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Big Swim, Hippo Playground Festival, and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids

Jane's Carousel celebrates its 13th year in Brooklyn with free rides and face painting all day long. Photo by Sara Marentette
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4/26/24 - By Drew Kristofik

Looking for the best things to do in New York City this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Belvedere Plaza is aglow with the Illumination Light Art Festival this weekend, while the Kupferberg Center celebrates Cinco de Mayo, and a special May the Fo(u)rth film workshop ushers in the last month of spring. The Big Swim makes a splash on the Upper East Side, Jane's Carousel opens with FREE rides and face painting, and the Hippo Playground Spring Fair dazzles on Sunday.

More Things To Do in New York City this Week with Kids

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Best Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids

Sail Away by Treehouse Shakers at Ailey Citigroup Theater

Midtown West
Thursday, May 2-Saturday, May 4
Journey with the Treehouse Shakers on an ocean-inspired adventure for toddlers ages 18-24 months. Specifically geared toward very early walkers, Sail Away is a mobile exploration experience piece for toddlers who want to wiggle, move, walk, and run in a fully immersive first-time play experience.   READ MORE

Illumination Light Art Festival at Belvedere Plaza

Financial District – FREE
Thursday, May 2-Saturday, May 4
Belvedere Plaza, located on the elevated northwest corner above North Cove Marina, lights up the night(s) with a DJ and performances featuring local and international light artists showcasing their work. Closing night, Saturday, May 4, includes a Star Wars themed silent disco.   READ MORE

Ice Theatre of New York 2024 Home Season Performances at Chelsea Piers

Chelsea
Friday, May 3, Saturday, May 4, and Monday, May 6
Ice Theatre of New York (ITNY) glides into the Chelsea Piers Sky Rink for its 2024 home season performances, which culminates with a special gala performance on Monday. READ MORE

Viva el Cinco de Mayo: Festival of Son at the Kupferberg Center

Flushing, Queens
Saturday, May 4
¡Viva México! at Kupferberg's Cinco de Mayo family celebration that features world-renowned ensembles presenting traditional Mexican music and dance, including Mariachi Real De Mexico. with special guest José Adán Pérez, Tlen Huicani from Veracruz, Mexico, and Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Nueva York. READ MORE

 Sesame Street Live! Say Hello at Kings Theatre

Flatbush, Brooklyn
Saturday, May 4
Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Abby Cadabby team up once again to say hello to little fans. At Sesame Street Live!, audience members can sing and dance with their favorite furry friends while enjoying fun surprises. READ MORE

Once Upon the Sun & Sea at the Philippine Center

Midtown West
Saturday, May 4
Celebrate Philippine National Heritage Month at a book reading and signing of Once Upon the Sun & Sea, a compliation of myths, indigenous stories and folk tales by co-authors Denise Orosa and Jo Tiongson-Perez.   READ MORE

Big Swim 2024 at Asphalt Green

Upper East Side – FREE
Saturday, May 4
Asphalt Green hosts a fun day for swimmers of all abilities, ages 6 and older, to experience the thrill of racing in the water! Compete and receive a swim cap, medal, and an icey.   READ MORE

Take Two Film Workshop: Star Wars

Midtown West – FREE
Saturday, May 4
May the 4th be with you! In this hands-on workshop, kids get to explore some of the techniques that made Star Wars so groundbreaking. Learn how the jump to hyperspace was created, how sound effects were recorded, and even how the original light sabers were built! READ MORE

Jane's Carousel Day in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Dumbo, Brooklyn – FREE
Saturday, May 4
Jane's Carousel celebrates its 13th year in Brooklyn with free rides and face painting all day long. READ MORE

Hands-on History: Trekkies, Unite! at King Manor Museum

Jamaica, Queens – FREE
Saturday, May 4
You may be wondering, why in the galaxy would King Manor Museum be dedicating an event to Star Trek? Well, Spock, a Vulcan alien, had a human mother, Amanda Grayson, and Grayson was played by Rufus King’s third great-granddaughter, Jane Wyatt! Celebrate Jane and the show that paved the way for diverse storytelling on television by solving Spock’s logic puzzles and making your own Star Trek COMM badge! READ MORE

60th Annual Calhoun Spring Carnival

Upper West Side
Saturday, May 4
Carnival rides and games, prizes, and craft activities are trademarks of the annual celebration for the Calhoun community and neighborhood families. Enjoy the traditional first barbecue of the season with hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, freshly made sandwiches, and more. READ MORE

Print Your Own Mother’s Day Card at Bowne & Co.

South Street Seaport – FREE
Saturday, May 4
Bowne & Co.'s talented designers show guests how to create a festive Mother's Day card using the South Street Seaport Museum's 19th-century historical printing equipment. READ MORE

Young People’s Concert: Celebration at Geffen Hall

Midtown West
Saturday, May 4
Celebrate 100 years of Young People’s Concerts with madcap sounds, humor, and surprises — and discover how composers throughout the ages have used these tools to comment on important issues of their day. READ MORE

Free Comic Book Day 2024

Citywide – FREE
Saturday, May 4
Pow! Crash! Boom!  Getting comic books for free is...super! Free Comic Book Day returns on its usual first Saturday in May date. READ MORE

Woofstock - Spring Fest on President Street

Park Slope, Brooklyn – FREE
Saturday, May 4
Woofstock promises fun activities for dogs and kids, including a dog agility course, face painting, and a raffle to support fundraising efforts. Adoption opportunities literally abound.   READ MORE

Silly Billy at the Staten Island Children's Museum

Snug Harbor, Staten Island
Saturday, May 4
Step right up for a highly interactive comedy magic show from Silly Billy.   READ MORE

Children's Day Festival: Kodomo No Hi at Japan Society

Midtown East
Saturday, May 4
Hang the koinobori (carp streamers) and don your kabuto (samurai helmet): The Japan Society's Children's Day is back. Celebrate Japan’s national holiday with the captivating tale of Momotaro (Peach Boy) through a thrilling theatrical performance filled with storytelling, music, dance, and lots of audience participation. Continue the adventure with life-sized samurai armor displays, carp streamer making, samurai helmet origami, and more. READ MORE

Lunaapeew/Lenape Celebration Weekend at the Museum of the City of New York

Upper East Side
Saturday & Sunday, May 4 & 5
Members of the Lunaapeew/Lenape community and the Museum of the City of New York host an inaugural weekend of activities celebrating the resilience and cultural heritage of the First People of the New York City region, featuring two days of events with music and dance performances, craft workshops, a marketplace, and discussions led by Indigenous speakers and artists.   READ MORE

Hippo Playground Spring Fair in Riverside Park

Upper West Side – FREE
Sunday, May 5
An Upper West Side institution, the Hippo Playground Spring Fair celebrates the season with pony rides, bouncy castles, a petting zoo, games, prizes, crafts, food, cupcake decorating, face painting, entertainment, and more. READ MORE

Spring Family Fair at the Morgan

Midtown East – FREE
Sunday, May 5
Celebrate the Morgan Library's 100th anniversary and the reopening of the Morgan Garden with live music, spring exhibition tours, artmaking, scavenger hunts, and more. READ MORE

Annual Irish Dance Festival at Riverside Park's Pier 1

Upper West Side – FREE
Sunday, May 5
NYC's Irish Arts Center kicks off Riverside Park's 2024 Summer-on-the-Hudson series with an afternoon of traditional Irish dance and music performances and workshops curated by Niall O'Leary.   READ MORE

PS 267 - Spring Fling

Midtown East
Sunday, May 5
East Side Elementary School, PS 267 hosts its annual block party with a day of fun for the whole family: bouncy inflatables, games, crafts, snacks. Proceeds benefit PS 267 PTA and the programs it supports. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Kupferberg Center for the Arts, LeFrak Concert Hall
Riverside Park - Pier 1