Events: Top Kid-Friendly Activities For The Week

This Saturday, try outdoor sports like paddleboarding and rock climbing during Adventures NYC in Central Park.

Father’s Day is fast approaching! This weekend, treat Dad to an outing with the whole family: From a Swedish shindig to a day of outdoor sports, these five popular picks for Pops will put a smile on every father’s face. For even more ideas for Father’s Day fun, click here. Have a great week!

Friday, June 19

Swedish Midsummer Festival
Robert F. Wagner Park
5pm-8pm
This Friday evening, join the Battery Park City Parks Conservancy and the Consulate General of Sweden in New York for the Swedish Midsummer Festival in Robert F. Wagner Park. Families with children of all ages can decorate and dance around the midsummer pole, picnic, make flower wreaths, enjoy fiddle music, play games, and nosh on Swedish food from NYC restaurants such as Red Rooster and FIKA. This event is free and will be held rain or shine.

Beginning Saturday, June 20

Brick Fest Live
New York Hall of Science
Weekdays: 9:30am-5pm; Weekends: 10am-7pm
Starting this Saturday, LEGO lunatics are in for a treat at the New York Hall of Science in Queens. All ages are invited to Brick Fest Live to build and race derby cars, play LEGO video games, compete in trivia competitions, shop for new LEGO sets, and much more. Runs through Sunday, June 28. Free with Hall admission. Advance ticket purchase is recommended.

Saturday, June 20

Adventures NYC
Central Park
11am-5:30pm
All ages are invited to join NYC Parks and Backpacker magazine for Adventures NYC, a day of outdoor sports and activities in the heart of the city. Come out to Central Park for rock climbing, biking, stand-up paddleboarding (for ages 8 and up), fitness classes with Shape Up NYC, log rolling, and more! This year will feature the 30th anniversary of the Stihl Timbersports lumberjack competition. This event is free and will take place rain or shine.

Sunday, June 21

Make Music New York
Various locations throughout NYC
10am-10pm
This Father’s Day, celebrate Dad with a song at one of Make Music New York’s free, outdoor, public concerts across all five boroughs. Musicians of any caliber are welcome to take part or attend. Events and fixtures include a roving karaoke Clavinova Piano Bar that honors Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday, “Exquisite Corpses,” improvised musical conversations in several graveyards across New York, and more. Pop-up musicals will appear throughout the day, and several different styles of music, from punk to bluegrass to marching bands, will be represented. This event is free.

Summer Solstice Celebration
Socrates Sculpture Park
5pm-9pm
This beautiful solstice festival at Long Island City’s Socrates Sculpture Park is worth the journey across the East River—especially for the sunset views of the Manhattan skyline! Get creative at Solstice art-making workshops, have your face painted by Agostino Arts, participate in a Solstice Ritual with Urban Shaman Mama Donna, settle down with a picnic, and take in the views. Plus, at 7:30pm, enjoy a concert by the Queens Symphony Orchestra. This event is free.

CK Kids

CK Kids offers various classes and programs, including Afterschool Program, Lil Chefs, Boys Hip-Hop, Ninja Starz, Lil Artists, CK Kids Athletic Programs, Acrobatics, Dance and Drama, and Karate.&nbsp;

Speakitaly NYC

SPEAKITALY NYC offers stimulating and entertaining lessons for children 0 to 16 years through a wide combination of activities based on the communicative approach anchored in the Common European Framework of Reference: active learning (group work, role plays, etc.) and practice exercises aimed to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Kids will start speaking and using Italian in a very natural way.&nbsp; Small classes capped at 6 students to make sure each one gets the needed attention and facilitate learners' progress.&nbsp; Our method is driven by a didactic method that is the result of constant updates, professional certifications and more than 10 years of experience in working with non-native speakers from different native languages and levels of knowledge. Our aim is to develop a range of Italian language skills while improving accuracy that will enable the students and participants to interact without stress or feeling rushed. We want to help those in the community really embrace not only the true culture in Italy but the Italian culture within New York City&hellip; Who doesn&rsquo;t love what Italy represents in the kitchen, in history &amp; in the arts? Speakitaly wants to support multilingual families who want to learn a new language or pass along their ancestor&rsquo;s heritage and culture. Raffaella, the founder said: "We see language awareness and intercultural sensitivity as the milestones for an inclusive society. Italian, like all other languages, is an enrichment and a growth in every way. Vi aspettiamo!"

Laurissa Jane Music

Laurissa Jane Music Studio is a dedicated institution that offers a solid foundation for students to explore the captivating world of music and arts. With experienced instructors, we offer private and group lessons in piano, voice, and guitar, for all ages and skill levels. We provide year-round training for renowned programs such as NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) and ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music). LJMS runs an annual Summer Musical Theatre Arts Program from July-August which offers a creative environment for young individuals with a passion for acting, singing, and dancing. We are proud to serve the vibrant communities of Jamaica Queens and can also provide classes virtually. At LJMS, we firmly believe in the transformative power of the arts. Call us today!