMcinématek. Opening Night at Rooftop Films at Brookfield Place is free and open to the public and is kid-friendly. Ticket prices vary.

38th Annual Thunderbird American Indian Mid-Summer Powwow
Queens County Farm Museum
Various times
From July 29 through 31, experience Native American culture with the entire family at New York City’s oldest and largest powwow. During this year’s 38th Annual Thunderbird American Indian Mid-Summer Powwow, explore unique Native American art, crafts, and jewelry, and enjoy several days of inter-tribal Native American dance competitions with 40 Indian nations in attendance. The pow wow takes place in the picturesque Queens County Farm Museum’s apple orchard in Floral Park, NY. There’s a lot for you and the kids to enjoy during these three days of culture, history, and celebration. Admission prices vary.

Saturday, July 30

Harry Potter Release Parties
Various bookstores throughout NYC
Various times
Celebrate the exciting arrival of J.K. Rowling’s newest installment in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, by checking out the midnight release parties happening at various bookstores throughout the city including The Strand, Books of Wonder, Barnes & Noble, and Book Culture. For more info on specific events, check out our release parties roundup here.

Saturday, July 30-Sunday, July 31

The 6th Annual NYC Children’s Poetry Festival
Governors Island
11am-5pm
The 6th Annual NYC Children’s Poetry Festival is coming to Governors Island this weekend for two straight days of nonstop poetry! As part of the larger NYC Poetry Festival, this free fest sponsored by Writopia provides an amazing opportunity to experience and celebrate New York City’s vibrant poetry community. Children are invited to share their own poetry on a kids-only stage, enjoy readings, and contribute to the Poetree Forest. This event is free.

The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center

The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center offers year-round, community-based dance and music programming in a fully inclusive and nurturing environment, located in the heart of the Brooklyn Cultural District. The School&rsquo;s diverse and professional faculty provides progressive and non-competitive instruction with all of our classes accompanied by live music. Though we are a non-recital school, there are opportunities for students to perform and for parents to see their dancers in action.

Color Me Mine

Color Me Mine Upper West Side proudly stands as a minority woman-owned studio, and we've been an integral part of the Color Me Mine franchise system since 2018! Pottery painting isn't just an activity; it's a captivating and inclusive experience that transcends age and skill levels. At Color Me Mine Upper West Side, we extend a warm invitation to dive into a realm of creativity, self-expression, and connection. Families, friends and teams grow stronger bonds when they create memories together, and at Color Me Mine, we're here to help facilitate those moments. Whether you're seeking a delightful family outing, a unique date night, or a solo adventure, our paint-your-own-pottery studio offers boundless possibilities. Step into our welcoming space in the heart of Lincoln Center and unleash your inner artist. Create unforgettable memories as you craft beautiful ceramic masterpieces to cherish for many years to come. Color Me Mine Upper West Side is also the preferred venue for celebrations of all kinds. Whether you're planning a birthday party, a baby or bridal shower, a team-building event, a gathering for college groups, an enriching field trip, or an adventure with scouts, we've got you covered. Our versatile space and passionate team provides the perfect setting for creating unforgettable memories and fostering creativity in every guest. Join us at Color Me Mine Upper West Side, at 177 Amsterdam Avenue in New York City where every visit promises a fun journey of color, joy, and artistic exploration!

Athletic Association of Yorkville Youths

Serving the families and children of NYC for over 50 years with high-quality recreational activities that foster life-lessons which empower young people to succeed beyond sports. Our programs encourage positive attitudes and growth through teamwork and sportsmanship, attendance, fair play, respect, hard work, integrity and fun. Your child can participate in clinics and leagues in such sports as baseball, basketball, flag-football, lacrosse, soccer, hockey, wrestling, track, and tennis. We also offer weekly dodgeball tournaments, drama and musical theater workshops, and after school programs.