Weekend Planner: Fun Family Events in NYC (November 7-9)

Canstruction at Brookfield Place

Starting this Thursday, the world’s most inventive and imaginative food charity event will return to Brookfield Place. Canstruction is an international charity competition where people from all around the world gather to compete in designing and building giant structures made entirely from unopened cans of food. At the close of the competition all of the canned food will be donated to City Harvest. The contest will highlight the creativity and compassion of architects, engineers and students. The goal of the competition is to raise public awareness about world hunger and those in need. (Thursday-November 20)

Muslim Arts Festival at Children's Museum of Manhattan

This weekend, CMOM celebrates Muslim culture through storytelling,performances and activities available as part of a month-long celebration On Saturday, a Bangladeshi American Muslim storyteller, Arif Choudhury, will share stories from his life growing up with Muslim traditions. Sunday,Saung Budava, an Indonesian dance group, will tell traditional stories through Muslim dance and music. There will be arts and craft sessions all weekend long, where kids can create a 3D architectural structure inspired by mosques around the world, as well as a create-your-own heroes and heroines stories session. (Saturday-Sunday)

New York Festival of Light in DUMBO

Head to DUMBO for the first ever New York Festival of Light! Nationally acclaimed and world renowned lighting designers, performance artists, and technologists will display their stellar lighting installations to the public during this three-day fest. Expected artists include iLUMINATE, Ingo Maurer, 3Search, Robert Bose, and others. There will also be food available for purchase at local food trucks and live music by DJ KC, DJ For Play, Jasper Stapleton, and more.(Thursday-Saturday)

NY Ed Tech Family Day A'Fair at NEST+m

Imagine a family fun day in which parents and children can not only enjoy carnival-like fun and games, but also experience the latest in technology and education. As a media sponsor, New York Family is pleased to invite you and your children to the first New York City Ed Tech Family Day A’Fair, taking place on Saturday, November 8 at NEST+m on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.Tickets are $10.00 for kids, and $20.00 for parents. Use the New York Family discount code (NYFPAL2014) for a 15% discount. For more information and tickets, visit palworkshopsnyc.org (Saturday)

Salzburg Marionette Theatre: The Toy Box at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Prepare to be transported to another place and time when you visit the Met Museum for the Salzburg Marionette Theatre’s production of “The Toy Box.” Featuring the Theatre’s four puppeteers, this production will be set to Debussy’s enchanting original score performed by American pianist Orion Weiss. During the 7pm performance only, Weiss will play the full-length version of the show, which features additional music by Schumann. (Saturday)

Carnegie Kids: Elizabeth Mitchell and You Are My Flower at Carnegie Hall

A favorite on the children’s music scene, Elizabeth Mitchell and her family band, You Are My Flower, will be performing at Carnegie Hall this Saturday. Mitchell will be performing hits off of her 2013 Grammy-nominated album Blue Clouds, as well as covers from recording artists such as David Bowie, the Allman Brothers, and Van Morrison. Free. (Saturday)

MINIMÓN at the New Victory Theater

Set to a exciting soundtrack, watch as a solo dancer finds silly stories all around her as a regular room becomes filled with wonder and delight in this exciting performance, which originally debuted in Spain. (Saturday)

Soldiers Through History Scavenger Hunt at the New-York Historical Society

In celebration of Veterans Day, bring the kids to the New-York Historical Society for a fun and educational scavenger hunt. They'll search for soldier-related objects, documents and paintings, as well as see the artifacts a real Civil War soldier would have carried, and compare the difference between Revolutionary War and Civil War muskets. (Saturday)

Skippyjon Jones at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College

Skippyjon is having an identity crisis–he wants to be a chihuahua… but he’s actually a Siamese cat! Check out this fun family production and watchSkippyjon’s wildest dreams come true as he turns into El Skippito Bandito, the courageous Mexican canine sword fighter! (Saturday)

Squirrel Stole My Underpants at Symphony Space

When Sylvie goes to hang up her laundry, a squirrel steals her favorite piece of clothing! Join this silly adventure as Sylvie tries to get back her underpants, and learns about the magic within herself along the way. Created and performed by Bonnie Duncan, Squirrel Stole My Underpants is sure to be a hoot! (Saturday-Sunday)

New York Youth Symphony Season Opening Concert at The United Palace Theatre

The New York Youth Symphony will give their first concert of the season at the United Palace Theatre, for free! This is their first of three performances that they are scheduled to play at at the theater. Come and listen to the works by Beethoven, Stavinsky and Cindy Giron. (Sunday)

Bindlestiff Calvacade of Youth

The big top is coming to the boardwalk! Come one, come all to Coney Island for the Bindlestiff Cavalcade of Youth. Presented by the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus and Playful Productions, this spectacular circus show will feature trapeze artists, jugglers, acrobats, clowns, and other circus performers all under the age of 21. Families with children of all ages will be amazed and inspired by the talent and daring of these amateur and professional acts.(Sunday)