Contributor: Meghan
Gearino
I know we say it all the time, but this weekend we mean it with
yell-it-from-our-walk-ups fervor. IT IS GREAT TO LIVE IN NEW YORK! Need evidence? The
list below—which sports an eclectic batch of family festivals celebrating
cherry blossoms, kindie music (that’s kid plus indie) and the Tribeca Film
Festival—should keep you busy. —
FRIDAY
Witness history as the space shuttle Enterprise swoops over NYC for the
very last time. Look for it tomorrow morning around the Statue of Liberty and
The Intrepid, where the craft will temporarily reside come summertime.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY
Help Princess Dodgeball stop a band of bullies from terrorizing her school when The New York
Children’s Theater Festival presents Scheme
of the Super Bullies, best for ages six and up.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
A special 35-minute show just for your toddler—the New Victory Theater’s
interactive Plop! is based on Ursula
Dubosarsky’s popular picture book about two problem-solving rabbits.
Discovery Times Square opens their doors for Terracotta Warriors this weekend. Kids
of all ages can peruse life-size ancient artifacts and Chinese warriors at this
new exhibit.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
Shining a spotlight on bullies in the midst of a student election, TADA! Youth
Theater’s new musical, Up To You, has
an important message for ages five and up (but is also a lot of fun!). Friday
sold out quickly, so be sure to get your tickets in advance. Plus, don’t miss the free anti-bullying forum on Sunday, May 6 moderated by Miss New York Kaitlin Monte – a great dialogue for parents and children to attend together.
With the cherry blossom
trees in full bloom, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden will host its
one-of-a-kind Sakura Matsuri Festival full of folk dancing, traditional Taiko
drumming, a tea ceremony and martial arts show.
CMOM’s Art of Chinese
Landscape Painting workshop lets ages five and up create a nature-inspired
watercolor wonder.
Celebrate Arbor Day in
Prospect Park with a two-day festival boasting tree-themed games and arts &
crafts.
At Chelsea Piers’ Golf
Fest and Open House, hole-in-one fams can test out the latest and greatest golf equipment,
learn from the pros and enjoy refreshments in the Kids’ Corner.
SATURDAY
Embrace healthy choices at the West Side Y’s Healthy Kids Day. You can attend adult and youth
CPR classes, play group sports, float in family swim lessons or learn a new
recipe during snack-making sessions.
Meet legendary baby
photographer Anne Geddes at Destination Maternity’s flagship store this Saturday. She’ll be
showcasing her newest project; a magazine entitled My Pregnancy: A Woman’s Story.
In honor of Jazz
Appreciation Month, the American Museum of Natural History will
host their New Orleans: Culture Remixed
Festival for families. Celebrate jazz music and Cajun culture through DIY
masks, Creole language lessons and plenty of music.
Looking to party in Brooklyn? The Fifth Avenue Family Festival, sponsored by
Puppetry Arts, promises puppet-making, face painting, rides, food and a moon
bounce. Rain or shine.
Save the animals (and their habitats) by
participating in the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Run for the Wild at the
Bronx Zoo. After the race, families should stick around for food, music and
complimentary zoo admission.
Harlem’s Thomas
Jefferson Park brings back an annual favorite: Street Games Day. Parents and kids can
double-dutch, yo-yo and hula hoop.
The 17th Annual Big Swim
Meet & Benefit at Asphalt Green is your child’s chance to compete in free, age-appropriate
swim meets among great company—Olympic swimmers! The evening benefit raises
money for Asphalt Green’s Waterproofing Program.
The final weekend of the
Tribeca Film Festival is upon us. Celebrate by zig-zagging through the Family Street Fair
(read: bubble garden!) or taking in the thrills and stunts of BMX riders at the
ESPN Sports Day.
SUNDAY
The Kindiefest Family Music Festival
at Littlefield in Park Slope is your family’s chance to catch a slew of your
favorite musical acts under one roof. Just a taste: Bari Koral Family Rock Band
and Big Bang Boom will perform.
Have a recess of a
weekend
with the popular musical trio Recess Monkey, who will be performing at 92YTribeca
from their newest circus-themed CD, In
Tents.
In the latest
installment of the Meet the Music series from The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln
Center, don’t miss Claude Debussy Meets
Sherlock Key. Ages six and up will love this mysterious performance set to
live music.
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.
