Weekend Planner: August 13-14

Isn’t the city supposed to slow down in August? Aren’t kids supposed to be bored by the lazy days of summer? Or, think you’ve seen everything that NYC has to offer? Think again. You can make an entire weekend out of visiting Governors Island (and we recommend it!), or bring the tots a bit further afield to Queens for one of the largest dragon boat races in the entire country. If your curiosity has gotten the best of you, read on… —

We’re not sure what appeals to kids more: devilish dragons or big old boats. Either way, little ones will watch in wonder as rowers make their way through the water on lavishly decorated vessels during the free Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Flushing Meadows, Queens this Saturday and Sunday. Experience one of the largest dragon boat races in the entire country while noshing on traditional ethnic cuisine and taking in live performances.

This Saturday and Sunday, Governors Island, in collaboration with the National Park Service, hosts a Civil War weekend to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the War Between the States. The past will come to life as families get better acquainted with members of both the Confederate and Union Armies (Hey! Whose side are you on?). You won’t want to miss weapon demos, music performances and other cultural activities. Kids can dress in historical costumes and even watch a game of Civil War Base Ball.

If you visit the Island on Saturday, be sure to stick around for the NYC Volkswagen Traffic Jam Car Show where junior can check out tons of VWs and play games like Punch Buggy in the Kid Zone. This car show and picnic is free to all spectators, but you can also buy raffle tickets to win cool prizes like a vintage bike!

Mary Poppins never steered kids wrong when she insisted they go fly a kite, right? Take her advice at the Brooklyn Kite Festival this Saturday, and enjoy a summer afternoon at the Brooklyn Bridge Park with the fam. Bring your own kite, or make one there that you can use through the end of summer.

Gather the brood and concoct your own delicious ice cream flavors at Tavern on the Green’s Ice Cream Demo this Sunday, where kids can learn how to make their own scoops from the pros. This make-us-melt event is great for children of all ages, not to mention F-R-E-E.

Looking for even more fun? Click here for all of our weekend highlights.

Click here for the full calendar of all family events happening this weekend and every day of the week.

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Speakitaly NYC

SPEAKITALY NYC offers stimulating and entertaining lessons for children 0 to 16 years through a wide combination of activities based on the communicative approach anchored in the Common European Framework of Reference: active learning (group work, role plays, etc.) and practice exercises aimed to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Kids will start speaking and using Italian in a very natural way.&nbsp; Small classes capped at 6 students to make sure each one gets the needed attention and facilitate learners' progress.&nbsp; Our method is driven by a didactic method that is the result of constant updates, professional certifications and more than 10 years of experience in working with non-native speakers from different native languages and levels of knowledge. Our aim is to develop a range of Italian language skills while improving accuracy that will enable the students and participants to interact without stress or feeling rushed. We want to help those in the community really embrace not only the true culture in Italy but the Italian culture within New York City&hellip; Who doesn&rsquo;t love what Italy represents in the kitchen, in history &amp; in the arts? Speakitaly wants to support multilingual families who want to learn a new language or pass along their ancestor&rsquo;s heritage and culture. Raffaella, the founder said: "We see language awareness and intercultural sensitivity as the milestones for an inclusive society. Italian, like all other languages, is an enrichment and a growth in every way. Vi aspettiamo!"

Saf-T-Swim

For over 35 years, Saf-T-Swim Swim School has been teaching lifesaving swimming skills throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, and now Little Neck. The school is proud to be Long Island's #1 swim school and a leader in water safety education. With swim programs for infants as young as 4 months, beginners, and advanced swimmers, Saf-T-Swim offers swimming programs for every age and skill level. Discover why generations of Long Islanders have trusted Saf-T-Swim time and time again with equipping their little ones the essential skill of swimming. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;