Contributor: Meghan Gearino
You may already be
slicing and dicing the avocado and tomatoes for Cinco de Mayo this Saturday (here’s a great
recipe in case you need one!). In case your calendar reveals itself empty
(we want your life), the way-more-fun-than-laundry list below will keep you and kids plenty busy. —
FRIDAY-SATURDAY
Taikoza Live!, a percussion-based performance, lets families
march to the beat of their own drum at the Manhattan Movement & Arts Center.
But we bet you’ll love the bamboo flutes and costumes, too.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Propelled 20 feet in the air, the high-flying dance moves and
acrobatics of the New Victory Theater’s 8cho Ariel Tango are sure to
astound. Recommended for ages eight and up.
Madison Square Park’s latest interactive installation is the
quirky work of Charles Long entitled Pet
Sounds. The funky and colorful railings let kids produce various vibrations
and sounds.
The classic tale of The Velveteen
Rabbit
rounds out the New York Children’s Theatre Festival. Bring kiddos four and
older to this endearing show.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
If Mama needs a brand new (diaper) bag—head to the Shop Lucky Finds’
Consignment Sale & Trunk Show at the Museum of Motherhood. It’s a great way
to stock up on designer gear for your tot, for less.
SATURDAY
The Mamas Network and The New York Hall of Science
present the Second Annual Mamas Expo. Open to all parents and families with
children ages 0-5, the get access to some of the best local services,
specialists and products in Queens and throughout NYC.
Go green in Greenpoint! Head
to McCarren Park for the 2012 Greenpoint Earth Day Festival for music, health
tips, arts & crafts and assorted children’s activities.
Prep your soon-to-be camper by sending them to the campsklz workshop
hosted by socialsklz:-). Ages 7-12 will learn everything from conversational
skills to friendship 411, and how to handle homesickness.
The Imagination Movers excite the Big Apple this weekend with
a live performance at The Best Buy Theater featuring 22 of their original
songs.
Head to Caribou Baby in Brooklyn for a Learn To Cook Mother’s Day
Dinner demo (three courses!) led by food writer Debbie Koenig.
For the next three Saturdays, High Line Kids presents Museum Mornings, a collaborative outdoor
program with a few the city’s coolest museums. Kicking things off is the
Children’s Museum of the Arts, where kids ages four and up can create collages
and personalized cityscapes.
The Rocket Thrower Family Festival in Flushing Meadows Corona Park lets kids
of all ages enjoy music, space-themed arts & crafts and of course “rocket-throwing”!
The Spring Fest at The Battery Urban
Farm will be
chock-full of tutorials (like composting), container gardening, arts &
crafts, scavenger hunts and kids cooking demos.
From calendars to dollar bills, learn all about paper and its uses at The
New Museum’s First Saturdays for Families Series: All About Paper. Recommended for
ages 4-15.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at The Scholastic Store with children
ages 2-6. The afternoon promises salsa dancing, bilingual singing and plenty of
arts & crafts.
SUNDAY
New York Family is sponsoring an important, free forum
for parents and children ages five and up at TADA! Youth Theater. Stemming from
their new musical, Up To You, join Miss New York for a discussion on
combating bullying through leadership.
Led by Disney Teaching Artists, the Dimenna Children’s History Museum’s Newsie-inspired dance workshop will
teach kids the true story (and moves!) behind the popular Broadway musical.
Ages 3-10 can attend Japan Children’s
Day at the Japan
Society. Youngsters are encouraged to try traditional Japanese snacks, enjoy
musical and theater performances and participate in arts & crafts.
Hippo Playground, nestled inside Riverside Park, is
hosting their annual Spring Fair for families. Join them for pony rides, food,
games, a petting zoo and prizes.
Support the Children’s Museum of the
Arts at their Imagined
Worlds Spring Benefit. Live music by the Raya Brass Band and American Family
Jamboree, hands-on art, DJ Kai and a special silent auction are sure to please
every attendee.
Alongside the exhibit In the Company of Animals, The Morgan’s Spring Family Fair features
singing, dancing, mask-making and an animal costume photo shoot.
Ring in spring at the Celebrate Queens Farm Festival.
Learn how to shear a sheep, receive in-depth tours from farmers and scoop up
some vegetable and flower seedlings.
Join the Henry Street Settlement for a 145-year birthday bash
celebrating its Founder Lillian Wald. The afternoon includes cupcakes, arts
& crafts, tours and old-school games like stickball.
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.
