Weekend Planner: Fun Family Activities in NYC (May 16-18)

SHINE-AND-MOONBEAMS-5 — Madison Square Park’s Spring Kids Fest

HOT OFF THE BLOG

*The New York Baby Show will take place on both Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18, at Pier 92 (which is near West 52nd Street and the West Side Highway), from 10 to 4 both days!

Click HERE for info & details about the New York Baby Show, and to use the discount code NYFBABY to get $10 off of a family ticket (normally $30).

Or visit newyorkbabyshow.com!

*Central Park boasts 843 acres of delights—we’ve narrowed down five special features of the park –from activities to areas especially worth exploring this month. Read on!

WEEKEND PLANNER

STARTING FRIDAY
*Take in a special matinee performance by pre-professional students at the Ballet Academy East that includes George Balanchine’s classic La Source. Enjoy the show! (Friday-Sunday)

*Join STREB and the Extreme Action Company for FORCES, the theater of flight at SLAM. Powerful stuff! (Friday-June 22)

*Greenlight Bookstore presents their featured book, The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend—draw your own imaginary friends and take photos with your real ones. Bring a pal! (Friday)

STARTING SATURDAY

*Celebrate spring at a very special kids fest featuring snacks, live shows, and games at Madison Square Park. Head outside! (Saturday)

*Check out the 8^th annual Dance Parade featuring over 10,000 dancers from ballerinas to break dancers. After the parade, head to Tompkins Square Park for a party. Calling all dancers! (Saturday)

*The 9^th Avenue International Food Festival between 42nd and 57th Streets is the oldest and largest of its kind—browse treats from all over the world. Come hungry! (Saturday-Sunday)

*Catch a one-hour child-friendly production by the American Ballet Theatre featuring highlights from their repertoire. Take your seat! (Saturday)

*The Taste of Tribeca is an outdoor food fest that brings together the top chefs of the neighborhood—there’s a kid’s zone for little ones and a wine tour for the adults. Taste the flavors! (Saturday)

*In honor of the New-York Historical Society’s “Audubon’s Aviary” exhibition, watch a presentation about bird life in NYC and then help feed one of the birds in the care of the Wild Bird Fund at the DiMenna Children’s History Museum. Love birds? (Saturday)

STARTING SUNDAY

*Watch Dorothy and her pals travel through the land of Oz at the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts. We’re off to see the Wizard! (Sunday)

*Flow, an annual summer art exhibition at Randall’s Island Park, is having a grand opening that is free and open to the public. Take in the sights! (Sunday)

*The 11^th annual Mamapalooza at Riverside Park commences this weekend with family concerts, kids activities, food vendors, and more. Celebrate mom! (Sunday)

*Swing by Greenwood Park for Hip Tot Family Day complete with family-friendly music, crafts, and stories. Bring the whole fam! (Sunday)

*Musician Walter Martin of The Walkmen fame has created a family-friendly album, “We’re All Young Together.” Watch him perform and enjoy some ice cream at Littlefield. Sing along! (Sunday)

*Jamie Adkins and his newest act, “Circus Incognitus,” is coming to the Tribeca Performing Arts Center for an incredible night of entertainment. Be wowed! (Sunday)

*Travel back in time for some classic old street games, including jacks, stickball, hit the penny and more along Eldridge Street. Take it to the street! (Sunday)

*The Big Apple Circus features animal acts, clowns, acrobats, and more at Cunningham Park in Queens. Circus time! (Sunday-June 15)

*Le Vent Du Nord perform at the Abrons Art Center as one of Carnegie Hall’s neighborhood concerts. The high-energy folk band incorporates a specific mix of French-Canadian and Celtic dance music, traditional tunes, and original songs into their show. Tap your toes! (Sunday)

*Enjoy the Kidville at Sears Launch Party at the Newport Centre in Jersey City–expect stories, songs, crafts and more. Yay Kidville! (Sunday)

STARTING TUESDAY

*Head to Union Square Park for the kick-off of the largest student exhibition in NYC parks history. Citywide students in LeAp’s Public Art Program will unveil their artworks, which will later be installed in all five boroughs. Appreciate the art! (Tuesday)

Click here for our full calendar of events!

Monster Mini Golf

<p>Upon entering Monster Mini Golf, all perceptions of traditional mini golf will be spirited away by the indoor, 18-hole, monster-theme, glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course! The locations in <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/deerpark/">Deer Park</a>, and <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/gardencity/">Garden City, NY</a> invite guests to experience a host of family-oriented fun activities. Whether visiting for the first time or the one hundredth, mini golfers feel the excitement and adventure of playing mini golf amidst spooktacular monsters and custom, glow-in-the-dark, hand-painted artwork. While testing their skill on the fairways, lively music flows over the course from the unique &ldquo;WEIRD Radio&rdquo; station&rdquo; and an interactive DJ entertains golfers with contests, awarding cool prizes for the wackiest reasons. While the course is challenging enough for adults, it is also quite playable for children. Monster Mini Golf is open year-round and frightfully fun for the entire family. In addition to miniature golf and thrilling arcade and redemption games, the locations offer additional attractions. <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/deerpark/">Monster Mini Golf in Deer Park, NY</a> offers a Laser Maze and a Virtual Reality experience. The Garden City location offers a Laser Maze, Bowling, and a Virtual Reality Experience. Two very posh, private party rooms are also available and are perfect for any event. Monster Mini Golf looks forward to making it a monstrous success. Monster Mini Golf is indoors, ensuring that the event will always take place, regardless of the weather. It is a climate-controlled, affordable source of family entertainment. For more details please visit <a href="http://monsterminigolf.com">monsterminigolf.com</a> or find them on Facebook.</p>

Young Actors at Strasberg

<p>Young Actors at Strasberg&nbsp;offers a comprehensive array of acting programs for students in grades 2 &ndash;&nbsp;12. Classes provide kids and teens with a foundation in Lee Strasberg's Method Acting and the tools to succeed in the professional industry &ndash;&nbsp;all while maintaining a fun and playful environment. Programs are tailored to encompass students at all levels, from those just beginning their acting journey to Broadway veterans and professional child actors. Young Actors at Strasberg alumni include Lady Gaga, Sophia Lillis, Angelina Jolie, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Rosario Dawson!</p> <p>Young Actors&nbsp;Programs are available online and in-person at our New York Campus, located in Union Square. Saturday, After-School and Online classes are offered during the traditional school year (Fall, Winter, and Spring) and Monday through Friday day camps and intensives are held in&nbsp;July and August.</p> <p><strong>About The Lee Strasberg Theatre &amp; Film Institute:</strong></p> <p>Founded in 1969 by Lee and Anna Strasberg, The Lee Strasberg Theatre &amp; Film Institute is the only school that teaches Lee Strasberg's work in its complete and authentic form. The Institute's goal is to provide students with a craft that will help them create a reality and respond truthfully in imaginary circumstances, regardless of the style or form of material being used. LSTFI is proud to have award-winning alumni from around the world working as writers, directors, and actors in all mediums.</p>

Treehouse Shakers

<div>Treehouse Shakers&rsquo; Branching OUT After-School program is for ages 12-14. This awarded program is for young people who identify as LGBTQIA+, or are seeking to become better allies. Branching OUT centers on discovering and exploring one&rsquo;s story and identity through an intentionally artist-led format. During our community-based program, young people will explore and reflect on their own story to create a larger, more meaningful experience, while gaining self-empowerment and gathering with like-minded peers. Through the guidance of our awarded teaching artists, young people will create narratives that will be turned into podcasts, dances, songs or poetry.&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Young people have the opportunity to learn new art forms, work with professional artists, while building a meaningful community.</div>