Check out our fun-filled, spring-oriented events geared toward children in the New York City area including the Bike Expo, Fleet Week, and the Craft Festival!
Bike Expo New York
Fri May 3, 2019 – Sat May 4, 2019 – see all dates
Friday: 10am-8pm
Saturday: 9am-6pm
Age: All
Price: Free
Bike Expo New York is an annual celebration of bicycling in New York City and beyond. Nearly 100 exhibitors represent the best brands and organizations in biking.
In addition to exhibitor booths, Bike Expo New York is packed with programming for casual and serious cyclists alike, including a fashion show, how-to demonstrations, competitions, and much more.
Urban Wildlife Festival
Saturday May 4, 2019
1:00pm to 4:00pm
Age: All ages
Price: Free
NYC Parks, the Urban Park Rangers, and the Fort Tryon Park Trust host an Urban Wildlife Festival that invites kids to get up close and personal with owls, hawks, porcupines, tortoises, and more.
Visitors learn about wild creatures’ traits and behaviors from New York State licensed rehabilitators and the Urban Park Rangers. Plus, the festival promises relay races, animal-themed arts and crafts, and live music by the White Eyed Lizard Band. Held rain or shine.
Free, but advance registration appreciated.
Click here for more information: https://www.forttryonparktrust.org/event/urban-wildlife-festival-2/
Lincoln Center Block Party — Midtown West
Saturday, May 4
This day-long neighborhood bash is jam-packed with free performances, concerts, workshops, crafts, and activities in honor of Lincoln Center’s 60th anniversary. The plaza and its surrounding buildings overflow with reggae, hip-hop, Broadway, jazz, soul, Indian classical, and chamber and symphonic music performances, plus dance performances of every kind from samba to ballet to step dancing. FREE
Click here for more information: http://www.lincolncenter.org/
STEM Expo at NYSCI — Corona, Queens
Friday, May 17
For one jam-packed night, New York Hall of Science invites families with kids in middle school, high school, or college to explore summer academic and internship opportunities in STEM—that’s science, technology, engineering, and math, but we bet you knew that already. In addition to learning about these fantastic programs, visitors can check out interactive science demos, tour the museum’s many exhibits, explore the museum after dark, and enjoy Queens-made eats. FREE but an RSVP is required.
Click here for more information: https://nysci.org/event/stem-career-expo-2019/
Craft in Focus Festival
Sat May 18, 2019 – Mon May 20, 2019 – see all dates
11:00am to 6:00pm
Age: 5 and up
Price: FREE admission; fees vary for workshops
The Craft in Focus festival takes over Industry City (Brooklyn) with over a hundred hands-on workshops, inspiring lectures by renowned international craftsmen, master classes for professionals, documentaries, and more.
The festival offers lots of hands-on workshops for kids too. Check the website to purchase workshop tickets in advance.
Click here for more information: http://craftinfocusnewyork.com/
Dance Parade New York
Flatiron and the East Village
Saturday, May 18 1:00pm-7:00PM
Price: Free
Ages: All
This annual dance procession is deservedly on our list of the best NYC parades for kids. It kicks off near Madison Square Park and ends in Tompkins Square Park. Along the way, more than 10,000 movers and shakers shimmy down Broadway in elaborate costumes doing more than 75 dances, including the salsa, tango, waltz, hula, break dancing and more. To participate, register in advance and join a group. Otherwise, go to cheer them on, and hit the after-party in Tompkins Square Park for complimentary dance workshops and multiple stages of dance performances.
Visit https://danceparade.org/ for more information
Essex Street Market Annual Birthday Block Party
Sat May 18, 2019
11:00am to 4:00pm
Age: All
Price: FREE admission but RSVP encouraged. Most food items $5 or less.
Essex Street Market has been on the Lower East Side since 1940, but this year is special, as it’s the first year in the Market’s new location.
This is a true neighborhood bash: grilling, chilling, and jamming with live music. Most food items will be $5 or less.
Click here for more information: http://www.essexstreetmarket.com/events/2019/5/18/new-market-grand-opening-party
Fleet Week
Various locations
Wednesday, May 22–Monday, May 27
Each year during Fleet Week, those in New York and the surrounding area are given an opportunity to meet those who serve at sea, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services. Events kick off with the Parade of Ships and continue with various vessel and vehicle viewings, musicals and movies, and even a bubble garden. Some events are FREE.
To see the entire schedule click here: http://militarynews.com/app/fleetweeknewyork/events.html
Opening Weekend for City Beaches — Citywide
Opening Saturday, May 25
Memorial Day weekend is considered the unofficial start of summer because beaches in NYC (and the tristate area) open the Saturday before the Monday holiday. While day trips to nearby shores in New Jersey and Long Island are lovely if you have a car and don’t mind waiting in traffic, you can access beaches in four boroughs with just a swipe of your MetroCard. Only Manhattan does not have a beach, though ironically, Brooklyn has a Manhattan Beach. Coney Island is, of course, a family favorite since it boasts amusement parks, the New York Aquarium, and other kid-friendly attractions. But don’t count out Brooklyn’s Brighton Beach, the Bronx’s “Riviera,” Orchard Beach, or surfing central Rockaway in Queens. FREE