Weekend Planner: Fun Family Activities In NYC (June 24-26)

For a guide to our favorite free weekend events for families, click HERE!

Swedish Midsummer Festival in Wagner Park
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 try out some Swedish food from top NYC restaurants. This event will take place rain or shine. (Friday) (Image via Consulate General of Sweden New York)
Hydrangea Hurrah in Madison Square Park
Join Madison Square Park for their first-ever Madison Square Hort day celebrating hydrangeas! This family-friendly celebration of the park’s summer blossoms will include guest speakers, park tours, floral demonstrations, and a kids zone with games and musical entertainment. (Saturday)
Ramones Mania at the Queens Museum
Enter a land of rock n’ roll at the Queens Museum this Saturday. Punks of all ages can get a taste of the ’70s at the Queens Museum's Ramones exhibit, which will host screenings of "Rock ‘n’ Roll High School" and "End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones." Also, take part in a Q&A with Ramones tour manager Monte Melnick. Make sure to top the day off by browsing through what the New York Punk Rock Heavy Metal Flea Market has to offer. (Saturday)
Ride The Rails! Historic Train Rides With NY Transit Museum at Brighton Beach Station
Ride through history this weekend with the New York Transit Museum in honor of their 40th anniversary! Cars from their vintage fleet will be available from the Brighton Beach B/Q platforms. Plus, a pop-up shop and hands-on activities for the whole family will be available at the Brighton Beach Station. (Saturday-Sunday)
Harlem Arts Festival in Marcus Garvey Park
On Saturday and Sunday celebrate Harlem and its rich culture in Marcus Garvey Park at this free arts festival featuring music, theater, dance, and visual art. Performers scheduled to attend include The Movement Theatre Company, S.M.A. Dance Academy, Soul Steps, Jazz Ain’t Dead, and Shouthouse. Plus, check out the Opening Night Party on Friday evening at the National Black Theatre (tickets are $20 online or $25 at the door). (Friday-Sunday) (Image via Harlem Arts Festival)
SeriousFun Messtival in Prospect Park
A great event for an even better cause: SeriousFun Children’s Network is putting on a camp-like festival, or should we say Messtival, in Prospect Park this Saturday. This network helps kids with serious illnesses have the fun they deserve and by bringing your little ones out to this event, you can aid the cause. Activities include a Super Soaker station, face painting and t-shirt decorating, and a human bubble wash! All proceeds from the event will go towards the network. (Saturday)
RiverFish Celebration at West Harlem Piers Park
Your child can experience the Hudson River in a new way this Saturday with Summer on the Hudson and the Urban Park Rangers’ RiverFish Celebration. Come prepared to do everything from catch and release fishing to arts and crafts. Everything you need to have a great day will be provided! (Saturday) (Image via NYC Parks)
Laurie Berkner Circle Line Cruise Concert
From best-selling children’s recording artist to children’s television favorite, Laurie Berkner does it all. This Saturday she returns to NYC with her Greatest Hits Solo Tour. Not to mention this concert doubles as a cruise! Grab your tickets early, and don’t forget to come ready to dance. (Saturday)
Puppetry Arts Festival at JJ Byrne Park
Celebrate all things puppetry at the Puppetry Arts Festival in Park Slope! Meet Star Wars characters and Tuffy Tiger, play in the bouncy house, and enjoy performances by Puppetry Arts. The first 200 guests will receive free goody bags! (Saturday)
NYC Pride March
Celebrate love at the biggest pride celebration in the world! Founded in 1970, the NYC Pride March is annual civil rights demonstration that fills the city with joy as marchers and floats travel from midtown to the Village. (Sunday)
Family Fun at NYC-Area National Parks
Use the National Parks’ centennial as an opportunity for your family to reconnect with nature this summer! We've rounded up some great national parks in the NYC area, as well as tips for making the most of your visit.
Your Family's Ultimate Guide to Governors Island
We got the scoop on what's new and exciting at this summer day-trip destination–from an innovative playground to the city’s longest slide!
2016 Family Summer Fun Guide
There’s no time like summer for turning New York City–and its Tristate environs–into a playland for family fun. Use our comprehensive guide to summer activities and events to make the most of the warm months! (Photo by Daniel Avila/NYC Parks)

Play On! Studios

<p>Play On! Studios offers theater day camps and after-school classes on the UWS that are guaranteed to give kids a summer full of acting, music, and fun they won't soon forget! Young actors will rehearse and perform in a full production, work with professional NYC actors/teaching artists, build up their skills in a nurturing, non-competitive environment and play lots of drama games!</p> <p>Creative Drama Camps are perfect for kids entering grades K-4. Campers will work each week to put on a brand-new show! Each session, they will receive a script, rehearse a production, make a set and costumes, and perform their play. Kids will also play drama games, play outside (weather permitting), and have tons of fun!</p> <p>Musical Theater Camps are aimed at kids entering grades 4-9. In Musical Theater Performance Camp, campers put on a complete musical production in a professional NYC theater! Campers will stretch their skills with drama exercises and games, vocal coaching, field trips, and building a professional set. Our incredible teaching artists and campers come together to put on a truly remarkable show!</p> <p>During the school year, classes are great for beginners or more experienced actors - sing, dance, and put on a play! Whether your child is just starting out, or ready for Broadway, we&rsquo;ve got the class for them. Classes are available for grades PreK-8, after school or on Saturdays! Come play with us.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

Treehouse Shakers

<div>Treehouse Shakers&rsquo; Branching OUT After-School program is for ages 12-14. This awarded program is for young people who identify as LGBTQIA+, or are seeking to become better allies. Branching OUT centers on discovering and exploring one&rsquo;s story and identity through an intentionally artist-led format. During our community-based program, young people will explore and reflect on their own story to create a larger, more meaningful experience, while gaining self-empowerment and gathering with like-minded peers. Through the guidance of our awarded teaching artists, young people will create narratives that will be turned into podcasts, dances, songs or poetry.&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Young people have the opportunity to learn new art forms, work with professional artists, while building a meaningful community.</div>

A-Game Sports

<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">A-Game Sports is a premier provider of sports camps, programming and instruction for kids of all ages ranging from toddlers to teens. As an instructional and recreational youth sports facility, our goal is to make athletics a rewarding experience for all kids. A-Game Sports is located in New Rochelle, NY, and offers camps, lessons, customized programs for more than 10 sports and rental space for private events. A-Game Sports was founded in 2013 by two guys who decided that it was time to do what they truly love in life. Since then, we've made the ideology of fusing hard work and fun into a reality. Our dedicated staff of professional coaches share their enthusiasm with kids of all ages and skill levels that take part in our programs.</p> </div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p> </div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">With turfed fields for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and flag football, batting cages and tunnels for baseball and softball, and various basketball programs, A-Game Sports is one of the premiere sports facilities for kids and adults of any age. Aspiring athletes and fitness enthusiasts will benefit from our many strength and conditioning programs, while children new to sports will learn skills and techniques within their chosen sport, all while having a great time and keeping the game fun.</p> </div>