Hi everyone! The weather looks much better this weekend so get ready to sweat and have some fun with the family here in NYC!
This weekend check out the Red Hook Fest, Zine Jam with Elvis & Jan at Old Stone House, Double Dutch in Brooklyn Bridge Park, 17th Virtual KidsFilmFest, Bilingual Birdies French/English and Mandarin/English Storytimes, Movies Under the Stars: Dolittle in Chelsea Park, National Trails Day: Nature Meditation Hike in Marine Park, Show Up, Kids! at The Kraine Theater, Nature Exploration: Native Plants in Blue Heron Park, Virtual Sea Chanteys and Maritime Music Broadcast, Scandinavian Music Festival in Fort Tryon Park, Reading into History @ Home: “Troublemaker for Justice” and a Virtual Hans Christian Andersen Summer Storytelling Concert Series.
Also check out long running events like The Wizard of Oz at Puppetworks, The Nature of Color Exhibit and Worlds Beyond Earth at the American Museum of Natural History, Urban Farm Exploration Days! in Randall’s Island Park, Splash Pad in Prospect Park, Tall Ship Wavertree at South Street Seaport and Free Bike Mornings and The Yard – Adventure Playground on Governors Island.
There are more weekend events so check the calendar to see everything going on. Also like us on Facebook for last minute events and updates.
Stay cool and enjoy the weekend!
~ Deirdre (mom to O & C)
Friday June 4th
17th KIDSFILMFEST (virtual)
Friday June 4th and available 24/7 until Sunday June 13th. KidsFilmFest Pass: $10. Purchase passes here. KidsFilmFest is an initiative of the Brooklyn Film Festival. This year KidsFilmFest will present two programs of films tailored for two groups of young viewers: 3 to 7 & 8 to 15 and will be staged online only. 3. KFF aims to discover and promote children’s filmmakers as well as expose filmmakers of all ages who make films for younger crowds. All films are rated “G”. Both programs consist of several animated shorts, live-action films, and documentaries. See the website for all the film details.
Bilingual Birdies French/English Storytime (virtual)
Fridays 10-1045a in June. Free. Registration is required. Experience the online bilingual magic with live music, bubble dance parties, and entertaining puppet shows! In our 30-minute online classes, families enjoy the same lively fun from in-person classes with Myla Birdie and outstanding bilingual teaching musicians! Kids are encouraged to move, jump, sing, and dance along with their guitar-playing teacher as they increase their vocabulary in French! Note: This is a Zoom program. You will be sent the Zoom link the day before, or the day of, the program. Also check out a Virtual Bilingual Birdies Mandarin/English Storytime Fridays at 11a.
Red Hook Fest at PS 15
Friday June 4th 4-6p. Free. Red Hook Fest will kick off with a dance party for the whole family in the PS15 Schoolyard. DJ Leecy T and M-Tri will curate an evening full of your favorite hits. Cora Dance will present an original work, choreographed by Mateo Vidal and performed by Mateo Vidal and Phoebe Pfaffman. Family-friendly activities will include t-shirt design, book giveaways, sidewalk chalk, and more! We will also offer free food giveaways on a first-come-first-served basis.
Double Dutch in Brooklyn Bridge Park
Friday June 4th 6-8p and the first Friday of July & August. Free. Capacity will be limited to 45 participants. Advanced registration and waivers are required, although walk-up registrations can be accommodated as space allows. Register here. The public is invited to jump Double Dutch with experienced Coach Kizzy Samuel-Parsons! A fun and social fitness opportunity, participants will experience a socially-distanced jump rope class that teaches the fundamentals of street-style and competitive jump rope. Clinics run on the first Friday of each month on June 4, July 2, and August 6 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, rain or shine at the Pier 2 Ping Pong Table sheltered area.
See all the Friday events here.
Saturday June 5th
2021 Virtual Hans Christian Andersen Summer Storytelling Concert Series
Starting Saturday June 5th 11a and ongoing until September 25th. Donations welcomed. This Saturday, we are opening with Hosts Laura Simms and Simon Brooks, with guests Len Cabral (RI), Regi Carpenter (NY) and musician Tracey Collins. Traditional tales told for the whole family, stories and story choices inspired by HCA. HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN STORIES and ANDERSEN-INSPIRED STORIES June 5th: Nho Lobo and Shebin (Cape Verde) and The Tinder Box (HCA). All Storytelling sessions are streamed on: Facebook and YouTube. June and July are virtual. If restrictions permit later in the season, we will instead perform live by the Hans Christian Andersen Statue in Central Park (72nd Street & Fifth Ave). See website for all the event details.
Zine Jam with Elvis & Jan at Old Stone House (Park Slope)
Saturday June 5th 1-3p. Free. Register here. Are you interested in zines, but aren’t sure where to start? This all-ages workshop can help! Zine Jam is for everyone—recommended for ages 5 and up. This is a drop-in class and will be held outside. It will be facilitated by Elvis and Jan, two seasoned zine creators and educators who always bring their enthusiasm for the medium. Through visual, tactic, and writing prompts kids can expect to create their own one-sheet zine. They are invited to scan and print copies to share with family and friends!
National Trails Day: Nature Meditation Hike in Marine Park
Saturday June 5th 1-2p. Free. Location: Salt Marsh Nature Center. Hiking is the ultimate way to enjoy the outdoors and a fun way to reduce stress. Our Urban Park Ranger hiking guides will introduce you to the hidden gems of New York City and places often off-limits to the general public. On our hikes, you can learn new things, or just take time to unplug from the world.Celebrate National Trails Day by taking a stroll through Marine Park and immerse yourself in tranquility. This hike will take you through some quiet areas inside the park and allow the participant to disconnect from stress and clear their mind. See the website for Covid-19 protocols.
Red Hook Fest at Red Hook Houses + Coffey Park
Saturday June 5th 5-7p. Free. Join Laura Anderson Barbata and the Brooklyn Jumbies in a processional through the Red Hook Houses. The processional begins at Clinton St./Centre Mall at 5 pm and will end in Coffey Park at 5:30 pm. And if that doesn’t get you on your feet, you won’t be able to resist dancing while Cornelio Joseph leads a drumline performance! Keep the party going in Coffey Park with live music, outdoor dance classes, and free food giveaways!
Movies Under the Stars: Dolittle (2020) in Chelsea Park
Saturday June 5th 830-1030p. This event is FREE and open to the public, but seating is limited. Reservations are not taken. Join NYC Parks and the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment for a free film! Robert Downey Jr. electrifies one of literature’s most enduring characters in a vivid reimagining of the classic tale of the man who could talk to animals: Dolittle. Rated PG. Grab a blanket and come enjoy a movie in a neighborhood park or playground! This summer, NYC Parks will host family-friendly movie showings across the five boroughs. Movies begin at dusk. You should arrive before 830p. to get your spot. Please refer to the NY State Department of Health’s website for updates and CDC’s guidance on small and large gatherings in regards to COVID-19 restrictions.
See all the Saturday events here.
Sunday June 6th
Nature Exploration: Native Plants in Blue Heron Park (Staten Island)
Sunday June 6th 11a-12n. Free. Registration is required. To register, please visit the Urban Park Rangers registration page here. Learn more about native plant species found in New York City and the important role they play in our ecosystem. Participants will be given plants to take home to start their own native plant garden. See the website for Covid-19 protocols.
Show Up, Kids! at The Kraine Theater (Bowery)
Sundays 12n until June 20th. Tickets: $15. This interactive, semi-improvised family show for children ages 3 -10 puts a theatrical and comedic twist on the traditional children’s show. When the show’s star doesn’t show up, the kids help assistant Denisse create and entire show from costumes to characters and props to plot. See the website to purchase tickets and for the COVID guidelines.
Virtual Sea Chanteys and Maritime Music Broadcast
Sunday June 6th 2-4p. Free. Sign up here to receive the Zoom link 24 hours prior. South Street Seaport Museum’s monthly Sea Chanteys and Maritime Music continues – virtually. From our living rooms and kitchens, and even from the deck of Wavertree, join us for our round-robin of shared sea songs, featuring members of The New York Packet and friends. Listen in, lead or request a song, and belt out the choruses for your neighbors to hear. Hosted by singers from the New York Packet.
Scandinavian Music Festival in Fort Tryon Park
Sundays 2-330p until June 13th. Free admission. Bring your blanket! Children and families are welcome. Location: Billings Lawn. The Scandinavian Music Festival in Fort Tryon Park, now in its 16th season, is a unique series of three outdoor summer concerts performed by musicians of the New York Scandia Symphony and guest artists on Sundays in May and June. Classical and new music from various Scandinavian countries will be featured. The concerts take place at a scenic and attractive venue, Billings Lawn, below the Heather Garden and with spectacular views of the Hudson River. The artists speak to the audience as they introduce the music, culture, and traditions of Scandinavia.
Reading into History @ Home: “Troublemaker for Justice” (virtual)
Sunday June 6th 2-3p. Free. For ages 9-12y. Register here. Celebrate Pride month and join us to explore the life and impact of Bayard Rustin, a civil rights leader and openly gay man. Talk to one of the co-authors of Troublemaker for Justice, Michael G. Long, and dig into Rustin’s adherence to non-violence and civil disobedience, and his belief in the value of community organizing. Also learn how Rustin’s sexuality, was criminalized at the time, impacted his work and legacy. Note: New-York Historical is now open to visitors. The DiMenna Children’s History Museum remains temporarily closed.
See all the Sunday events here.
All Weekend
Splash Pad in Prospect Park
Ongoing 10a-7p until September 6th. Free. Location: LeFrak Center at Lakeside. The Splash Pad, named Best of New York by New York Magazine, is Prospect Park’s largest water play area, with 47 water spray jets covering 16,000 square feet to provide hours of warm-weather fun. Open free to the public for children 12 years of age and under in season.
The Wizard of Oz at Puppetworks (Park Slope)
Ongoing Fridays 4p and Saturdays-Sundays 1230p & 230p until August 1st. Tickets: Children $10 each, Adults $11 each. Suggested for 3 and up. The Wizard of Oz, L Frank Baum’s American classic with an original song score adapted for marionettes by Nicolas Coppola. Call for reservations(recommended, due to the 33% capacity): 718-965-3391 or e-mail to: puppetworksinfo@gmail.com. Masks Required.
Tall Ship Wavertree at South Street Seaport
Starting Saturday May 29th 11a-5p and will be open Friday-Sundays 11a-5p through October 2021. The permanently-moored 1885 tall ship Wavertree will be open to the public for FREE with timed entry, from at Pier 16 (Fulton and South Streets). Visits will be self-guided along a set route and will include access to the main deck and quarter deck. Learn how people worked and lived aboard a 19th century cargo sailing vessel, from the captain to the ship’s officers, cooks, and crew. Then visit the cargo hold and stand atop the viewing platform where you can take in the massive main cargo area.The Museum will allow no more than 150 guests on board the ship at any time to encourage social distancing from different households. All guests above the age of 2 will be required to wear a face covering at all times aboard Wavertree and at the Museum’s pop-up gift shop. Reserve tickets here.
The Carousel in Prospect Park
Thursdays-Sundays 12n-5p. Tickets are $2.50 or book of 5 for $11.50. The Prospect Park Carousel + Pony Express Snack Bar open on April 29! COVID-19 Update: The Prospect Park Carousel is open with COVID-19 protocols in place, including social distancing, enhanced cleaning and reduced capacity on the ride. Tickets are first come, first served.
Free Bike Mornings on Governors Island
Mondays-Fridays 10a-12n. Free. Blazing Saddles offers bikes, surreys, pedal cars, scooters and more for rental. Free Bike Mornings allow visitors to borrow a bike from Blazing Saddles for free for up to one hour every weekday between 10 AM and noon. Come visit Blazing Saddles at the north end of Colonels Row and bike the Island! This year you need a reservation for the ferry. See the website for all the details.
The Yard – Adventure Playground on Governors Island
Saturdays-Sundays 12n-4p. Free. Welcome back to The Yard, New York City’s only adventure playground! The Yard offers free weekend play with Covid safety protocols in place. The Yard is a kids-only space recommended for young people ages 6 to 18, stewarded by trained playworkers. The Yard supplies young people with loose parts materials for building, exploring, imagining and destroying. Rules and more information: No more than 35 children at a time will be allowed in The Yard. Children must be over 5 years old. Masks are required. Shoes: Closed-toe shoes are required. play:groundNYC has a limited selection of loaner shoes on site. See the website for the waiver.
Urban Farm Exploration Days! in Randall’s Island Park
Saturdays-Sundays 10a-4p until October 17th. Free. Explore the Randall’s Island Urban Farm’s variety of crops, rice paddies, fragrant herbs, and meet the chickens too! All ages welcome!
Brooklyn Public Library Vitural Storytimes
Daily usually at 11a & 2p. Free. Sometimes the storytimes are on the Brooklyn Public Library Family facebook page and other times they are on a specific branch facebook page. See the website for all the details.
The Nature of Color Exhibit at American Museum of Natural History (UWS)
Museum is open Wednesdays-Sundays with timed entry tickets are available 10a-4p (museum closes 530p). Exhibit is open until August 8, 2021. Select a General Admission + One or General Admission + All ticket, choose date and time of entry to the Museum, then select The Nature of Color. Reserve tickets here. Our world is awash in color. Color makes the world feel vibrant and alive. But that’s not all. Color helps us make sense of the world. It contains vast amounts of information—about the natural world, and the human world. Come and explore the world of color in this immersive exhibition. Worlds Beyond Earth at the Hayden Planetarium Space Theater is now open with limited seating to maintain health and safety. See all the details here.