Contributor: Meghan Gearino
…And a Happy
Memorial Day Weekend to you all! If you’re packin’ up the car and road tripping
somewhere upstate and/or sunshine-filled, perhaps you need a little entertainment for the little ones while you’re on the move. And for those of you who are staying borough-side,
there is so much to do from Governors
Island’s grand opening to Fleet Week fun at The Intrepid. (Just be sure to
slather on the SPF no matter where the three-dayer takes you!) —
FRIDAY-MONDAY
The popular exhibit The Butterfly Conservatory: Tropical Butterflies Alive in Winter flutters away from the American Museum of Natural History this weekend. View over 500 stunning creatures in tropic-like heat, along with other exotic foliage.
The famed Fleet Week continues at The Intrepid with a jam-packed schedule of ship tours, movies on the Flight Deck, fireworks, tug-of-war and musical performances.
Wizards aged six and up should head to The Little Shubert Theatre for a preview of Potted Potter—a two-man, 70-minute show covering all seven Harry Potter books! P.S. They’re also appearing at The Intrepid on Friday at 2pm for a special Fleet Week performance.
SATURDAY-MONDAY
Merry-go-round this Memorial Day. Two historic carousels reopen just in
time for the holiday weekend. Make your way to Queens’ Forest Park and Flushing
Meadows-Corona Park to take a spin on either (or both!) of these classic rides.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
GOVERNORS
ISLAND OPENS: It’s that time of year again (thank goodness)! And if you’re keeping it
local this Memorial Day, there’s plenty to do just a short ferry ride over. Saturday
features the Botanical Arts & Stop Motion Explosion promising art projects
with both natural materials and clay at The Free Arts Island Outpost. While
you’re there, be sure and stop by the Governors Island Alliance Family Festival
in Nolan Park for face painting, arts & crafts, free bike helmet fittings
and performances by Astrograss and The Maybelles. Last but not least, stop by
the two-day 5 Boro PicNYC where kids receive free admission for great eats
(like shaved ice), drinks and music for the entire family.
SATURDAY
The Animal Care Trainee Program at the Alley Pond Environmental Center
is perfect for ages 8-12 with interest in becoming an animal caretaker.
Pre-registered participants will help out with daily tasks of animal up-keep
like feeding, brushing and cleaning.
Knights and princesses are invited to The Cloisters for a
Family Festival all about The Medieval Artist. The day features kid-friendly
art education and self-guided gallery tours focused on medieval stained glass
and sculptures.
Get patriotic at The Scholastic Store’s "Americana!"
event for kids ages four and up. Attendees will take a virtual road trip across
America, filled with songs, journaling and a super cool flag collage.
Check out the Paper Towers Workshop at the Skyscraper Museum for a Newsies-inspired
tour of their latest exhibit, News PAPER Spires, great for ages 8-13.
Get out those magnifying glasses for this weekend’s Watson Adventure. Ages
seven and up will love the theme, The Secrets of Central Park, where families
have to find famous objects and sites (like Stuart Little) throughout
Manhattan’s backyard.
SUNDAY
Ages 3-11 can have a magical Memorial Day with Mario the Magician’s
Family Magic Show at Space on White in Tribeca. Part retro, part rock ‘n roll—Mario
uses physical comedy to wow the crowd with his tricks.
See Spider-Man live at the New York Hall of Science for a
performance and science demo with the original cast of Broadway’s Spider-Man:
Turn Off The Dark. Kids will learn
about the strength of spiders and gene splicing.
MONDAY
Honor Memorial Day at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan.
Monday’s events include making thank-you cards for troops, creating a collage
out of ribbons and stars for kids four and younger and a mini-boot camp for the
older children, ages five and 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.
