The South Street Seaport Museum announces that admission is free for the rest of the summer to a new discovery room of maritime-themed art by the late Eric Carle, beloved creator of picture books for young children. Seaport Discovery: Exploring our Waters with Eric Carle is designed specifically for children aged 2-7 and their adults. Huge immersive murals will bring families into Carle's book A House for Hermit Crab and the cargo-ship adventures of 10 Little Rubber Ducks. Visitors will enjoy activities, like meeting a live hermit crab, driving ferries on a giant play-table, and learning about cargo ships through the eyes of a rubber duck- all while exploring Carle's use of color and pattern. After visiting the discovery room, families can explore the rest of the Seaport Museum's galleries for free and find out how the fleet of historic ships connect to Carle's art. Guided tours of lightship Ambrose, and self-guided tours of tall ship Wavertree, are also free for adults and kids, and tickets for sailing excursions on schooner Pioneer and harbor cruises on tugboat W.O. Decker from May to October are available for purchase.
Aug. 1 - 31, 10am-5pm, daily
WHERE: Children's Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St., Upper West Side, NY
AGES:
3-8
WHAT: This August, join CMOM in an expedition across earth, water, fire, air, and outer space, learning about different life forms from our past, present, and wildest dreams. From submerging your imagination into magical oceanscapes, to bringing the heat with a lava dance obstacle course, to getting carried away with birds, balloons, and bubbles, your next summer adventure awaits at CMOM!
Creatures of the Earth | Monday – Sunday, August 1 – 7: Explore animals who live on and deep within the earth, from our past to those we see today!
Under Water Worlds | Monday – Sunday, August 8 – 14: Use your imagination to go under the sea and create an underwater world filled with magical living creatures.
Bring the Heat | Monday – Sunday, August 15 – 21: You can get warm and cozy or powerful and dramatic as CMOM brings in the heat with a lava dance obstacle course, stories by an imaginary campfire, and (not so real) fire-breathing dragons.
Up, Up in the Sky | Monday – Sunday, August 22 – 28: Learn about birds, air balloons, and bubbles during a week of fun where everything goes up, up, and away!
Beyond Time & Space | Monday – Wednesday, August 29 – 31: Make a dwarf planet of the dwarf planet, Pluto; allow your mind to travel into the future; imagine what life may be like on other planets; and design your very own UFO!
WANT TO GO?
$16; free for members.
212-721-1223.
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WHEN: Aug. 4 - Sep. 1, Mondays-Wednesdays and Fridays-Saturdays, 9:30am, 10:45am, 12pm, 3:15pm, and 4:30pm
WHERE: Backyard at Hudson Yards, Public Square & Gardens, 20 Hudson Yards , Chelsea, NY
AGES:
Newborn-5
WHAT: Union Square Play in partnership with ByHear! will host children's (ages 0-5) play classes on the Public Square & Gardens. Immerse your child in a sensory play experience designed by Jennie Monness that will transport them to another world and activate all of their senses. It will also focus on supporting caregivers by giving them the confidence and knowledge to help encourage children to open up during play. Each class will start with a structured introduction and lead into light touch guidance to help foster creativity and get children into the flow.
WANT TO GO?
$39.75.
646-954-3155.
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WHEN: Aug. 7 - 28, 11:30am-12:30pm
WHERE: Housing Works Bookstore Cafe, 126 Crosby St., Soho, NY
AGES:
3 and older
WHAT: Children's Story Hour Meet the Authors. Every Sunday in August 11:30am-12:30pm.
WANT TO GO?
212-334-3324.
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WHEN: Aug. 7 - 14, Aug. 7, 2pm; Aug. 14, 12, 1 and 3pm
WHERE: South Street Seaport, 12 Fulton St., Lower Manhattan, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: South Street Seaport Museum's monthly sea-music events continue in August.
WANT TO GO?
212-732-8257.
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WHEN: Aug. 11 - 14, Sunday-Thursday, 10am-11pm; Friday and Saturday, 10am-12am
WHERE: IT'SUGAR, 234 W 42nd Street, Midtown, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: IT'SUGAR, the largest specialty and experiential candy retailer in the U.S. opens a NEW two-story, 20,335 square foot candy department store in Times Square with a replica of the New York City skyline made entirely of jellybeans. The Times Square location is the second largest IT'SUGAR candy department store in North America and will feature thousands of varieties of over-the-top sweets and humorous products, immersive candy experiences, and extravagant in-store displays.
WANT TO GO?
818-357-3696.
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WHEN: Aug. 12 - 14, Friday, 7:15-9pm; Saturday, 2-9pm; Sunday, 1-6pm
WHERE: The Clemente Soto Veléz Cultural & Educational Center (Parking Lot space), 107 Suffolk Street, Lower East Side, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrating Latin American culture and identity, this festival includes a series of outdoor performances, workshops, films, and concerts, designed for families.
WANT TO GO?
212-529-1545 .
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WHEN: Friday, Aug. 12, 6pm, movie starts at 8 pm
WHERE: Randall's Island Park, 10 Central Rd. , Randall's Island, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: Bring a picnic and take your family out for a movie and a night of outdoor fun. Enjoy art project kits and games as you enjoy an evening outside and watch the movie alongside a beautiful sunset.
WANT TO GO?
212-860-1899.
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WHEN: Aug. 12 - 21, See website for schedule
WHERE: Harlem Week, W 136 St., Harlem, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: Inspiration, Impact, Legacy. Come out to this hybrid festival featuring live & virtual events. HARLEM WEEK is an annual celebration of the best of Harlem which works to promote its rich African-American, African, Caribbean, Hispanic, and European history, as well as arts, culture, religion, business, entertainment, and sports. HARLEM WEEK began in 1974 as HARLEM DAY, a one-day event of encouragement and fellowship in Harlem for New Yorkers and beyond. Given the huge success of the celebration, additional days were added to showcase the community's rich economic, political, and cultural history.
WANT TO GO?
212-862-8477.
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WHEN: Friday, Aug. 12, 1pm
WHERE: National Museum of the American Indian, Online, NYC, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: How are Indigenous youth asserting their sovereignty and dismantling stereotypes through hip-hop? Register now to engage in a free online conversation with Native youth who meld hip-hop and Indigenous beats and rhymes to construct their own narratives and create social change.
WANT TO GO?
202-633-1000.
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WHEN: Friday, Aug. 12, 7pm
WHERE: Bryant Park, 40th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, Midtown, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: New York City Opera will present an abridged version of Verdi's classic La traviata.
WANT TO GO?
212-768-4242.
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WHEN: Aug. 13 - 20, 7pm
WHERE: Rockefeller Park, 75 Battery Pl., New York, NY 10280, Downtown , NY
AGES: All
WHAT: Battery Dance celebrates the 41st anniversary of its free summer festival, which promotes the organization's mission of connecting the world through dance.
WANT TO GO?
646-765-4773.
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WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 13, 9am-2pm
WHERE: 68th Street between Madison & Park Avenue, 68th Street between Madison & Park Avenue, Upper East Side, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: New York families and visitors are invited to spend a day of free, family centered fun at Ronald McDonald House New York's "Heroes on the Ave" Block Party. The outdoor event will include activities for participants of all ages, including an obstacle course, carnival games, rock climbing wall, arts and crafts, delicious food from restaurants such as Tony's DiNapoli, Dallas BBQ and TAO, and so much more. RMH-NY supports families from NYC, across the U.S. and around the world in the fight against pediatric cancer and other serious illnesses through its House on East 73rd Street in Manhattan as well as in partnering NYC hospitals.
WANT TO GO?
212-402-3524.
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WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 13, 11:30am-7pm
WHERE: Harlem Art Park, E 120th St & Sylvan Pl, Upper West Side, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: The Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute's 4th annual AFRIBEMB FESTIVAL is set to take the community on a Diasporic journey through space and time! In the spirit of Sankofa, this Pan-African festival will highlight a shared heritage through powerful musical performances that are rooted in ancestral African rhythms and traditions yet that represent the rich diversity of the Diasporic cultures of Brazil, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and the Motherland by way of Guinea. Powered by the Black genius of both emerging and renowned African descendant creatives, AFRIBEMB is an opportunity to rejoice in artistry, intellectuality, and musicality. Experience CCCADI's 4th annual AFRIBEMB FESTIVAL: Bemb Stage Live music & DJ sets Family Village Activities for creatives of all ages SoulFull Food Plaza Comfort food from across the Diaspora Ujamaa Market Merchandise, arts and crafts Sankofa Tribute Honoring the late Hiram Maristany, legendary community photo documentarian of El Barrio. This event is in partnership with Friends of Art Park Alliance (FAPA).
WANT TO GO?
212-307-7420.
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WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 13, 10:30-11:45am
WHERE: The Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Pl. , Downtown, NY
AGES:
3-17
WHAT: After viewing a collection of panoramic photographs by Richard Berenholtz from his book Skylines of New York, young learners will create their own sparkling summer skylines with glow-in-the-dark paper.
WANT TO GO?
212-945-6324.
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WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 13, 2pm
WHERE: The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Ave. , Chelsea, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: Inspired by Oliver Twist, this story of a young Black man's healing and redemption through community is told through live gospel music, hip-hop dance theater, and the rich movement history of house dance.
WANT TO GO?
Tickets start at $10.
212-691-9740.
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WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 13, 5pm
WHERE: Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, Upper West Side, NY
AGES:
3-12
WHAT: Join American Ballet Theatre for an intimate dance workshop that will introduce your child to the most popular story ballets in the Company's repertoire. Children 4-12 years old, will participate in activities directed by ABT Teaching Artists. As an introduction to the movement of ballet, the children are guided through a ballet warm-up and taught a short piece of choreography based on ballets that ABT regularly performs at Lincoln Center. Children will transform into the elegant swans of Swan Lake, attend the Masquerade Ball from Romeo and Juliet, and bound through the energetic dances of Don Quixote! There is no need for any prior dance background, as all our welcome to experience the joy of dancing. Children are encouraged to wear their favorite dance clothes. General Admission only, first-come first-served. Advance reservations are not available for this event; just show up! If you have any questions about this event, please contact Guest Services at 212-875-5456 or [email protected] Health & Safety At this time, face coverings and proof of COVID-19 vaccination will not be required; however, face coverings are welcome and we encourage everyone to complete their primary vaccination series and get boosted before attending. These protocols are subject to change in accordance with any updates to city and state guidelines, rules and regulations, and other health and safety recommendations from our medical and public health advisors. Guests of all ages are welcome to attend. Please stay home if you do not feel well. If you have come in contact recently with someone who has tested positive or you have recently tested positive, please refer to the latest CDC guidelines for isolation, quarantine and masking recommendations.
WANT TO GO?
646-765-4773.
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WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 13, 11am-2pm
WHERE: South Street Seaport, 19 Fulton St., Lower Manhattan, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: Pokémon GO Community Day is coming to New York City, South Seaport District. Thousands of players will be in town along with Niantic representatives for three hours of catching Pokémon and an opportunity to score free merch.
WANT TO GO?
603-322-3264.
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WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 13, 11am-2pm
WHERE: South Seaport District, 19 Fulton St., New York, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: Pikimin Bloom Community Day is coming to New York City, South Seaport District. Thousands of players will participate in walking challenges to explore the community and achieve their flower planting goals. Along with Niantic representatives, players will embark on a three hour collaborative step-based challenge with an opportunity to score free merch.
WANT TO GO?
603-322-3264.
Click Here for More Information
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 14, 1:30-3pm
WHERE: Let's Dress Up, 345 East 85th St. , Upper East Side, NY
AGES:
3-8
WHAT: Have some summer doll fun at this Barbie-themed princess play. There will be dress up and a tea party. Feel free to bring your doll along. Ideal for kids ages 3-7.
WANT TO GO?
$40.
212-879-0956.
Click Here for More Information
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 14, 2pm and 5pm
WHERE: Bryant Park, 40th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues , Midtown, NY
AGES: All
WHAT: An afternoon free screening at Bryant Park of Great Wolf Entertainment's first-ever animated film called "The Great Wolf Pack: A Call to Adventure" (TRT: 44 minutes). The film follows five unlikely woodland friends- Wiley Wolf, Violet Wolf, Oliver Raccoon, Sammy Squirrel and Brinley Bear- who are chosen by the Great Wolf Spirit to journey on adventures and help others in need. Along the way, they form an unbreakable bond and become the Great Wolf Pack. The fun and heartwarming film will be accompanied by free giveaways and live entertainment elements, offering an incredible afternoon of family entertainment. "The Great Wolf Pack: A Call to Adventure" is the first project developed by Great Wolf Entertainment, and is part of a robust content strategy designed to expand storytelling opportunities for the Great Wolf characters. Families are encouraged to arrive early as there will be character meet-and-greets and kid-friendly entertainment available 45-minutes before the scheduled showtime. The event will be open to the public of all ages. Seating on the lawn is first come, first served. Complimentary popcorn will be provided to the first 5,000 attendees.
WANT TO GO?
604-862-5683.
Click Here for More Information
Looking for more events in your area? Search our comprehensive events calendar.
There’s a lot to do this weekend with your family, whether you're planning a day trip that's close to New York City or are looking for the best things to do with kids in Manhattan this weekend. After all, weekends are the best because you get to spend time with your kids, so make the most of your time together and check out our picks for the best kid-friendly activities in Manhattan! From storytimes and concerts to museum exhibits, crafts activities, seasonal events, and more, you're sure to find something to do that keeps everyone happy and having fun. Look no further for ideas and plan your weekend in New York City with our guide that highlights the best family-friendly (virtual and in-person) events happening in and around your neighborhood, including family fun in Central Park, the Lower East Side, the Upper West Side, Harlem, Midtown, the Upper East Side, Greenwich Village, Battery Park, Bryant Park, Tribeca, the Bronx, and Lower Manhattan. You can also find weekend fun in ourBrooklyn, Queens, Long Island, Westchester, and Rockland—and check out our Manhattan calendar for hundreds of things to do each month!
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