Kids can be puppeteers, butterfly babysitters, superheroes, and honorary firefighters—all in the course of one week. Check out these summer fun-in-the-sun events that we’ve rounded up. Bonus: Most of them are free!
Monday, July 9
Sandbox Puppets in Central Park
Diana Ross Playground (West 81st Street)
2-3pm
Let your imagination run wild at puppet shows in Central Park. Kids will meet new puppet friends such as Ant, Grasshopper, Cat, Mouse, and Little Red Hen, courtesy of the group WonderSpark Puppets.
Tuesday, July 10
“Tico Tales” at The Players Theater
115 MacDougal Street
11am
Say “hola” to a mid-week dose of culture at Literally Alive’s new bilingual play. “Tico Tales” brings children on a fantastical trip through Costa Rica in flurry of songs and dance, whisking them through a rain forest, tribal dance, and a princess’s transformation into a volcano.
Wednesday, July 11
High Line Kids: Wild Wednesday
West 14th Street passage at the High Line
4-6pm
Help raise a family of painted lady butterflies: Each Wednesday, learn about the life cycle of butterflies and check in to see how the brood is growing. At the end of July, join in for a celebration and release of the butterflies.
Thursday, July 12
Superhero Costume Workshop at Moomah
161 Hudson Street
10am and 3:30pm
Calling all Supermen and Wonder Women! Kids can decorate capes, wristbands, and masks to transform themselves into crime-stopping superheroes. End the afternoon with playtime in the Funky Forest.
Friday, July 13
Storytime With Tina At Books Of Wonder
18 West 18th Street
4pm
Join Tina and friends for a good, old-fashioned storytime! She’ll choose several stories from the store’s bookshelves to share with the audience.
Saturday, July 14
Dragons and Dinosaurs! at the Scholastic Store
557 Broadway
3-4pm
Shine your scales and sharpen your teeth! This event is all about the roaring reptilian D’s. Kids can dig for dinosaurs in the paleontology pit, create a fiery friend at the paper dragon crafting station, and find discounts on some dino and dragon books.
Sunday, July 15
Firefighter Appreciation Week at the Intrepid
West 46th Street and 12th Avenue
10am-5pm
Salute our city’s bravest with a weekend of special events and demonstrations. Enjoy fireboat water displays, tour Fireboat 343, and watch active and retired firefighters in “Battle of the Bands.” You can also watch FDNY demonstrations, such as ladder bucket rescues and EMS treatment. (Click the link for activities happening on Saturday as well!)
