Events: Top Kid-Friendly Activities For The Week

Dan Zanes will be performing at Symphony Space this Saturday. Photo by Gala Narezo via symphonyspace.org

Trick or treat! In celebration of Halloween this Friday, our event picks include several eerily entertaining All Hallows’ Eve extravaganzas, as well as a classic concert and a Mozart opera specifically geared toward children. Terrifyingly terrific times await at these ghoulish gatherings. Happy Halloween!

Friday, October 31

The 24th Annual Children’s Halloween Parade
Washington Square Arch
3pm-6pm
Families with children ages 3 through 12 are welcome to march in the 24th annual Children’s Halloween Parade. NYU and Community Board 2 will host the city’s largest free kid’s parade beginning at Washington Square Arch and concluding at LaGuardia Place. A brass band, costumed characters, and circus performers will guide kids along the parade route. Afterwards, there will be free candy bags, games, and rides for all marchers. Dress in costume! Free

Asphalt Screams
Asphalt Green
4pm-6pm
Bring the kids to Asphalt Green for its annual Halloween event, Asphalt Screams. This spooky sports celebration will includes activities like Zombie Freeze Tag and a soccer shootout. The first 400 kids to arrive will receive a complimentary goody bag. The event is free and open to the public, but a $20 donation per family is suggested; all proceeds go towards the Fit Kids Fit City Campaign.

Halloween Celebration
American Museum of Natural History
4pm-7pm
Spend Friday afternoon amidst the wonders of the natural world at the American Museum of Natural History’s Halloween Celebration. All ages will enjoy trick-or-treating, a magic show starring Robert Austin, live musical performances from the David Grover Band and Louie & Subanda, origami making, and much more. Tickets are $12 per person.

Beginning Saturday, November 1

The Magic Flute
New Victory Theater
Various times
Starting this Saturday, South Africa’s Isango Ensemble will present their adaptation of The Magic Flute at the New Victory Theater. Mozart’s classic opera will be re-imagined with percussion and African costumes during this two-hour performance. Ages 8 and up will find this award-winning production enthralling and powerful. This opera will be sung in English. Tickets start at $15. Runs through Sunday, November 9.

Saturday, November 1

Dan Zanes Song Gusto Hour
Symphony Space
11am
Get ready to sing along with Dan Zanes during the Dan Zanes Song Gusto Hour at Symphony Space! Children of all ages can bring an instrument and join the Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter as he sings some of his classic tunes in a casual atmosphere. Tickets are $26 for adults and $16 for kids.

Brooklyn BabyFEST & Family Jam
Brooklyn Expo Center
12-4pm
Come out to this great expo for expectant and new parents! Create your registry, demo some of the best baby products on the market, kick back and get pampered, and enter to win incredible raffle prizes. Plus–check out seminars with the experts on everything from “New Dad Boot Camp” to “Baby Sleep 101.”

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.

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.

British Swim School - Long Island

The premier learn-to-swim provider for people of all ages, offering programs for children ages 3-months through adults.&nbsp; British Swim School uses gentle teaching methods and a survival-first approach to help people of all experience levels become safer, stronger swimmers. British Swim School&rsquo;s safe, fun, and effective instructional program has made it the preferred choice for parents and students for over 40 years. Come see the British Swim School difference!