Nothing spells summer like a festive getaway. Whether the kids are beach bums or camping enthusiasts, these 25-plus day trips are sure to please. What are you waiting for? The perfect hassle-free and super-quick family jaunt awaits.
Run by the Children of the Earth Foundation, this camp offers junior environmentalists unique, six-day sessions throughout the summer, each focusing on a different topic and geared to a different age group. From July 1 to 6, for example, campers ages 10 to 17 can learn about tracking and awareness…
Brooklyn Museum, Today 11am–10pm; Tomorrow 11am–6pm; Sat 11am, 11am–6pm, 11pm; Sun 11am–6pm. Ending: Sun Jul 08 11am–6pm200 Eastern Pkwy (at Washington Ave)
The pop-culture-loving Brooklyn Museum mounts the first large-scale exhibition of artist Keith Haring's early work: vibrant, starkly graphic drawings with power, humor and lots of kid appeal…
Take kids to settle down by the Hans Christian Andersen statue in Central Park for a special Saturday storytime. Featured stories include "The Mermaid," "Thumbelina," "The Princess and the Pea," "Monkey King" and many others. Free. Ages 6 and up.
New York Transit Museum, Today - Fri 10am–4pm; Sat - Sun noon–5pm; Tue - Wed 10am–4pm.OngoingBoerum Pl (at Schermerhorn St)
In the simulated traffic intersection complete with traffic lights and coordinated walk–don't walk signs, parking meters and fire hydrants, little straphangers can learn about the history of the city's rails while climbing aboard a 12-seat bus, a refurbished 1960s "Fishbowl" bus cab and a child-size
Honestly, we wish all walking tours were as interesting as this rather brief but wonderfully informative jaunt through Chinatown…
Little Shubert Theatre, Today 7pm; Tomorrow 8pm; Sat 2pm, 5pm, 8pm; Sun 2pm, 5pm; Tue 7pm; Wed 2pm, 7pm. Ending: Sun Aug 12 8pm422 W 42nd St (between Ninth and Tenth Aves)
Visiting Brits Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner invite parents and kids in for a spell as the condense the Harry Potter saga into a speedy, wacky, family-friendly jaunt that's 70 minutes long. Ages 4 and up.
Liberty Science Center, Today - Fri 9am–4pm; Sat - Sun 9am–5pm; Mon - Wed 9am–4pm.Ongoing222 Jersey City Blvd (between Philip and Wilson Sts)
We're not sure what it is about glowing in the dark that's in the zeitgeist, but hot on the heels of the AMNH's "Bioluminescence" exhibit comes this show all about dark ecosystems (forests, caves, the bottom of the ocean) and the animals that inhabit them…
Magnet Theater, Sat - Sun 11am, 1pm. Ending: Sun Jul 08 1pm254 W 29th St (between Seventh and Eighth Aves)
In this interactive show, kids learn how to walk and talk like a pirate while helping Captain Squid battle the British Navy on the open seas. Ages 3 to 10.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Today 9:30am–5:30pm; Tomorrow - Sat 9:30am, 9:30am–5:30pm, 9pm; Sun 9:30am–5:30pm; Tue - Wed 9:30am–5:30pm. Ending: Sun Nov 04 9:30am–5:30pm1000 Fifth Ave (at 82nd St)
One of this summer's blockbusters will no doubt be Argentine artist Tomás Saraceno's installation on the rooftop of the Metropolitan Museum of Art…
Liberty Science Center, Today - Fri 9am–4pm; Sat - Sun 9am–5pm; Mon - Wed 9am–4pm.Ongoing222 Jersey City Blvd (between Philip and Wilson Sts)
The latest of Liberty Science Center's exhibits to explore "science in everyday life" shines the spotlight on energy, looking at recent advances in alternative energy sources like wind and solar energy and ways for families to conserve home energy use…
Radio City Music Hall, Today - Fri 8pm; Sat 2pm, 8pm; Sun 2pm, 7pm; Tue 8pm; Wed 2pm, 8pm.Ending: Sun Sep 02 7pm1260 Sixth Ave (at 50th St)
The popular acrobatic circus troupe returns to Radio City Music Hall for its second summer. This show capitalizes on the group's tried-and-true formula, creating a fantastical, steampunk-influenced world in which performers fly, bounce, flip, balance, twist and turn with ease…
Prospect Park’s free summer-concert series kicks off with reggae visionary Jimmy Cliff (June 5) and continues with Sweet Honey in the Rock, who performs at the Ezra Jack Keats Family Concert (July 8), and a Muppet Movie sing-along (July 28)…
Based on historical facts, this musical brings President Abraham Lincoln's early life to the stage…
New York Aquarium, Today - Fri 10am–6pm; Sat - Sun 10am–7pm; Mon - Wed 10am–6pm. Ending: Sun Sep 09 10am–7pmSurf Ave (at 8th St)
The New York Aquarium's latest extravaganza, a 1,500-square-foot maze called "Water's Extreme Journey," pulls out all the stops to draw attention to the need for more aggressive legislation to protect the world's oceans and waterways…
Drop into Queens’ inspirational outdoor sculpture park for free family classes led by a different local artist each week…
Kids intrigued by the great beyond can discover what may lie ahead by walking through a diorama of the Martian surface, examining a full-size re-creation of a lunar habitat and planning a mission to make Mars habitable…
New York Transit Museum, Today - Fri 10am–4pm; Sat - Sun noon–5pm; Tue - Wed 10am–4pm.OngoingBoerum Pl (at Schermerhorn St)
Kids will stand on subway platforms with a new appreciation for the third rail after a visit to the museum's newest exhibit, which tackles the science of electricity…
Children's Museum of Manhattan, Today - Fri 10am–5pm; Sat 10am–7pm; Sun 10am–5pm; Tue - Wed 10am–5pm. Ongoing212 W 83rd St (between Amsterdam Ave and Broadway)
Healthy living for the entire family is the goal of CMOM's new exhibit. A giant head, representing the body's decision center, is equipped with interactive games where young visitors can compete for the longest lifespan…
New-York Historical Society, Today 10am–6pm; Tomorrow 10am–8pm; Sat 10am–6pm; Sun 11am–5pm; Tue - Wed 10am–6pm. Ongoing170 Central Park West (between 76th and 77th Sts)
The "museum within a museum," occupying 4,000 square feet on the Historical Society's lower level, offers kids the opportunity to learn NYC history through the eyes of children…
Based on the well-known nursery rhyme "Little Miss Muffet," Little Miss Muffet's Monster-Sitting Service tells the story of Muffet's great-great-great-great granddaughter and her baby-sitting business venture with Aloisius "Al" Albrecht Alviss Spider (a.k.a. the spider from the original story)…
Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Today - Sun 10am, 10am–5pm, 7pm; Tue - Wed 10am, 10am–5pm, 7pm. Ending: Sun Aug 26 10am–7pm145 Brooklyn Ave (at St. Marks Ave)
Kids get a visual treat at this double exhibition while learning about contemporary African culture. The Humble Village project, consisting of an inspirational poem and 12 painted illustrations, was inspired by Humble Place, a residence for Ugandan children in need…
At this holograph exhibit, kids will puzzle over art that displays 3-D images on 2-D surfaces. Don’t miss Ed Ruscha’s series of holograms that sets the phrase The End on an exciting variety of backgrounds and in different depths…
Lower Manhattan organizations present hundreds of free events—from walks and games to all manner of arts performances—at various waterside venues. Past performers include Patti Smith, Laurie Anderson and the New York City Opera…
Pier 40, Today 5pm, 5pm–7pm, 7pm; Sat - Sun 9am, 5pm–6pm, 7pm. Ending: Sun Oct 14 5pm–7pmW Houston St (at the Hudson River)
The New York City Downtown Boathouse offers complimentary kayaking every weekend through October at three Hudson River docks. No need to make a reservation; just walk right up and wait in (a bit of a) line. Never kayaked before?…
Kids who want to stop and smell the roses will have to make do with staring in awe at acclaimed German artist Isa Genzken's 28-foot-tall sculpture of a single bud, which stands as a tribute to New York City.
Children's Museum of Manhattan, Today - Fri 10am–5pm; Sat 10am–7pm; Sun 10am–5pm; Tue - Wed 10am–5pm. Ongoing212 W 83rd St (between Amsterdam Ave and Broadway)
Artist and full-time CMOM employee Jamie Kim's T-shirts, emblazoned with portrait paintings based on childhood photographs of her friends, are paired with photographs of those friends wearing their own image…
If you were wondering what U.S. kids came up with for the 2012 Doodle 4 Google contest, in which participants doodled around the theme "If I could travel in time, I'd visit…," stop by the NYPL's Stokes Gallery, inside the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building…
Discovery Times Square, Today 10am–8pm; Tomorrow - Sat 10am–9pm; Sun - Wed 10am–8pm.Ongoing226 W 44th St (between Seventh and Eighth Aves)
Kids and tweens who loved the movie Spy Kids and dream of becoming secret agents themselves can experience the world of espionage at this Times Square exhibition. There’s a bounty of exciting artifacts and spy gadgets on display; kids will especially like the concealment objects, including a tube of
Celebrating the works and gardening passion of Impressionist master Claude Monet, the New York Botanical Garden has transformed its conservatory into a scene from Monet’s paintings—water lilies, dramatic greenery and even the façade of the artist’s house included…
Madison Square Park, Today - Wed 6am–11:59pm. Ending: Sun Sep 09 6am–11:59pm23rd to 26th Sts(between Fifth and Madison Aves)
Among its many virtues, one of our favorite city parks has some pretty cool art programming, quirkily called Mad. Sq. Art. The latest project, Pet Sounds, is a site-specific installation that will be up through the end of the summer…
A new version of the museum's labyrinthine Touch Tunnel is back due to popular demand. Now visitors can once again crawl through the pitch-black maze, finding their way using only their sense of touch…
Museum of Arts & Design, Today - Fri 11am–9pm; Sat - Sun 11am–6pm; Tue - Wed 11am–6pm.Ending: Sun Aug 12 11am–6pm2 Columbus Circle (at Broadway)
This fascinating exhibit showcases the work of artists who explore the ephemeral nature of life and art by using such humble materials as dirt, dust, ashes and sand…
Rubin Museum of Art, Today 11am–5pm; Tomorrow 11am–10pm; Sat - Sun 11am–6pm; Mon 11am–5pm; Wed 11am–7pm. Ongoing150 W 17th St (at Seventh Ave)
The newest exhibit at the Rubin keeps youngsters in mind: The collection introduces kids to the region's artwork, rife with symbols, figures and elements not typically found in Western art…
At this cool exhibit, kids stand in front of the camera and do their best booty shake and hand jive. Then, they choose an avatar and watch as the character performs their unique moves.
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Today 10:30am–8:30pm; Tomorrow 10:30am–8pm; Sat - Mon 10:30am, 10:30am–5:30pm, 8:30pm; Wed 10:30am, 10:30am–5:30pm, 8:30pm. Ending: Thu Aug 30 10:30am–8pm11 W 53rd St (between Fifth and Sixth Aves)
Though rather esoteric in scope, this show of contemporary art that "explores the material qualities of language" has some exciting works that are bound to captivate young art lovers, including an airbrushed, rainbow-colored open book by Tauba Auerbach and Robert Smithson's A Heap of Language…
Museum of the Moving Image, Today 10:30am–5pm; Tomorrow 10:30am–8pm; Sat - Sun 10:30am–7pm; Tue - Wed 10:30am–5pm. Ending: Sun Sep 23 10:30am–8pm36-01 35th Ave (at 37th St)
The Museum of the Moving Image shines the spotlight on the talents of makeup artist Rick Baker, the creator of all the aliens, creatures and fantastical props in the iconic Men in Black film series—including the forthcoming Men in Black 3, out May 25…
Families can't help but enjoy the diverse works on display in this exhibition, which features contemporary Chinese and Chinese-American photographers' takes on America, from sumptuous shots of Alabama to images of stark landscapes and banal suburbia…
The permanent exhibit highlighting the Chinese diaspora in America is slightly text-heavy, but there are plenty of interactive features to keep the kids engaged…
Riverside Park, Sat - Sun 10am–5pm. Ending: Sun Oct 14 10am–5pmRiverside Dr (between 72nd and 158th Sts)
The New York City Downtown Boathouse offers complimentary kayaking every weekend through October at three Hudson River docks. No need to make a reservation; just walk right up and wait in (a bit of a) line. Never kayaked before?…
Mini science lovers should head to the Alley Pond Environmental Center for a 90-minute investigation of the natural world. The group will answer pressing environmental questions and learn about the environment with cool (and easy) experiments and tests…
Whitney Museum of American Art, Today 11am–6pm; Tomorrow 1pm–9pm; Sat - Sun 11am–6pm; Wed 11am–6pm. Ending: Sun Sep 30 11am–6pm945 Madison Ave (at 75th St)
Visitors looking for a sneak preview into the world of artist Yayoi Kusama, the Japanese artist who's getting a full-treatment retrospective here in July, are in for a treat…
Nederlander Theatre, Tomorrow 8pm; Sat 2pm, 8pm; Sun 3pm; Mon - Tue 7:30pm; Wed 2pm, 7:30pm. Ongoing208 W 41st St (between Broadway and Eighth Ave)
The 1992 Disney film gets the stage treatment in a new musical set during the Newsboy Strike of 1899…
This outdoor storytime has been entertaining tots for over 40 years. Every Saturday morning throughout the summer, a different yarn-weaver drops by to hold little ones enrapt. Ages 6 and up.
Children's Museum of Manhattan, Sun 10am, 3pm–1pm, 5pm; Mon - Wed 10am–4:30pm. Ending: Sat Jul 14 10am–4:30pm212 W 83rd St (between Amsterdam Ave and Broadway)
Let your little designers express themselves with their very own hip headwear at this creative workshop series. All ages.
All the world's a stage at this creative workshop for young theater fans. Kids will get to build their own mini Broadway sets based on stories of their choosing—maybe even original ones! All ages.
Canal Park Playhouse, Sat - Sun 1pm, 4pm. Ending: Sun Jul 15 4pm508 Canal St (between Greenwich and Washington Sts)
In this musical re-imagining of The 1001 Arabian Nights, children meet Sarazad, a shy nine-year-old girl who loves to escape to a world of books, story-telling and imaginary friends…
Kids are invited to gather under the big tree at Lefferts Historic House to hear international stories and songs performed by resident storyteller Tammy Hall…
Sponsored by Disney, SummerStage’s children’s series hits all five boroughs with tons of performances throughout the summer…
Children's Museum of the Arts, Today - Fri noon–6pm; Sat - Sun 10am–5pm; Mon noon–5pm; Wed noon–5pm. Ending: Sun Sep 30 10am–5pm103 Charlton St (between Hudson and Greenwich Sts)
At CMA's latest exhibition, kids' artwork—and the arts programs that foster children's creativity—is front and center…
All throughout the summer and well into September, Riverside Park Fund will host dozens of events for all ages along the beautiful Hudson River…
JCC in Manhattan, Sun noon–4pm. Ending: Sun Jul 29 noon–4pm334 Amsterdam Ave (at 76th St)
The Big Apple has some great public play spaces, but the JCC’s is tops—and not just because it’s nine stories above street level. Every Sunday in July, the UWS institution opens its 3,000-square-foot playground to nonmembers…
Next time you and your crew find yourselves on Governors Island, head to Building 110: LMCC's Arts Center to catch this summer-long, design-centric show mounted by the Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum…
AMNH's latest blockbuster explores the natural phenomenon of light-producing organisms, from summer's fireflies to aquatic creatures that live in the depths of the ocean…
MoMA PS1 , Today - Mon noon–6pm. Ending: Sat Sep 08 noon–6pm22-25 Jackson Ave (at 46th Ave)
Taking up residence in MoMA PS1's two courtyards this summer is a visitor named Wendy…
Hands-down the best thing to do as a family on a summer Sunday night, Water Taxi's Audubon naturalist–led, 90-minute eco-cruise takes seafarers to one of three locales this summer: the Brother Islands, at the mouth of Long Island Sound (June 24, July 1, 15, 29 and Aug 12); Hoffman and Swinburne isla
Central Park, Sun 3pm–6pm. 59th St to 110th St (from Fifth Ave to Eighth Ave)
This event boasts the most jam-packed lineup of this year’s SummerStage Family Days; plus, it’s headlined by kindie group Justin Robers & The Not Ready for Naptime Players, who will sing about everything from snow days to trick or treating…
Hudson River Park knows that the best way to interest young New Yorkers in conservation is to make it fun: this fest packs a punch with over ten educational stations manned by environmental scientists and participating organizations including The New York Aquarium and Cornell’s Lost Ladybug Project.
City kids get an inside look at the Icelandic singer Bjork's imaginative world through an ongoing series of musical experiences, science experiments and dance workshops in "Biophelia." The workshops run through the end of December; check CMOM's website for scheduling details…
Governors Island, Sat - Sun 11am, 2pm–12:30pm, 3:30pm. Ending: Sun Jul 08 2pm–3:30pmGovernors Island
Families will learn all about the form and function of illuminated letters, intricate designs used to decorate text that date back to the medieval and Renaissance periods…
Aspiring anglers are taught fishing techniques, safety tips and catch-and-release tactics to keep their fishing expeditions animal-friendly. Spots are first-come, first-served, and kids must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Free. Ages 15 and under.
Wave Hill, Sat - Sun 10am–1pm. W 249th St (at Independence Ave)
Kids can explore the unique art of calligraphy with Chinese calligrapher Viviane Chen. Using fluffy brushes with watery, washable sumi-e ink, you and your little artists will have the chance to make a scenic painting of a waterscape on rice paper. Free with grounds admission. Ages 4 and up.
Discovery Times Square, Today 10am–8pm; Tomorrow - Sat 10am–9pm; Sun - Wed 10am–8pm.Ending: Sun Aug 26 10am–8pm226 W 44th St (between Seventh and Eighth Aves)
One of the most significant archaeological finds of all time, the authentic Terracotta Warriors return to NYC in this exhibition, produced in cooperation with the Chinese Institute…
To celebrate the recent launch of the museum's latest exhibition "Caribbean: Crossroads of the World," families are invited to tour the diverse exhibition consisting of ethnic costumes, paintings and photos…
Circle Line is offering a series of kids' cruises this summer, each one taking place on the first Saturday of the month through August…
At this Target First Saturday, families will have one final opportunity to see–for free–the museum's Keith Haring exhibition, closing the following day…
This summer, the Bronx Zoo has put together a conservation-themed "safari" that lets families take in fauna of a very unusual kind: Each one of the exotic animals on view—lemurs, rhinos, flamingoes, gorillas and a giraffe—is made of Legos, the hard work of several master builders…
NYC's subway system is an elaborate and fascinating operation with lots of history behind it. Both you and your kids will learn a thing or two from Paula, a costumed storyteller who will guide you through the work of the 1940s signal tower operator…
Activities for Teens:
High 5 Tickets to the Arts is dedicated to making the arts affordable for teens. Through High 5, teens ages 13 to 18 can buy $5 tickets to the best of New York City dance, music, theater and visual arts events all year round. For every eligible High 5 teen, they are allowed one non-teen such as an adult or child at the same discount price. To purchase tickets for one of the shows you can call (212) 750-0555, go in person 520 8thAvenue, Suite 321 (3rd floor) or visit their website: http://www.high5tix.org. Please also visit their Event Calendar for a complete listing of events!
Here are some shows playing this weekend:
HAMLET:
FREE THEATER IN CENTRAL PARK! (JUNE 23RD—JULY 15)
A young prince finds himself in the middle of duel. His family and friends look on, laughing carelessly. Somewhere nearby, the girl he loves lies buried in a fresh grave. These will be the prince's last breaths, his last thoughts. The rest is silence. Please Note: These performances are FREE and outdoors—no ticket required! Bring a blanket, a picnic, a friend and enjoy the show!
Enter at 77th Street & Central Park West; the performance is on the lawn to your right.
Hamlet runs from June 23rd—July 15, Saturdays and Sundays, all performances at 2:00 p.m.
Visit www.boomerangtheatre.org for more!
DATE
Sat, Jun 23, 2012 to Sun, Jul 15, 2012
2:00 PMORGANIZATION
Boomerang Theatre CompanyVENUE
Various
BARGEMUSIC:
SUMMER CONCERTS!
Since 1977, Bargemusic has presented chamber music in an unlikely and startlingly beautiful venue -- a floating barge at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge. Both established and emerging musicians perform at Bargemusic on a small stage with the dramatic backdrop of the East River and lower Manhattan skyline. Visitwww.bargemusic.org for more!
DATE
Thu, May 31, 2012 to Fri, Aug 31, 2012
8:00 PMORGANIZATION
BargemusicVENUE
Bargemusic
Barge at Fulton Ferry Landing, Brooklyn
A or C to High St.
NEW YORK NEO-FUTURISTS:
TOO MUCH LIGHT MAKES THE BABY GO BLIND (SUMMER SEASON)
With its ever-changing “menu” of plays, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind is an attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes! The audience is fully part of the act, deciding the order that these plays are performed. Each week, these plays shift as ensemble members add new plays to the existing body of work, creating a always-different performance! DATE
Thu, May 31, 2012 to Sat, Sep 29, 2012
10:30 PMORGANIZATION
New York Neo-FuturistsVENUE
Kraine Theater
85 E. 4th St., (bet. 2nd and 3rd Ave.)
L to 3rd Ave. (E. 4th St.)
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