April showers bring May flowers! Our childcare professionals’ extensive list of family-friendly entertainment covers a multitude of outdoor events and activities for May. See below!
May 1st to May 6th:
Governor’s Island Re-Opening: Governor’s Island is re-opening for the season on Tuesday, May 1st. Events taking place on the island this year include NYC Holi Hai, Family Fun Day Festival, and of course, Governor’s Ball. Ferries will be free for all visitors during opening week, from May 1st to 6th. For directions on how to get to the island, visit here.
L’Heure du conte: On select Wednesdays in May, the French Institute Alliance Francaise is hosting a library program for children where they can listen to stories, sing songs, and enjoy snacks during an interactive story hour. The 45-minute program will be held in French and takes place at FIAF Haskell Library, 22 East 60th Street, 2nd Fl on May 2nd, May 16th, and May 30th.
Urban Wildlife Festival: The free festival takes place on Saturday, May 5th from 12pm to 3pm in Highbridge Park. Highbridge Park is officially located in Washington Heights at 2301 Amsterdam Avenue but more comprehensive coordinates to the festivities can be found here. Visitors can get up close and personal with owls, hawks, porcupines, and enjoy relay races, animal-themed arts and crafts, and dance to live music.
A Waterfront Kite Festival: A Waterfront Kite Festival is a family-friendly gathering designed to teach children and adults about S.T.E.A.M concepts by designing and creating their own rocket, learning about air circulation, building parachutes and testing them, and transforming a basic brown lunch bag into an aerodynamic kite. The event takes place on Saturday, May 5th on Harbor View Lawn, at Brooklyn Bridge Park.
10th Annual P.S. 84 Spring Fair: In anticipation of the school year ending, P.S. 84 is throwing its 10th annual Spring Fair. Children will be able to participate in rides, games, mazes, arts and crafts, and enjoy face-painting. The school is located at 32 West 92nd Street.
55th Annual Calhoun Spring Carnival: The first Calhoun Carnival was held in the spring of 1963, and the Parents Association hasn’t missed one since. It’s considered to be one of the most popular school fairs on the Upper West Side, and don’t miss your chance to visit on Saturday, May 5th. There will be games, rides, craft activities, and a homemade baked goods table. The fair will take place at 433 West End Avenue at 81st Street from 11am to 5pm.
May 7th to May 13th:
Kids Food Festival 2018: This event is geared towards fighting childhood obesity by teaching children the important of balance in food choices via hands-on cooking classes and chef demonstrations. There will also be fun activities for the family to enjoy. The festival takes place on Saturday, May 12th to May 13th at The Oculus at Westfield World Trade Center, located at 185 Greenwich Street, New York.
Touch a Truck: The Touch-a-Truck family affair takes place on Saturday, May 12th, and allows children to get up close and personal with fire trucks, police cars, garbage trucks, and other working cars. Additional entertainment at the venue will include bounce houses, food and drinks, music, and other indoor and outdoor activities. The event takes place on 18th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues in Brooklyn, rain or shine. 100% of the proceeds of the 8th annual Truck and Vehicle-focused street fair goes to fund arts programs at P.S. 295, located in South Slope, Brooklyn.
Story Time with Bibliobandido: Storytime with Bibliobandido will be held on Saturday, May 12th. This five-hour program is inspired by Bibliobandido: Story Eater, the exhibition on display. Children can learn more about the story bandit that eats stories and terrifies little children into giving him what they’ve written. Crafts, like make your own pop-up book, will be available to all participants. The Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art and Storytelling is located at 898 St. Nicholas Avenue at 155th Street, New York.
LIC Springs!: The 5th Annual LIC Springs! will take place on Saturday, May 12th on Vernon Boulevard between 50th and 46th Avenue. Visitors can celebrate Long Island City with a slew of pop-up activities, sports-games, and enjoy sculpture-making, outdoor dining, and more. The program is free and open to all ages.
Mother’s Day Brunch in the Garden: The Queens Botanical Garden is hosting its traditional Mother’s Day brunch in the garden on Sunday, May 13th from 10am to 3pm. This farm-to-table affair will feature a menu by local caterers. After brunch, guests will be able to walk around the garden grounds. The Queens Botanical Garden is located at 43-50 Main Street, Queens. Additional Mother’s Day events will take place at The New York Botanical Garden and at the Whitney Museum of American Art.
May 14th to May 20th:
Yak Slam!: The Yak Art Slam! is an event geared toward middle-schoolers where they can create prints, make new friends, and participate in an interactive exhibition that will be featured on the walls of the museum’s studio. The Children’s Museum of the Arts is located at 103 Charlton Street, and takes place on Friday, May 18th. Pre-registration is required.
Flower Garden Storytime: The Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and Garden is hosting Flower Garden Storytime in its beautiful garden, weather permitting, on Saturday, May 19th. Visitors will engage in story time, make their own paper flower to bring home, and explore the various plants and flowers that comprise the garden. The venue is located at 421 East 61st Street, New York.
The 9th Avenue International Food Festival: One of the oldest food festivals in New York City, the 9th Avenue International Food Festival returns for its 41st year the weekend of Saturday, May 19th and Sunday, May 20th. It will run along 9th Avenue between 42nd and 57th Streets. There will be ethnic music and performances, as well as many international foods celebrating diversity.
Essex Street Market Block Party!: The Essex Street Market is throwing its annual Block Party on Saturday, May 19th. The occasion is particularly bittersweet because it will be its last time at 120 Essex Street before they move across the street. Visitors will have an opportunity to sample current and new cuisine from vendors that will open later this year.
NYC Vegetarian Food Festival: This year’s festival takes place from Saturday, May 19th to Sunday, May 20th at the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street, New York. This year’s charity beneficiary from the raffle is The Humane League, an international farmed animal protection organization working to reduce animal suffering. For a full list of participating vendors and exhibits, visit here.
Spring Festival: The New Amsterdam School is hosting its Spring Festival on Saturday, May 19th in Alphabet City, and is requesting pre-registration. There will be a picnic lunch, interactive games, and a puppet show. The event takes place at El Jardin del Paraiso, which spans the block of East 4th to East 5th Street between Avenue C and D.
Persian Stories and Crafts for Kids: Voices Advances is offering a workshop for children to enjoy classic stories from The Persian Book of Kings, which spans the great national epic of Persia. Afterward, participants will have the chance to make their own magic stones and other crafts based on the reading. This event is suitable for school-age children up to the age of 10, and will take place on Saturday, May 19th. The Court Tree Collective is located at 371 Court Street, Brooklyn.
May 21st to May 27th:
Open Set 2018: A Night of Original Musical Performance: The National Museum of Mathematics is hosting an original musical performance on Thursday, May 24th at 6:30pm. This two-hour program will feature compositions from math-musicians around the world. If an audience member is feeling brave, he or she may be invited up to the stage. The venue is located at 11 East 26th Street, New York.
Challah Bread Making Class: In tandem with the masterful bakers at Breads Bakery, Sprouts Cooking Club is hosting an afternoon of bread-making. Young chefs will learn how to mix, knead, and braid the perfect loaf. At the end, the participants will get to enjoy everything they’ve made. The program will take place at Breads Bakery, a first that the team is opening up their kitchen to outside sources, located at 18 East 16th Street, New York on Sunday, May 27th.
The Jungle Book: This Memorial Day weekend, Puppetworks is hosting an adaptation of The Jungle Book, specifically designed for Marionettes. The program is suggested for ages 4 and up. It takes place at their local theatre, 338 6th Avenue at 4th Street in Brooklyn. Reservations are suggested.
Look, Play, and Learn: The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is hosting a multi-sensory, activity-based program on Sunday, May 27th for children younger than 5-years-old. The museum is located at 212 West 83rd Street, New York.
May 28th to May 31st:
Dream Machine: Dream Machine is an interactive and innovative experience taking place in Williamsburg, Brooklyn until Thursday, May 31st. It is a surreal-powered playground, suitable for all ages, so you don’t want to miss your chance. The venue is located at 93 North 9th Street, Brooklyn.
World Science Festival: The World Science Festival returns to New York City for a week packed with over 70 events that feature discussions and debates, interactive experiments, and theatrical performances. The festival is held from Tuesday, May 29th through Sunday, June 3rd. For an individual list of events and workshops, visit here.
Contact the Nanny Authority Today!
At the Nanny Authority, our nannies are familiar with age-appropriate seasonal activities and events so parents can feel at ease knowing their children are engaging in a cultural, educational lifestyle when they’re not around. To learn more about how we can assist you in the search for a professional nanny, contact us via e-mail or at 973-466-2669 today.