Olympic-Themed Events & Activities For Kids In NYC

With the start of the Rio Summer Olympics approaching on August 5, there are plenty of ways for kids to get involved in the fun here in NYC! The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is hosting a big Olympic event during the games’ opening weekend that will explore Olympic traditions and Brazilian culture, while kids can imagine what it would be like to see animals compete at the Children’s Museum of the Arts. Check out the games, crafts, and more below:

IMG_20160724_161834 — Kids can get into the Olympic spirit at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan (Photo courtesy CMOM)

Animal Superstars at at 53rd Street Library
August 4, 4pm
18 West 53rd Street
Ages 3-12
Join the Art Farm in the City at 53rd Street Library for an afternoon spent imagining what would happen if the Olympics were held for animals! Kids will meet live animal “athletes,” including turtles, hamsters, frogs, doves, parrots, insects, and lizards. Kids will have a chance to medal in various Olympic events, create their own animal-themed team flag, and create an Animal Olympian puppet. Free, though limited to 20 kids and caregivers.

The Olympics at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan
August 5: 10am-5pm
August 6: 10am-7pm
August 7: 10am-5pm
212 West 83rd Street
Recommended ages vary by activity
The Children’s Museum of Manhattan will host their own Olympics during opening weekend, August 5-7. Kids will have the opportunity to learn freestyle soccer moves with the New York Red Bulls (8/5), learn the Brazilian martial art Capoiera from the pros at CUMBE Dance (8/7), get moving with PopFit Kids, and design their own Olympic torches and medals. Free with museum admission; sign-up required for some workshops. cmom.org

Citi Celebrates Team USA: Rio On The Hudson at Pier 26 in Hudson River Park
August 5-11, check website for varied timing
Pier 26 in Hudson River Park
Rio is coming to New York at this week-long celebration of the 2016 Games, sponsored by Citi! Come witness the cauldron-lighting at a special kickoff ceremony on Friday, August 5 at 7pm, and enjoy a week of Brazilian culture and entertainment and visits from US Olympians and Paralympians. There will be appearances by legendary athletes such as Mia Hamm and Jackie Joyner-Kersee, plus live arts demonstrations, Samba dancers, and more! Free, citi.com

Animal Olympics at the Children’s Museum of the Arts
August 6-7, 11am-5pm
103 Charlton Street
Ages 5+
Head to the Media Lab at the Children’s Museum of the Arts, where ages 5 and up can celebrate the opening of the games by crafting their own animal “athletes,” and animate “giraffe gymnasts, seal swimmers, diving dogs,” and more! Free with museum admission. cmom.org

Brooklyn Family Fun Day Olympics at the Sunset Park Recreation Center
August 12, 1pm
4200 7th Avenue, Brooklyn
All ages
Head to the Sunset Park Recreation Center for an free afternoon of family-friendly competition! Events and activities include a three-legged race, a potato sack race, inflatable football, relay races, and more–and medals will be given away for each activity. The NYC Football Club will also be present. Free, though registration is required. eventbrite.com

5 Olympic Sports Kids Can Play in NYC
With the Summer Olympics just around the corner, what better way for sports-loving kids to spend the summer than learning how to play some less common Olympic sports! There are plenty of venues in NYC that offer sports like water polo, fencing, and more–we’ve rounded up five great ones with options for kids!

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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!

Dance Workshop - NY

Nestled in the heart of the UES, Dance Workshop is a community-focused studio committed to dance education in a loving and safe environment. Dance Workshop offers Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre and Acro for ages 2+. They also offer a Pre-Professional Company track for dancers interested in taking their technique to the next level. Trial classes may be scheduled with the studio at the start of the season. Dance with Dance Workshop! MaryAnn Grasso founded Dance Workshop in 1979. Her daughter Nanci later joined her at the helm and in 2016 established Dance Workshop on the Upper East Side of NYC. MaryAnn and Nanci have devoted their lives to dance education, community and the development of children; raising dancers and sound human beings alike. Dance Workshop has seen thousands of dancers pass through the doors. They believe dance has the power to elevate and change lives!

New York Society of Play Summer Camp and Classes

Summer Game Camp There are many who do not feel safe sending their children back out into the world with summer camp, this year. To serve those parents and keep the children connected and stimulated during this challenging time, we are offering NYSP Digital Summer Camp. The name of the game with NYSP Summer Camp is community. We have made a large effort to make our camp feel like a living space, with features including &ndash; - Role-Playing games familiar and new, led by our master storytellers! - Enriching electives such as Chess, World Building, Character Acting, Crafts, Drawing, and more! - Discussion and media screening rooms during lunch! - A digital campus! - Moderated chat hours! &nbsp; Join us for a summer of games, friends, and more! Mon - Fri 10am - 2:30pm &nbsp; Roleplay Expeditions: Dungeons &amp; Dragons No experience is required to join one of our Dungeons &amp; Dragons games. Our game masters have pre-made character sheets, so you'll be able to start playing the game right away! We adapt the rules of traditional Dungeons &amp; Dragons to make them more approachable to children of various ages. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons &amp; Dragons workshop!&nbsp; &nbsp; Public games meet once per week, with different groups every time. Private games meet 1 to 2 times per week with the same group of kids. Since the players and the storyteller in the group are consistent, this enables us to tell epic tales of adventure together! &nbsp; Dungeons &amp; Dragons Junior No experience is required to join one of our drop-in Dungeons &amp; Dragons games. Our Dungeons &amp; Dragons Jr. game provides a D&amp;D storytelling experience without character sheets. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons &amp; Dragons workshop! A great way to introduce young children to D&amp;D so they can eventually move onto the main game.