Just a few more weeks of freedom left before school starts–all the more reason to get out this weekend and enjoy all the family fun that awaits. Our favorites this weekend include a fantastic film fest for kids, Governors Island’s annual Civil War celebration, and dragon boat races galore. What are you waiting for?
STARTING FRIDAY
Too hot out there? Hop over to Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden on Staten Island and cool down with four acres of sprinkler fun. Chill out! (Friday)
Calling all film buffs: FringeJR, part of a giant multimedia festival, is back with great flicks for kids like “Sarazad & The Monkey King” and “Peter Pan and Stardust Dances.” Got the popcorn? (Friday-Sunday)
STARTING SATURDAY
See Hudson River critters up close, go fish, build hanging planters, make recycled crafts, and dance to Anna Banana Band at Science on the River at Pier 46. Dive in! (Saturday)
Great Jazz on the Great Hill means swing dancing, electric sounds, Mexican fare, grilled cheeses, and much more musical and culinary fun in Central Park. Ready to groove? (Saturday)
Build, play, and learn at BLOXcon at the Intrepid Museum, full of exclusive gaming demos, coding competitions and lab, and new enthusiast friends. Game on! (Saturday)
Comic Con goes kid-friendly in Bryant Park as a part of the Word for Word program, bringing photo ops with Superman, Archie activity books, and celeb artist appearances. What’s not to love? (Saturday)
Love DIY? Love speed? Create your own soap box cars from recycled materials and race your friends and family in Brooklyn’s South Slope. Good luck! (Saturday)
Party it up with Mario and Luigi at the Nintendo Store’s Dream Team pre-launch pajama party, where character appearances, games, giveaways, and more await. Let’s a-g0! (Saturday)
Calling all young astronomers: Drive a real-life rover, make constellation crafts, explore the Sun via telescope, and get a 3D tour of Mars at the New York Hall of Science. Out of this world! (Saturday)
Travel back in time at Governors Island’s Civil War Heritage Weekend, where kids can meet confederate prisoners and watch cannon and musket demos. Don’t try it at home. (Saturday & Sunday)
It’s all about dragon boat racing, Chinese noshing, traditional performances, and cultural crafts at the annual festival in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Get the scoop. (Saturday & Sunday)
SUNDAY ONLY
Get cultured at SummerStage Kids’ Harlem Family Day in Marcus Garvey Park, featuring gravity-defying dancers, jazz improv, hip hop musical theater, and more. Ready to jam? (Sunday)
Tour the eats and sites of the Lower East Side through the lens of beloved children’s book All of a Kind with the Museum at Eldridge Street. Pickles, old fashioned candy—what’s not to love? (Sunday)
Astoria Park Shore Fest brings live music, a reuse fashion show, arts and crafts, clothing swaps, “recycling Olympics,” and other eco-fun to Queens this weekend. Go green! (Sunday)
BONUS TIPS
Baby Loves Disco, the ever-popular kids disco, is going al fresco at the historic Pier 57 in Hudson River Park with tunes from DJ Mikey Palms and MC AlPhabet, face painting, a chalk zone, and more. Boogie on! (Wednesday)
