Contributor: Meghan Gearino
There are a
thousand good reasons to join us this weekend at Pier 92 for The New York Baby
Show (if you need one, see here). It promises to be a great weekend for new and
expectant parents. For fun of other heights, refer to the cool list that follows. —
FRIDAY-SATURDAY
Tents are provided at the New York Restoration Project’s
first summer campout at Swindler Cove Park. Enjoy an evening hike plus a
traditional campfire meal (think s’mores).
Party animals should head to The Concert Hall for Laurie Berkner’s Animal Party—an
hour-long concert filled with costumes, music and stuffed animals.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Celebrate the remaining days of NYC Wildflower Week. Families can take
an Industrial Green Roof Garden tour in Brooklyn, experience life as a plant in
Manhattan or paint a butterfly portrait in The Bronx.
Channel your inner James Bond at the Discovery Times Square’s newest
exhibit, Spy: The Secret World of Espionage. Ages four and up can check
out spy gadgets, create a disguise and navigate through laser beams.
SATURDAY
Explore the unknown and frozen world of the Arctic at The Children’s
Festival Arctic Blast! hosted by the National Museum of the American Indian.
Music, dancing and arts & crafts—like DIY Eskimo yo-yos—round out this
all-ages family fest.
Ring in spring at the Children’s Festival of Flowers
at the Jefferson Market Garden in Greenwich Village. Kids will enjoy arts &
crafts, giveaways and live entertainment, including a show from Dave the Worm
Guy.
Sail past the Statue of Liberty as part of the Circle Line Cruise
Series’ big summer kick-off at Pier 83. Enjoy performances by roaming jugglers,
magicians and balloon artists while entertainment greats Dan Zanes and
Elizabeth Mitchell seal the deal.
FAMILY
FUN IN CENTRAL PARK: With warm weather on our side, do your part at
Central Park’s Family Volunteer Day. Plant, rake, paint and even enjoy a little
boating. If feathered friends are more your child’s forte, discover the On A
Wing: Family Festival at the Belvedere Castle Terrace. Take a bird tour, craft
an owl and view feathers through microscopes.
Watch a sheep get sheared and see how wool is spun into a
useable textile at Prospect Park Zoo’s Fleece Festival. Stick around for a
Barnyard Hoedown with music from the Otter Brothers Band, and be sure to play
the sheep-to-sweater game.
Hope for wind at Long Island City’s Socrates
Sculpture Park during their 10th Annual Kite-Making Workshop where children can
construct a homemade kite out of recycled materials and then test out their new
creations.
Don’t miss the New York Dance Parade as it grooves through the East Village.
Colorful floats featuring salsa, samba, tango and waltz will fill the streets
as the afternoon boasts lessons for all ages. Over 60 styles to be showcased
throughout the day!
FOODIE
FAMILY FUN: NYC
has not one, but two great food fests to choose from this weekend. Sample fare
from Poland, Italy, Spain, Greece and Thailand at the 9th Avenue International
Food Festival—complete with a Children’s Pavilion. Downtown families should
check out Taste of Tribeca 2012. The event, which raises money for neighborhood
public schools, features vendors from esteemed local restaurants. The Kids Zone
will feature demos from Super Soccer Stars, ExerBlast and Modern Martial Arts. (Saturday)
Bring the entire family—dogs included—to PAW Day 2012 at Carl
Schurz Park for pet health and awareness tips. The children’s area features a
jewelry-making workshop.
Bring the whole crew to Madison Square Park for the annual
Spring Kids Fest, a day filled with magic, pie-throwing contests, storytime
yoga and treats. Promising performances include The Fuzzy Lemons, The Rockdoves
and songs for seeds.
Explore fire trucks, bulldozers and
trolleys at the West Side
YMCA’s Touch-a-Truck Street Fair Fundraiser. Children of all ages can discover
these giant drivers, along with food, arts & crafts and face painting.
Proceeds benefit YMCA scholarships and facility improvements.
SUNDAY
Happy 5th Birthday, Bilingual Birdies! Celebrate by heading to the Children’s Aid
Society’s Imaginasium for a Concert & Benefit Show featuring four languages
from Hebrew to Mandarin. All proceeds benefit the 108 Lives Project and every
ticket includes a free CD.
Watch Tony-nominated actress and author Elizabeth Swados as she
performs Jewish Books Cooking at The JCC in Manhattan, a play based on
her popular children’s books.
The 9th Annual Mamapalooza at Riverside Park South will feature
food, vendors and arts & crafts. Parents With Angst and Erin Lee and The Up
Past Bedtime Band are among the free and full day’s line-up.
For
even more events and activities this weekend and beyond, check out our Family Calendar.
And if
you haven’t already, click here to register for our free weekly newsletter
which features our favorite events to enjoy every weekend in the city and
beyond.
