Weekend Planner: Fun Family Activities In NYC (July 31-August 2)

Animation Block Party at BAM

Make it a cartoon weekend when you visit the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) for its 12th annual Animation Block Party. The festival will feature national and international critically-acclaimed animation shorts for children ages 4 through 8 and a program of educational shorts from “Sesame Street.” Plus, be sure to stick around for a screening of “The Care Bears Movie” (1985; rated G) on Sunday. Ticket prices vary. Please note: Some programs featured during Animation Block Party may not be appropriate for children. Please refer to the event’s website for more details. (Friday-Sunday)

Hudson River FlicksFamily Fridays

Make it a movie night for the whole family at Hudson RiverFlicks Family Fridays at Pier 46 in Hudson River Park. The movie and popcorn are both free of charge, so bring your blankets and enjoy the show! This week, the movie is the 2014 remake of "Annie."

Summer Streets 2015

Beginning this Saturday, the streets along Park Avenue from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park will be closed to car traffic from 7am-1pm for Summer Streets, an annual health initiative where runners, bikers, rollerbladers, and walkers can enjoy almost seven miles of NYC streets along with free activities for all. This year’s festivities include a Vita Coco-sponsored beach with a water slide and zipline rides, free bike and rollerblade rentals, food samples courtesy of Whole Foods Market, health and fitness classes, live music and dance performances, and much more. (Saturdays through August 15)

National Parks Weekend at The Bronx Zoo

Celebrate the beauty of our national parks at the Bronx Zoo this weekend! All ages can participate in bird watching workshops, learn how to properly pitch a tent, start a campfire, and paddle a kayak, all with the assistance of park rangers. Afterwards, families can discover how immigrants came to America via the national park of Ellis Island, and catch a performance by Jason Didner and the Jungle Gym Jam. (Saturday-Sunday)

Hindu Lamp Ceremony in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Immerse yourself in a fun cultural tradition! See a traditional Hindu Aarti ceremony–a worship ritual where lights are offered to gods–and enjoy a dance performance at the Hindu Lamp Ceremony at Pebble Beach in Brooklyn Bridge Park. (Saturday)

Family Sunday with the Mets at Citi Field

Batter up! Bring the family to Citi Field this Sunday to watch the Mets take on the Washington Nationals. As part of Family Sunday, the first 15,000 fans will receive a free Michael Cuddyer poster. After the game, kids ages 12 and under are invited to take the field and run the bases with everyone’s favorite mascot during the Mr. Met Dash. (Sunday)

Celebrate American Family Day at CMA

Bring the family to CMA for a special Family Day celebration! Workshops include a larger than life collaborative animal sculpture inspired by the works of Jeff Koons and Robert Bradford, miniature dioramas of favorite getaway places, WEE arts workshops, busts at the clay bar, a family jam in the Sound Booth, and much more! (Sunday)

Kids Rule Weekend at Lehman College

Head to Lehman College for a full weekend of kid-friendly fun, just because kids rule! There will be games, magic shows, children’s theater, water slides, pony rides, and more–all for free! (Saturday-Sunday)

Boogie on the Boulevard: Summer Sundays

The Bronx Museum presents “Boogie on the Boulevard: Summer Sundays” where the center lanes of the Grand Concourse from 161st Street to 167th Street will be closed off so families can enjoy free music, activities, and programs from local Bronx artists and performers. (Sunday)

Bark in the Park at MCU Park

Take your dog to a ballgame! The Brooklyn Cyclones invite baseball fans to bring their dogs to the annual “Bark in the Park” baseball game at MCU Park in Coney Island. Cat and dog adoptions from Alliance Participating Organizations, a dog parade, and family-friendly activities will be present. (Sunday)

Keep Your Cool

Our top 5 tips for handling the heat wave.

Great Northeast Beach Destinations for Easy Family Getaways

From Montauk to Martha’s Vineyard, the Northeast has no shortage of family-friendly (and easy) beachside getaways.