Your Awesome New York Kids Weekend: July 29-31

July may be coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean summer fun has to end just yet. Whether you’re looking for an outdoor adventure with your family or a way to beat the heat, there’s tons of great options to make your weekend great. So head out, pack a picnic, SPF and head out to enjoy a NYC summer weekend.

Check Out the Waterfront Festival

10 Central Road, Randall’s Island | Details

The annual Waterfront Festival at Randall’s Island Park is this Saturday. This free event has fun for the whole family, including games and crafts, an interactive bubble show and a performance by Arm-of-the-Sea Theater.

Celebrate American Indian Culture

73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park | Details

The Thunderbird American Indian Powwow at Queens County Farm Museum is a three-day celebration that strives to connect the public to Native American culture and traditions. Visitors can enjoy and learn about Native American art, food and dances. Friday and Saturday include bonfires where audiences have the opportunity to join the dance circle. Proceeds from the event support the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers Scholarship Fund and the Queens County Farm Museum Education Program.

Enjoy a Night of Rollerskaing and Disco in Central Park

Central Park Wollman Rink | Details

Families looking for an active night out should check out The DiscOasis at the Wollman Rink in Central Park. It’s an immersive experience featuring guest DJs, live musical performances by roller skating entertainers and fluorescent light art installations. Those looking for a daytime experience can also check out The DiscOasis during the day.

Hang With Beekepers at the Honey Bee Festival

4458 Sound Ave, Riverhead | Details

If you or your kids have ever wondered where honey comes from, here’s the perfect opportunity to find out. The Honey Bee Festival at Garden of Eve Farm this Saturday features an opportunity to watch beekeepers in action, learn about how bees make honey and even taste different types of honey. The farm also features fields of fresh sunflowers (a great photo opportunity!) and a Fun Fields area with farm animals. It’s a great choice if you’re a family of animal lovers.

Psst…Looking for more places to get away? Check out Family Road Trips: Summer 2022.

Cool Off at a City Pool

Citywide | Details

You don’t need to leave the city to get to the water and cool off. There are public pools all over New York City for families who are looking to take a swim on a hot summer’s day. No matter which of the five boroughs you’re looking in, there are plenty of public pools for you and your family this summer.

If pools aren’t your speed, sprinkler parks and water playgrounds are another great option to stay cool.

Go On a Magical Scavenger Hunt at the Met

1000 Fifth Avenue, New York | Details

Sometimes indoor adventures are the best way to beat the heat in the summer, and the Watson Adventures’ Wizard School Scavenger Hunt at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a good option if you’re looking to stay inside this weekend. Harry Potter fans of all ages can enjoy searching the museum for art that echoes the magic of the books and movies.

Take a Hike in Long Island

Long Island | Details

Whether you live on Long Island or are looking for a fun day trip, head out to one of the Island’s many gorgeous trails. They are perfect when you want to be active with the family, enjoy the weather, and take in nature on a summer day. Hike at spots like Montauk, Riverhead, Huntington, Oyster Bay and Hempstead.

The Music Institute of Long Island

Established in 1990, the Music Institute of Long Island (MILI) is a classical music school staffed by exceptional instructors from many of the most prestigious conservatories and graduate music schools in the United States and Europe. Long Island&rsquo;s foremost musical academies, its instrumental programs include violin, viola, cello, piano, flute, clarinet, saxophone and voice classes. MILI has been voted # 1 BEST MUSIC SCHOOL Consistently.&nbsp; They teach the Traditional, Suzuki, and ABRSM methods. Students participate in All-National, All-Eastern, All-State, youth orchestras, and score highly in NYSSMA and Royal Academy Music Festivals. First prize winners of competitions earn solos at Carnegie Hall and with orchestras. MILI offers Fall/Spring semesters plus Summer Sessions. Semesters include 15-17 weeks of private lessons, solo recitals with a final GALA Concert featuring chamber music. About the Directors: Carol &amp; Geri Kushner: The sisters are violinists, violists, chamber coaches &amp; performers. They believe in instilling the love of music, &nbsp;fostering proficiency, success, confidence &amp; believe all MILI students achieve success. Degrees BM, MM (+), K-12 certifications, attended Manhattan School of Music, Queens College &amp; Stonybrook University.They have been adjunct professors at Syracuse University, Aaron Copland School of Music Pre-College &amp; Five Towns Colleges, Stonybrook University &amp; have taught in L.I. public schools.

The Wild Center

The Wild Center, nestled within the breathtaking landscape of New York's Adirondack Park, offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of nature. As visitors approach the Center, they are greeted by the Adirondack Mountains towering in the distance, setting the stage for an immersive adventure. Upon entering the 34,000-square-foot exhibit hall, guests are enveloped in a world of wonder and discovery. Interactive exhibits like Planet Adirondack and Climate Solutions invite exploration, allowing visitors to delve into the rich biodiversity of the Adirondack region. The indoor experience also includes an opportunity to soar on Birdly--a one-of-a-kind VR experience. Also, get up close with an animal ambassador during one of many live animal encounters throughout the day. In addition to its indoor exhibits and programs, the Wild Center also boasts 115-acres of extensive outdoor amenities. One of the highlights in the award-winning Wild Walk. Visitors walk up a trail of bridges to the treetops of the Adirondack forest, 40 feet off the ground. Along the way, interactive exhibits provide insights into the flora and fauna that call the Adirondacks home, from songbirds to black bears. The rest of the campus features more ways to explore. Check out Patrick Dougherty&rsquo;s Stickwork sculpture, an all natural installation of woven sticks that will spark your imagination and nostalgia. Immerse yourself in Forest Music, take a naturalist-lead canoe trip, or get your roll on with Raquette River Roll, a brand-new, oversized, all-natural ball run experience opening in June 2024.

Adventuring Portal

<a name="m_-1473885667065203258__Hlk72147528"></a>Adventuring Portal runs Dungeons and Dragons (D&amp;D) games for kids.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We have created a safe online space for tweens and teens to learn and play D&amp;D. Our D&amp;D Summer Camp session are a one-week experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;Monday &ndash; Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;Each day will be 3 hours of gaming (with 2 breaks build in).&nbsp;&nbsp;15 total gaming hours for $180.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you have played with us before, you are entitled to 10% off.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Need your kids, nieces or nephews, grand kids or neighbor&rsquo;s kids to be occupied for a bit so you can get work done &amp; take care of your to-do list? Maybe your tween or teen is still a bit isolated and craves connection with their peers? Whether your teen/tween has played D&amp;D before or is brand-new to the experience, this safe space brings players together to have fun and solve problems as a team in ways few other online opportunities do. All our games focus on experiential learning.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Our players leave knowing all the basic game play as well as experiencing: teamwork, bravery, compassion, generosity, negotiation, improvisation, gamer etiquette, strategy, critical thinking, problem solving, cartography and probability - all through online D&amp;D adventuring! We are an inclusive organization and welcome gamers who are LGBTQIA+ and those on any spectrum.&nbsp; All girls&rsquo; groups available.&nbsp; I am a parent, a certified elementary school and middle school math teacher and last summer in the midst of the mess started&nbsp;Adventuring Portal, an&nbsp;online Dungeons &amp; Dragons&nbsp;business&nbsp;for kids. There are so many benefits to playing D&amp;D and I hope you will consider us as a great way for your child to safely socialize, grow as people and have a great time.