Weekend Planner: Fun Family Activities In NYC (May 1-3)

Whitney Museum Block Party at the Whitney Museum of American Art

Celebrate the opening of the Whitney Museum’s new downtown location with a block party! On Saturday, the museum is offering free admission to visitors as well as performances and hands-on activities for all ages, created by local organizations and artists and sponsored by Macy’s. The festivities include karaoke, puppetry, dance, and poetry performances, map-making workshops, and much more. (Saturday)

Cherry Blossom Festival at Randall's Island Urban Farm

Join the Randall’s Island Park alliance for their free, annual Cherry Blossom Festival! Kids of all ages can participate in kite flying, a butterfly release, games, crafts, and more, and enjoy Japanese dance and drumming performances. (Saturday)

New York Cosmos vs. Ottowa Fury FC at MCU Park

The New York Cosmos will make their Brooklyn debut against the Ottowa Fury at MCU Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones, this Saturday! Come out and support your favorite players and watch some great soccer in Brooklyn. (Saturday)

Mother & Daughter Event with Vera Sweeney at Trollbeads

Join Trollbeads for a Mother & Daughter Event hosted by Vera Sweeney from Lady & the Blog and TLC's "What She Said." Guests will receive a custom flower crown designed by Rachel Cho with every purchase (while supplies last). (Saturday)

On a Wing Festival in Central Park

All ages should fly over to Central Park for its annual On a Wing Festival. Fest-goers can watch a butterfly release show and puppet performance, go on a guided bird walk with the NYC Audubon Society and Urban Park Rangers, pose for photos with Big Mama, the European Eagle Owl, and encounter live bats and birds of prey. (Saturday)

Holi Hai Festival at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza

Join NYC Bhangra to celebrate Holi Hai, or the Festival of Colors, to celebrate spring, friendship, and equality. Wear white to display the beautiful colored powders and enjoy musical performances, free food, and messy fun! (Saturday)

Spring Family Fair at the Morgan Museum and Library

This Sunday, learn all about Abe Lincoln during The Morgan’s Spring Family Fair. Visitors will be treated to live music from the Ebony Hillbillies, a freedom quilt-making workshop, personalized handwritten notes in the style of our 16th president from professional scribe Karen Gorst, a performance by Lincoln impersonator and comedian Peter Strauss, and more. (Sunday)

Spring Family Day at the Museum of the Moving Image

Enjoy all that the Museum of the Moving Image has to offer during Spring Family Day. All ages can participate in interactive activities from the Future of StoryTelling and a “SmellSelfies” demo by the creators of the oPhone. Also, be sure to stick around for a screening of the new documentary, “I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story.” (Sunday)

14th Annual Irish Dance Festival in Riverside Park South

The Irish Arts Center invites families to its 14th Annual Irish Dance Festival at Riverside Park South this year! Nearly a dozen dance companies will perform at this event, including: Seagda Coyle, Niall O’Leary Irish Dance Troupe, and Sean Nos Dance Jam with Shannon Dunne. There will also be opportunities to learn from a variety of professionals, create arts and crafts, and even participate in an obstacle course! (Sunday)

Hippo Playground Spring Fair in Riverside Park

The Hippo Playground Project will hold its 32nd Annual Spring Fair to help raise funds for playground maintenance. Activities will include a jumping castle, pony rides, a petting zoo, a maze, face painting, games, prizes and more! (Sunday)

Spring Sheep Shearing at the Queens County Farm Museum

Join the Queens Farm Museum for its annual Spring Sheep Shearing! Families are invited to watch the sheep get sheared, engage in wool spinning demos, pick up flower and vegetable seeds, and participate in a number of crafts! (Sunday)

10 Great Events for May

Mother’s Day Garden Party at NYBG, 9th Annual Dance Parade and Festival, “Far, Far Away…” at CMA, and more!