Now that summer is nearly upon us, our child care professionals extensive list of family-friendly entertainment covers a multitude of outdoor events and activities for June.
June 1st to June 4th:
All You Can Eat Ice Cream Party
During the first three days in June, Bryant Park is hosting an All You Can Eat Ice Cream Party, where families can enjoy ice cream from participating vendors. Dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and kosher options are available at the Scooper Bowl, and toppings will be provided by Breads Bakery and UnReal Candy. Proceeds from the event benefit the Jimmy Fund, Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and pediatric care at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. The park is in Midtown Manhattan, between 5th and 6th Avenue and 40th and 42nd Streets.
10th Annual World Science Festival
This year’s festival celebrates the accomplishments of Women in Science, and will feature groundbreaking discoveries, the chance to interact one-on-one with scientists, and youth and family events. Exhibits can be viewed at Lincoln Center, the Museum of the Moving Image, John Jay College, and at the epicenter of New York City, Times Square. An additional event to look into is The Carnival and Science Spectacular, held at The Staten Island Children’s Museum. The annual fundraiser will include carnival rides and games, mad scientist shows, and robots.
Battery Park City Programming
Battery Park City has released their entertainment calendar for the summer months ahead. Programming includes dance sessions featuring the tango, foxtrot, and waltz, and is geared toward all ages. Parents can also foster a love of nature in their children by registering them to the bird watching club and gardening club. Battery Park City Parks covers Nelson A. Rockefeller Plaza, Rockefeller Park House, Waterfront Plaza at Brookfield Place, Belvedere Plaza, Esplanade Plaza, and others.
Figment Festival
The Figment Festival takes place on June 3rd and June 4th on Governors Island. This free, volunteer-run non-profit event features large-scale collaborative artwork from artists and participants. Visitors will provide their own supplies and materials.
Kids Film Fest
Kids Film Fest takes place on Saturday, June 3rd, and will feature children’s movies from the United States, Japan, Iran, Canada, and other countries. The subject matter tackles technology, nutrition, animals, and a young boy’s transition from age 4 to 5 years old. This year’s festival will take place at Made in New York Media Center, located at 30 John Street in Brooklyn.
Community Volunteer Day
Supervised by the staff of the Queens Botanical Gardens, participants will engage in a variety of gardening programs designed to keep the gardens clean. Additional events at the Queens Botanical Gardens in June include Field Day Fun, Farmer’s Market Fridays, and a variety of children’s programs. The Botanical Garden is located at 43-50 Main Street in Flushing, and is accessible via public transportation or car.
Dumbo’s Down to Earth Farmers Market
Participating vendors at the market include American Pride Seafood, The Brooklyn Biscuit Company, Anthi’s Greek Food, and others. Additional programs taking place at the market include Summer Fest + Brooklyn Makers and Recycle A Bicycle. The market is open on Wednesdays from 11am to 7pm, and located at the Pearl Street Triangle in the Dumbo section of Brooklyn.
June 5th to June 11th:
Maker, Maker
Maker, Maker is on view at the Children’s Museum of the Arts from June 8th through September 10th. The exhibition showcases ten contemporary artists, and their handmade works from materials such as ceramics, crochet, collage, and woodworking. The Museum is located at 103 Charlton Street in Manhattan.
Red Hook Fest
The 24th annual Red Hook Fest takes place on June 9th through 10th, offering family activities, face painting, and musical performances. The festival will take place at Ferris Street and Coffey Street, on the Brooklyn waterfront.
Big Apple Barbecue
The 15th annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party will be held at Madison Square Park on Saturday and Sunday, June 10th to 11th. It is considered to be the nation’s largest culinary festival dedicated to featuring the best in barbecue. This year’s Pitmasters feature Hometown Bar-b-que from Brooklyn, New York; Blue Smoke from New York, New York; and vendors from South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas, and other states.
Dinosaur Day at Triassic Playground
The Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Conservancy is hosting Dinosaur Day at Triassic Playground, located at 56 Meadow Lake Trail, Flushing, New York on Sunday, June 11th. Children should come dressed in the dinosaur costume or shirt of their choosing. There will be face painting, arts and crafts, and various other activities for children of all ages.
Trillion Bubble Party
The annual Trillion Bubble Party is held at Washington Square Park on Sunday, June 11th. Participants are responsible for their own supplies and will meet around the fountain in the middle of the park at 1pm. Thousands have attended the event in the past.
The Great Inflatable Race
The Great Inflatable Race takes place at Aviator Sports and Events Center at 3159 Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, June 10th. This event was established in 2012, and is the first and original all-inflatable fun run with inflatable obstacles spread throughout the course. The space will also have an inflatable village on the premises, and those will be separate from the obstacles along the race course.
June 12th to June 18th
Museum Mile Festival
This year’s Museum Mile festival is on Tuesday, June 13th, rain or shine. This annual event allows visitors access into any museum on 5th Avenue between 82nd Street and 105th Street at no cost. The participating members of this festival include the Museum of the City of New York, the Jewish Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, among others. There will be arts and crafts activities in the street for children as well as live entertainment.
Locomotive Lawn Live
Summer on the Hudson features a multitude of outdoor activities and events for the whole family to enjoy. One of the programs is the Moosiki Kids Musical Storytime, which helps to cultivate a love of reading in young children using music. The Locomotive Lawn series takes place in Riverside Park South, which is on Riverside Drive between 59th and 72nd Street, and repeats every Thursday until June 29th.
Albee Square Block Party
Albee Square in Downtown Brooklyn hosts a block party every month. Musical entertainment will be provided by Shira and friends, and face painting and balloon animals will be on-site as well. Afterward, family can peruse the Fulton Mall for some shopping. If you miss this one, there will be two more over the summer: Saturday, July 15th and Saturday, August 19th.
Family Day
On the third Saturday of the month, the Wyckoff House Museum holds a family day. This month’s event falls on June 17th, and is open to all visitors. Programming includes scavenger hunts, gardening, interactive activities, and a chance to vote for what vegetables the museum will grow in the garden. There will also be a pop-up farmer’s market for parents to purchase locally sourced vegetables and fruits.
The Mermaid Parade
The 35th annual Mermaid Parade is on Saturday, June 17th this year and will have appearances by Deborah Harry and Chris Stein of Blondie. The parade begins at West 21st Street and Surf Avenue, moves to West 10th Street, and concludes on West 17th street. The Mermaid Parade is considered to be the nation’s largest art parade and showcases over 3,000 innovative individuals from all over the five boroughs.
French Day Camps and Classes
The French Institute Alliance Francaise on 22 East 60th Street in Manhattan has opened registration for their half-day, full-day and immersion classes to help children learn or improve their French.
June 19th to June 30th:
Discovery Walks for Families
During this guide tour of Central Park, families can learn more about the architecture, landscapes, and the ecosystems that comprise Central Park. Children will receive Discovery kits to help them along their journey. These backpacks are filled with kid-friendly binoculars, field guides, and more. This week’s Discovery Walk focuses on Time Travelers, journeying back to as far as the Ice Age.
Bug Day
The New York Hall of Science is hosting its annual Bug Day on Saturday, June 24th. Here, children can learn and handle a variety of different insects and spiders with the assistance of the staff from the New York City Entomological Society.
Hydrangea Hurrah
The second annual Madison Square Hort Day takes place on Saturday, June 24th. This year’s family-friendly event is hosted by the Conservancy, and will have a variety of park tours and floral demonstrations to celebrate the hydrangeas. A kids-zone for entertainment will also be set-up at the park. Madison Square Park is on Broadway, Madison Avenue between East 23rd Street and East 26th Street.
Coney Island Cyclone’s 90th Birthday Celebration
On Sunday, June 25th, Luna Park in Coney Island will be celebrating the Cyclone’s 90th Birthday. Live entertainment, games, giveways, and others begin at noon. Families can also take a ride on the iconic wooden rollercoaster and experience 12 drops, including a 95-foot and a 60-foot plunge.
History Detective Briefcase for Families
The New York Historical Society’s History Detective Briefcase for Families recurring program is closing out the month of June on Sunday, June 25th. Families will get a chance to explore the expansive new Luce Center on the 4th floor of the museum using a series of interactive, family-centered challenges.
Battery Park City Community Field Day
On Friday, June 30th, participants will be transported back to their junior high field day, and engage in classic games such as potato sack races, relays, and tug of war. Additional activities include art projects, dance time, and yard games.
Child Care Professionals Who Know NYC:
Some of our favorite spring activities can be found here. At the Nanny Authority, our nannies are knowledgeable in age-appropriate seasonal activities and programs, so parents can feel at ease knowing that their children maintain a cultural, educational lifestyle when they’re not around. To learn more about how we can assist you in your search for a professional nanny, contact us via e-mail or at 973-466-2669!