It’s Father’s Day weekend and
we can think of umpteen ways to show the coolest man in your life just how much
you care. From crafts to free museums to sporting events, there’s sure to be
something for every pop, granddad, uncle, or whatever special dude you want to
celebrate! In addition to dad day festivities, this weekend can send you
seaside (or should we say surfside) for the Mermaid Parade (perfect for kiddos
with a colorful side!) or to the Bang on a Can Festival (great for those with
an inner rock star). —
Forget lavish gifts this year;
give dad some quality face time instead! If he loves sports, head to a special Long
Island Ducks game that combines baseball with electronics. (Dads are even
eligible to win raffle prizes.) Fathers and kids alike will love hooping it up at
the all-weekend 2011
NBA Nation at South Street Seaport. Even better, dads get special treatment
at the Jewish Museum (free
entry!) and at Tim Allen-favorite Home Depot, too, where kids can make
toolboxes as a gift. So whether you head
to The Intrepid, or make
a super large tie at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan–here’s a
list of ways to show your appreciation. for a day of old-school competition (think: sack races) or
Meanwhile, the surf is
calling! Head on over to Coney Island for the Mermaid
Parade, where folks dress up in whimsical under-the-sea costumes and ride
floats down the avenue. For outdoor fun on Friday evening, head to the PS 29
schoolyard for a screening of Willy Wonka
and The Chocolate Factory with Big Movies for Little Kids. And be on the
lookout for the comeback of Sing
For Hope’s Pop Up Pianos – 88 will be installed in public parks across all
five boroughs. If you spot one, play a tune!
This weekend has plenty of
musical offerings, too. Take teens to Brooklyn, where SummerStage Kids will host their
Teen
Family Day featuring music, dance, and poetry readings by teens and for
teens! For little ones, keep up the seaside spirit of the Mermaid Parade and
say “ahoy” to NYC’s favorite party performer Moey at Williamsburg
Waterfront Concert Series with the Story Pirates. In Lower Manhattan, don’t miss 13 hours of free music from 150
musicians, from Philip Glass to the Young People’s Chorus of NYC, at the Bang
on a Can Festival at The World Financial Center’s Winter Garden.
Parting words: Let’s not forget about the
Department of Recreation’s free swim lesson lottery, which begins THIS
Saturday, June 18. To get you pumped—check out our list of wet and wild beaches
and pools in and around the city.
Need more ideas? Click here to for all our weekend highlights.
Click here for the full calendar of events
for this weekend and every day of the week.
And click here to register for our free
weekly newsletter highlighting our favorite family-friendly events every
weekend in the city and beyond.
