By Time Out NY Kids 2012
With a June heat wave already behind
us, July is gearing up to be equally warm; luckily, it turns out that it's also
a hot month for free festivals and family-friendly events. With free summer
activities taking place on Governors Island, Prospect Park, Coney Island,
Central Park and
plenty of spots in between, families can explore the city and enjoy lively
summer happenings at the same time, all without spending a penny. Looking for
more free summer activities?
Hudson River Park’s Science on the River
The folks at Hudson River Park know
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. The park’s environmental education
staff will host family-friendly catch-and-release fishing, plankton collection
and observation, and a workshop on water-quality sampling. Kids can observe
displays of live fish straight from the Hudson River, as well as falcons and
hawks. Other options include constructing art out of recycled materials with
the Children’s Museum of the Arts staff, watching a presentation on the use of
scientific tools and doing mini science experiments. Sat July 7 11am–4pm. Hudson River
Park at Pier 84. Free. All ages.
Summer Stage Kids Family Day in Central Park
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. The multicultural
Illstyle & Peace Productions will perform hip-hop and tap dance, followed
by a Chinese lion dance from the New York Chinese Cultural Center. The
Bindlestiff Family Cirkus sends families off with a show that combines their
unique style with traditional circus tricks. Sun July 8 3–6pm. Central Park,
Rumsey Playfield. Free. Ages 3 and up.
Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance presents the 5th Annual City
of Water Day Festival
There’s no better place to celebrate
water than on Governors Island, where H2O is all around. The long list of
activities, many focused on waterfront issues, includes free guided boat tours
(a fireboat tour of the harbor on the John J. Harvey is just one of the options), a bike
scavenger hunt and two critter touch tanks where little ones can get to know
water-dwelling creatures such as sea stars, whelks and hermit crabs. Kids can
use a fishing rod to catch laminated cutouts of local fishies, learn to tie
different knots at the North River Sail & Power Squadron station and line
up for free kayaking. Sat July 14 10am–4pm. Governors Island.
Free. Ages 4 to 16
Tamimiami Pixilation Project
Mark di Suvero’s sculpture Tamimiami, located in Governors Island’s Nolan
Park, serves as the inspiration for this pixilation workshop. After viewing the
sculpture, kids will learn how to animate their bodies and choreograph
movements with the guidance of teaching artists from the Children’s Museum of
the Arts and Storm King Art Center. Sat July 14 11am–3pm. Governors Island.
Free. Ages 6 and up
Come Out & Play Field Day 2012
Far more exciting than your child’s
average gym class, this field day features original games for both kids and
adults, centered on the theme of time travel. Kids can stomp on balloons in
Balloon War, play pinball in Medieval Madness, and have a water fight using
water blasters and sponges in Robots vs. Zombies. Sat July 14 noon–6pm. Governors Island.
Free. Ages 6 to 11
Midsummer Night Swing Kids Dance!
Rodney Lopez, who was featured in the
documentary Mad Hot Ballroom, gives kids a basic lesson in swing, merengue and tango. Sat
July 14 3–4:30pm. Damrosch Park at
Lincoln Center. Free. Ages 6 to 10
Mow-Down Garden Hoedown Weekend
Celebrate the beauty and utility of
the grass family at this hoedown: On Saturday and Sunday, families can weave a
hat, mat or basket out of multicolored grasses (10am–1pm) and view Wave Hill’s
ornamental grasses on a garden tour (1, 3pm). Bluegrass band Spirit Family
Reunion will play on Saturday (noon, 1:30pm), while Sunday features live music
from Astrograss (noon, 1:30pm). Sat July 14–Sun July 15 9am–5:30pm. Wave Hill.
Free. All ages
Bastille Day on 60th Street
Vive la France! New York’s main Bastille Day fête
features can-can dancers, a wine-and-cheese tasting for those 21+, and all the
pastries your children’s hearts desire. Sample a macaron and take a complimentary 30-minute
French lesson before ushering the kids over to the children’s pétanque contest and the FIAF Kids’ Corner,
where they can get their faces painted and enjoy storytelling sessions. Sun
July 15 noon–5pm. 60th St between Fifth and Madison Aves (bastilledayny.com). Free. All ages
Lincoln Center Out of Doors Family Day
This family day sets the tone with Tangle, in which children help create an art
installation by unraveling balls of elastic around 25 polls of varying height.
The fun continues with performances by the Chinese American Arts Council
Acrobatic Group and the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus. Sat July 28 at 11am. Lincoln Center,
Josie Robertson Plaza. Free. Ages 4 to 10
17th Annual Rockaway Beach Sandcastle
Contest
Kids can channel their architectural leanings at this sandcastle
contest, where Urban Park Rangers will distribute prizes to builders in each
age category. Sun July 29 noon–2pm. Rockaway Beach
and Boardwalk. Free. All ages
SummerStage Kids Family Day in Queens
Randolph Matthews will do more than delight families with his soul and
African music: He’ll also help teach a vocal percussion workshop in which
families use recycled materials, storytelling and Matthews’ rhythms to create
music of their own. There’s also magician LuckyBob, who can juggle hats,
balance objects on his face and even read minds, all while keeping kids
laughing. Families can amp up their dance moves at a free hip-hop class in the
park, then try them out at the Little Club Heads dance party. Sun July 29
4–7pm. Springfield Park.
Free. Ages 3 and up
SOURCE: http://timeoutnewyorkkids.com/things-to-do/248239/free-summer-activities-for-new-york-city-families-july-2012?cmpid=SAT070712